I need help with electric saving tips! (fans / AC)

 The Question:

Not sure if this was already mentioned this week. But I need help with electric saving tips!

Unfortunately, my apartment got bought out and I’m already going from 950 for a 2 bedroom 1 bath to $1300 for rent. and I just got an electric bill for $275 unfortunately, I have to use my apartments, electricity company they don’t allow separate parties. The electric bill is allocated per unit. I live in Texas and it’s 100 and something degrees almost every day so far. I wanted to know if keeping my AC on 75/76° does that actually help bring down your electric bill? 

Or does turning it completely off work better? Does it use more electricity to buy fans and keep AC off all together?

What did people say?

⇒ Terrie: When you say your bill is allocated, do you mean that you don’t have your own meter? That management receives a single bill and allocates it among all the units?

If so, unless all the other units are also cutting back, any energy savings you make will probably result in a negligible savings.

⇒ Gail: Don't turn it off. I'm next door in Louisiana (110° for too many days to count) and it's harder on the system to turn it off and back on at night. It's more efficient to just raise the thermostat temp when you can. I keep mine at 77 during the day with ceiling fans on high and crank it down to 74 at night. I also only run the dryer and dishwasher water 8pm because electric rates are cheaper then per kilowatt hour (it's priced based on demand load, so the less you use in high demand times the better.) Using blackout curtain on windows that get direct sunlight helps too. Keep interior lights off during the day if you can.

⇒ Connie: Fans are a lot cheaper than AC.. cover your windows completely. Do not let any light peek in unless you happen to have windows on the north side. Even then, in Texas… cover the northern window part of the day. The sun never shines from the north so that’s your coolest and most diffused natural light. Close shades AND a put up dark curtains or hang dark blankets over windows. Set air on 76* and use fans to keep you cooler. Do not use the stove or oven… use an air fryer and microwave… opt for salads and wholesome sandwiches. Switch your water heater off until you and any house mates need to shower. Turn it on 30 minutes prior to showering and leave it on 30 minutes after last shower and then flip the breaker off again. Do not use a clothes dryer. If you have a patio.. get an accordion rack and hang the clothes outside to dry. They will dry in 30 minutes in that heat. Do not hang dry wet clothes inside in the hot weather. The wet clothes add humidity to the apartment and will make it hotter. During the winter it is actually best to hang wet clothes inside to dry. Don’t use the dishwasher… wash in hot in the sink and rinse in cold.

⇒ Hollie: Just know when you turn it back on it will have to work harder to cool it down. We changed to window units and our bills is down. Don’t know if you could use one in your apartment. It’s such a shame how we are all affected by inflation. It’s ridiculous working people are suffering.

⇒ Linda: I live in Texas and I am a landlord. I don't think they can charge you that way. I owe a trailer park I have to read everyones water meter and invoice a bill just like a water company. I can only charge my tenants the same rate the water company charges no more. I have a brother law that has a large apartment complex. The building code says ever apartment has to have thier meter. It is in the city. Outside the city maybe different.

⇒ Shelby: Not sure how your apartment is set up. If you are in a multi story building, is it possible to get an apartment in the more center of the building? So you aren't having so much of the outside heat coming in

⇒ Stacie: I live in Florida so I experience hot and humid weather almost year round. I called Duke Energy and learned that 6AM to 9AM and 6PM to 9PM are the highest usage hours as well as the highest priced hours. I now raise the AC to 79 degrees during these hours. I switched to LED bulbs, unplugged everything not in use. For cooking, I use a crockpot or my counter top oven.

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