How to Save on Energy Costs While Living in a Condo

14 June 2025

Ah, condo living—where you get all the perks of an apartment with a slightly inflated price tag and a questionable HOA fee. But what really stings? That energy bill. You’d think that living in a smaller space would mean cheaper utilities, but nope, that little piece of paper at the end of the month says otherwise.

If you’re tired of donating half your paycheck to the electricity gods, stick around. We're diving into some genius (and not-so-ridiculous) ways to keep your energy costs down while enjoying your cozy condo life.

1. Master the Thermostat Like a Pro

Listen, your thermostat controls your bank account more than your impulse-shopping habits do. If you’re cranking the heat in winter to "tropical paradise" or blasting the AC in summer until your place feels like Antarctica, you’re doing it wrong.

What Should You Do?

- In winter, keep the thermostat at 68°F (20°C) when you’re home and drop it a few degrees when you’re sleeping or out. If you think you’ll freeze, invest in a cozy blanket instead.
- In summer, aim for 78°F (26°C) when home and bump it up when you head out. No, you don’t need it to be a walk-in fridge.

And if adjusting the thermostat manually feels like too much work (because, let’s be honest, we’re all lazy), get a smart thermostat. It’ll learn your habits and adjust the temperature automatically, which means you’ll save money while doing absolutely nothing. Sounds like a win-win.

2. Battle the Vampires (No Garlic Required!)

Did you know your electronics are silently draining energy even when they’re off? It’s called phantom power, and no, it’s not as cool as it sounds. Your TV, gaming consoles, and kitchen gadgets are sucking up energy 24/7 just by being plugged in.

How to Stop This Madness

- Unplug what you don’t use. Seriously, your blender doesn’t need to be on standby mode for that one smoothie you make a month.
- Use power strips. The "smart" kind can cut off power when devices aren’t in use, meaning you finally have a way to fight back against these sneaky energy vampires.

3. LEDs: The Magical Lightbulbs That Save You Cash

If you’re still using old-school incandescent bulbs, congrats—you’re basically burning money. Those things are the gas-guzzlers of the lighting world.

LED bulbs use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer. Translation? You’ll spend less on electricity and avoid that awkward moment of climbing up on a chair to change a bulb every few months.

Extra Tip:

- Get motion sensor or smart lighting so you never have to yell, "Who left the lights on?!" ever again.

4. Harness the Power of Mother Nature

Your condo probably has windows (unless you live in some kind of dystopian bunker). Use them to your advantage!

- During winter, open the blinds during the day to let natural sunlight warm your space. Free heat—you're welcome.
- In summer, close the blinds, especially if you have a west-facing window that turns your living room into an oven by 3 PM.

If you want to get extra fancy, install thermal curtains. They keep heat in during the winter and block it out in the summer. Plus, they make you look like someone who has their life together.

5. Stop Wasting Hot Water Like You’re Royalty

Look, we all love a long, steamy shower to contemplate life’s greatest mysteries. But hot water is expensive, and your water heater is one of the biggest energy suckers in your home.

Simple Fixes:

- Take shorter showers. Your water bill (and your pruney fingers) will thank you.
- Lower the water heater temperature. Most are set to 140°F (60°C), but 120°F (49°C) is plenty hot and stops you from accidentally scalding yourself.
- Use cold water for laundry. Your clothes will still get clean, and your wallet won’t cry.

6. Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances (Or Trick the Ones You Have)

If your condo came with appliances from the Jurassic period, they’re probably sucking up way more energy than necessary. If upgrading to ENERGY STAR appliances isn’t in the budget, don’t worry—you can still optimize what you have.

Hacks for Your Existing Appliances:

- Fridge: Keep it away from heat sources (like your oven) and don’t leave the door open for ages while deciding what to snack on.
- Oven/Stove: Use a microwave or air fryer when possible—they use way less energy.
- Washing Machine: Always do full loads and avoid the extra rinse cycle unless you like wasting water for fun.

7. Seal Up Those Pesky Air Leaks

If your condo feels drafty, guess what? You’re also throwing money out the window—literally. Tiny gaps around doors, windows, and vents let in unwanted cold/hot air, forcing your AC or heater to work overtime.

How to Fix It:

- Use weatherstripping or caulk around windows and doors.
- Get a draft stopper for your front door. They’re cheap, effective, and come in funky designs (because why not?).

8. Become a Fan of, Well… Fans

Ceiling fans, tower fans, desk fans—whatever kind you have, use them! They circulate air, which means your AC doesn’t have to work as hard in summer. And in the winter? Reverse your ceiling fan’s direction to push warm air down.

It’s a simple trick, but it makes a difference—kind of like using a coupon for something you were going to buy anyway.

9. Cook Smart, Not Hard

Your oven and stovetop are basically little furnaces that heat your entire place. While that might be welcome in the winter, it’s a terrible idea in the summer.

Better Cooking Choices:

- Use a microwave, slow cooker, or air fryer instead of the oven when possible.
- When using the stove, keep lids on pots to speed up cooking time.
- Meal prep efficiently—because turning the oven on for a single baked potato is just plain wasteful.

10. Talk to Your HOA (Or at Least Pretend to)

Some condos include utilities in the HOA fees, which means you and your neighbors are all paying for energy use collectively. If you notice your fees creeping up, ask the HOA about energy-efficient upgrades for the building—like LED lighting in hallways or better insulation.

If they refuse? Well, at the very least, you can annoy them enough to reconsider.

Final Thoughts (AKA, Time to Actually Do Something)

Saving money on energy in a condo isn’t rocket science—it’s mostly common sense combined with a few smart investments. Sure, some of the changes might take a little effort, but let’s be real: Would you rather spend that extra cash on overpriced coffee or another soul-sucking bill?

Make a few adjustments, kick those energy vampires to the curb, and watch your bills shrink. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.