Combating Maryland Energy Costs: How to Lower Your Electricity Bill

According to a recent local news report, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) anticipates a roughly $18 monthly electricity bill increase for its Maryland customers starting June 2025. What is causing the rise in energy costs? An increasingly unstable and unreliable grid.

If you are one of the millions of Marylanders affected by continuous energy price hikes, then you might be wondering how to lower your electricity bill.

There are several actions you can take if you are still connected to the electrical grid as you will see below. However, ultimately, removing yourself from an industry that can’t handle rising energy demands and that relies heavily on outsourcing its energy requires another solution.

Learn why your final solution for long-term savings is gaining energy independence with solar.

Ways to Lower Your Electricity Bill

Complete these simple tasks to save money on your energy costs. While it doesn’t protect you from rising electricity prices, doing them all regularly may lessen the burden.

Conduct an Energy Audit

The first step to reducing your electricity bill is understanding where your energy is going.

An energy audit, which can often be done for free by your utility company, identifies areas where your home is losing energy. This can include drafty windows, poor insulation, or outdated appliances.

By pinpointing these issues, you can make some home improvements to elevate the energy efficiency of your house.

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances

When your electricity bill is high, one of the most effective ways to reduce consumption is by upgrading to energy-efficient appliances.

Older models, especially refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners, can be energy hogs. Look for appliances with the ENERGY STAR label, which certifies that they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines. While these appliances might have a higher upfront cost, they can save you significant money on your electricity bill in the long run.

Implement Smart Home Technology

Smart home technology can help you control your energy use more effectively. Smart thermostats, for example, learn your schedule and adjust the temperature accordingly, ensuring you’re not wasting energy heating or cooling an empty house.

Similarly, smart plugs and power strips can help reduce “phantom” energy usage by turning off devices that are not in use.

Optimize Your Heating and Cooling Systems

With the average electricity bill in Maryland being $127.62 in 2024, it’s a good idea to routinely check your heating and cooling systems that take up a significant portion of your electricity bill.

To optimize your HVAC system, consider the following steps:

Regular Maintenance: Ensure your system runs efficiently by scheduling regular maintenance, such as cleaning or replacing filters.
Seal Leaks: Check for and seal any leaks in your ductwork to prevent energy loss.
Install a Programmable Thermostat: A programmable thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule, reducing energy use when you’re not home.

To take some of the work off of your HVAC unit try using ceiling fans more often. They help circulate air more effectively, allowing you to set your thermostat a few degrees higher in the summer and lower in the winter without sacrificing comfort.

Unplug Devices When Not in Use

Many devices continue to draw power even when they’re turned off, a phenomenon known as “phantom” or “vampire” energy. This can account for up to 10% of your electricity bill.

To combat this, unplug devices like chargers, gaming consoles, and entertainment systems when they’re not in use. Alternatively, use a power strip with an on/off switch to make it easier to disconnect multiple devices at once.

Reduce Water Heating Costs

Water heating is another major contributor to your electricity bill. To reduce these costs, you can:

Lower the Water Heater Temperature: Setting your water heater to 120°F (49°C) instead of the default 140°F (60°C) can save energy without sacrificing comfort.
Use Cold Water for Laundry: Washing clothes in cold water can reduce the energy required for heating and is just as effective for most loads.
Install a Timer: A water heater timer can turn off the heater when not in use, such as during the night or when you’re away from home.

While not ideal for comfort, taking shorter showers is another option to reduce the use of hot water that saves you money.

Why Solar Panels Are the Best Way to Lower Your Electricity Bill

While the steps mentioned above can help reduce your electricity bill, the most effective way to lower it—and even eliminate it—is by going solar. Solar energy allows you to generate your own electricity, reducing your reliance on the grid and protecting you from rising energy costs.

When you add solar battery storage to your system, you can supply your entire home with energy, making 100% of your required power.

This means reliance on the grid will be a thing of the past when you can replace utility energy with your own solar power. In fact, you could make enough energy to sell back to the grid using net metering.

A surplus of power also means that you don’t have to be strict with your energy usage, offering more freedom and less hassle to conserve energy.

To Summarize, switching to solar energy means:

You are immune to rising energy costs.
You have the highest energy efficiency because you don’t have to outsource electricity.
You will add value to your home with solar panels.
You will get immediate savings on your electricity bill and long-term savings through solar incentives.

Unlike the cost of electricity, the price of solar panels is at an all-time low. So, there has never been a better time to go solar.

Moving Toward Lower Electricity Bills

Lowering your electricity bill starts with small changes, like upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and optimizing your heating and cooling systems. However, to achieve significant, long-term savings, the best option is to go solar.

Solar panels offer unmatched benefits, from reducing your electricity bill to increasing your home’s value and contributing to a cleaner environment. If you’re ready to take control of your energy costs, now is the perfect time to explore solar power as the ultimate solution.