Reducing Utility Costs in Apartments

Utility bills represent a significant portion of apartment living costs, and unlike rent, they're often within your control. Small apartments have natural advantages—less space to heat, cool, and light—but habits still make a big difference.

Electricity

Lighting

• Switch to LED: Significantly more efficient than incandescent
• Use natural light: Open curtains during the day
• Turn off when leaving: Simple but effective habit
• Task lighting: Light the area you're using, not the whole room

Phantom Loads

Devices use power even when "off":

• Use power strips to easily disconnect groups of devices
• Unplug chargers when not charging
• Turn off entertainment systems completely
• Consider smart plugs for hard-to-reach outlets

Appliance Usage

• Full loads only: Run dishwasher and laundry with full loads
• Cold water wash: Works for most laundry
• Air dry when possible: Dryers use significant energy
• Efficient settings: Use eco modes when available

Electronics

• Laptops use less power than desktops
• Tablets and phones use minimal power
• Large TVs use more than smaller ones
• Gaming consoles can be power-hungry

Heating

Temperature Settings

• Lower thermostat when sleeping or away
• Wear appropriate clothing for the season
• Use blankets and layers before raising heat
• Small spaces heat quickly—don't overshoot

Reducing Heat Loss

• Draft blockers: At doors and windows
• Curtains: Close at night for insulation
• Weather stripping: Seal gaps (check with landlord)
• Rugs: Add warmth to cold floors

Smart Heating

• Heat only the rooms you're using when possible
• Close doors to unused areas
• Don't block radiators or vents with furniture
• Report heating system issues to landlord promptly

Cooling

Before Air Conditioning

• Fans: Use ceiling or portable fans first
• Cross-ventilation: Open windows on opposite sides
• Block sun: Close curtains during hottest hours
• Cool at night: Open windows when temperatures drop

Efficient AC Use

• Set to reasonable temperature (not arctic)
• Use timer to turn off when not needed
• Close doors and windows when AC is running
• Clean filters regularly for efficiency

Reducing Heat Gain

• Cook during cooler hours
• Use microwave or stovetop instead of oven in summer
• Turn off electronics that generate heat
• Take cooler showers (also reduces water heating)

Water

Shower and Bath

• Shorter showers have significant impact
• Turn off water while lathering
• Showers generally use less water than baths
• Fix dripping faucets promptly

Kitchen

• Don't run water continuously while washing dishes
• Use dishwasher efficiently (full loads)
• Defrost food in refrigerator, not under running water
• Reuse water when possible (watering plants)

Laundry

• Full loads only
• Appropriate water level settings
• Cold water for most loads

Small Apartment Advantages

Built-In Efficiency

• Less square footage to heat and cool
• Fewer lights needed
• Shared walls provide insulation
• Usually one bathroom (less water usage)

Maximizing These Advantages

• Don't heat/cool to extremes just because it's quick
• Appreciate that small means efficient
• Report building-level issues (poor insulation affects your bills)