Lower Utility Bills for Everyone, Owners and Renters Alike

Before I bought my home, I lived for many years in apartments. My first electric bill for a 1 bedroom apartment for three weeks was an amazing $97.00. I called the electric company, certain I had been charged with the previous tenants bill, an illegal practice. The electric company assured me there had been no billing error, and suggested I speak to the manager about changing the filter in the air conditioner. It took two weeks for the handyman to show up and change the filter. I watched as he took the old filter out, completely filthy, listened with disbelief as he tried to tell me "there's nothing wrong with it" and start to put it back. I stopped him and reminded him that the work order was to change the filter, which he did with an attitude. When I offered to do the monthly change myself, I was rudely informed that any such action would get me evicted. I spoke to the apartment manager (who was a friend); I was told that unless I broke something, I could change the filter myself. I made sure I used the same filters as the apartment complex (super cheap). My bill dropped the next month to around $45. Dramatic change.

I began asking handy-man friends about other things I could do. I was hooked on learning how to reduce my energy bills. Not necessarily to "save the planet," but to save something even more endangered, my wallet. I learned there were things I could do that wouldn't violate my lease. Even though it didn't turn out to be a long list; it still reduced my bills so much other residents joined in. (You can tell I bragged about my low bills.)

There are things people can do, regardless of where they live, own or not, to reduce their energy bills.

For this article, "resident" is anyone who owns or rents a home, apartment complex, duplex, etc. The term "maintainer" is the resident, handyman, owner, landlord/lady, whoever does the work where you live. In my home it's me. Dwelling is anywhere the resident lives, be it a house, apartment complex, duplex, "converted garage," etc.