Published September 19, 2025 · Updated June 22, 2026 · 6 min read
The short answer
You can trim your electric bill before going solar: switch to LED lighting, kill standby 'vampire' loads with smart strips, dial in your thermostat, shift big loads out of the 4–9 PM peak, seal leaks, upgrade to efficient appliances, and wash in cold water. Each step also makes a future solar system smaller and cheaper.
By Vinnie Curcie, Founder & CEO
Cut your bill now — and shrink your future solar system
As Southern California electricity rates keep climbing, the fastest savings come from using less. The steps below lower your bill immediately, and because they reduce how much energy you need, they also make a future solar system smaller and cheaper. Here are ten proven moves.
1–2. Switch to LED lighting & kill energy vampires
Lighting is about 10–15% of a typical home's energy use; swapping incandescent or CFL bulbs for LEDs cuts that by up to 75% and they last far longer (U.S. Department of Energy). Then tackle standby power — chargers, consoles, and anything with a digital display keep drawing power when off. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory pegs this 'vampire' load at 5–10% of a home's usage; smart power strips switch it off automatically.
3–4. Master your thermostat & seal the envelope
Heating and cooling is roughly half your bill, so a smart or programmable thermostat — set a few degrees back when you're asleep or away — is the single biggest behavioral win. Pair it with sealing air leaks around doors, windows, and ducts, plus attic insulation, so your HVAC isn't fighting the outdoors. See more on managing the biggest loads in our appliances guide.
5–6. Shift big loads off-peak & wash cold
On a time-of-use plan the same kilowatt-hour costs more during the 4–9 PM peak. Run the dishwasher, laundry, EV charging, and pool pump in off-peak hours and you pay less for the exact same energy — our time-of-use guide breaks down the windows. Washing clothes in cold water also removes the biggest cost of doing laundry: heating the water.
7–8. Upgrade efficient appliances & water heating
When it's time to replace an appliance, ENERGY STAR models use noticeably less power for the same job. Water heating is typically your second-largest load — a heat-pump (hybrid) water heater uses a fraction of the energy of a conventional electric tank, and running it midday on solar later makes it nearly free to operate.
9–10. Tame pool/phantom loads & watch your usage
Pool pumps are major energy users — run them off-peak and consider a variable-speed model. Finally, you can't manage what you don't measure: learn to read your utility bill and check your usage so you can spot what's driving costs.
The biggest lever: solar plus a battery
Efficiency lowers how much energy you buy; solar lowers what you pay per unit by generating your own. Add a battery and you cover the expensive evening peak with stored daytime solar under NEM 3.0 — together that's the largest and most durable cut to your bill. Get a free estimate to see the numbers for your home.
FAQ
Behavioral and efficiency changes are the quickest: set back your thermostat, switch to LEDs, kill standby loads with smart strips, and shift the dishwasher, laundry, EV charging, and pool pump out of the 4–9 PM peak. They cost little and start saving on the next bill.
Incentives and rates change. This page is kept current — but always confirm specifics for your home.
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