The best way to lower your bills is to demand (or allow) the utilities to build base-load power plants, preferably nukes. Since the most rational solution is of

The best way to lower your bills is to demand (or allow) the utilities to build base-load power plants, preferably nukes. Since the most rational solution is off the table you are stuck with micromanaging demand instead of concentrating on more productive career or school goals. I don't know where you live but here in California the local utility has a complex set of daily, weekly, weekend and monthly rates and tiers. The key to lowering your utility bill is to push heavy loads out of the highest rate periods, typically daily like 11am to 2pm, etc. It is all explained (very poorly) on their website. Also, you are given some "base" load for electricity and gas (defined by region) and if you exceed that your rate jumps dramatically. So if you can avoid hitting these limits on a monthly basis you can keep your costs down. Also, nat gas is about 1/3 of the cost of electric so electric heat is very expensive. If you live in an electrically heated apartment make sure that PG&E is giving you the discount for electric heat or you will pay a ton.