9 minute read • Graham Lumley • Last update February 2024
When you live in an apartment, it’s likely you have limited influence over the efficiency of the building’s electrical systems. Not all tenants have the right to upgrade or install energy-saving features without approval. Therefore, it’s essential to learn how to lower electric bills in an apartment by adopting the right personal habits and lifestyle choices. Most tenants are surprised to learn how making small and easy changes to lighting, heating and cooling systems, and appliances, can make a big difference over time.
The primary reason for reducing your energy consumption is an obvious one. You save money. After rent, electricity bills typically constitute the biggest portion of your monthly expenses, so adopting energy-efficient practices can significantly lower your financial burden. This is particularly important in apartments where shared spaces and common areas have interconnected electrical systems. As an individual tenant, you may have limited control over the overall electricity consumption in these areas. But your usage will impact the overall cost, so every little helps.
Understanding your electricity consumption and implementing strategies to lower your energy bills usually results in a number of advantages:
Learning how to lower electric bills in an apartment setting requires a combination of mindful choices and energy-efficient best practices encompassing the following:
Let’s take a more in-depth look into how controlling these factors can help you create a more energy-efficient living space while keeping your utility expenses in check.
The household appliances you choose and the way you use and maintain them can have a significant impact on your energy consumption and the size of your utility bills at the end of each month.
If you’re looking to rent an apartment, ask the leasing office if the units contain Energy Star rated appliances. If you own your space and you’re looking to upgrade, make sure to look for options with high Energy Star ratings and an energy-saving design. For example:
Regular maintenance keeps your appliances operating at peak efficiency and extends their lifespan, which saves you even more energy and money in the long run. Best practices include:
Adopting smart usage habits results in various energy and cost efficiencies. Even though making small actions might not feel like they make a huge difference at the time, the following tweaks can add up to substantial savings over the year:
You’ll need to adjust your HVAC system throughout the seasons because the thermostat on your air conditioner needs to be set higher in the winter months and lower in the summer months. Depending on how much time you spend in your apartment vs. out or at work, you might also want to adjust settings based on your daily requirements
Maintaining adequate insulation helps retain conditioned air within your apartment, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling. You should:
Many newer apartment buildings come with smart thermostats as a perk of living there. Add that to your move-in requirements if you can and it will help you save later.
Smart thermostats allow you to program temperature settings based on your daily schedule, ensuring that heating and cooling are only activated when needed. Programmable settings enable you to:
Ceiling and portable fans provide effective ways to supplement – or even replace – air conditioning in certain situations:
Like each of your individual appliances, HVAC systems must be well maintained if they are to operate efficiently. Here are some best practices to follow:
Learning about energy-efficient lighting allows you to design a well-lit apartment while also enjoying the benefits of reduced utilities. Of course, turning off lights when they’re not needed is the first step. However, there are various other things you should consider too.
One of the most effective ways to reduce lighting-based energy consumption in apartments is by switching out incandescent bulbs with alternatives like LED (Light Emitting Diode) or CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp) bulbs. Both LED and CFL light bulbs:
By maximizing the use of natural light, you can reduce your reliance on electricity,, lower your energy consumption, and create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere in your apartment. Tricks and tips for better natural lighting include:
Adjusting brightness levels to suit your needs allows you to create a cozy ambiance and simultaneously reduce your power consumption. More specifically, installing dimmer switches and timers allows you to:
In today’s modern world, electronic devices play a significant role in our daily lives. From televisions and computers to smart home systems and phone chargers, electronics provide us with comfort and convenience. However, they also use a substantial amount of energy, so we need to be mindful of the things we can do to reduce consumption where possible.
One of the simplest – yet often overlooked – ways to save energy is by unplugging electronic devices when they’re not in use. Devices like your television and microwave still consume power when they’re on standby mode. Unplugging them eliminates “phantom” power drainage – and even if you only remember half the time, the difference can be significant.
Connecting multiple devices to a single power strip is a smart way to ensure they can be easily turned off with the flip of a single switch. This tactic is particularly useful for groups of devices that are used at the same time – like your television, entertainment system, and speakers, for example.
In addition to considering Energy Star ratings and looking for models with energy-saving features, it’s wise to consider the size and capacity of the devices you need. Choosing appropriately sized devices for your needs prevents unnecessary energy waste and helps keep your electricity bills to a minimum.
Being actively mindful of your energy usage helps you to identify even more opportunities to reduce consumption. And, the more people from your apartment block you can get on board with you, the better it will be for everyone.
Writing a quick checklist of the items you need to turn off before leaving the house can reduce accidental energy waste. And, actively thinking about how you consume energy and what further changes you can make may lead to even healthier daily energy habits. For example, you might want to consider:
Sharing information about the importance of energy conservation and how small changes can make a difference is essential. Learning more about how to lower electric bills in an apartment block creates a culture of energy-saving habits among all occupants that can lead to improvements that benefit everyone. Examples include:
While individual efforts go a long way, involving your landlord, utility providers, and any relevant associations and agencies in your energy-saving measures may also be prudent. Let’s round off with some additional strategies you can utilize to maximize opportunities for efficiency.
Reaching out to your landlord or property management company early to alert them of any energy concerns is essential in ensuring timely maintenance and repairs. Plus, open communication and idea-sharing may lead to upgrades or improvements that benefit the entire apartment complex.
Consider scheduling a home energy audit with your utility company – especially if you’re making concerted efforts to reduce your electricity consumption but are not achieving the desired results. At BKV, our customer service team is always on hand to solve any issues, pinpoint areas for further improvements, and highlight additional energy-saving measures that our customers may not have yet considered.
Community solar programs are renewable energy initiatives that allow you to subscribe to a local project without having to install solar panels on your individual property. Offsetting a portion of your electricity consumption with clean energy may reduce your overall energy costs. Plus, you’ll be doing your part for the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.
You’ll need to check directly with the relevant local government agencies and energy efficiency programs to claim incentives, tax credits, and rebates. However, depending on your location, you might find you’re eligible for financial incentives when you make improvements to your apartment, such as installing energy-efficient appliances or upgrading insulation.
One of the best ways to reduce your electric bill is to choose a renewable energy provider. The renewable energy sector is set for a dramatic expansion in 2023 – although here at BKV, we’ve already been producing reliable, sustainable natural gas for several years.
Our high-efficiency, low-emissions power plant in Temple provides Texan residents across 250 counties with cleaner, greener, and more cost-effective energy. Discover more about how to lower electric bills in apartments today! Contact our team to choose from our range of straightforward energy plans on a 30-day risk-free trial.
