Every year on January 10, National Cut Your Energy Costs Day reminds consumers to explore practical ways to lower their energy bills and reduce their environmental impact. The Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA) encourages homes and businesses to embrace efficiency measures, adopt new technologies, and evaluate energy options that align with their unique needs and budgets.
We champion these efforts by promoting competition and innovation in the retail energy market. In recognition of National Cut Your Energy Costs Day, RESA is sharing actionable tips to help energy users make informed decisions and take charge of their energy consumption.
Understanding Your Energy Usage
The first step toward cutting energy costs is understanding how and where our energy is consumed. Conducting a simple energy audit to evaluate your insulation, appliances and energy usage patterns is an easy and effective way to identify inefficiencies and an opportunity to make improvements.
For businesses, a professional energy audit can uncover large-scale inefficiencies and offer tailored solutions, such as upgrading to energy-efficient equipment or optimizing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Smart Tips to Reduce Energy Costs
Here are some impactful ways to save energy:
- Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances: Replace older appliances with models that have earned the ENERGY STAR® label. These appliances are designed to consume less energy while delivering the same performance.
- Seal Air Leaks: Prevent heat loss during winter and keep your home or office cool in summer by sealing gaps around doors, windows and ducts. Weatherstripping and caulking are inexpensive solutions that yield significant savings.
- Adjust Your Thermostats: Invest in programmable or smart thermostats to better manage heating and cooling in your home or office. Minor adjustments, such as lowering the thermostat by a few degrees in winter or raising it in summer, can substantially reduce energy consumption.
- Switch to LED Lighting: LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last significantly longer, offering both cost and energy savings.
- Unplug Unused Electronics: Many electronics continue to draw power even when turned off. Use power strips to easily disconnect multiple devices or invest in smart plugs to monitor and control usage.
- Take Advantage of Retail Energy Choice: In restructured markets, consumers can shop for electricity and natural gas suppliers that offer plans and products that best fit their energy needs. Competitive suppliers often provide fixed-rate plans, renewable energy products, and time-of-use rates that enable consumers to save money and support sustainability.
The Role of Retail Energy Choice
Consumers can choose their energy supplier, plan and product in states or jurisdictions with retail energy choice. Competition fosters innovation and encourages suppliers to offer value-added services, such as energy management tools and green energy options.
Consumers can reduce their energy bills and support the transition to a cleaner energy future by choosing a plan tailored to their consumption patterns. For example, renewable energy plans allow customers to match their electricity usage with wind, solar or other sustainable sources, reducing their carbon footprint while enjoying cost savings.
RESA’s Commitment to Empowering Consumers
At RESA, we believe that informed consumers drive progress in the energy sector. National Cut Your Energy Costs Day is an opportunity to highlight the benefits of retail energy competition and the tools available to help consumers make educated choices.
Our members are committed to providing transparent, innovative and customer-focused energy solutions. Whether through budget-friendly fixed-rate plans, 100% renewable energy options, or advanced usage tracking, retail suppliers offer the flexibility and expertise to help consumers achieve their energy goals.
Small Changes, Big Impact
Cutting energy costs doesn’t have to involve drastic measures. By adopting even a few of these strategies, households and businesses can see a noticeable difference in their energy bills. More importantly, these efforts contribute to broader environmental benefits by reducing energy waste and promoting sustainable practices.
This National Cut Your Energy Costs Day, take the time to evaluate your energy usage and explore the many resources available to help you save in 2025. Whether you’re sealing leaks, switching suppliers or simply turning off lights when leaving a room, every action counts.
Together, we can prioritize energy efficiency, one small step at a time.
