It’s 2025, and rising energy costs are hitting homes and businesses more than ever before. The need to conserve energy and reduce your carbon footprint may not be on your list today – but your energy bills will likely force you to make some hard decisions in the years to come.
Luckily, there are ways to help save electricity at home in 2025 – and you may be surprised at just how easy it can be to reduce your energy consumption and save a bit of money along the way.
The key is a combination of smart home technology and daily habits designed to lower your usage without interfering with your daily life.
We’ve put together a list of the top 18 ways you can start saving electricity at home this year, and even starting with a few of the tips on this list can put a stop to skyrocketing utility bills.
Smart Home Solutions: 9 Ways to Save on Electric Bill with Aqara Tech
1. Control Your Appliances with a Smart Plug
One of the easiest ways to save electricity at home is also one of the most unexpected. Adding smart plugs to your house can help you turn any ordinary outlet into an energy-monitoring station that you can control remotely.
The Aqara Smart Plug allows you to:
● Track your power consumption of connected appliances as you use them
● Automatically turn off energy-hungry devices when they’re not in use
● Set custom use schedules so appliances only run when needed
● Cut "vampire power" from devices that can draw on electricity even when turned off
For example, connect your entertainment system to an Aqara Smart Plug and program it to turn off completely when you're at work or sleeping. It’s a simple investment that can pay for itself within months through reduced energy waste.
2. Reduce Light Waste with a Smart Light Switch
You may not give much thought to your lights, but forgetting to flip those switches is one of the top sources of electricity waste for most households.
But what can you do when a busy life keeps you from remembering to check all your rooms? The Aqara Light Switch H2 solves this problem by giving you control over your lighting from anywhere.
With the Light Switch H2, you can control your switches through your Aqara app, schedule on/off times to match your daily routine, and more. The switch has Matter over Thread and Zigbee compatibility, making it incredibly flexible for any smart home setup.
A great feature of the H2 is its ability to work with motion sensors and other smart devices. You can set up an automation that turns off all lights when no motion is detected for 30 minutes, eliminating wasted electricity when rooms are empty.
3. Set the Mood and Save with a Dimmer Switch
Are you a fan of dimming your lights to create a mood? Your lowlight settings don’t just build an ambiance in your house – they can also help reduce your electricity consumption by quite a lot!
One of the best ways to get the most out of your dimmer switch is by using a smart dimmer. Aqara's Dimmer Switch H2 gives you precise control over brightness levels, letting you use only the light you need.
When you dim LED bulbs to 50% brightness, you typically save around 40% in energy consumption. Over time, these savings add up and can help extend the lifespan of your bulbs.
4. Automate Lighting with Smart LED Bulbs
LED lights aren’t an innovation, but so few people take advantage of their longevity and power-saving features! Smart LED bulbs like the Aqara LED Bulb T2 make the most of LED tech, combining intelligent features with the LED bulb’s benefits.
These bulbs use a fraction of the electricity of traditional incandescents while offering:
● Remote brightness and color temperature control
● Customizable schedules
● Integration with motion sensors
● Dynamic scenes that adjust throughout the day
5. Let Curtains Help with Climate Control
Another key place where you may be losing energy efficiency? Your windows. Even with the best quality windows, your window coverings may be allowing heat to escape, or worse, allowing the sun to beat in and raise your cooling costs.
The Aqara Smart Curtain Motor E1 helps to automate the process, optimizing natural light and heat regulation without any effort on your part. You can program your curtains to close during peak sunlight hours in summer or open them during winter to capture free solar heat.
Plus, smart curtains can work on schedules and integrate with smart home sensors to automate the climate response in your home.
6. Heat Smarter with a Radiator Thermostat
Does your home use a radiator heating system? Make sure you have the radiator thermostat optimized for 2025. An Aqara Smart Radiator Thermostat E1 offers room-by-room temperature control, which is a big improvement over whole-house systems.
Integrating smart thermostat technology allows you to maintain comfortable temperatures only in occupied rooms and even set different temperatures for different times of day. Plus, you can make use of advanced geofencing to adjust heating automatically as you approach home.
The thermostat can even detect when windows are open, automatically reducing heat to avoid wasting energy.
7. Use a Smart Wall Switch for Water Heaters
Your water heater isn’t just a lifesaver when you need a warm shower – it’s also an energy vampire that can raise your consumption fast. When you want to make sure you are optimizing your water heater, adding an Aqara Smart Wall Switch gives you power over when and how it’s operating.
● Schedule your water heater to run only before typical usage times
● Turn off the water heater remotely when you're away from home
● Create automations that reduce heating during peak electricity rate periods
● Monitor power consumption to optimize settings
8. Prevent Water Heater Standby Loss with Smart Valve Control
Beyond scheduling when your water heater runs, the Aqara Valve Controller T1 takes water heating efficiency to the next level. This device controls water flow to your heater, preventing standby heat loss (a major cause of energy loss).
This approach to water heating can be a huge benefit in larger homes with extensive (and often energy inefficient) plumbing systems.
9. Create Smart Scenes to Cut Unnecessary Use
The true power of smart home technology comes from connecting devices through an Aqara Hub, which enables you to customize your energy-saving automation.
A great example? Creating a "Leaving Home" scene that:
● Turns off all non-essential lights and appliances
● Adjusts thermostat settings to save energy
● Closes curtains to maintain optimal temperature
● Monitors for any unexpected energy usage while you're away
Now, instead of simply remembering to turn off lights and unplug devices before leaving the house, you can trust your smart home to do it for you.
You can also create scenes for specific times of day, such as a "Bedtime" scene that turns off all lights and appliances except for necessary ones, like a nightlight or security system.
9 More Small Habits to Reduce Energy Consumption
10. Use Fans Instead of Air Conditioning When Possible
Did you know that ceiling and portable fans consume far less electricity than air conditioners? It’s truy – typically 30-50 watts compared to 1,000-3,500 watts for AC units.
While fans don't actually “cool” the air, they create a wind-chill effect that can cool you down even on the hottest days of the year. Even when that’s not enough, simply setting the thermostat just 2 degrees higher while running a fan can reduce cooling costs by up to 14%.
11. Wash Your Clothes in Cold Water
Here’s another stat that might shock you: Approximately 90% of the energy your washing machine uses goes to heating water.
Simply switching to cold water for most loads can save up to $60-$80 annually.
“But won’t that leave my clothes less clean?”
Let’s bust that myth while we're at it: Modern detergents are designed to work effectively in cold water, delivering clean clothes without the energy expense. Reserve hot water washing for only the dirtiest or grimy items or when you need to avoid specific allergens.
12. Hang Dry Clothes Instead of Using the Dryer
Electric dryers are major energy consumers, and even high-efficiency ones can use nearly 2-6 kWh per load. Air-drying clothes on a line or rack costs nothing and offers some great benefits, such as:
● Reduced wear and tear on clothing
● Fewer wrinkles in many fabric types
● Pleasant fresh-air scent
● No static cling issues
Even if you only hang-dry larger items like sheets and towels, you'll quickly notice the electricity savings (and potentially extend the life of your fabrics).
13. Unplug Chargers and Devices When Not in Use
Everyone has more than one (or a dozen) chargers now. But did you know that many plugged-in electronics can continue drawing power even when turned off?
This is thanks to a phenomenon known as "phantom" or "vampire" power. This standby power can account for 5-10% of residential electricity use. Some of the most common devices that can get sneaky about energy usage are:
● Phone and laptop chargers
● Television sets and cable boxes
● Game consoles
● Kitchen appliances with digital displays
● Desktop computers
If you have devices that are particularly difficult to unplug often, you can use smart power strips that cut power completely when devices aren't in use.
14. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances (ENERGY STAR)
When replacing appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR label, which indicates products that meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
ENERGY STAR appliances, on average, use 10-50% less energy than standard models. Though these appliances may cost more upfront, the electricity savings often recover that premium within a few years.
15. Switch to LED Bulbs in All Rooms
LED light bulbs use at least 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. A single LED bulb can save $55 in electricity costs over its lifetime.
Here are a few tips for using LED bulbs across your home:
● Replace your most frequently used bulbs first
● Choose ENERGY STAR certified LEDs
● Select appropriate brightness (lumens) rather than focusing on watts
● Consider color temperature for different rooms and activities
When in doubt, take advantage of smart LED bulbs that can help you control lighting remotely and fine-tune color temperature.
16. Keep Refrigerator Coils Clean for Better Efficiency
The condenser coils on your refrigerator release heat during the cooling process. When these coils get covered with dust, pet hair, and grime, the refrigerator is forced to work harder to keep things cool (and uses more electricity).
Cleaning the coils twice yearly can improve efficiency by up to 30%. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it (refer to your refrigerator manual and manufacturer for specifics):
1. Unplug the refrigerator
2. Locate the coils (usually on the back or underneath)
3. Use a coil brush or vacuum attachment to remove dust
4. Gently wipe away remaining debris
This simple maintenance task takes only around 15 minutes and can save you a ton on your energy bills!
17. Limit Your Space Heater Use
Portable electric heaters typically draw 1,500 watts of power while running. That power usage likely beats any other household device you have!
While they're convenient for spot heating, they're incredibly inefficient for whole-room warmth. Here are a few ways you can save and stay warm:
● Use electric blankets (which draw only 50-200 watts) for personal warmth
● Dress in layers and use throw blankets in living areas
● Address drafts and insulation issues for more efficient whole-home heating
● Consider zone heating with smart thermostats to heat only occupied rooms
When space heaters are necessary, remember to always turn them off when leaving the room.
18. Cook with Microwaves or Induction Cookers Instead of Ovens
Another of your most energy-hungry appliances is your oven. Electric ovens can use up to 2,000-5,000 watts when in use. You can find alternative cooking methods that can help offset the energy you use each day.
● Microwave ovens use 70-80% less electricity than conventional ovens
● Induction cooktops are 85-90% efficient at transferring energy (compared to 40% for gas and 70% for electric resistance)
● Slow cookers use minimal electricity over longer cooking periods
● Pressure cookers reduce cooking time by up to 70%
For small meals and reheating, choosing energy-efficient cooking methods can significantly impact your electric bill over time.
You Can Reduce Your Energy Consumption Without Major Sacrifices
Saving electricity and reducing your utility bills doesn’t have to require massive lifestyle changes or sacrifices. All you need is the right combination of smart home technology and habits that keep your energy use at bay.
Using Aqara's smart home technology can help you eliminate wasteful energy use and upgrade your home experience to a smarter and more convenient one. Best of all? You can build your ultimate smart home system without breaking the bank!
Ready to make your home smarter and more efficient? Explore Aqara's energy-saving smart home lineup today and start transforming how your home uses electricity.
