How to Lower Your Electric Bill in Texas

Updated: September 2026

Hot summers, high air conditioning demand and seasonal usage swings all lead to a bigger than expected electricity bill in Texas. Fortunately, a few practical changes can help you save money without giving up comfort. 

The Quickest Ways to Reduce Your Electricity Bill

To lower your electricity bill in Texas, focus on the actions that make the biggest impact first:

  • Review your electricity plan and compare it to your actual monthly usage.
  • Raise your thermostat a few degrees during Texas summers.
  • Replace or clean dirty air filters regularly.
  • Seal air leaks around windows and doors.
  • Use ceiling fans only when rooms are occupied.
  • Wash clothes in cold water and run full laundry loads.
  • Switch older bulbs to LED bulbs.
  • Unplug chargers and electronics when not in use.

Even small changes add up over time. This is especially true during high-usage months when your air conditioning runs more often.

Start with the Right Electricity Plan

One of the most effective ways to lower your electricity bill is to make sure your electricity plan actually fits your household’s usage.

Before choosing or renewing a plan, review your past electricity bills. Look at how much energy your household typically uses each month and notice how that usage changes between summer and winter. Then, compare electricity plans based on your actual usage instead of just looking for the lowest advertised rate.

A helpful place to start is the Electricity Facts Label or EFL. The EFL shows the average price at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 kilowatt-hours. Comparing plans at the usage level closest to your home’s monthly consumption helps you make a more informed decision.

Some plans offer savings based on when or how you use electricity. For example, a plan with free nights or weekends might be a great fit if you work outside of the home or can shift laundry and dishwashing to those times. If your household uses electricity steadily throughout the day, a more straightforward plan might be a better fit.

Find What Uses the Most Electricity in Your Home

Once you have a plan that fits your lifestyle, the next step is understanding where your electricity goes. In many Texas homes, air conditioning drives the most electricity use during long stretches of summer heat. Appliances, hot water, lighting, laundry and electronics also add up quickly.

Walk through your home for a simple DIY energy audit to find easy ways to reduce wasted electricity:

  • Check windows and doors for drafts and air leaks.
  • Make sure air vents are open and not blocked by furniture.
  • Check your air filters and replace them if they are dirty.
  • Look for lights, ceiling fans, TVs and chargers left on when not in use.
  • Notice whether older appliances are running inefficiently.
  • Ensure your refrigerator, freezer and HVAC system have proper airflow.

How to Reduce Air Conditioning Costs During Texas Summers

Air conditioning is often the biggest contributor to a high electricity bill in Texas. During extreme heat, your system runs longer and works harder. Small cooling changes help you figure out how to reduce costs while managing comfort.

Set Your Thermostat with Intention. Adjusting your thermostat just a few degrees higher in the summer reduces energy use. A programmable or smart thermostat makes this effortless by automatically adjusting the temperature when you're asleep, away from home or less active.

Use Fans the Right Way. Ceiling fans and portable fans help you feel cooler, which allows you to set your thermostat a little higher. Just remember that fans cool people, not rooms. Turn them off when you leave to avoid wasting electricity.

Keep Your HVAC System Efficient. Help your air conditioning system run efficiently by replacing air filters regularly, scheduling annual HVAC maintenance and keeping vents unblocked.

Save on Electricity in Every Room

Kitchen

Your refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, stove and microwave all affect your bill. To help your refrigerator run efficiently, set the temperature between 35°F and 38°F. Keep it full but not overcrowded, clean the condenser coils every year and make sure the door seals are tight.

For the dishwasher, run full loads only and skip the heated drying feature when possible. When cooking smaller meals, use an air fryer, toaster oven or microwave instead of the stove.

Bathroom

If you have an electric water heater, hot water use has a noticeable impact on your bill. Take shorter showers, use cooler water when possible and do not let the water run while brushing your teeth. Turn off bathroom vent fans once the moisture is gone and unplug hair styling tools when not in use.

Laundry Room

Washers and dryers use a lot of electricity in busy households. Wash full loads, use cold water for most laundry and run loads in the evening if your plan offers off-peak savings. Because much of a washer’s energy use comes from heating water, switching to cold water is one of the absolute easiest ways to save. Clean the dryer lint trap after every single load to improve airflow.

Offices and Electronics

Working from home, streaming, gaming and charging devices all increase electricity use. Plug computers, monitors and accessories into a power strip and turn it off when the workday ends. Unplug phone chargers when not in use, use sleep mode on computers and avoid leaving TVs on in the background. Reducing standby power helps lower electricity bill costs without changing your daily routine.

Lighting

Lighting is one of the easiest places to save. Replace older incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. LEDs use much less energy and last longer. Turn off lights when leaving a room, use natural light when possible and add motion sensors in low-traffic areas.

Seasonal Ways to Save on Your Electricity Bill

Your energy-saving strategy should change with the weather.

  • Summer: Raise your thermostat a few degrees, close blinds during the hottest part of the day, replace air filters frequently and avoid using the oven during peak afternoon heat.
  • Fall: Open windows when temperatures drop, schedule HVAC maintenance before winter, check weatherstripping and review your electricity usage.
  • Winter: Lower your thermostat when sleeping or away, use sunlight to warm rooms during the day, seal drafts around doors and wash clothes in cold water.
  • Spring: Prepare your AC system before summer heat arrives, clean ceiling fans, replace older bulbs with LEDs and review your electricity plan before high-usage months.

Lower Your Electricity Bill with TXU Energy

You shouldn’t have to overhaul your lifestyle to save money on electricity. TXU Energy helps Texans manage their energy costs with electricity plans, usage tools and support designed for the way you live. Whether you want predictable pricing, ways to track your usage or a plan that fits your schedule, we can help you stay comfortable and in control. Compare TXU Energy residential plans to find the right fit for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What's the fastest way to lower my electricity bill in Texas?
    The fastest ways to lower your electricity bill are to adjust your thermostat, replace a dirty air filter, turn off unused lights and electronics and review whether your current electricity plan still matches your usage.
  • What uses the most electricity in a Texas home?
    Air conditioning is often one of the largest electricity users in Texas homes, especially during the summer. Other major contributors include electric water heaters, clothes dryers, refrigerators, ovens, pool pumps and home electronics.
  • Do smart thermostats help lower electricity bills?
    A smart thermostat can help lower your electricity bill by automatically adjusting your home’s temperature based on your schedule. It reduces cooling or heating when you're away or asleep to avoid unnecessary energy use.
  • Why is my electricity bill so high?
    Your bill may be high because of increased air conditioning use, an inefficient HVAC system, a dirty air filter, poor insulation, air leaks, old appliances, hot water use, changes in your electricity rate or higher household usage.
  • Why is my bill still high after switching electricity plans?

    Switching electricity plans may help lower your bill over time, especially when the plan is a good fit for your household’s electricity use. However, your bill can still be higher than expected if your home used more electricity during the billing period, weather led to increased air-conditioning or heating use, or your plan offers its strongest value at certain usage levels or times of day.

    Depending on your plan, seasonal or time-of-use discounts may also become available later and could affect your costs during eligible periods. These savings can vary based on when you use electricity and the terms of your plan.
    We recommend reviewing your recent usage, comparing it with your plan’s Electricity Facts Label, and considering whether your household’s usage pattern aligns with the plan’s features and potential savings. For more information, visit our resource page.