(Newswire.net — August 1, 2020) — The cost of rent is a set and transparent expense, but apartment utilities such as electricity, natural gas, water, cable, and internet are not always straight-forward. The electricity bill will likely be one of your highest expenses. The typical American uses 41% of their energy on space heating and cooling and 35% on appliances, electronics, and lighting. The good news is that there is plenty you can do to reduce this monthly expense.
Contributing Factors
You will be paying more or less on your apartment electricity bill depending on the number of people in your household, the state in which you live, the number of appliances and electronics running on electricity, and the size of your apartment.
What Could Be the Reason Behind a Higher Bill?
If your electric bill is higher than normal or just more than it used to be, you need to start by finding the source of the problem.
- Old Apartment
Older buildings are more poorly insulated than their modern counterparts. Moreover, they often have single-pane windows which are not as efficient at keeping out seasonal temperatures or noise for that matter. The type of window you have has a direct impact on your bill.
- Window units
Running your AC on ‘auto’ or ‘eco’ mode will save you quite a bit of energy and money as the compressor won’t work as hard. The AUTO mode will have the fan working only when it needs to achieve your desired temperature whereas the ‘eco-mode’ will keep it 2°C higher than your set-point. You will not feel a difference but you will notice a difference when your bill arrives.
- Usage habits
The behavior of residents also plays a big role. Leaving computers on for 10 hours a day or blasting the AC will make quite a difference. Keeping appliances plugged in even when they are not used can contribute 10 percent to your electricity bill as they stay in ‘standby’ mode.
Going on to your utility provider’s website and looking at a bill summary will give you a look into your gas and electricity usage. Ensure you chose the best electric company as there are so many different deals out there.
Energy efficiency tips
After you have the best deal there is, there are a great deal of things you can do to reduce your monthly energy usage further.
1. Invest in Energy-Efficient Products
Look for Energy Star labeled appliances and replaced traditional light bulbs with more efficient LED ones.
2. Do Energy-Strenuous Activities When Costs Are Cheaper
Run your dishwasher and laundry machine late at night or early in the morning or wash them by hand.
3. Ensure Your Appliances Are Functioning Optimally
Clogged vents will make any device need to work harder. Cleaning out dirty filters and replacing them regularly is part of a proper maintenance routine that saves you costs in the long-run.
4. Use the AC Prudently
If you are watching TV, there is no need to keep the AC running in the bedroom. If you know that a hot day is ahead, set the desired temperature before it strikes. This way, you will save the energy needed to cool it down once it is already hot.
5. Practice Efficient Behavior Everywhere
Use the microwave for cooking over the stove and use the oven at night so your AC does not work as hard during the day. Air dry your dishes and clothes as opposed using the washing machine for that as well.
6. Smart Power Strips
Use smart power strips to prevent appliances from wasting electricity when you are not using them. Turning off your electronics and lights off when you are away might not appear like much, but this small behavior change will eventually add up.
Final Thought
These small steps will not only benefit your budget but also make you more environmentally friendly. Paying bills is a stressful endeavor but reducing your energy bill is not an impossible mission. With the simple steps described above, you can keep your electricity bills on-budget and reduce them significantly!