If you’re trying to save money, analyzing the cost of your utilities is a great place to start. Paying your electricity bill is essential, of course, but you may be paying more than you need to! To try to lower your bill and save money, try these five tips that can help you conserve electricity.

1. Seal Up Your Home

The cracks around your doors and windows are leaking your money away. It’s a good idea to seal them with caulk and weather stripping. Not only do cracks and gaps waste money by causing your heating and cooling system to work harder maintaining the temperature, they can eventually reduce the life of your furnace too! Proper insulation of your home can lower your energy costs by 15 to 30 percent. Check out Electricity Monster for more ways to save on your electricity bill.

2. Use Your Appliances Strategically

Using appliances with thought is very helpful when trying to reduce your electric bills. Everything from dishwashers to washing machines can be “gamed” to reduce their energy consumption. For instance, you can dry loads of your clothing consecutively rather than waiting between loads. This reduces energy consumption as the unit remains warmer and dries clothes faster after multiple loads.

In summer, avoid using a dryer if possible and put up a clothesline to let Mother Nature dry your clothes. Cold water detergent for washing machines is now often the same price as other varieties, so switching to doing your laundry with cold water is also a great way to save money. And remember to load your dishwasher fully before starting it to ensure you’re cleaning as many dishes as possible with each cycle!

3. Shield Your Home From the Sun

Air conditioning can use a lot of electricity in the summer, so cut down on your air conditioning use by using blackout curtains or blinds on the sunny side of your house. A tinted window film can save you even more money by making your home energy efficient.

And consider landscaping your home to help keep it cool as well! Strategically planted trees will shade your home from the direct sun, keeping it cool for the maximum time possible so that your air conditioning will not have to work as hard to keep your home cool.

4. Choose the Right Light

Sometimes saving electricity is as simple as thinking about the light bulbs in your home. They may be sucking change from your bank account. The most energy-efficient lighting option is LED bulbs. They use 75 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs and can last about 25 times longer. Also, unlike florescent bulbs, they do not contain mercury.

Regardless of the light bulbs you’re using, though, make sure to turn off the unnecessary lights during the day when you can make use of the daylight. Also, remember to turn off extra lights before going to bed at night!

5. Schedule an Annual HVAC Maintenance

Your HVAC system can sometimes be the cause of an elevated electricity bill. Get it checked and cleaned at least once a year by scheduling an HVAC maintenance service. Proper maintenance will ensure that your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is working optimally and efficiently.

As an added bonus, regular maintenance also ensures you’ll have cleaner air circulating in your house. And don’t forget to change or clean the filter of your HVAC system at least once every season to keep it running at peak efficiency!

With a little care and inexpensive maintenance, trimming money off your monthly electric bill can be surprisingly easy. And using these tips to save electricity means more money in your bank account for fun!