Written by Utility bills can take a surprisingly large bite out of a renter’s monthly budget. Electricity, natural gas, heating oil, water, sewer, and even internet and phone service can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of living each month.
The good news is that renters have more options than simply turning the thermostat down and hoping for the best.
There are government assistance programs, utility-company discounts, weatherization programs, community organizations, energy-efficiency incentives, and simple changes you can make in an apartment that may help lower your monthly expenses.
Some programs are specifically designed for households with lower incomes, while others are available to a much broader range of renters.
This guide covers both.
Start With Your Utility Company
One of the easiest places to look for savings is the company that sends you the bill.
Many electric and natural-gas companies offer programs that can help customers reduce their bills or manage payments. Depending on where you live and which utility serves your apartment, these may include:
- Budget billing
- Payment plans
- Low-income discounts
- Percentage-of-income payment plans
- Energy-efficiency programs
- Free energy-saving products
- Home energy assessments
- Weatherization assistance
- Appliance rebates
- Emergency assistance
- Protection from shutoffs under certain circumstances
If you’re struggling with a utility bill, call the company before the account becomes seriously delinquent and ask what assistance programs are available.
United Way 211 also recommends contacting your utility provider because many utilities offer payment plans, temporary discounts, or connections to nonprofit assistance programs.
Call 211
If you don’t know where to start, 211 is one of the best resources to try.
United Way’s 211 network connects people with local organizations and programs that may help with utility bills, housing costs, food, transportation, and other expenses.
Find Utility Assistance Through 211
You can call 211 or use the online search tool to look for assistance in your area. The available programs vary by location.
When contacting 211, ask specifically about:
- Electric bill assistance
- Gas bill assistance
- Water and sewer assistance
- Emergency utility assistance
- Utility shutoff prevention
- Energy-efficiency programs
- Weatherization
- Internet assistance
- Local nonprofit assistance
You may qualify for programs you didn’t know existed.
Check LIHEAP
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is one of the most important programs renters should know about.
LIHEAP provides funding to states, territories, and tribes to help eligible households with home energy costs. Depending on the program in your area, assistance may help with heating, cooling, energy crises, weatherization, or certain energy-related repairs.
Eligibility and benefits vary by state and household circumstances.
You can also use the LIHEAP state directory to locate the agency responsible for administering assistance where you live.
Find Your State’s LIHEAP Office
Don’t wait until your electricity or gas has already been disconnected. LIHEAP can include assistance for energy emergencies, and eligibility rules and application procedures vary by location.
Look Into the Weatherization Assistance Program
The federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps eligible low-income households improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs.
Importantly for renters, you do not necessarily have to own your home to benefit.
The Department of Energy states that both homeowners and renters can apply for WAP services. If you’re renting, the weatherization provider generally works with your landlord to obtain permission before work begins.
Potential improvements can include things such as:
- Insulation
- Air sealing
- Energy audits
- Heating and cooling improvements
- Water-heating improvements
- Other energy-efficiency measures
Learn About the Weatherization Assistance Program
Find Out How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance
The program is administered through states and local organizations, so availability and eligibility requirements can vary.
Use ENERGY STAR’s Rebate Finder
Not every energy-saving program is restricted to low-income households.
ENERGY STAR maintains a rebate and incentive search tool that allows consumers to search for available incentives based on their ZIP code and the product or improvement involved.
Depending on where you live, incentives may be available for products or improvements such as:
- Efficient lighting
- Appliances
- Heat pumps
- Water heaters
- Insulation
- Windows
- Other energy-efficient equipment
Renters should check the terms carefully because some rebates are intended for property owners or require landlord participation.
Ask Your Landlord About Energy Improvements
You may not be able to replace your apartment’s windows, install insulation, replace an HVAC system, or upgrade appliances yourself.
That doesn’t mean you can’t ask.
If your apartment has:
- Drafty windows
- Poor insulation
- A malfunctioning heating system
- An inefficient air conditioner
- A constantly running toilet
- Leaking faucets
- Poorly sealed doors
- Old appliances
- Excessive heating or cooling costs
document the problem and notify your landlord.
Some problems are not merely energy-efficiency issues—they can also involve required property maintenance.
ENERGY STAR specifically encourages renters to communicate with landlords about improvements they cannot make themselves.
Ask Whether Your Apartment Has an Energy-Efficiency Program
Some apartment communities participate in energy-efficiency programs that provide residents with:
- LED bulbs
- Water-saving fixtures
- Energy-saving education
- Energy assessments
- Efficient appliances
- Weatherization
- Other free or discounted upgrades
ENERGY STAR maintains resources specifically for multifamily housing and renters.
ENERGY STAR Resources for Renters and Tenants
Ask your property manager whether the building participates in any utility or energy-efficiency programs.
Use LED Bulbs
If your lease allows you to change light bulbs, replacing frequently used incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs can be an inexpensive way to reduce electricity consumption.
ENERGY STAR reports that certified LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last significantly longer.
You don’t necessarily have to replace every bulb in the apartment immediately.
Start with the lights you use the most.
Control Your Thermostat
Heating and air conditioning can have a major effect on an apartment’s utility bill.
When practical:
- Avoid heating or cooling an empty apartment unnecessarily.
- Adjust the thermostat when you’re sleeping.
- Keep doors and windows closed while heating or cooling.
- Don’t block vents with furniture.
- Use curtains or blinds strategically.
- Keep HVAC filters clean when you are responsible for replacing them.
- Report HVAC problems to your landlord.
Even small thermostat adjustments can make a difference over time.
ENERGY STAR recommends adjusting thermostats when spaces aren’t occupied as part of its low-cost energy-saving guidance for renters.
Stop Paying to Heat or Cool the Outdoors
Drafts around windows and doors can make an apartment uncomfortable and increase heating and cooling costs.
If you notice air coming through:
- Windows
- Doors
- Electrical outlets
- Baseboards
- Other openings
tell your landlord.
Do not make permanent modifications to the property without permission.
For temporary measures permitted by your lease, renters may be able to use removable draft blockers, curtains, or other inexpensive solutions.
If the problem appears to involve defective windows, doors, insulation, or building construction, document it and ask the landlord to investigate.
Be Careful With Portable Space Heaters
A space heater may seem like an inexpensive way to heat one room, but it can consume significant electricity.
If you use one, follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions and your lease or building rules.
Also consider whether the heater is actually saving money. If the apartment’s central heating system is inefficient or malfunctioning, the better solution may be getting the landlord to address the underlying problem.
Reduce Water Use
Water bills can also add up.
Simple changes include:
- Fixing dripping faucets
- Taking shorter showers
- Turning off the water while brushing your teeth
- Running full loads in the dishwasher
- Running full loads of laundry
- Avoiding unnecessary toilet flushing
- Reporting leaking toilets
- Reporting plumbing leaks
A constantly running toilet can waste a substantial amount of water and should generally be reported to the landlord rather than ignored.
ENERGY STAR also recommends addressing leaky faucets and toilets as part of its energy- and water-saving guidance for tenants.
Use Your Appliances Efficiently
You can often reduce electricity consumption without replacing your appliances.
Try to:
- Wash clothes in cold water when appropriate.
- Run dishwashers only when full.
- Avoid opening the oven unnecessarily while cooking.
- Unplug equipment you don’t use regularly.
- Turn off lights and electronics when they’re not needed.
- Use smaller appliances for small cooking jobs when practical.
ENERGY STAR recommends turning off lights in unoccupied areas and disconnecting unnecessary equipment.
Look for Low-Income Utility Discounts
If your household income has dropped, don’t assume you are automatically ineligible for assistance because you were previously denied.
Eligibility requirements can change, and different programs use different definitions of income.
Ask your utility provider about:
- Low-income rates
- Discounted electric rates
- Discounted gas rates
- Payment assistance
- Percentage-of-income programs
- Crisis assistance
- Senior discounts
- Disability-related programs
- Medical protection programs
Some programs also have special provisions for households with young children, older adults, or people with disabilities.
Check USA.gov for Government Assistance
USA.gov maintains information about government programs that can help with utility and other household expenses.
USA.gov: Get Help With Energy Bills
Its utility assistance resources include information about LIHEAP, weatherization assistance, utility shutoff policies, and other government resources.
You can also use:
USA.gov: Facing Financial Hardship
This can help you find government programs involving utilities, housing, food, and other household expenses.
Don’t Forget About Internet and Phone Costs
Utilities aren’t limited to electricity, gas, and water.
For many households, internet and phone service are significant monthly expenses.
If money is tight, check whether you qualify for:
- Low-cost internet plans
- Provider-specific discounts
- Local nonprofit programs
- Community broadband programs
- Other assistance available in your area
Start with 211 and your internet provider to see what options are currently available.
You can also check USA.gov’s resources for help with phone and internet costs.
Look for Local Community Action Agencies
Community Action Agencies and other local nonprofit organizations frequently administer assistance programs for low-income households.
They may help with:
- Utility bills
- Energy assistance
- Weatherization
- Emergency assistance
- Food
- Housing
- Other basic needs
The organization available to you depends on where you live.
If you’re unsure which organization serves your area, start with 211 or your state’s LIHEAP office.
Ask About Water Assistance
Water assistance programs are different from energy assistance programs and may be administered separately.
One important thing renters should know is that the federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is no longer funded, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Households cannot currently receive LIHWAP benefits.
That doesn’t necessarily mean there is no help available for a water bill.
Your city, county, water authority, utility company, or local nonprofit may have its own program.
Call 211 and ask specifically about water and sewer bill assistance in your area.
Check Whether You Qualify for Energy-Efficiency Incentives
Even renters who don’t qualify for income-based assistance may find savings through energy-efficiency incentives.
ENERGY STAR’s savings tools can help you search for incentives based on your ZIP code.
ENERGY STAR Home Improvement Savings
Some incentives are designed for homeowners, while others may apply to products that renters can purchase and take with them when they move.
Always check the eligibility requirements before buying something specifically to receive a rebate.
Keep Track of Your Utility Bills
One of the easiest ways to find savings is to actually examine your bills.
Look at your monthly usage rather than only the dollar amount.
For example:
January: 900 kWh
February: 875 kWh
March: 600 kWh
If your electricity usage suddenly jumps from 600 kWh to 1,100 kWh, investigate what changed.
Possible causes include:
- Extreme temperatures
- A malfunctioning appliance
- HVAC problems
- A refrigerator or freezer running constantly
- Increased occupancy
- A water heater problem
- A billing issue
- A meter problem
Your utility company may also be able to explain unusual usage.
Watch for Estimated Utility Bills
If your utility company estimates your usage rather than obtaining an actual meter reading, check your bill carefully.
An estimated bill can sometimes be significantly different from your actual usage.
If something doesn’t look right, contact the utility company and ask whether the bill was based on an actual meter reading or an estimate.
Keep copies of unusually high bills and any correspondence with the utility.
If Utilities Are Included in Your Rent
Some renters don’t pay utilities directly because the landlord includes some or all utility costs in the rent.
In that situation, your options are different.
You may not personally receive an electric or gas bill, but you can still:
- Ask how utilities are calculated
- Review your lease
- Ask whether there are usage limits
- Report leaks or HVAC problems
- Ask about building energy-efficiency improvements
- Avoid unnecessary energy use
- Ask whether you can receive information about building utility costs
Your lease should explain how utilities are handled.
If Your Utility Bill Suddenly Becomes Unusually High
Don’t immediately assume you simply used too much electricity.
An unusually high bill could be caused by:
- A faulty appliance
- HVAC malfunction
- Water leak
- Heating-system problem
- Incorrect meter reading
- Estimated billing
- Billing error
- Increased utility rates
- A problem with another unit or the building’s utility allocation system
Contact the utility company and ask them to investigate unusual usage.
If you suspect a problem with the apartment itself, notify your landlord in writing.
A Simple Apartment Utility-Savings Checklist
Free or Nearly Free
- Turn off unnecessary lights.
- Unplug equipment you rarely use.
- Adjust your thermostat when appropriate.
- Wash clothes in cold water when practical.
- Run full loads of laundry and dishes.
- Reduce unnecessary hot-water use.
- Report leaking faucets and toilets.
- Report HVAC problems.
- Report drafts and other building problems.
- Monitor your monthly utility usage.
Low-Cost
- Replace frequently used bulbs with LEDs.
- Use removable draft-blocking products where permitted.
- Use curtains or blinds to manage sunlight and heat.
- Use efficient power strips or smart plugs where appropriate.
- Choose efficient replacement appliances when you are responsible for buying them.
Ask for Help
- Contact your utility company.
- Call 211.
- Check LIHEAP.
- Check the Weatherization Assistance Program.
- Search ENERGY STAR rebates.
- Contact your local Community Action Agency.
- Check state and local assistance programs.
- Ask about water-bill assistance.
- Ask about low-cost internet programs.
- Ask your landlord about energy-efficiency improvements.
A Resource List for Renters
If you’re trying to reduce your utility costs, these are some of the best places to start:
Federal and National Resources
USA.gov — Help With Energy Bills — Government information about LIHEAP, weatherization, utility disconnection policies, and other assistance.
LIHEAP Eligibility Tool — Check whether you may qualify for energy assistance.
LIHEAP State Office Directory — Find your state’s LIHEAP office.
Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program — Information about energy-efficiency assistance for eligible households, including renters.
Department of Energy: How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance — Find your state’s weatherization administrator and local provider.
ENERGY STAR: Renters and Tenants — Energy-saving information specifically relevant to tenants.
ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder — Search for rebates and incentives in your area.
ENERGY STAR Home Improvement Savings — Search for energy-efficiency incentives by ZIP code.
United Way 211 Utility Assistance — Find local help with electric, gas, water, internet, and other utility expenses.
USA.gov: Facing Financial Hardship — Search for government assistance programs covering utilities and other essential expenses.
Local Resources
Don’t overlook organizations in your own community. Depending on where you live, assistance may also be available through:
- Your electric company
- Your natural gas company
- Your water authority
- Your city or county
- Your state energy office
- Your state human services agency
- Community Action Agencies
- Local nonprofit organizations
- Local churches and charitable organizations
- Area Agencies on Aging
- Tribal assistance programs
- Housing authorities
Calling 211 is often one of the easiest ways to identify these programs.
Renter Education Takeaway
You don’t have to wait until you are behind on your utility bills before looking for help.
Start by contacting your utility provider and asking about discounts, payment plans, energy-efficiency programs, and assistance. Then check 211, LIHEAP, Weatherization Assistance, ENERGY STAR, USA.gov, and local community organizations.
Remember that some energy-efficiency improvements are the landlord’s responsibility. You don’t have to personally pay for a problem that is actually a maintenance or building issue.
And if you qualify for assistance, apply even if you’re not sure you’ll be approved. Eligibility rules vary significantly by program and location.
The goal isn’t just to use less electricity or water. It’s to find every legitimate resource available to you so that your apartment costs less to live in.
Legal Information Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations regarding housing and tenant rights vary by federal, state, and local jurisdiction and may change over time. Individual circumstances can also affect how the law applies. Always verify the laws applicable to your situation and consider consulting a qualified attorney or legal aid organization for advice regarding your specific circumstances.
Continue Your Renter Education
At The Educated Renter, our mission is to empower renters with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to rent with confidence. From budgeting and apartment hunting to lease agreements, renter rights, maintenance, moving, and everything in between, we’re here to help you make informed decisions at every stage of your rental journey. Explore our growing library of articles, calculators, templates, and community resources to become a smarter, more confident renter.