How Much Do Utilities Cost for an Average Apartment?

Are you searching for a new apartment to rent? Before you start narrowing down the hunt, it is important to take the time to work out your budget. You need to make sure you have enough saved up to cover the amount of the monthly rent.

In addition to the rental price, there are other fees that you need to take into account. For example, it is essential to make sure you have enough left over to cover your utility bills. 

But how much do utilities cost for an average apartment?

Let’s find out… 

Utilities You are Expected to Pay For

Before you start making calculations, you need to clarify which bills you will be responsible for paying. This can vary slightly, depending on your landlord. In most cases, you will need to cover the electricity you use, as well as the bill for heating and cooling.

Some landlords also include the fee for refuse collection and water use in the rent. However, this is not always the case. There may also be other hidden fees that you are responsible for paying each month.

Such as?

In some cases, you may also be charged for internet usage, cable, and TV. These extra bills can bump up the amount you spend on your rent considerably. Therefore, it is important to confirm what you need to cover yourself and read the lease carefully. All the utilities you are responsible for paying should be listed on the lease agreement.

These include:

Other Utilities

Other bills like cell service, trash collection, and specialized cable are usually separate from your regular bills. 

While most local governments provide trash collection services, they are also offered by private companies. The rate for these services can vary widely, depending on the company that is used. So, once again, it’s advised to find out how trash collection is handled and if you are responsible for paying the bill, so you know what to expect in advance. 

Factors That Affect the Price of Utilities

When you compare prices, you are likely to find that you pay a different amount to friends and relatives. This can happen for a number of different reasons. Here are some of the main factors that can affect how much your utility bills run each month. 

Location

The place you choose to live will have a major impact on your bills. In areas with a very cool climate, you are likely to pay far more to heat your home. Or if the climate is hot, you will typically pay over the odds for air conditioning.

Energy efficiency

It is critical to check the energy efficiency of the apartment before choosing to move in. Large windows and high ceilings will let in more heat and light. While this can be a bonus at certain times of the year, you will tend to spend more on energy bills. 

The size of the apartment

In the same vein, larger homes cost much more to heat and cooling than small spaces. So, this is an important consideration when you are searching for a new home. A small condo with an open floor plan will also translate to higher bills than condos with separate rooms. 

Ways to Shave Money Off Your Utility Bills

Turning off the heating and lights when you leave home is a simple way to reduce your bills. This is a small step that can save you several dollars each month. Let’s take a look at some other ways you can keep your utility bills to a minimum.

Take a look at your appliances

Certain gadgets and appliances guzzle electricity even when they’re not in use. Simply keeping these appliances plugged in when you’re not really using them can cause your bills to soar. Notorious energy consumers include coffee makers, gaming consoles, and phone chargers. So, being vigilant and unplugging these items could reduce your energy bill by as much as 20%. 

Check the energy efficiency ratio 

Likewise, if you are planning to purchase a new appliance, make sure you check out the energy efficiency ratio. Also known as the EER, this is an indication of exactly how much electricity the appliance uses. The higher the rating, the higher your electricity bill will be if you use the appliance regularly. 

Use natural cooling and heating 

Opening the windows during the summer and letting the air flow through will reduce the need for cooling. And instead of using the air conditioner, you may simply need to run a fan. You can also use furniture or thicker curtains to block the windows in the winter to help keep your rooms warm. 

Monitor your monthly usage

Overall, it’s always a good idea to closely monitor your bills when you move into a new apartment. If you notice that they seem to be quite high, look for ways to make some cuts. Dramatically increased consumption during certain months could indicate that there are other issues. 

Use energy-efficient LED light bulbs 

LED lamps and light bulbs are much more energy-efficient and can dramatically reduce your bills. Plus, making the switch to LED lamps and light bulbs is a fairly quick and easy way of saving money. If you live in a sunny area, you can also save money by using solar-powered outdoor lighting. 

Invest in a smart thermostat 

This innovative type of thermostat allows you to control the temperature in your home when you’re not around. Using a smart thermostat is an excellent option if you tend to forget to turn off the heat before leaving home. These devices also help to eliminate human error by constantly monitoring and maintaining optimal temperatures. 

Check the insulation

Your heating bills could be through the roof if there are cracks in windows and doors. Not only will these cracks allow heat to escape, but they can also let drafts in. So, making sure the apartment is properly sealed and insulated can save you a lot of money in the long run. 

Dress for the season

You might be surprised, but wearing an extra sweater during the winter can dramatically reduce your heating bills. It’s worth investing in a pair of thick slippers and other warm clothing. Bundling up is actually the easiest way to spend less on heating your home. 

Use an induction cooker

This type of appliance heats up much more quickly than a regular stovetop. In addition, modern induction cookers use minimal electricity. So, regularly using an induction cooker instead of a stove is a great way to reduce your bills. 

Use a dishwasher 

Although using a dishwasher may seem counterintuitive, these appliances use less water than doing the dishes by hand. Using a dishwasher typically uses three gallons of water, while hand washing the dishes uses 27 gallons of water. However, make sure your dishwasher is fully loaded before running it to save more water, electricity, and time. 

Take showers

While wallowing in the bath can be a great way to unwind, baths use a lot of water. In fact, the typical bath uses around fifty gallons of water, while showers use half this amount. So sticking to showers and saving baths for a treat could dramatically reduce your water bill. 

Regularly check for leaks

If your water bill is much higher than expected, you may have a leaking pipe or faucet. Even the smallest leak can cause your water bill to end up rocketing. Being vigilant and fixing these leaks is a simple way to shave money off your water bills over time. 

Search for promotional offers

If you are about to sign up for an internet plan, have a look for special deals. You may find that you can save money by choosing a plan that includes both cell phone and internet use. Signing up for a long-term plan is another sure way to save money each month. 

Now that you know how much do utilities cost for an average apartment…

Want More Tips for Saving Money Every Month?

Then, we have a lot more to share with you!

Starting with getting on top of what you’re really working with financially, and we mean take-home pay, not the gross salary that’s written in your contract. So, take a look at Annual Net Income: Definition and How to Calculate. Then, if you can see that you actually need to be earning more to cover your monthly expenses, how about considering a side gig?

Find out, What Is A Gig Economy, and What Are Freelance Jobs?

Are you a foodie?

Then, find out How To Become a Food Critic! Love writing in your journal but never thought about generating an income from your writing? Why not investigate How to Become a Writer? You’d be surprised how a little side hustle can add up to a lot of extra cash in the bank over time, even if it has a seemingly low rate of pay. And, yes, we can answer, $13 an Hour is How Much a Year?

Another money-saving trend is downsizing your living space…

Take a look at the Cost of Building a Shipping Container Home and how and where you might reduce utility payments.

But that’s not all you can do!

There are hundreds of small ways to reduce your expenses with just a little know-how. Get all the insider info you need about the Target Price Adjustment Policy, the Amazon Price Drop Refund, Walmart Hidden Clearance, How To Buy Amazon Returns, and much much more!

Ok, back to today’s cost of living discussion…

Final Thoughts

Finding out how much you are likely to pay for utilities is an important step before signing a lease. This will help you to work out a realistic budget and see if it’s possible to save in certain areas. So you need to check the lease contract carefully to see what is included in the rental fee.

A good way to get an accurate idea of what to expect is by talking with the current tenants. They should be able to give you an estimate of utility costs each month. This can be a bit of a personal question to some people, so it is essential to be polite and friendly.

Good luck!