Are you wondering how to keep your utility bill low? Some of the best ways to lower utility bills include permanent alterations to the structure of a home. We're talking about replacing old windows to eliminate drafts and upgrading to more efficient HVAC systems. Those aren't options you can realistically follow when renting, but that doesn't mean you have to accept soaring utility bills.
At GM Holdings, we’re committed to helping you live comfortably when renting an apartment or single-family home. We all battle utility bills in our personal lives, and we know that our renters are also looking for ways to save as much money as possible now that rent prices are on the rise. We put together some valuable tips to help you save on water, electricity, and gas.
Let’s start with how to keep your electric bill low in an apartment or single-family rental home. Some of these tips are fast, easy, and affordable to implement. Together, they can add up to substantial savings on the electric bill over time.
If you have an HVAC filter in your rental property, it's important to change it at least every three months. Some filters are designed to last for one month, while others are more durable and can go two or three months between changes.
When HVAC filters get too dirty, they slow or possibly completely stop the flow of air through the system. That means your system works harder to maintain the temperature in your property, which in turn leads to higher electricity bills. You may also end up wearing your system out and facing a breakdown if the filter isn’t changed regularly.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs utilize the least amount of electricity when in use. They may cost a bit more than your standard incandescent bulbs, but they will last longer while helping to lower your electric bill.
Appliances are more costly in terms of energy when they're required to heat water to operate. If you can use detergents that work effectively in cold water, you can wash your laundry in cold instead of hot water. Shortening showers or using a bit less hot water when you take a bath may help as well. Keep in mind that even using the steam setting on a dryer can use electricity and increase your bill if used often enough.
Everything plugged into the wall is costing you money. If you have electronics or appliances that you don't use often, unplug them. Turn off the lights when you leave a room, even if you intend to come right back. When you make flipping the switch a part of your daily routine, you won't have to run around the home, turning everything off when you go to bed for the night or leave for work.
If you believe drafty windows or gaps under doors are costing you a lot of lost energy, discuss sealing options with your landlord or property management company. You can use caulk to quickly seal small gaps and holes around drafty windows and place weatherstripping under doors that have cracks. Your landlord may authorize you to make these small repairs or offer to have someone do it for you.
These aren’t major alterations to your rental property, but they are changes that your landlord may want to know about.
We've discussed how to lower your electric bill when renting, but what about the water bill? We have a few tips for you there as well.
The more you run your washer, dryer, dishwasher, and other appliances, the more water and energy you use. You can cut all utility bills by only hitting start when you have a full load. If you do need to wash a small load of laundry, make sure to change the settings on the machine to the smallest load possible. That will limit the amount of water used.
Your landlord or property management team can't know about water leaks unless you report them. Make it a habit to look under sinks and around the toilet and appliances to check for subtle leaks. It's not uncommon for leaks to go undetected for long periods before they become so bad they're noticeable. The earlier you detect and report a leak, the faster you can fix it and spare your water bill.
You can try to keep your electric bill low in an apartment or rental home, but you can’t do it alone unless you live alone. If you have children, roommates, or extended family living with you, perhaps it’s time to hold a family or household meeting to discuss your utility bills.
Discuss the importance of conserving energy and how everyone can work together to keep the utility bill low. You may even want to do a full utility bill audit with kids old enough to start learning about financial matters. For adult children and roommates, go into the meeting ready to show the bills so that everyone understands the financial impact on your budget.
You can even challenge your children to devise creative ways to help lower energy bills. They may have items in their room that they can unplug because they don’t use them often. When you present children with a problem, other creative ideas may surface and empower them to think of their own solutions.
Consistency is key regardless of what steps you take to control your energy bills. Small actions like unplugging your cell phone once it is fully charged and turning off lights when you leave a room can add up in the long term.
A dishwasher will use less water than you will when washing dishes by hand. If you don’t have a dishwasher, then take the time to plug the sink and fill it with water before washing all dishes at once. When you wash individual dishes or small batches with the water running continuously down the sink, you’re wasting a lot more water than you realize.
