While heating and cooling expenses are unavoidable, you may be able to reduce them without significantly reducing your personal comfort. The most obvious way to do so is simply to use less heat and air conditioning. Set your thermostat a few degrees cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer. If you are away during the day, consider installing a programmable thermostat to reduce your energy expenditure when you are away, but keep you comfortable when you are home. During cooler summer nights and days, portable fans or an attic fan may keep your home cool without as much energy usage, and additional layers of clothing or blankets may make cooler days tolerable in the winter. Should you need to replace your air conditioning unit or furnace, choose an energy efficient unit. Also, adding insulation or double paned windows to your home can reduce your overall energy expenditures. Walk through your home and use easily available and affordable weather stripping products to seal any drafts or cracks.

General utility expenses can also be reduced via conservation and energy efficiency.Basic efforts at conservation, including brief showers, turning off lights, using a clothesline in lieu of an electric or natural gas dryer and keeping appliances off can all reduce your energy costs. Choosing more efficient products, ranging from low-flow showerheads to long lasting and low energy fluorescent light bulbs can save you money over time as well. If you need new appliances, choosing those with lower water and energy usage, often denoted by an energy star designation, can save you money, and may offer tax benefits. When appliance shopping, look at the energy guide on various appliances, and choose those with a lower running cost. In some areas, your utility provider may offer financial assistance with these purchases, or other incentives to reduce your overall costs.

Newer homes may offer lower utility costs than older ones. An older home may require new windows, additional insulation, and other energy saving measures to improve your overall energy efficiency. While winter heating costs are often higher in older homes, summer cooling may be easier with good cross ventilation and adequate shade trees. If purchasing a home, consider consulting the local utility provider for information about typical heating and cooling costs to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Check with your utility provider about payment options to make your utility bill work within your budget. If you budget carefully, you may find budget billing a helpful option with your utility provider. Budget billing allows you to make the same payment on a monthly basis; however, it is possible that you will owe at the end of your billing period. Some utility companies also offer online payments, automatic withdrawals, or payments by phone to make your bill paying easier and streamline your banking.