How can I lower my electric bill in winter?

By Roof & Router Team. Updated October 11, 2026.

White thermostat at 62 — Photo: Unsplash

Short answer: Start with heating, which drives about half of a typical energy bill. Air sealing and insulating save an average of 15% on heating and cooling, per ENERGY STAR. Then lower the thermostat at night, check HVAC filters monthly, switch to LEDs (up to 90% less energy), and cut standby loads. At 18 cents/kWh, a 1,500 W space heater costs about $2.16 per 8-hour day.

How do I figure out what an appliance costs to run?

Use one formula for every device in this guide:

Cost = watts × hours ÷ 1,000 × price per kWh

The EIA expects the 2026 U.S. average residential price at about 18.2 cents/kWh, so the examples use 18¢. Check your bill for your own rate.

Example: a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day for 30 days uses 360 kWh.

Your rate	1,500 W heater, 8 h/day, 30 days
12¢/kWh	$43.20
15¢/kWh	$54.00
18¢/kWh	$64.80
25¢/kWh	$90.00
30¢/kWh	$108.00

What are the best ways to lower my electric bill in winter?

Heating and cooling make up almost half of the average household energy bill, more than $900 a year, per ENERGY STAR. So most of these steps target heat.

Seal air leaks first. ENERGY STAR estimates air sealing and insulating save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs, or 11% of total energy costs. On a $900 heating and cooling bill, 15% is about $135 a year. See how to find and seal air leaks.
Cover drafty windows. Window film kits, cellular shades, and closed curtains at night cut heat loss cheaply. Our budget window insulation guide compares options.
Lower the thermostat at night and when you’re out. Heat loss scales with the temperature difference between inside and outside, so every degree lower reduces it. Treat exact savings figures as rough; our winterize your house checklist links the DOE setback guidance. A smart or programmable thermostat automates the setback. Heat pump owners should use small setbacks, since a big recovery can trigger costly backup strip heat.
Check the HVAC filter monthly. ENERGY STAR advises inspecting, cleaning, or changing filters once a month in furnaces and heat pumps. A clogged filter makes the blower work harder. See how often to change your HVAC filter.
Book a heat pump or furnace tune-up. ENERGY STAR’s maintenance checklist recommends a pre-season check by a contractor. Keep outdoor heat pump units clear of snow and leaves.
Turn the water heater down. A setting around 120°F is a common rule of thumb that saves energy and lowers scald risk. Check the manual before adjusting an electric unit, and turn off its breaker first.
Heat one room, not the whole house, when it makes sense. A space heater only saves money if you turn the central thermostat down. Read what a space heater costs to run and electric fireplace running costs.
Switch remaining bulbs to LED. ENERGY STAR certified bulbs use up to 90% less energy and save about $55 each over their lifetime. A typical 60 W incandescent swapped for a 9 W LED, run 5 hours a day for 90 days, saves about 23 kWh, or $4.13 per bulb per winter at 18¢.
Put holiday lights on a timer. LED strings use a fraction of older incandescent sets. See what Christmas lights cost to run.
Cut standby power. Devices that are always on add up. A 50 W constant load costs about $79 a year at 18¢ (50 × 8,760 h ÷ 1,000 × $0.18). Our phantom load guide shows how to measure it, and whether smart plugs save electricity.
Run ceiling fans clockwise on low. A common rule of thumb is that a slow clockwise spin pushes warm air down from the ceiling. It helps most in rooms with high ceilings. ENERGY STAR certified fans are up to 44% more efficient than conventional fans.
Work through a full winter checklist. Our winterize your house checklist covers pipes, vents, and detectors too.

Safety notes

Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet, never an extension cord or power strip. Keep 3 feet of clearance from anything that burns. Never use an oven, grill, or generator to heat living space, because of carbon monoxide risk. Test CO and smoke alarms when you change the furnace filter.

Quick answers

What uses the most electricity in winter? In all-electric homes, heating usually does. Heating and cooling make up almost half of the average household energy bill, per ENERGY STAR.

Does turning the thermostat down at night save money? Generally, yes. A cooler house loses heat more slowly, so the system runs less. Keep heat pump setbacks small to avoid backup strip heat.

Is it cheaper to use a space heater than central heat? Only if you lower the central thermostat and heat one occupied room. A 1,500 W heater costs about $2.16 per 8-hour day at 18¢.

How much does air sealing save? ENERGY STAR estimates an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs, or 11% on total energy costs.

Do LED bulbs really save money? Yes. ENERGY STAR certified bulbs use up to 90% less energy and save about $55 each over their lifetime.