How to Lower Your Energy Bills in Cherry Hill, NJ: A 2026 Homeowner's Guide

If you own a home in Cherry Hill, you know that summer air conditioning and winter heating bills can take a big bite out of your monthly budget. Between hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, the typical Cherry Hill home spends around $230 to $300 per month on combined electric and gas service from PSE&G. The good news is that there are proven ways to cut those costs, and many of them come with rebates and incentives that make the upgrades surprisingly affordable.

This guide covers the most effective strategies for reducing your energy bills in Cherry Hill, from no-cost habit changes to major upgrades with serious rebate dollars available through PSE&G and federal programs. Whether you live in a classic colonial in Barclay, a split-level in Woodcrest, or a townhouse near the Cherry Hill Mall, these tips will help you save.

What Does the Average Cherry Hill Home Spend on Energy?

Before we dive into savings strategies, it helps to understand where your money is going. Across Cherry Hill, a typical single-family home uses about 650 to 700 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month, at an average cost of roughly $143 to $156. Natural gas usage averages around 114 therms per month during the heating season, costing approximately $124. Combined, the average Cherry Hill household spends somewhere in the range of $230 to $300 each month on electric and gas.

Those numbers can swing significantly depending on the age and condition of your home, the efficiency of your HVAC system, and how well your home is insulated. A drafty older colonial with single-pane windows can easily run 30% to 50% higher than a well-sealed, energy-efficient home. That gap represents real savings potential for homeowners willing to make upgrades.

How Can I Lower My Energy Bills Without Spending Money?

Not every energy saving requires a contractor or a big purchase. Some of the most effective changes are completely free and take just a few minutes.

• Adjust your thermostat. Set your thermostat to 68 degrees in winter and 78 degrees in summer when you are home, and adjust it by 7 to 10 degrees when you are away or asleep. A programmable or smart thermostat makes this automatic. Each degree you lower the thermostat in winter saves about 1% on your heating bill.
• Use ceiling fans wisely. In summer, run ceiling fans counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze. In winter, reverse them to clockwise at a low speed to push warm air down from the ceiling. Turn fans off when you leave the room they only cool people, not spaces.
• Close blinds and curtains. In summer, close blinds on sun-facing windows during the hottest part of the day. In winter, open south-facing curtains during the day to let the sun warm your home naturally, then close them at night for insulation.
• Unplug electronics. Devices like TVs, computers, phone chargers, and kitchen appliances draw power even when turned off. This "phantom load" can account for 5% to 10% of your electric bill. Plug electronics into power strips and switch them off when not in use.
• Wash clothes in cold water. Heating water accounts for a significant portion of your energy use. Switching to cold water for laundry can save you up to $60 per year.
• Air dry your dishes. If your dishwasher has an air-dry setting, use it instead of the heated drying cycle. Open the door slightly after the final rinse to let dishes air dry naturally.

These simple habits can shave 10% to 15% off your monthly energy bill without a single dollar of investment. For the typical Cherry Hill home, that is $25 to $45 in monthly savings, or $300 to $540 per year.

Which PSE&G Rebates and Programs Are Available in 2026?

PSE&G, which provides both electric and gas service to Cherry Hill, offers a comprehensive suite of energy efficiency programs through its Clean Energy Future Energy Efficiency initiative. As of mid-2026, these programs have delivered more than $1.1 billion in rebates and incentives to residential and business customers. Here are the programs most relevant to Cherry Hill homeowners.

HVAC Instant Rebates

If your furnace, air conditioner, boiler, or heat pump is more than 10 years old, upgrading to an ENERGY STAR certified model can save you 15% to 20% on your heating and cooling costs. PSE&G offers instant rebates of up to $1,050 on qualifying equipment. The rebate is applied at the point of sale, so you see the savings immediately. Combine this with the federal energy efficiency tax credits, and the net cost of a new high-efficiency system becomes much more manageable.

Smart Thermostat Rebate

A smart thermostat is one of the simplest and most cost-effective upgrades you can make. PSE&G offers a rebate of up to $100 when you purchase an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat. These devices learn your schedule, adjust temperatures automatically, and can be controlled from your phone. Most models pay for themselves within the first year through energy savings.

Appliance Rebates and Recycling

If you are replacing an old refrigerator, freezer, washer, or dryer, PSE&G offers rebates of up to $100 on ENERGY STAR certified washers and up to $300 on ENERGY STAR Most Efficient electric dryers. You can also earn $35 to $50 for recycling an old room air conditioner or dehumidifier through PSE&G's appliance recycling program. The program picks up the unit for free, so there is no hassle.

Whole Home Energy Solutions

For homeowners who want a comprehensive approach, PSE&G's Whole Home Energy Solutions program connects you with a participating contractor who performs an in-depth home assessment. The contractor evaluates your insulation, air sealing, HVAC equipment, water heater, and electrification opportunities (including heat pump options). Based on the assessment, you receive a customized plan with available incentives. This is especially valuable for Cherry Hill's older homes, which often have significant air leakage and inadequate attic insulation.

Free Quick Home Energy Check-Up

Every PSE&G customer qualifies for a free Quick Home Energy Check-Up. A certified energy specialist visits your home, installs free energy-saving measures like LED bulbs and efficient showerheads, and provides personalized recommendations. This is a no-risk starting point for anyone who wants to understand their home's energy profile.

Income Eligible Programs

If your household income qualifies, PSE&G's Home Weatherization Program and Comfort Partners Program provide free energy assessments and free upgrades, including insulation, air sealing, and HVAC repairs or replacements. These programs are available to qualifying Cherry Hill residents and can eliminate the upfront cost of energy improvements entirely.

Building Decarbonization Incentives

For homeowners considering a switch from gas to electric heat pump systems, PSE&G's Building Decarbonization program offers up to $10,000 or more in incentives. When stacked with the federal Whole Home Rebate (up to $7,500), the combined incentives can exceed $17,500 making the switch to a clean, efficient heat pump system far more affordable than it was just a few years ago.

How Much Can I Save With Home Weatherization?

Weatherization meaning air sealing, insulation, and duct sealing is one of the highest-return investments a Cherry Hill homeowner can make. According to ENERGY STAR, sealing air leaks and adding insulation can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs, or about 11% on total energy costs.

For a Cherry Hill home spending $3,000 per year on combined energy bills, that works out to about $330 in annual savings. The cost of basic air sealing and attic insulation typically ranges from $1,500 to $3,500, meaning the investment pays for itself in 5 to 10 years and continues saving you money for decades.

Common air leakage points in Cherry Hill homes include:

• Attic hatches and pull-down stairs
• Recessed lighting fixtures (especially in older homes with can lights)
• Windows and doors missing weatherstripping
• Penetrations for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC ducts
• Fireplace dampers that do not seal tightly
• Rim joists and sill plates in the basement or crawl space

Many Cherry Hill homes, particularly the split-levels and ranches built in the 1950s through 1970s, have minimal attic insulation. Current code requires R-49 in the attic, but many older homes have as little as R-11 or R-19. Adding insulation to modern standards is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make.

For more on seasonal maintenance that supports energy efficiency, check out our Seasonal Home Maintenance Guide, which includes tips on HVAC servicing, window sealing, and attic inspection.

Should I Replace My Old Windows?

Window replacement is one of the most commonly asked about home energy upgrades, and the answer depends on the condition of your current windows. If you have single-pane windows or double-pane windows with failed seals, upgrading to ENERGY STAR certified windows can save you $200 to $600 per year, depending on the size of your home and your climate zone (Cherry Hill is in Climate Zone 4, where moderate heating and cooling seasons make efficient windows a worthwhile investment).

However, window replacement is expensive typically $600 to $1,200 per window installed so the payback period can be 10 to 20 years. If your current windows are in good condition, a more cost-effective approach is to add weatherstripping, caulk gaps, and install cellular shades or insulating curtains. These measures can achieve many of the same benefits at a fraction of the cost.

If you are planning a larger renovation and the windows are nearing the end of their lifespan anyway, then ENERGY STAR windows are an excellent investment. For the full picture on renovation planning and budgeting, see our Home Improvement Guide.

How Do I Sign Up for PSE&G Rebates and Programs?

Getting started is straightforward. Visit the PSE&G Home Energy website at myhomeenergy.pseg.com to explore available programs. You can schedule a free Quick Home Energy Check-Up online, search for participating contractors in your area, or apply for rebates directly through the site.

1. Start with the free Quick Home Energy Check-Up. It requires no commitment and gives you a baseline understanding of your home's efficiency.
2. Check your attic insulation. This is the most common and cost-effective upgrade in older Cherry Hill homes. If you have less than 10 to 12 inches of insulation, adding more will pay for itself quickly.
3. Seal air leaks. Focus on the attic floor, basement rim joists, and around windows and doors. A caulk gun and weatherstripping are cheap and effective.
4. Install a smart thermostat. With the PSE&G rebate of up to $100, your out-of-pocket cost is minimal, and the savings start immediately.
5. Plan for HVAC replacement. If your furnace or AC is more than 15 years old, start planning for a replacement and take advantage of the instant rebates.
6. Consider heat pump options. If your gas furnace is nearing the end of its life, explore the Building Decarbonization incentives. The combined federal and PSE&G incentives can make a heat pump system cost competitive with a new gas furnace.

For a deeper look at home improvement projects that deliver strong return on investment, including energy-efficient upgrades, read our Cherry Hill Home Improvement Guide.

What About Solar Panels in Cherry Hill?

Solar is an option worth considering for Cherry Hill homeowners with good roof orientation and minimal shading. New Jersey has strong solar incentives, including the SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Certificate) program and net metering through PSE&G. However, solar is a significant investment typically $15,000 to $25,000 before incentives and the payback period depends heavily on your home's solar exposure, your electricity usage, and the angle of your roof.

Before exploring solar, focus on the energy efficiency measures above. Reducing your overall energy consumption means you need a smaller, less expensive solar system, and the efficiency savings themselves often deliver a faster payback than the solar panels alone.

How Cherry Hill's Climate Affects Your Energy Costs

Cherry Hill's climate is defined by hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The heating season typically runs from October through April, and the cooling season from May through September. This dual-peak demand means your home's envelope insulation, windows, and air sealing matters twice as much as it would in a milder climate.

Homes in neighborhoods like Barclay, Kingston, and Woodcrest many of which were built in the 1950s through 1980s often have original insulation levels that are well below modern standards. A pre-1980 home in Cherry Hill may have as little as 2 to 4 inches of attic insulation, compared to the modern recommended R-49 (about 16 to 18 inches). Bringing that insulation up to standard is the single most impactful energy upgrade most Cherry Hill homeowners can make.

For more on what makes Cherry Hill unique as a place to live, explore our Living in Cherry Hill guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Energy Savings in Cherry Hill

For a complete overview of everything Cherry Hill has to offer residents, visit our Cherry Hill FAQ, where we answer the most common questions about living in this vibrant South Jersey community.