10 Tips to Reduce Your Utility Costs as a Tenant
Gas, water bills and energy prices are high and rising. This summer was the hottest ever recorded for many cities across the US, and these scorching temperatures and heat waves have many running to their thermostats for relief. Increased air conditioning use can leave people with high cooling bills this time of year, which may leave you wondering how to cool off without ruining your monthly expenses. When you rent, it’s not always possible to make big cost-saving and energy saving changes, such as draught excluders or buy new Energy Star appliancesChances are that as an apartment dweller you are not allowed to undertake major projects, because even small adjustments can result in a breach of the lease.
The good news is that with a few small adjustments, you can actually live more sustainably and save money in the long run. Turn off the light, set your thermostat to an ideal temperature And shower instead of bathing There are some obvious ways to conserve energy and save money, but they’re not the only smart tricks you can use as a renter. Here are 10 easy ways to save on your energy and utility bills this summer. (For more, check out our picks for the best smart lighting, smart thermostats and others energy saving smart devices.)
1. Switch to smart lighting
When I moved into my apartment in Charlotte, North Carolina, one of the first things I did was install smart lighting. Why? It’s easy and immediately effective. Changing a few light bulbs in your lamps or ceiling lights can have a huge impact on your monthly bills.
Smart lighting is a simple solution that is not too expensive. You can find several LED smart bulbs from reputable brands that cost $20 each or less.
If you want to make big savings on your electric bill but don’t necessarily think smart lighting is for you, standard LED bulbs are a great way to get the job done. With or without the smarts, LED lights are much more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs use about 75% less electricity than incandescent bulbs.
Here Are 23 Ways to Save on Your Electric Bill Now
View all photos2. Get the most out of your thermostat
Smart thermostats automatically adjust the temperature of your space, making them one of the most effective ways to save money. Many newer apartments come with smart thermostats already installed, but what if you don’t have an apartment with a smart thermostat? You can always talk to your landlord about installing a smart thermostat yourself; once a smart thermostat is installed, it will be difficult to remove it when you inevitably move out.
The good news is that a regular thermostat is also effective; Energy Star says A programmable model used correctly can save you up to $180 annually. To save the most, make sure you Set your thermostat to the ideal temperatures in both summer and winter. Making sure you wear the right amount of layers or stay hydrated can also help you change the temperature by a degree or two.
According to the US Department of EnergyThe best technique for staying cool and still minimizing utility costs in the summer is to keep your home warmer than normal when no one is home and set the temperature as high as possible when you are home. And the same goes for the winter: it is best to keep your thermostat at 68 F most of the day during the winter season and then turn the temperature down seven to ten degrees when you are away or asleep.
Here are some more tips to save energy and money with your thermostat.
Smart thermostats have additional features that can save you money in the long run.
3. Do the laundry the right way
Since I do laundry two or three times a week, I’m always looking for ways to do laundry more efficiently so that my monthly energy and water bills aren’t sky-high. There are several tips to save money in the laundry room which means you don’t have to hand wash or line dry your clothes.
One easy trick? Go for cold water. Simply washing your clothes in cold water can have a big impact on your savings, since a whopping 90% of the energy needed to wash a load goes to heating the water, according to Consumer Reports.
4. Disconnect certain devices and appliances
Beware of energy vampires (and no, I’m not talking about Edward Cullen). Energy vampires are appliances and devices that use electricity when they’re plugged in but not in use. Things like toasters and phone chargers quietly use energy and run up your bills, so simply unplugging them can save you money.
Find out exactly how much you can save by unplugging appliances here.
5. Shower smarter
The average American household uses more than 300 liters of water every day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Shortening your showers can help you save on your water bill. If you don’t want to give up your long, hot showers, you might also consider getting a low-flow shower head. The EPA estimates that the average household can save $70 in annual water and energy costs by switching to a WaterSense approved shower head.
Are you looking for more smart devices that can help you save on your energy bill? Try these devices.
6. Clean the dishes properly
I’ve already mentioned how much water an average household uses. Did you know that using that much water is equivalent to about $83 per month about the water costs? In addition to taking shorter showers, showering instead of bathing and using special shower heads, certain dishwashing practices can also help you reduce your water consumption.
It may be hard to believe, but using your dishwasher actually uses less water And less energy than washing dishes by hand. Washing dishes in the sink can use up to 27 gallons of water per load, while an Energy Star-certified dishwasher can only use 3 gallons per loadA dishwasher with Energy Star can also be used less than half the energy of washing dishes by hand. The dishwasher saves you time, energy and money — a winning combination.
Read more: How Much Money Can You Save with Energy Star Appliances?
Running your dishwasher will reduce your water usage And less energy than washing hands.
7. Look for leaks and other maintenance issues
A simple water leak, a constantly running toilet, or a window that doesn’t close all the way can cost you a lot of money when it comes to monthly utilities. Check your apartment every now and then for any potential hazards or broken items. Don’t try to fix them yourself. Again, that could be grounds for a lease violation. Make sure to notify your landlord immediately of these breakages or hazards and have them send someone to fix them.
Pro Tip: Also make sure to replace your air filter at least every three months to keep your HVAC system from working harder than necessary.
8. Set your boiler to the ideal temperature
The Department of Energy says heating hot water could be responsible for 14% to 18% of an average energy billSimply turning your water heater temperature back to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) could save you up to $400.
If you live in a townhouse or other rental property where you have access to the boiler, you can adjust the setting yourself. If you don’t have access, ask your landlord or the maintenance team for help.
Learn more about your boiler and possible savings here.
Most boilers are set to 60 degrees Celsius by default.
9. Calculate what you should spend
When paying your monthly bills, it is important to pay attention to the average cost of utilities in your state to ensure you are not overspending.
In the US the average cost of utilities for tenants is $240 per month. This estimate includes the basic utilities that most apartment dwellers and renters are responsible for — electricity, gas and water — but that amount will fluctuate based on location, usage and additional costs such as garbage, pest control, cable and internet fees.
You can use this interactive map to check the average cost of utilities in your state. You can also use a energy cost calculator to estimate your monthly energy consumption.
10. Talk to your landlord
If you try these tips and tricks but still want to improve the energy efficiency of your home, it wouldn’t hurt to reach out to your landlord. You can ask if the homeowner would be willing to make some changes to the apartment or house, such as installing a smart thermostat or caulking windows. If not, it wouldn’t hurt to ask if you could make the improvements yourself and get reimbursed later.
