15 Ways to Lower Your Energy Bill During Extreme Weather

Whether it's a scorching heatwave or a bitterly cold winter, extreme weather can raise energy bills. However, there are many easy and effective ways to use less energy during these times.

Tricia Quitales
April 5, 2025
5 min read

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During extreme weather, the usage of heating and cooling appliances go up, which can make your energy bills go up. However, if you make a few smart changes, you can use less energy without giving up comfort. In this article, there are 15 easy and inexpensive ways to lower your energy bill during severe weather.

1. Seal Windows and Doors

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Window and door cracks let a lot of energy escape. Weatherstripping or caulking to fill these gaps can help keep your home’s temperature stable. In winter, this keeps out cold drafts, and in summer, it keeps out the hot air.

2. Use Programmable Thermostats

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Programmable thermostats make it easier to keep your home at the right temperature. They can be set to change the temperature on their own when you’re not home or while you sleep. This keeps you from wasting energy by keeping your house from being heated or cooled when you’re not there.

3. Insulate Your Home

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The amount of energy you use is greatly influenced by the correct insulation in your walls, floors, and attic. Insulation keeps heat in during winter and cool air inside during summer, so your heating or cooling systems won’t have to operate constantly.

4. Use Fans to Supplement Cooling or Heating

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Fans can circulate air around your house, helping it feel cooler in the summer or warmer in the winter. In summer, ceiling fans should turn counterclockwise to push cool air down. During winter, they should turn clockwise to push warm air upward. This indicates you need less heating or air conditioning.

5. Switch to Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

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Switching to LED bulbs can help you use less energy. Incandescent bulbs use much more energy and don’t last as long as LED bulbs. This small change can help you use less electricity, especially when combined with other ways to save energy.

6. Use Thermal Curtains

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Thermal or insulated curtains can help keep your home comfortable during harsh weather. In winter, these curtains keep heat in and block heat out in summer, so you don’t have to heat or cool as much. They also protect your windows even more, which is important because windows are one of the main ways that heat and cold air escape.

7. Close Off Unused Rooms

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Close the doors to rooms in your house that aren’t being used to prevent your heating or cooling system from wasting power. This will ensure that climate control is in the most important rooms. Plus, it will make your HVAC system work better and use less power.

8. Limit the Use of Space Heaters and Fans

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Fans and space heaters can help immediately, but they aren’t always the most energy-efficient choice. If you do, make sure you only use them in the rooms that really need them. If not, it is more energy-efficient to use central heating and cooling systems.

9. Seal Air Ducts

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If your air ducts aren’t sealed properly, heated or cooled air can escape and waste much energy. Sealing the air ducts makes the airflow more efficient and ensures that your rooms get cold. Your heating and cooling systems may not have to work as hard as they used to.

10. Change HVAC Filters Regularly

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When filters get clogged, your HVAC system works less well. When your filters are clean, air can flow more freely through your system, which makes it work better and use less energy. Your energy bill may decrease if you regularly clean or change your filters.

11. Cook Efficiently

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Avoid using the stove or oven for extended periods when it’s quite hot outside. They generate a lot of heat. Instead, use a pressure cooker, slow cooker, or microwave. They consume less energy and won’t overheat your home. Grilling outside is another excellent approach to prevent your house from becoming too hot.

12. Take Advantage of Natural Ventilation

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The best times to let fresh air into your home are when it’s cooler outside, like early morning or late at night. By opening windows on opposite sides of your home, you can create a breeze that cools the room without using electricity. This works great when the weather is mild, like in spring and fall.

13. Use Energy Star Appliances

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Energy Star-labeled appliances consume less energy than conventional ones, so they can help you use less energy. Choose new refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners with the Energy Star label. Designed to consume less energy, these appliances will lower your energy costs.

14. Switch to LED Outdoor Lights

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Switch to LED bulbs if your outdoor lighting is for safety or decoration. Compared to conventional outdoor lights, they consume significantly less energy. Made to consume less power and last longer, LED lights will save you from having to replace them as frequently. Without compromising the light or increasing its danger, this little adjustment can enable you to reduce your energy cost.

15. Maintain Your Roof

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A big part of how energy-efficient your home is depends on how well the roof is sealed. Make sure it’s in good shape and reflects sunlight. You might want to add reflective coatings or light-colored shingles. This can keep your home cooler in the summer and make your air conditioner work less hard by reducing the heat it takes in.