It doesn't have to cost an arm, or a leg!

Please note: When we say utilities were only referring to gas, electric, and water only.

Lets start by pointing out three things about reducing your unities bill.

First.  
How much you can save varies wildly according to any number of factors. Where you live, whether you're on gas or electric, the cost per kilowatt-hour (KW) If you pay for water, the size of home you live in. 
This barely just scratches the surface.

Second. 
Many of the solutions given here are free or at least quite inexpensive, many of the most impactful solutions can in fact be somewhat expensive.
These more expensive solutions may even take a couple of years to recoup the investment required. 
They are investments, and smart ones at that.

Third. 
While your utility bill can in most cases be greatly reduced. Theres only a few big fixes that will have a noticeable immediate impact.
The vast majority of solutions to your utilities bill will consist of small barely noticeable fixes.
It's all these small solutions that, in their entirety and added together that will have the most effect.

YOU are in the best position to recognize what area can be most help to you.
To that end you'll find as complete a list as you will find anywhere.
Most importantly you'll find that many of the items listed here are ideas you've probably never heard of.

* Insulating the attic.

* Insulating under your flooring.

* Isolate your walls. Even if they're finished.

* Change air/furnace filters every season. 
Better yet, get a filter subscription service with a company. 
They will automatically send you a filter every three months, usually at some sort of discount. 
Best of all you don't have to worry about forgetting. 
Shop around though.

* Weather strip doors and windows.

* Remember, every one degree is equal 1% of your gas/electric bill.

* Programmable thermostats.

* Closing off vents to unused rooms.

* Ceiling fans CORRECT direction. 
Clockwise in the winter. 
Counter-clockwise in the summer.

* Lower your hot water heater temperature.

* Get a more efficient hot water heater if necessary.

* Hot water heater jackets.

* Get an energy audit.
 Be aware that many of the people who do energy audits also work for companies that will try to sell you a product.  

* Thermal energy curtains.

*Leave the oven door open after cooking if it's cold.
 Make sure tiny hands aren't around though.

* Dehumidifiers when it's hot.

* Humidifiers when it's cold.

* Use your fireplace! 
If you have one of course. 
Remember the Chinese adage, "He who chops his own wood warms himself twice".

* Avoid "one offs".  
If it's only going to be especially warm or cold for just one day do what you can to avoid using too much heat/air that day. 
These one-offs happen a lot when the seasons start to change.  
And they can really affect your bill.

* Save rainwater for those outdoor activities that require it (washing cars, the garden, when the grass starts turning brown).

* Use space heaters when it makes sense.

* Calk openings around windows and doors,

* If you MUST have new windows anyway get energy efficient ones.

* Shrink wrap kits or bubble wrap for windows.

* Sometimes weekends are cheaper for electricity .
  Be sure and find out by going online or calling your energy provider.

* Also be aware of off-peak hour reductions.  Some energy companies charge less after or before certain times. 
That's when you want to wash your clothes or do other energy intensive household chores.

* Speaking of fireplaces, consider cooking small meals with your fireplace's help.  Many a can of soup Scrooge has cooked over an already roaring fire.
  Nothing runs up gas/electric bills like the dozens of small meals you make every month.

* Save rainwater for those outdoor activities that require it (washing cars, the garden, when the grass starts turning brown).

* Use space heaters when it makes sense.

* Calk openings around windows and doors,

* If you MUST have new windows anyway get energy efficient ones.

* Shrink wrap kits or bubble wrap for windows.

* Sometimes weekends are cheaper for electricity.  
Be sure and find out by going online or calling your energy provider.

* Also be aware of off-peak hour reductions.  Some energy companies charge less after or before certain times. 
That's when you want to wash your clothes or do other energy intensive household chores.

* Speaking of fireplaces, consider cooking small meals with your fireplace's help.  Many a can of soup has Scrooge has cooked over an already roaring fire. 
Nothing runs up gas/electric bills like the dozens of small meals you make every month.

* Dry clothes outside if possible,

* Timer on water heater,

* low-flow shower head.

* Wash in cold water if possible.

* Unplug things not in use, Not doing so will result in "phantom power" usage.

* Solar ovens if that makes sense to you.

* LED bulbs.  CHECK WITH YOUR ENERGY COMPANY FOR FREE BULB!!

* Take shorter showers.

* Low flow toilets.

* Only do full loads of laundry.

* If you only have a few things to wash consider washing your clothes by hand.  Or even if you have more than a few things.
 No doubt washing by hand and drying outside will save you hundreds every year. 
 Many people still do it and if you have more time than money you should too.

* Timers on fans. 
For example, you know the next day will reach 90+ degrees. But the night before it's going to dip down to about 60 degrees.
Put a fan in several windows all on timers and cool down your home as much as possible.
When it does get up to 90 it will take your 65 degree house MUCH longer to get hot enough to where you need The AC.  In fact to might not need it at all.

* Use your (hopefully thermal) shades correctly.
  Open then up ALL THE WAY on and let in the sunshine on cold days, and visa-versa.

* Consider a tankless water heater.  It's not for everyone but if it will work for you expect it to last at least 20 years and be 25% to 35% more efficient.
 Maybe get a good one on sale and install it yourself.

* Insulate your hot water lines. You can do this yourself and you will save about $50 a year.

* Insulate all other pipes. Not to save on energy but to prevent lines from freezing and busting.

* Keep your stovetop shiny. 
This prevents your stovetop from becoming inefficient.

* Use a toaster oven instead of an oven if possible.

* Upgrade your kitchen appliances. It might cost even more to wait until your kitchen appliances really need replacing but maybe not.
A great deal on an energy-efficient to replace a really inefficient device might still be worth it.

* Heres one you probably haven't heard before.  Reduce refrigerator clutter.  A better flow of air means less energy used.

*Buy a good watt meter.  Use it to see how efficient your current devices are. 
Also check any new electrical devices to see if they're as efficient as advertised. So save your receipts!
* This one seems obvious but most people miss it. What is it?  Thoroughly inspect every inch of your house at least once a year. At least!  
Don't let small leaks go unnoticed for years costing serious money that could be prevented altogether.

* Have a yearly tune up for air conditioners, furnaces and heat pumps.

* If at all possible use a mini-split system. If you can confine most of your household activities to two or maybe three rooms (bedroom at night, living room in the afternoon) you should seriously consider one as an option. 
 It does cost a few dollars up front but in some cases its way worth it.

* Put a fan in your attic to blow out hot air in the summer.
 Yes, it will use some electricity to run it but your saving more by sucking out all the hot air. 
Have the fan as high as possible to capture the most hot air.

* Close the fire place damper when not in use. 
 Fireplaces are great but the damper only needs to be open when in use.

* Have an established relationship with a reputable HVAC company BEFORE problems happen. Find one that's reputable.
That's not easy. Avoid fly-by-night outfits.  If your gut says something is inky, it well could be.

* Keep the temperature in your refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
 Some of us keep the temperature at borderline freezing. Theres no reason for that.

* Fix any leaky facets, toilets, or lines around the house.  It costs money for no reason and can easily damage surrounding areas.

* Unplug devices when not in use. 
This is another example of " phantom power " and it adds up.

* Visually inspect all the ductwork in your home every year. Leaky ductwork loses tons of air, and money.

* Consider the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) if you feel that would apply to you.
If you are especially low-income you may qualify for free assistance in making your home more energy efficient.

* Clean the refrigerator coils.

* Ensure your fridge seals tightly.

* Clean the lint filter.

*Shade your outdoor HVAC units.

* Clean your air ducts.

* Install shutters on your home.

* Shade your home with trees and shrubs.  Plant trees and shrubs around the exterior of your home to add shade. Especially around south and west facing windows.

* If your thinking of painting your house anyway, consider painting it white. White reflects heat better than any other color saving you money.

* Use blackout curtains wherever possible.

* Be aware of any incentives  by your local energy provider for free smart thermostats and other appliances.

* Use inexpensive outdoor solar lights as opposed to regular lights if you normally come home after dark.

* Use your microwave to cook whenever possible.

* If your going to use your fans a lot buy quality. 
If your going to need a fan for something like sucking in night air to cool your house down as much as possible to prevent using daytime A.C. make sure they're energy efficient quality fans. 
If your just using one for occasional use in a spare bedroom, or you're done spending much time in the living room it doesn't matter nearly as much.

* Keep your oven clean. It will last longer and run more efficiently.

* Duct booster fan. Your AC or furnace doesn't have to run so hard, and it also save you money.

* Dryer lint removed.

* Closely examine and log your bill every month.  Go paperless if you can be sure of a complete inventory.

* Insulate any other areas (crawls spaces?) that it would help.

* Bake more than one meal at a time if you can.

* Seal your dryer vent. Double and then triple check this one. 
Your dryer vent is likely THE ONLY VENT THAT GOES DIRECTLY OUTSIDE. 
Since it goes directly inside to the outside this is a prime way for loose ill-fitting seals or seals that are not installed tight enough. 
If your laundry room is above ground and this room feels colder or warmer than adjoining rooms, it's probably the dryer vent.
If your laundry room is in the basement visually inspect the vent area. Both inside and outside.
Burn some incense around the inside area, particularly on windy days, and look for drafts coming in.

* Clean Refrigerator Coils every six months.

* Use old-fashioned ice trays. Your ice maker uses 14%-20% of your refrigerator's power.

* Make sure your refrigerator's door trim is in good order. If not, replace it with trim you can easily get from Lowes or Home Depot.

* Once you make your morning coffee or tea put it in a thermos to keep it warm all day.  Coffee pots just simmering all day is really inefficient.  You likely have several thermoses lying around anyway.