How to Lower Your Electric Bill in a Texas Apartment

The average Texas apartment renter pays $100 to $115 per month on electricity, with summer bills frequently running $140 to $185 for a one-bedroom. Most of that cost is driven by two things: the electricity plan you chose and how you run your air conditioner. Get those two right and you can meaningfully reduce what you pay without sacrificing comfort.

Here are eight proven ways to lower your electric bill as a Texas apartment renter, ordered by impact.

Eight Ways to Lower Your Texas Apartment Electric Bill

1. Lock in a Fixed-Rate Plan Matched to Your Lease Term

This is the highest-impact decision you will make. Texas is a deregulated electricity market, which means you choose your own retail electricity provider (REP) and contract. Variable-rate plans fluctuate monthly with ERCOT wholesale prices. During summer heat events and winter storms, variable-rate customers have paid two to three times more per kWh than renters on fixed-rate plans.

Choose a fixed-rate plan whose contract length matches your lease. If you have a 12-month lease, enroll on a 12-month fixed plan. This eliminates exposure to market spikes and avoids the early termination fee that comes with mismatched contract lengths.

2. Raise Your Thermostat Setpoint

Each degree lower below 78°F adds approximately 3 percent to your cooling costs. A thermostat set to 72°F costs about 18 percent more to run than one set to 78°F under the same outdoor conditions. During a Texas summer, that difference can mean $20 to $35 per month on a one-bedroom electric bill.

The recommended thermostat settings for energy savings in Texas are 78°F when you are home, 82–85°F when you are away for more than two hours, and 68–70°F in winter. Setting a schedule — either manually or via a programmable thermostat — eliminates the habit of forgetting to adjust it before leaving.

3. Use Blackout Curtains on South- and West-Facing Windows

South- and west-facing apartment units absorb significantly more solar heat load in the afternoon hours. A west-facing window in Dallas can receive 200 to 300 watts of solar radiation per square foot during the 2 PM to 6 PM peak heat window. Blackout or thermal curtains kept closed during those hours reduce the heat entering the unit and lower the AC load, often by 5 to 10 percent on summer bills.

4. Replace Incandescent Bulbs with LEDs

If your apartment still has incandescent or CFL bulbs, replacing them with LEDs is a one-time cost that saves electricity every month. A 60-watt incandescent replaced by a 9-watt LED saves 51 watts per hour of use. Across 10 fixtures running 4 hours per day, that is roughly 62 kWh per month — about $7 to $8 at average Texas rates. LEDs also produce less heat, which means slightly less AC load.

5. Unplug Devices and Chargers When Not in Use

Standby power — electricity drawn by devices that are plugged in but not actively in use — accounts for 5 to 10 percent of a typical household's electricity use. TVs, gaming consoles, phone chargers, and cable boxes all draw power continuously when plugged in. A smart power strip on your entertainment system automatically cuts standby power when the primary device (TV) is off.

6. Run the Dishwasher and Dryer in Off-Peak Hours

If your electricity plan has time-of-use pricing (some plans reward off-peak use with lower rates), run your dishwasher and dryer after 9 PM or before 7 AM. Even on flat-rate plans, running heat-generating appliances during the coolest parts of the day reduces the AC load that would otherwise offset those savings. The dryer is the second-largest electricity draw in most apartments after the AC.

7. Check Your AC Filter and Vents

A clogged air filter forces the AC unit to work harder to pull air through, increasing electricity use by 5 to 15 percent. Most HVAC filters in apartment units should be replaced every 30 to 90 days depending on the filter type and whether pets are present. Check the filter monthly during peak summer use. If your building maintains the HVAC units, submit a maintenance request if the filter looks dirty — this is typically covered under your lease. Also make sure furniture and rugs are not blocking supply or return vents.

8. Cancel Your Electricity Service the Day You Move Out

One of the most common and overlooked sources of unnecessary electricity cost is forgetting to cancel service on move-out day. Texas renters who leave an active electricity contract at their old address continue to pay for electricity in a unit they no longer occupy until the contract is cancelled or transferred. Call your REP the week before move-out to schedule service termination for your last day.

Some Texas apartment communities now offer lease-synchronized enrollment, where the electricity contract is automatically terminated at lease end without requiring a separate call to the provider. If your community offers this, confirm whether you are enrolled before move-out day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most effective way to lower an electric bill in a Texas apartment?

The most effective single action is choosing a fixed-rate electricity plan matched to your lease term. A renter on a variable-rate plan during a Texas summer heat event can pay two to three times more per kWh than a renter on a fixed plan. After the plan, thermostat management — raising the setpoint from 72°F to 76–78°F — is the next highest-leverage change.

What thermostat setting saves the most electricity in a Texas apartment?

Setting the thermostat to 78°F when home and 82–85°F when away saves the most electricity in a Texas apartment without eliminating comfort entirely. Each degree below 78°F adds approximately 3 percent to cooling costs. A thermostat set to 72°F costs roughly 18 percent more to run than one set to 78°F under the same outdoor conditions.

Do smart thermostats save money in Texas apartments?

Smart thermostats can save 10 to 15 percent on cooling costs by automatically raising the setpoint when the unit is unoccupied. However, most Texas apartments require landlord approval before replacing the thermostat. Check your lease before installing one.

Can I switch electricity providers to get a lower rate?

Yes. Texas renters in the deregulated market can switch retail electricity providers at any time. If you are on a month-to-month or variable-rate plan, you can enroll with a new provider on a fixed-rate plan and the switch typically takes effect within 1 to 3 business days. Check your current contract for early termination fees before switching.

Why does my apartment electric bill spike every summer in Texas?

Texas apartment bills spike in summer because air conditioning accounts for 50 to 70 percent of typical usage, and Texas summers are extreme. DFW and Houston regularly see temperatures above 95°F for weeks at a time. ERCOT wholesale prices also peak during summer demand events, pushing variable-rate plans higher.