When the days get shorter and the air gets colder, it’s normal to cast an anxious glance at your utility bills. You don’t want to be shivering all winter, but you also don’t want to dump your life savings into your heating bill.
In this article, we’ll outline how to save on your utility bills this winter, so you don’t waste valuable energy, and so you have plenty of extra cash to buy the best gifts for friends and family this holiday season.
How to Lower Your Utility Bills in your Columbus OH Apartment
There are serious perks to apartment life in Columbus, Ohio. For one, you don’t have to shell out for pumping heat into an entire three-bedroom, two-bathroom house, which can get pricy. Apartment life can offer the efficiency of smaller, cozier spaces that don’t require an arm and a leg to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. Nonetheless, it’s important to learn how to save on utilities, because as the old saying goes, a dollar saved in a dollar earned.
Here’s how to save as much money as possible this winter, so your whole paycheck doesn’t get swallowed up by utilities.
Lower the thermostat.
A part of winter is simply learning to adjust to the colder weather. In October, the first chills of the coming season might make us want to don our warmest winter coats, but by spring, the same 45-degree weather day may very well feel like paradise!
By lowering your thermostat, you expend less energy heating your apartment, and you slowly get used to cooler temperatures over time. But be sure to grab yourself some warm winter socks and comfortable sweaters while you’re getting used to cooler temperatures, especially if you just moved here from a warmer city.
Speaking of thermostats, swap yours for an energy-saving smart thermostat.
Investing in an energy-saving smart thermostat is not only good for the environment, but it’s good for your wallet. According to Energy Star, “Many smart thermostats learn your temperature preferences and establish a schedule that automatically adjusts to energy-saving temperatures when you’re asleep or away. For the average American household, almost half of the annual energy bill goes to heating and cooling. Being smart about how you control your temperature settings will help you save money and stay comfortable.”
Another cool feature of smart thermostats? They enter into low-power standby mode when inactive, and they even know when you’re on your way home, so your apartment is the perfect temperature when you get there. The future is now!
Close off parts of your apartment you’re not using.
Do you rarely use your guest bedroom? Is your home office collecting dust? Does your daughter only stay over when she’s visiting from her mom’s house? Here’s a simple yet effective solution to saving money on heating and cooling costs: close the door to all unused rooms, so the furnace doesn’t have to work as hard.
Replace your light bulbs to more energy efficient ones.
During the darkest days of the year, we’re all turning on more lights, and leaving them on for longer. That’s why your electric bill is about to spike during these darker months. That, on top of the fact that we’re all about to light up our apartments with Christmas trees, string lights, and energy-hogging decorations for the holidays. Do yourself a favor, and switch to energy-efficient LED bulbs.
According to Energy.gov, LED bulbs use up to 75% less energy and last 25% longer than incandescent bulbs. It’s time to make the switch.
Stock up on warm loungewear and fuzzy socks this winter.
Everyone loves sweaters – they’re just blankets you can wear to work! Remember to stock up on all the necessary winter clothes so you’re not tempted to jack up the thermostat this winter.
If you have warm socks, sweaters, and comfy throw blankets for the sofa, you’ll be able to stay cozy and warm… without hiking up those utility costs.
Turn off and unplug electronics when they’re not in use.
This goes for the lights! No matter what time of year it is, you should be turning off all lights and electronics when you leave a room.
According to Mr. Electric, turning off lights can maximize your utility savings. “The cost of lighting adds up,” they say in their blog, “If you leave 10 incandescent bulbs on for one hour per day when they’re not needed, this adds an extra $24 to your lighting bills every year.”
That’s $24 you could spend somewhere else.
Avoid taking long showers, so you don’t shell out in water heating costs.
A 10-minute shower can use up to 50 gallons of water, which takes a lot of energy to heat. According to CS Monitor, saving water can save you up to $100 per year in water usage, and can save you up to $130 per year in water heating costs.
Save On Utilities When You Move to Fourth Crossing Apartments in Italian Village
Our new Fourth Crossing Apartments in Italian Village feature energy-efficient appliances. What’s more, each apartment is “smart” meaning you can control your appliances, lighting, and other electric devices remotely with your smart phone.
We think you’ll love life at Fourth Crossing Apartments, not only for the utility savings, but for the walkability to the new and exciting Budd Dairy Food Hall, featuring three bars and nine delicious chef-driven popup restaurants.
Now, a bit about Lykens Companies…
With 20 years (and counting) of experience, we believe that Lykens Companies is just getting started on its mission to offer Columbus hundreds of premier apartments, rentals, and renovations. Each day, we are driving toward constantly expanding and improving our business and bettering Columbus, the city we love. For our renters, that means that they are connected to a proven business that is always striving to be the best. Our success isn’t an accident. We are constantly striving to improve our quality, both in the buildings that we renovate, reimagine, and rent out; moreover, we are striving to improve in the way that our business operates. For you, that means the best units and the best service in the best locations.
As we invest our time, money, and energy into the Short North, Victorian Village, Italian Village, and other parts of Columbus’s urban core, it’s nothing short of amazing to step back and see how much we’re able to impact our city, whether that looks like renovating apartments, houses, or even factories like the Wonder Bread Lofts and the forthcoming Budd Dairy project: a full scale reimagining of an old dairy factory into a Cameron Mitchell food hall and state-of-the-art coworking space.
If you’re looking to rent in Columbus, Ohio’s urban core, you’ve come to the right place. We’re confident that it doesn’t get better than us when it comes to finding the absolute best apartments and rentals in Columbus.
See every availability!
Whether you’re looking for an apartment in the Short North, a rental in Victorian Village, a studio in Italian Village, or a loft in Wonder Bread, our Available Rentals page will feature all that (and more). We’re constantly adding our newest properties and highlighting that month’s leasing specials. Bookmark it and check often! What if you took two minutes to browse it right now? And don’t forget about our awesome Instagram for updates, new leases, and beautiful photos.
Already a resident? Refer a friend!
At Lykens Companies, we offer a simple and easy referral program to our residents. For each referral of yours who signs a lease, we’ll pay you $200! Be sure to learn everything about this awesome plan and even check out our three methods to actually get your friends to sign a lease.
