How to Reduce Electricity Bills in an Apartment
Where the electricity goes in an apartment, and the changes a renter can make to use less of it, starting with the free ones.
In this article
Where the electricity goes
In most homes the biggest energy uses are heating and cooling, then hot water, then appliances that heat or cool things: the fridge, the washing machine, the tumble dryer, the oven and the kettle. Lighting and electronics are usually a smaller share.
So the biggest savings come from heat, not from unplugging phone chargers. How much you save depends on your home, your prices and your habits, which is why we do not quote figures here. Your bill and a few meter readings will tell you what works for you.
Fixes that cost nothing
Heating and cooling
- Adjust the thermostat by a degree or two and dress for the season.
- Heat or cool the rooms you use, and close the doors to those you do not.
- Use curtains and blinds. Close them at dusk in winter to keep heat in, and during the day in summer to keep sun out.
- Keep radiators and vents clear of furniture and curtains.
- Use a fan before air conditioning. Moving air makes a room feel cooler for far less electricity.
Hot water and laundry
- Wash clothes at a lower temperature and wait for a full load.
- Air-dry laundry when you can; a tumble dryer is one of the hungriest appliances in a home. Dry near an open window to avoid damp.
- Take shorter showers.
Kitchen
- Boil only the water you need.
- Put lids on pans and match the pan to the ring.
- Run the dishwasher when it is full, on an eco setting.
- Let food cool before it goes in the fridge, and do not leave the door open.
Everything else
- Turn things off at the wall when they are not in use. TVs, consoles and other electronics draw power on standby.
- Switch off lights when you leave a room.
Low-cost fixes
- Change to LED bulbs. They use a fraction of the electricity of old incandescent and halogen bulbs and last much longer. Keep the originals if the fittings are the landlord's.
- Stop drafts. Adhesive weatherstripping around doors and windows and a door sweep keep heat in and come off when you leave.
- Use an extension lead with a switch so one press turns off the TV, console and speakers together.
- Fit a low-flow shower head, keeping the original to put back.
Products that can help
- Smart plugs with energy monitoring show what a device really uses and can switch it off on a schedule. See smart home setup for a first apartment.
- A plug-in energy monitor does the measuring job on its own.
- Thermal or lined curtains reduce heat loss through windows.
- Efficient appliances. When something you own needs replacing, compare energy labels as well as price.
In the United States, look for the ENERGY STAR label on appliances and electronics, and check the yellow EnergyGuide label for estimated yearly running costs.
In the United Kingdom, appliances carry an energy label rated from A (most efficient) to G. If you have a smart meter, the in-home display shows what you are using in real time.
Read your bill
Check whether your tariff charges different rates at different times of day. If it does, running the washing machine and dishwasher in the cheaper period helps without using any less energy. If your bills are estimated, send regular meter readings so you pay for what you use.
When to ask your landlord
Report broken heating controls, failed window seals, dripping hot taps and old appliances that run constantly. These cost you money every day and are the landlord's to fix. It is reasonable to ask about draft-proofing, thermostat upgrades and the efficiency of supplied appliances.
The bottom line
Start with heat: thermostat, drafts, curtains and laundry. Then cut standby power and switch to LEDs. Measure one or two appliances so you know where your own electricity goes.
Frequently asked questions
What uses the most electricity in an apartment?
Heating and cooling usually come first, followed by hot water and appliances that heat or cool, such as tumble dryers, fridges, ovens and kettles.
Does unplugging appliances save electricity?
Devices on standby do use power, so switching them off at the wall helps. The effect is real but smaller than changes to heating, cooling and laundry.
Are LED bulbs worth it for renters?
Yes. They use far less electricity than incandescent or halogen bulbs, last for years and come with you when you move. Keep the original bulbs to refit.
Do smart plugs save money?
They can, by cutting standby power on a schedule and showing which devices use the most. The saving depends on what you plug into them.