how much would electricity cost monthly for 1 person living in a studio or 1 bedroom apartment/artist loft?

Question

please give me estimates. i'm planning on moving out on my own. The apartment costs about $550 a month for a studio. Electricity has to be paid by the renter (me) and I'm just wondering if I can afford additional costs. Hopefully electricity does not cost more than $50 a month or so.

This apt./loft is in MD. A loft has unusual windows that can be "energy saving/efficient". you know those? I'm sure heat and AC is in the place. Not sure if it's electric or not. Right now I live with mom and the utilities are free, but this place I am looking at you'd have to pay only for electricity (and rent). I also have a PC, TV, stereo, etc. Everyone has these, right? It's not like I have a gadget with me that requires an entire building's electricity requirements. Just looking for estimates. I've seen some good answers so far. Not bad.

I have to give props for the guy who lives in MIAMI and does not use AC! LOL.

Answer 1

Your monthly bill will depend on the rates that your power company charges and how much electricity you use. It would be hard to determine either of these things for you without knowing more about the apartment, and about your habits. Wiring and appliances can play a roll in your power usage as well.

Here are some things you can do:
1) Call the power company you will be using and ask them about the usage of the previous tenant(s), or even over the last few years. Then you can average it yourself to see what makes the most sense for you.
2) Electric water heaters can cost a lot, see how efficient the one for your unit is, if you will be paying for electric hot water. Then plan your water usage accordingly, sometimes making small lifestyle changes (like limiting your showers to less time or only taking one a day; for example) can make huge differences in your utility bills.
3) A/C and other equipment that uses a lot of power should be used with limitations or within reason, to lower your bills. In a small apartment, if you don't live in an excessively hot area, window fans or large floor fans may be more energy efficient and cost effective. They may also work just as well, for the space you have. You'll have to decide this for yourself though. Another thing you can do to keep your apartment cool is to keep all of the windows closed during the day when it is hot, and open them at night when its cool out, and keep your curtains closed during the day to keep out extra heat.
4) Mini fluorescent bulbs may cost more at the store, but if you can use them in your unit, they really do make a difference on your bill. Most are warrantied for around 5 years, and they limit wattage usage. For example, a normal 60 wt output (which is all most people need in an area) can be recieved with 13 wts from a GE Energy Smart bulb (almost 1/5 the wattage of a standard bulb). I used to rent a 3-story, 5 bedroom house with very old (horsehair) wiring, and the first thing I did was change all of the light bulbs in the house to the GE mini fluorescent bulbs, knowing that between me and my roommate and all of our kids we'd have a lot of lights on all of the time and the bill would be really high. We never had a summer bill over $45, and that included running a washer and dryer for 10 people.
5) You can also talk with the power company and see if they offer budget plans/payment plans. Where your bill is the same every month, and then at the end of the year, if you've used more ... you pay the difference and if you've used less they credit you and adjust the cycle. However, again this is based off previous tenant usage, as you haven't been living there so is they used a lot and you don't, your bill can be too high, and if they saved energy more then you do, then you could owe a lot at the end of the year. 2 ways around this, is to keep track of the bills when they come in, and pay a little extra, if you see that it isn't balancing out. (Keep in mind though that rates change and are higher in the winter, so if you have a credit, leave it alone ... but if what you are paying isn't covering the bills every month, tip in more.) and keep track of your usage.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
how much would electricity cost monthly for 1 person living in a studio or 1 bedroom apartment/artist loft?
please give me estimates. i'm planning on moving out on my own. The apartment costs about $550 a month for a studio. Electricity has to be paid by the renter (me) and I'm just wondering if I can afford additional costs. Hopefully electricity does not cost more than $50 a month or so.

Answer 4

I was living in a 200 sq ft travel trailer in the winter with no heat (and def no ac), I only had 5 light bulbs in the whole place, rarely used more than 2 at a time... Also had a fridge, micro, stove, and TV (occasional) and my electric was $45 a month average.

As soon as I used my stove for heat or started using the ac when it was warmer, my bill went to $75 - $95.

Answer 5

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/aw4dr

Remember that piece of string? Do you remember how long it was? Gonna need more information than what you have given us? What sort of heating? Energy saving lightbulbs? Electric or gas cooker? TV's, computers, dvd players etc. Washing machine? How many times a week used?

Answer 6

The reason that it is the renter's responsibility is that it is 100% under the renter's control. Minimal use for one person is probably $20-$30 per month. If you run the A/C without making sure the windows arw closed and forget to turn off the electric oven, You will be well into the hundreds.

Answer 7

Where is this apartment? -- Is the heat electric, do you have AC, how much electricity do you use (computer, TV, Stereo, reading?)

What is the Electric bill where you live now -- if in the same area should give you a rough idea

Answer 8

Pay Loft Bill

Answer 9

It really depends on where you are, say your very conservative, no high powered techno equipt. etc., lights off, a/c controlled to a minimum then budget for 50 to 89 per mo.

Answer 10

it depends it all elect or not. I have a one bedroom place my elect runs about 40 dollars amonth. you can ask the elect company how much the elect bill been running.