April 1, 2024
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Surprises can be a good thing — unless the surprise is that your utility bill has gone way, way up. If you’ve found yourself wondering how to save money on utilities in an apartment, you’re in the right place. Read on to find out why your utility bills may have increased, and how to conserve utilities and reduce your bill moving forward.
As the name implies, utility costs such as electricity, water, and natural gas are typically dependent upon how much you use. For that reason, utilities are typically an elastic expense — the number can change month to month based on your usage. So, if you use more of a given utility, you may find that your utility bill increases in kind.
Seasonality can impact your utility costs, too. Many utilities are reliant upon nonrenewable resources — meaning that there’s a limited supply. When demand increases, costs tend to increase, too. For example, you may find that your water bill increases in the summer months, particularly if you live in an area prone to seasonal drought. Or, you could find that your electricity and natural gas bills are highest in summer or winter because more folks are using their heating and cooling systems.
The time of day can have an impact on your utility bills, too. Some utilities, like electricity, may have an additional high-utility time of use rate. This typically occurs because many people are using that utility during a given point in time or the utility system itself can’t handle the demand. These periods of increased demand mean that utility companies are working to keep up with producing the necessary supply — resulting in higher costs. Sometimes these higher costs work as a way to deter high use.
If you can’t chalk up your high utility cost to increased use, increased utility costs, or a penalty rate — you might need to do further investigation. It’s certainly possible that a clerical or field error occurred: your meter may have been incorrectly read, or someone could have made a typing or billing mistake. If you suspect that could be the case, give your utility company a call and explain your situation.
When your utility bill is high, it’s time to take action. Use these tips and learn ways to save water and electricity.
If your water bill is high, get in the habit of switching off your faucet. Consider switching off the water when you’re:
Getting in the habit of making this simple swap can help you conserve water and drastically reduce your water bill.
Water use is unavoidable — you need to use water to wash your clothes, dishes, and — well — yourself! However, you can practice efficient water usage. To start, consider using the dishwasher instead of handwashing. Contrary to popular belief, hand-washing dishes uses more water than your dishwasher. For the most efficient results, fill your dishwasher completely before running. Your dishwasher isn’t the only appliance you should be filling up. Aim to conserve both water and energy by running full loads of laundry.
And, while it may be tough to hear, consider shortening your showers. Aim to take as short of a shower as possible — or turn off the water — rather than standing under the showerhead until the water runs cold.
Some adjustments may be necessary if your water bill is higher than usual. Don’t forget to take a peek at your appliances (dishwasher, toilets, sinks, and faucets) and piping. If you find a leak or issue, you should repair it or get in touch with your apartment’s maintenance crew.
In addition to making repairs, consider opting for water-efficient appliances or making efficient swaps. You may be able to inexpensively install aerators or low-pressure options for faucets and showerheads — just don’t forget to retain the original hardware and reinstall it before you move out.
Electricity is responsible for powering many things in your home, from your lights to appliances to your personal electronics. If you don’t have a gas hook-up, electricity may also be powering your heat and air conditioning, too.
Have you found yourself researching “how to reduce my energy bill”? Thankfully, with these changes — and some energy-efficient swaps — you may be able to drastically reduce your high electricity bill.
If you use Heat Dry mode on your dishwasher, consider switching it off. Heat drying uses an estimated 15% more electricity than the air drying mode — and makes no difference in how clean your dishes are.
It’s not uncommon that electrical costs vary by the hour — and you can avoid a high electrical bill by opting to use energy at off-peak times whenever possible. Consider running appliances, like your dishwasher, or charging up your personal electronic devices at night when rates tend to be lower.
Did you know that your electronics and appliances may still be using electricity, even when they’re switched off and not in use? This phenomenon is commonly referred to as “phantom load” or “vampire energy,” and you can prevent it by unplugging your electronics when they’re not in use. If you don’t want to unplug each cord by hand, consider using a smart power strip that you can easily unplug.
To prevent further unwanted power zaps, be sure to turn off your computer monitor, gaming systems, and TVs when they’re not in use.
Finally, be mindful of lighting! Get in the habit of flipping the lights off when you leave the room.
Spending a few extra dollars on energy-efficient lightbulbs, a new air filter, or smart power strips can help you save big time on your electric bill down the line. Consider switching out all of your lightbulbs to energy-efficient LED lights and opting for smart power strips. And — don’t forget to keep up with your HVAC unit’s air filter. Swapping out your air filter regularly can help your unit work more efficiently and, in turn, reduce the amount of electricity it uses.
First, let’s define what may use natural gas in your apartment. Typically, natural gas is used in air conditioning and heating, gas ranges, gas ovens, clothes dryers, refrigerators, and freezers. However, this can vary depending on the appliance and your hook-ups. In some instances, these could be powered by electricity. When in doubt, ask your landlord or leasing company to be sure.
If you find your natural gas or electric bill is high, these tips can help you slash your use and reduce your utility bills.
Whether your AC and heat are electrical or gas-powered, consider raising the temperature in the hot summer months and lowering the temperature in the cold winter months. This way, your HVAC unit won’t need to run as much — or zap as much energy.
Instead of raising or lowering the temp, try making these adjustments:
Washing your laundry on hot may be to blame for high natural gas or electricity bills, depending upon whether your water heater and washer are gas or electric-powered. According to appliance manufacturer GE, “75 to 90 percent of all the energy your washer uses goes to warming up the water, so switching to colder water can lower your gas or electric bill.” GE also notes that washing your clothes on cold isn’t just good for your utility bill, it can also help you keep your clothes looking and feeling new for longer. We’ll call that a win-win!
Reduce your electricity or gas bill by eliminating your dryer completely whenever possible. This will help you save on your gas or electric bill and in many cases is the best choice for lightweight clothes and delicate fibers, like athletic materials, denim, and knits.
Of course, some exceptions apply: heavy items like towels or sweats are worth tossing in the dryer to prevent molding or mildew.
Have you noticed a sudden spike in your waste or sewage bill? Follow these tips now to reduce next month’s bill.
Sometimes waste bills are fixed, and you’ll be expected to pay a set monthly rate. But, in some cases, you may be charged by the bag for waste pickup. If you’ve found that your waste bill has increased, remember that from grocery bags to disposable coffee cups, every ounce adds up.
Make these eco-conscious swaps and start reusing more and tossing less:
It’s not uncommon that sewage is a fixed cost. However, if you discover that your sewer bill isn’t a flat rate and has gotten costly, taking measures to reduce your water use should do the trick.
Sometimes old buildings with bad insulation or inefficient appliances are to blame for your high utility bills — and your best course of action to reduce your utility bill might be to seek out a new place. Searching for an apartment community with utilities included? You’re sure to find an ideal apartment with ApartmentSearch! ApartmentSearch has thousands of apartment communities in our database. Start your apartment search today with ApartmentSearch!
