To help cut down on power bills, make sure the majority of your usage happens late at night, suggests Sarah Hollenbeck, a savings expert with Offers.com. "Many power companies offer non-peak hour discounts, saving you money just by waiting a few more hours to throw your laundry in or take a shower," Hollenbeck says. "Call your company to see if this is an opportunity you can take advantage of and what they consider non-peak hours, as it can vary by location." To save even more money, switch to using cold water for your laundry. Not only does this cut down on the expense, it's better for the environment, preventing carbon pollution. The process of heating water accounts for about 90% of the energy a machine uses to wash clothes, while only 10% is related to the electricity used by the washer motor.