If you’re living in an apartment, you’re probably already mindful of your monthly rent and utility payments and budgeting for them. After rent, an electric bill, with the cost of heating and cooling included, could be your second biggest expense.
Renters probably don’t have the ability to make big changes that could reduce energy usage, like installing new appliances, a new HVAC system, or solar panels. But they can take small and simple steps that will add up to energy bill savings, like installing energy efficient lights and managing how you use energy when you’re not home. It’s possible to save money and live greener and healthier with some new habits that conserve energy, too.
See how much you can save with home energy changes
Why Is My Electric Bill High?
The average residential electric bill in the US was $145.44 a month in 2024 according to the US Energy Information Administration. The last EIA study specific to apartments was in 2016 and showed a renter’s average monthly electric bill was $112.
Everyone’s exact electric usage is different. Reasons range from your area’s climate to if you’re working from home.
Leaving heating and cooling on
The US Department of Energy reports adjusting your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day can equal saving about 10% on heating and cooling in a year. If you’re gone most of the workday or a weekend, you can likely adjust your thermostat accordingly to save energy and money.
You may be able to use ceiling fans, windows, and window coverings to have more efficient heating and cooling without turning the thermostat way up or way down.
Using power during peak rate periods
Check with your utility about time-of-use rates or peak and off-peak hours. If you’re on such a plan, shift some high-power appliance usage to off-peak times. Appliances that can be scheduled to run during off-peak times make saving money easy.
Here’s an example of peak or off-peak periods in a time-of-use plan from Pacific Gas and Electric in California.
Vampire energy
Vampire or phantom energy, the energy a device uses when it’s not in active use, isn’t that scary, but it may raise your power bill. While an individual device’s use is generally small, it can add up.
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the annual cost of plugged-in devices when not in use is around $19 billion, or about $165 for every household. That energy usage is responsible for 44 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. You can use smart plugs, power strips, and device settings as a better way to limit vampire energy than going around and unplugging everything everyday.
Maintenance needed
Neglecting maintenance may lead to an HVAC system running inefficiently. It can even result in poor indoor air quality. Changing air filters and keeping vents clean are steps you may be able to handle. Professional maintenance and service are likely up to your landlord, so knowing how to address such a concern could help.
Older appliances
If your appliances are older, they likely aren’t energy efficient, even when they were in their prime. Upgrading old appliances could reduce your energy use, though you likely won’t have full control over that. You can choose to run only full dishwasher or laundry loads and keep vents, traps, and filters clean, which can improve efficiency.
Working from home
If you’re home more often during the traditional workday and using more devices and appliances, your electric bill will probably show it.
See how much you can save with home energy changes
How Can I Cut My Apartment Electric Bill?
As a renter, you can’t upgrade the whole building’s insulation or HVAC system. But, what are the ways you can cut into your energy usage and save money?
Lighting
Switching to more energy-efficient LED bulbs can reduce your energy bill and save you from buying bulbs as often since LED bulbs last 25-50 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
According to the Department of Energy, if you changed every light in your home from incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs, the average home would save $225 a year in energy costs.
More energy-saving lighting ideas are using dimmer switches or timers and using natural light from windows where possible.
Smart plugs and programs
Smart plugs can help you stop vampire energy and use energy when it’s cheapest.
These devices can be remotely controlled via an app and let you monitor, program, and control the power supply to anything that plugs in.
Smart thermostat
If your apartment has a smart or programmable thermostat it’s easy to save money and stay comfortable. Program your thermostat to keep your home at a target temperature when you’re at home and awake, but adjust to an energy-saving setting when you’re away or asleep.
Changing air filters
A clogged air filter that hasn’t been replaced in months, or longer, makes your HVAC system work harder and use more energy. A clean, new filter will likely reduce your energy bill and give you better indoor air quality.
Full loads
Washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers are significant energy users. You can save on electricity and hot water by making sure laundry and dishwasher loads are full when you run them and using cold-water or shorter cycles when it makes sense.
Save a little hot water
Using less hot water can save you energy. If you have the ability to turn the water heater temperature down a little, say from 140 degrees to 120 degrees, you aren’t likely to notice a difference in the shower or when washing clothes and dishes.
Fans
If you have ceiling fans, they can be used year-round. That’s right, ceiling fans can be reversed to move warmer air down during cold times of the year. Ceiling fans don’t truly change the temperature in a space. They make it feel up to four degrees cooler or warmer.
Windows and shades
You can use your windows for better energy efficiency. Natural sunlight gives you free warmth. Shade keeps an area cooler. Note if you feel draftiness around your windows and add weatherstripping as necessary to stop the draft. The same may go for around your doors.
For most, saving money is the driving force to reducing the energy you use. If you’re interested in the economic, environmental, and lifestyle benefits of a more energy-efficient apartment or home, the next step is to check out our free energy advisor tool or contact us to see how you can save.
See what home electrification can do for you:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I save on heating and cooling even if I don’t own my HVAC system?
You can save energy and money in a number of ways, even if you can’t replace or upgrade the actual HVAC or heat pump system. You can set your thermostat to use less energy, especially when no one’s in your apartment. You can use ceiling fans and windows in energy-efficient ways, too.
What is a smart plug?
A smart plug is a device that turns almost any electric device or appliance into one you can control remotely with a phone, tablet, computer, or voice control. This gives you the ability to schedule, monitor the energy usage of, or simply cut the power to connected devices.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Palmetto does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors.
Andrew GiermakWriter and EditorAndrew joined Palmetto in Charlotte in August 2024. He’s been a writer in journalism, then in business, going back to almost the 20th century. He’s lived in Indiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia again, and now North Carolina for the last 12 years. He likes golf. Is he good at it? Not so much.
