9 Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill in an Apartment
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You often cannot change your windows, insulation or appliances in a rental, but you can still reduce how much power you use. These ideas need no permission and no tools.
Cooling and heating
- Use fans to move air so you can raise the thermostat a little
- Close curtains on sunny windows during the day
- Seal obvious drafts with removable weatherstripping
- Clean or replace air conditioner filters regularly
Lighting
Swap old bulbs for LED bulbs, which use less energy and last longer. Turn off lights in empty rooms.
Phantom power
Many electronics draw a small amount of power even when they look off. Plugging a TV, console and speakers into one power strip lets you switch them all off together. Smart plugs can do the same on a schedule.
Appliance habits
- Run the dishwasher and washer with full loads
- Wash clothes in cold water when possible
- Let dishes air dry
- Keep the refrigerator door closed and the coils clean
Know where your power goes
Check your bill for usage details and compare months. If your utility offers an online dashboard or time-of-use rates, shifting heavy use to cheaper hours can help.
None of these changes is dramatic on its own, but together they can make a visible difference over a few billing cycles.
Low-cost upgrades
Switching to LED bulbs and plugging devices that draw standby power into a switchable strip are simple changes that do not need your landlord’s approval. You can browse LED bulbs and power strips with a switch on Amazon.
