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Acadian Point Apartments
Acadian Point Apartments

7 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON UTILITIES IN AN APARTMENT

7 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON UTILITIES IN AN APARTMENT

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Saving money is an important part of a person’s financial hygiene. It’s how you build wealth and put money aside for investing, traveling, and big purchases like a car or a home. One very effective way to save is by managing your apartment utilities and reducing your monthly expenses wherever possible.

Here at Acadian Point Apartments in Lafayette, LA, we love to help residents find ways to save on monthly utility bills, which is why we put our heads together and came up with this list of 7 ideas for saving money on apartment utilities. Whether it’s electricity, air conditioning, or water, these tips will help you make more room in your monthly budget.

 

HEATING AND COOLING USE THE MOST ELECTRICITY IN AN APARTMENT

According to the US Energy Information Administration, temperature control accounts for a combined 32 to 44% of apartment utilities costs. Heaters run on gas or electricity, while most A/C systems, whether they're window units or centrally-located, run on electricity. To reduce your heating and cooling bill, you can:

  • Ensuring all vents are clean and clear of obstacles
  • Ask your leasing agent how often air filters are replaced in your apartment
  • Running fans to circulate air instead of just lowering the thermostat's temperature
  • Closing blinds to block out heat
  • Setting thermostats to higher temperatures when no one's home (or turning them off completely)
  • Fill in and block gaps around doors and windows with decorative door snakes or removable insulation tape
  • During cool nights, use heavier blankets instead of cranking up the heat 

 

WATER HEATING COMES IN A CLOSE SECOND

It can be easy to overlook, but many of us aren’t aware of how much hot water we are using on a daily basis. According to the same EIA study from above, heating water is responsible for 27 to 32% of an apartment's energy usage. Whether it’s taking a morning shower, shaving, or doing the dishes, here are some effective ways to save on your apartment water heating:

  • Taking shorter showers
  • Taking cold showers (very effective for waking yourself up!).
  • Washing dishes by hand.
  • Washing clothes in cold water whenever possible.
  • Adjusting your water heater temperature settings (if you have access in your apartment).
  • Most water heaters have a default setting of 140°. Lowering it to 120° keeps showers comfortable while also cutting down on your utility bill. Before adjusting the water heater, make sure to check in with your apartment's maintenance team.

 

 

UNPLUGGING APPLIANCES CAN SAVE UP TO 10% ON APARTMENT UTILITIES

One of the easiest ways to save money on your apartment utility bill is unplugging appliances when they're not being used. When you're asleep or at work, some devices will continue to draw electricity. This phantom power usage comes from anything that has lights, clocks, or other components that remain on when the device is otherwise off. This includes:

  • Printers
  • Televisions
  • Coffee makers
  • Phone chargers
  • Computers

Instead of constantly running around your apartment unplugging things, consider investing in power strips. They make it easy to turn off multiple devices at the same time and have the added benefit of surge protection.
 

LIGHTS: IT'S MORE THAN TURNING THEM OFF

Turning off the lights when you're not home is one of the quickest ways to save on apartment utilities, but if you want to save even more, then get yourself some energy-efficient light bulbs. According to the US Department of Energy, switching from fluorescent or incandescent bulbs to LEDs can save the average household around $225 per year. That's over a year's worth of Netflix! 
 

HOW TO SAVE MORE ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL IN AN APARTMENT

Unplugging electronics and installing energy-efficient lights are only one part of the battle. To save even more on apartment utility costs, discipline with these daily habits:

  • Stick to washing full loads of laundry. This saves electricity and water.
  • Empty the dryers lint trap.
  • Let the sun warm spaces on cool days.
  • On cool days, open windows to let the sun warm the space.
  • Keep doors closed and insulated to keep heat or cool air in (depending on the weather).

 

THE KITCHEN: A BIG DRAIN ON ENERGY

The kitchen is one of the main culprits when it comes to energy usage. Here are some ways to maximize efficiency in the kitchen:

  • Cleaning refrigerator coils to keep it running efficiently.
  • Utilize microwaves they consume half as much energy as stoves and ovens.
  • Adjusting fridge and freezer temperatures.
  • Use lids for pots when cooking on the stove.
  • Cook food while preheating the oven. While this might not work well with baked goods, cooking frozen meals, casseroles, and roasts as the oven heats up likely won't change the final product.

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR APARTMENT UTILITY BILL BY CONTROLLING WATER USAGE

We've already covered hot water usage; now let's talk about how to reduce your overall water bill. Don't worry, you can still take a hot bath every now and again!

The first step is to turn your attention to your apartment's water fixtures. Switching to a more efficient showerhead can reduce water usage by over a hundred gallons per month. Just remember to keep the old fixture so that you can replace it when you move out. Next, if you notice any leaky faucets, put in a maintenance request to have it looked at. It may be a slow drip, but over time, that can add up to thousands of gallons of excess water that you will have to pay for. To save even more, examine your water usage habits. Turn off the faucet while you're brushing your teeth, washing your face, or doing dishes, as this can help to significantly reduce costs. 
 

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REMEMBER: SOME APARTMENTS COVER SOME UTILITY COSTS

Before signing a lease, make sure you get clear on which apartment utilities you're responsible for as a resident. While there are instances of apartment communities covering utilities within the monthly rent payment, most set it up in a way where residents are responsible for some portion of the utilities. When it comes to reducing your bills, prioritize the utilities that you’re responsible for paying for first.

When it comes to service providers, most apartment communities already work with a specific company or companies. Make sure you ask your leasing agent upfront about the provider and how much they charge for the service. You can compare this with other communities and make a better and more informed decision. Your city may also have discount programs that residents can apply for.

FIND ENERGY-EFFICIENT BLISS AT ACADIAN POINT APARTMENTS IN LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA

Residents at Acadian Point Apartments are responsible for electricity, cable, and internet. Trash, water, sewage, and pest control are all included in the monthly rent, which allows our residents to breathe easier.

Speaking of breathing easy, our 1 and 2 bedroom apartments are designed to maximize comfort, style, and spaciousness. Each floor plan is fitted with double-galley kitchen layouts, shaker cabinetry, hardwood-style flooring, plush carpeting, and a private patio or balcony. At Acadian Point, you have everything you need to monitor your utility costs, all while living in one of Louisiana’s most beautiful communities.

Schedule your tour today and discover your home in the heart of Lafayette.