How to Lower Your Electric Bill in a Houston Apartment

In Houston, the electric bill is the one monthly cost that can swing the most, and air conditioning is usually the reason. When you're budgeting for an apartment, rent is only part of the picture, so knowing how to keep your electric usage in check can make a real difference over a full year.

Why Electricity Is the Utility to Watch

Houston rents have been fairly steady this fall, with citywide medians and averages landing somewhere between roughly $1,270 and $1,400 a month depending on the tracker. That makes the variable costs on top of rent matter more. A hot, humid summer can push cooling costs well above what you'd pay in a milder city, and unlike rent, your electric bill moves with your habits.

Practical Ways to Cut Your Electric Use

●        Set your thermostat as high as you comfortably can when you're home. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests around 78 degrees in summer, and raising it when you're out saves more

●        Keep blinds or curtains closed on windows that get direct afternoon sun

●        Use ceiling fans to feel cooler, and turn them off when you leave the room

●        Switch to LED bulbs, which use far less electricity than older bulbs

●        Plug electronics into a power strip you can switch off, since many devices draw power even when idle

●        Report air conditioning problems to maintenance early, since a struggling system uses more electricity

Compare Electricity Plans Before You Sign Up

In most of the Houston area, you can choose your own retail electricity provider rather than being assigned one. The Public Utility Commission of Texas runs an official comparison site, powertochoose.org, where you can compare plans by rate and contract length. Reading the fine print on contract terms and fees matters as much as the advertised rate.

Falls on Antoine: Predictable Costs Beyond Rent

At Falls on Antoine Apartments, located at 6101 Antoine Dr in the Greater Inwood neighborhood of central Houston, rent includes utilities except electricity. That leaves your electric bill as the one utility you set up yourself, and the one you can control with the habits above. Rent ranges from $750 to $1,295 a month across studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom floor plans.

Every home includes central air conditioning and a private patio or balcony, and our 24/7 emergency maintenance team is available if your cooling system has a problem. The community is gated with a gate attendant, and includes a swimming pool, fitness center, clubhouse, private playground, off-street reserved parking, and online rent payment, with the White Oak Bayou Greenway Trail running through the grounds. We're pet-friendly, subject to breed and size restrictions and an additional pet fee and deposit, and close to Hwy 290 and I-45.

Quick Wins for Your First Month

●        Look at your first full bill and compare it to your expectations, then adjust

●        Ask the leasing office what electricity provider options apply to the property

●        Replace any burned-out bulbs with LEDs as they fail

●        Note your thermostat settings that keep you comfortable, then stick with them

Come See Falls on Antoine for Yourself

Falls on Antoine Apartments is located at 6101 Antoine Dr, Houston, TX 77091, in the Greater Inwood neighborhood of central Houston, just off Hwy 290 and minutes from I-45. We offer studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom floor plans, including two bedroom units with in-unit washer/dryer hookups, with rent ranging from $750 to $1,295 per month and utilities included except electricity. We run rent specials that change often, so ask our leasing team about current move-in offers.

Call us at 713-688-8407, email leasing@fallsantoine.com, or visit fallsantoine.com to check availability and schedule a tour.