Cutting Utility Costs – Utility bills don’t have to leave you sweating—or shivering. While it’s essential to stay comfortable, especially with kids in the house, there are simple ways to reduce electricity, water, and gas bills without sacrificing your family’s well-being.
1. Cutting Utility Costs – Control the Thermostat (Without a Mutiny)
Heating and cooling account for a large chunk of your energy bill. Here’s how to trim that down without mutiny from your family:
- Install a programmable or smart thermostat to adjust temps automatically.
- In winter, set it to 68°F during the day, lower at night or when you’re out.
- In summer, aim for 78°F when you’re home and raise it when you’re away. (Although this may be a little more difficult in some areas of the country with high heat AND humidity-like Oklahoma)
- Dress for the season: cozy socks and sweaters in winter; light, breathable clothes in summer.
🧣 Tip: Challenge the family to a “layer up” day instead of cranking the heat.
2. Cutting Utility Costs – Seal the Leaks
Your home may be leaking energy without you realizing it.
- Check for drafts around windows and doors—use weatherstripping or draft stoppers.
- Close curtains and blinds to keep heat out in summer and cold out in winter.
- Insulate the attic or basement if you haven’t already—it’s a long-term win.
💨 Simple fix: A rolled-up towel at the bottom of the door can stop drafts fast.
3. Cutting Utility Costs – Power Down and Unplug
Electronics and appliances use energy even when not in use—known as “phantom load.”
- Unplug chargers, toasters, and game consoles when not in use.
- Use power strips to make it easy to cut power to multiple items at once.
- Turn off lights when leaving a room—get the kids involved with a “light patrol” game.
🔌 Install motion-sensor lights in bathrooms or closets to save energy automatically.
4. Cutting Utility Costs – Switch to Efficient Appliances and Bulbs
It might cost more up front, but efficient upgrades pay off over time.
- LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy than incandescents and last longer.
- Replace old appliances with ENERGY STAR® certified models when they die.
- Use the cold water setting on your washing machine—it saves energy and is gentler on clothes.
💡 Involve your kids by letting them switch out bulbs and track the savings.
5. Cutting Utility Costs – Conserve Water the Smart Way
Water bills can creep up fast, especially in busy households.
- Fix leaky faucets and running toilets—they waste gallons a day.
- Teach kids to turn off the tap while brushing teeth.
- Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.
- Only run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine.
🚿 Fun tip: Set a 5-minute timer for showers and make it a family challenge.
6. Cutting Utility Costs – Take Advantage of Rebates and Assistance Programs
Many utility companies offer incentives for energy-efficient upgrades.
- Check for rebates on smart thermostats, insulation, and appliance upgrades.
- Some areas offer free energy audits or weatherization services.
- If you’re income-qualified, you might get help through certain programs.
📞 Contact your local utility company and ask what programs are available—you might be surprised.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to choose between comfort and cost. Small changes can lead to big savings over time, and when the whole family gets involved, you’ll not only lower your bills—you’ll build mindful habits that last for years.
We have multiple new series starting now to give you the best in information concerning financial matters for families. Join our community so that you never miss anything, plus get some great exclusive insight!
MORE WAYS TO CONNECT
We also, as a homesteading family, have a variety of blogs that might interest you. A Life on the Farm focuses on the more personal side of the homesteading life. We discuss subjects like family, parenting, relationships, homeschooling, cooking, canning and so much more.
Two Oaks Farm Talk concerns the more technical side of homesteading. We discuss subjects like gardening, food prep, and farm building and construction with lots of tutorials!
Farm Raised Family is basically a hub for everything under the Two Oaks Farmstead umbrella. You can learn a great deal about all parts of the farmstead there. The Farm Raised Family blog focuses on financial matters such as budgeting, saving, and more and on current events affecting families.
You can also have a more in depth look at all that we do by visiting our Two Oaks Farmstead YouTube Channel and be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss a thing!
Farm Life and Freedom is the new podcast we are in the process of launching! It is going to be so much fun! You could also check in with our Farm Life and Freedom Youtube Channel.
Two Oaks Farmstead is the farm store… the one that holds the umbrella! Check us all out and join us, not only on our blogs and Farm Life and Freedom podcast but come join the fun on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter… wherever you get social!
