Four Ways Students Can Save on their Utility Bill

This winter keeping your utility bills under control.

If you live off-campus in an apartment without inclusive utilities, you’re really watching your thermostat closely these days.

Winter weather can make you take a close look at your utility bills. Some students will leave the heat cranked and write off any bill as the cost of keeping comfortable. While others will walk around in hoodies and long johns to save money.

Here are a few tips to keep yourself feeling comfortable, while keeping your bills under control.

Step 1: Install a programmable thermostat

This is a great way to cut back on heating or a/c when you’re not home or sleeping. You can even program it to vamp up again 20 minutes before you get home or wake up. That way you’re home is comfortable when you’re there, and more energy efficient when you’re not.

Step 2: Put something in your toilet tank

You can use a brick or filled bottle to displace the water in the tank. This cuts down on how much water you use per-flush. Trust us, this can add up in a hurry.

Step 3: Balance your vents

A lot of people complain about the lack of heat in a given room without even looking at the vent. Take a look at how open all the vents are, all over the house. Try different combinations of partially opening or closing each one until you can find a happily balanced temperature throughout your home.

Step 4: Weather seal your doors/ windows

You can feel the draft, now do something about it. Weather strip or tape is a very inexpensive and easy way to control your temperatures.