How to Lower Your Electric Bill in an Apartment (Without Freezing or Sweating)
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You can’t replace the windows. You can’t swap the old HVAC unit. You probably can’t even pick your electric plan if the building bundles it. So when the bill jumps, it’s easy to assume there’s nothing a renter can do.
That’s wrong. Most of an apartment electric bill comes down to heating, cooling, hot water, and the stuff you leave plugged in. You control a surprising amount of all four.
Quick Picks at a Glance
Short on time? Here are the products I’d grab first. Each one gets a closer look further down.
| Product | Best For | Deal |
|---|---|---|
| Draft Stopper | Gaps under doors | Check Price on Amazon |
| Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring | Finding power hogs | Check Price on Amazon |
| LED Bulbs (Multipack) | Swapping old bulbs | Check Price on Amazon |
| Thermal Blackout Curtains | Drafty windows | Check Price on Amazon |
Start With the Thermostat
Heating and cooling are usually the biggest line on the bill. Every degree matters more than people think.
In winter, try 68 when you’re home and lower when you’re asleep or out. In summer, 78 is a good target. If that sounds miserable, move one degree at a time. You’ll adjust faster than you expect.
If your unit has a programmable thermostat, actually program it. Most people leave it on hold forever. If it’s an old dial, set a phone reminder to bump it down before bed.
Find Out What’s Eating Power
Your electric bill isn’t one big thing. It’s a dozen small things running all the time.
Space heaters are the classic culprit. They’re handy, but running one for hours a day can add a noticeable chunk to a monthly bill. Use it to warm the room you’re in, not the whole apartment, and never leave it running when you’re out.
Gaming consoles, cable boxes, old desktop towers, and second fridges also pull power on standby. A smart plug with energy monitoring settles the argument in a day.
Fix the Drafts You’re Allowed to Fix
You can’t caulk the building, but you can block the obvious leaks. Put a draft stopper under the front door. Close the blinds at night in winter. Open them on sunny winter days and close them on hot summer afternoons.
Removable window insulation film is another renter-friendly option. It goes on with double-sided tape and a hair dryer, and it peels off in spring. If a window is badly drafty, tell your landlord in writing. That’s a maintenance issue, not a lifestyle problem.
Hot Water Is Electricity Too
If your water heater is electric, every long shower costs you. Shorter showers help. So does washing clothes in cold water, which works fine for most loads.
Run the dishwasher only when it’s full, and skip the heated dry setting. Let dishes air dry with the door cracked open.
Small Habits That Add Up
Turn off lights when you leave a room. Unplug chargers you’re not using. Clean the dryer lint trap every single load, since a clogged trap makes the dryer run longer.
Check your fridge temperature too. Somewhere around 37 to 40 degrees is plenty. Colder than that just costs more.
None of these alone will cut your bill in half. Stack five or six of them and you’ll notice. If you’re working out what you can really afford each month, utilities belong in that number. Our apartment budget guide shows how to plan for them.
Ask Before You Sign the Next Lease
If you’re apartment hunting, ask what the average electric bill runs for the unit. Top-floor and corner units often cost more to heat and cool. It’s one of the questions worth asking before you sign.
Our Picks in Detail
Draft Stopper: Gaps under doors
A foam or fabric tube that sits under the door and blocks cold air. Cheap, removable, and it does more than you’d expect on a drafty entry door.
Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring: Finding power hogs
Plug something in and the app tells you what it’s actually drawing. It’s the fastest way to learn which device is quietly running up your bill.
LED Bulbs (Multipack): Swapping old bulbs
If your apartment came with old incandescent or halogen bulbs, swap them. Keep the originals in a box so you can put them back at move-out.
Thermal Blackout Curtains: Drafty windows
Heavy lined curtains hold heat in during winter and block afternoon sun in summer. Hang them on a tension rod if you can’t drill.
FAQ
What is a normal electric bill for an apartment?
It depends heavily on your climate, unit size, and whether heat is electric or gas. Ask your leasing office or the utility for the unit’s average monthly usage before you sign.
Do space heaters raise your electric bill?
Yes, often by a lot. They pull a lot of power. Use one to warm a single room for short periods and turn the main thermostat down while you do.
Does unplugging things really save money?
A little. Standby power is small per device, but a household full of plugged-in electronics adds up. A smart plug or power strip makes it easy.
Can I ask my landlord to fix drafty windows?
Yes. Put the request in writing. Broken seals and gaps are a maintenance issue, and fixing them helps the landlord’s building too.
