A Guide for Monthly Electricity Expenses in an Apartments

Liam Johnson

By Liam Johnson

28 Dec. 2024

8 min read

How Much Is Electricity Per Month In An Apartment
Photo: @casa.demercedes

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    Whether you live on rent or in your own home, the current pace of life has increased the energy demands in most households, adding to the electricity bills and resulting in financial burden. One needs to be extra cautious when planning to rent a flat because many owners and property management companies add electricity bills to the rent while others charge it separately. Seek clarity from the owner regarding the breakup of utility bills and confirm what percentage of the utility bill can be electricity. The electricity bill depends on multiple factors like the size of the home, location, number of appliances and many more, discussed later in the article. In this article, we discuss the average electricity cost per month in an apartment, along with the factors affecting the cost and the ways to downsize it.

    What is the Average Monthly Electricity Bill?

    Electricity bills constitute the highest part of the utility bills in America. Out of the total electric consumption, 38%-41% is used for heating and cooling, 30% on water heating and the rest on other electronic and lighting appliances. The annual electricity bill for a one-bedroom apartment may cost you $720 and a two-bedroom apartment $900. The electric bill varies slightly depending on the size of the house, the frequency of the usage of the electrical appliances, the number of family members staying in the house, the state you live in, etc. Let’s bifurcate the energy bill for different states of the US.

    Energy Bills for Different States in the US

    State Average Energy Bill ($)
    Hawaii 233
    Connecticut  208
    Alabama 148-187
    Colorado 92- 101
    New Mexico 95
    Utah 86
    New York 194.93
    Nebraska 127.45
    Arizona 132- 164.46
    California 124- 183.56
    Florida 131- 151.53
    Kentucky 141.44
    Missouri 135.92
    Alaska 134
    Arkansas 124
    Delaware 119
    Georgia 134.11

     

    Energy Bills for Different Flat Sizes in the US

    Size of the Flat State Average Electricity Bill ($)
    1 bedroom Florida 131
    1 bedroom Texas 132
    1 bedroom Maryland 125
    2 bedroom Pennsylvania 113
    2 bedroom Georgia 132

     

    How Much is the Monthly Energy Consumption in an Apartment?

    200 Amp Installed
    Photo: @yorkelectrical

    It’s a known fact that the larger the size of the apartment, the higher the electricity bills, apart from other factors affecting the bill. The average monthly consumption of energy for a studio apartment (approximately 600 sq. ft.) is 300-500 kWh, a 1-bedroom apartment (750 sq. ft.) is 500-750 kWh, a 2-bedroom apartment (1000 sq. ft.) is 650-875 kWh, and 3-bedroom apartment (1250 sq. ft.) is 800-1100 kWh.

    What Electrical Appliances Cost the Most?

    Heating and cooling account for 50% of the total energy used in a household, and the remaining 50% is used by water heaters, lighting, washers and drye+rs and kitchen appliances. To reduce the bill, introspect the pattern of using electrical appliances and try to cut down as much as possible.

    Factors That Affect Energy Bills in an Apartment

    Location

    The location of your stay highly affects the energy bills because each state has different charges. Usually, metropolitan areas have a higher electricity cost compared to rural areas.

    Electricity Provider

    States regulate the power providers. However, all power companies have distinct pricing and terms and conditions for users. State regulations undoubtedly keep a check on their pricing, but there’s autonomy provided to the companies to offer billing options, discounts and deals to their customers.

    Billing Method

    Different power companies calculate energy bills in different ways. Some charge at a fixed rate where monthly energy bills remain the same despite changes in the cost of energy, while others charge at a variable rate when any external factor shooting up the cost of energy will add to your energy bills.

    Budget billing is another way of billing where your past energy consumption pattern is considered, and divides the yearly average into 12 bills. The benefit of this approach is predictable billing helping you plan the monthly budget.

    The other methods are on-demand charges, where peak power consumption of 15-60 minute intervals is taken into account and multiplied by the rate and time-of-use rates, where you are billed on the time of the day electricity is consumed (energy rates vary according to the time of the day).

    House Contract

    Property management companies and homeowners decide the billing clause in the housing contract. Some owners may bill you for units consumed, whereas other owners may divide the bill between all the units consumed. It’s advisable to read the contract paper for better clarity regarding the utility payment.

    Economic Shift

    There are factors like sudden outbreaks of war, trade disputes or economic downturns that negatively affect the power providers.

    External Factors

    The extreme weather conditions, changes in demand and supply of energy and poor infrastructure also affect the bills.

    Other Factors

    There are other factors, such as the level of insulation in the building, the amount of time you spend at home, the number of doors and windows and whether you share the apartment with someone, that impact the bill.

    Ways to Save Electricity Bill and the Environment

    No matter how much impact other factors have on the energy bills, there are countless ways to save on electric bills. Every little step taken by you can help save electricity. Here are some of the tips:

    Environment Friendly Method to Save Electricity Bill
    Photo: @greenleafsolar

    Mindful use: Turning off lights when not in use and unplugging appliances and electronic items when not in use appear too insignificant, but you can save a lot through these simple steps.

    Use of Energy-efficient Products: Use energy-efficient products, which may cost you more when buying, but the long-term savings on energy bills will be much more than the initial investment.

    Use During Lowest Rate Hours: Usually energy cost is lowest during early morning and late night, so try using high energy consuming appliances during these hours.

    Regular Upkeep of Appliances: Regular maintenance of appliances and electronic items also helps with energy bills. Cleaning the air filter of the air conditioner at regular intervals contributes to saving energy bills. In a nutshell, it can be concluded that the HVAC system has a vital role to play in monthly electricity bills.

    Temperature Control: Control the temperature of a specific part of the home. For example, if you want to sit in the bedroom, let AC cool merely the room and not the entire house. It’ll enhance the efficiency of the AC and reduce bills.

    Solar Energy: One of the best and environment friendly approaches to save energy bills is to invest in solar energy. Solar power installation will surely cost you a lot in the beginning, but the long-term savings will offset the buying cost. However, the optimal use depends on the location and the intensity of the sunlight.

    Other Ways: Run the dishwasher and washing machine once enough load is ready; otherwise, a partially loaded machine and dishwasher don’t ensure optimum use of energy.

    Ways to Save Electricity Bill and the Environment
    Infographic by Intriera

    Conclusion

    If you plan to rent an apartment, read the house contract carefully to understand the terms and conditions regarding the energy bill because it is a major component of the utility bill. Though bills also depend on various controllable and uncontrollable factors, you can try to save a little, considering the tips discussed in the article.

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