How to Save Money on Electric

By Mentor Staff | Edited By Mentor Staff

Updated On November 1, 2021

Editorial Note: This content is based solely on the author's opinions and is not provided, approved, endorsed or reviewed by any financial institution or partner.

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How to save money on electricity is one of the top financial questions asked by homeowners and renters each year. If you live in a cold weather state in the winter time, or a hot state in the summertime, how to save on your electric bill is a top priority.

The good news is that there are many ways to save on the electric bill, and they are easier than you think.

Here are 6 ways to save on your electric bill:

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Fixed APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Fixed APR means that your interest rate will always stay the same. Even if interest rates change, your interest rate or monthly payment will not. Fixed APR includes a 0.25% discount when you enroll in autopay.
Variable APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Variable APR means that your interest rate can fluctuate over time, which can increase or decrease your monthly student loan payment. Typically, a variable-rate loan has a lower introductory rate than a fixed-loan rate loan. Variable APR includes a 0.25% discount when you enroll in autopay.
APR
5.24% - 9.99%
6.24% - 9.99%
5.24% - 9.99%

View Details

on SoFi's website

Overview

Variable APR:
6.24% - 9.99%
Fixed APR:
5.24% - 9.99%
Minimum Credit Score:
650
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000 ($10,000 in CA)

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All states
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes
5.44% - 9.99%
6.24% - 9.99%
5.44% - 9.99%

View Details

on Earnest's website

Overview

Variable APR:
6.24% - 9.99%
Fixed APR:
5.44% - 9.99%
Minimum Credit Score:
650
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5-20 years
Borrower Residency:
All States except NV
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
No
5.19% - 9.74%
5.84% - 9.75%
5.19% - 9.75%

View Details

on NaviRefi's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.84% - 9.75%
Fixed APR:
5.19% - 9.74%
Minimum Credit Score:
680
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,001 ($10,001 in CA)

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5-20 years
Borrower Residency:
All States except NV
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
No
5.48% - 8.69%
5.28% - 8.99%
5.28% - 8.99%

View Details

on ELFI's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.28% - 8.99%
Fixed APR:
5.48% - 8.69%
Minimum Credit Score:
680
Minimum Income:
$35,000
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$10,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All States
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes
3.99% - 9.99%
5.99% - 9.99%
3.99% - 9.99%

View Details

on Splash's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.99% - 9.99%
Fixed APR:
3.99% - 9.99%
Minimum Credit Score:
640
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5 – 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All states
Hardship Deferment:
Varies
Co-signer Option:
No
6.99% - 10.99%
7.29% - 12.44%
6.99% - 12.44%

View Details

on Citizens' website

Overview

Variable APR:
7.29% - 12.44%
Fixed APR:
6.99% - 10.99%
Minimum Credit Score:
Not disclosed
Minimum Income:
$24,000
Fees:
No prepayment or origination fees
Minimum Loan Amount:
$10,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All states
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes
5.44% - 10.39%
5.49% - 10.59%
5.44% - 10.59%

View Details

on Laurel Road's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.49% - 10.59%
Fixed APR:
5.44% - 10.39%
Minimum Credit Score:
660
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All States
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes
5.24% - 12.18%
5.55% - 12.18%
5.24% - 12.18%

View Details

on LendKey's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.55% - 12.18%
Fixed APR:
5.24% - 12.18%
Minimum Credit Score:
680
Minimum Income:
$24,000
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All states, except ME, ND, NV, RI, WV
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes

1. Get an energy audit

While the term audit might not be appealing, it’s one of the best ways how to save money on electricity. Your state utility company may offer a free home energy audit. During the audit, you will learn ways to better insulate home and how to lower your electric bill. You will also learn about the simple home improvements you can make for how to save on your electric bill.

2. Install ceiling fans

Everyone loves air conditioning, but it can come at a steep cost. One of the best ways to save on the electric bill is to install ceiling fans. Compared to air conditioning, they are relatively affordable and can lower your electric bill. When it’s winter time, your fan should spin clockwise to help keep the heat inside. When it’s summer time, your fan should spin counter-clockwise to help heat rise and go outside.

3. Do laundry at night

If you want to know how to lower your electric bill, consider doing laundry at night. When you do laundry after 8 p.m., for example, your energy costs likely will be cheaper. Many utility companies offer lower electricity rates if you use appliances during non-peak hours. You can apply the same strategy with dishwashers as well.

4. Wash your clothes in cold water to lower your electric bill

Up to 90% of your heating costs from washing your clothes in a washing machine involves heating the water. Therefore, if you want to know how to save money on electricity, wash your clothes in cold water. When it comes to drying clothes, there is no big way to save money on dryer costs. Your best bet to save money on your electric bill is to air dry your clothes, which may not be ideal.

5. Keep your vents open to save on the electric bill

It may sound obvious, but make sure all your air conditioning vents are kept open. Having a thorough energy audit should help you discover any gaps in air conditioning or heating. Other ways to save money on an electric bill involve cleaning and replacing air filters. To provide for optimal airflow, you will want to replace your air filters each month. They only cost a few dollars, and replacing them will help your air filters block dust and dirt from flowing in your home.

6. Use power strips to save money on electricity

Did you know that a substantial amount of your energy costs – up to 75% — can be attributed to appliances when they are not being used? That means your television, computer, DVR, DVD player, gaming systems and more are using electricity all the time. Want to know how to save money on your electric bill? Plug all your electronics in a power strip and turn off the power strip when you are not using these electronics.

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