Do efficient fixtures really lower my bill?

Yes. A low-flow showerhead and faucet aerators use noticeably less water with no real drop in performance, and an efficient thermostat trims heating and cooling, which is usually the largest part of an energy bill. The EPA estimates certified low-flow showerheads alone can save a family up to 2,700 gallons a year.

Do I need permission to change fixtures in my apartment?

Ask first. A showerhead or flapper is usually fine, but confirm with your property manager or landlord before swapping anything, and have an HVAC professional check compatibility before installing a thermostat. Some models need a C-wire your unit may not have.

For residents

Reduce Your Utility Bills

Last reviewed September 2026NES Editorial, checked by the Billing & Compliance team

Three fixes drive most of the savings on a household utility bill: a fresh toilet flapper, a water-saving showerhead, and a smart thermostat. This guide covers all three, plus the exact products we recommend.

Pay my bill Account questions

Quick answer

How can I lower my apartment utility bill?

Start with the toilet. A leaking flapper is the number one cause of extremely high water bills, and a two-dollar dye test tells you in ten minutes whether you have one. After that, swap in a water-saving showerhead, which the EPA says can save a family up to 2,700 gallons a year, and set a smart thermostat to ease off when nobody is home. Most submetered residents pay for exactly what they use, so each of these shows up on your next bill.

Fix one: test the toilet, then replace the flapper

Drip some food dye into the toilet tank and wait ten minutes without flushing. If any color shows up in the bowl, the flapper is leaking and should be replaced. A worn flapper lets water slip from the tank around the clock, often silently, and it is the number one reason we see extremely high water bills. A running toilet can waste 200 or more gallons a day. The part costs a few dollars and swaps out in minutes, so report it to your property right away or replace it yourself.

Watch: how to check for a leaking toilet flapper

While you are in the tank: the fill valve

The fill valve refills the tank after every flush. Upgrading to a good water-saving valve makes a real difference in how the toilet performs, and you can dial in the fill level so the tank never takes more water than it needs.

Water efficiency: set the fill level yourself so the tank stops at the minimum
Consistent performance: a solid flush every time, no more weak ones
Noise: upgraded valves run quiet
Longevity: quality valves last for years, so you replace them less

Fix two: a water-saving showerhead

The average family runs about 40 gallons a day through the shower. The EPA estimates a switch to certified low-flow showerheads saves up to 2,700 gallons a year. Look at the flow rating: a good low-flow head uses under 2.0 gallons per minute (GPM), against up to 2.5 GPM for a standard one, and gets there by aerating the water or pulsing it at high speed, so the stream still feels strong. You save twice, once on the water itself and again on the energy that would have heated it.

EPA WaterSense: showerheads

Fix three: a smart thermostat

Heating and cooling is the biggest energy cost in most homes, so the thermostat is where the real money is. A smart thermostat learns your schedule, eases off when nobody is home, and hands you control from your phone. The savings start the day it goes on the wall.

Scheduling that adjusts on its own when the place is empty
Built-in WiFi for control from a phone or by voice
Precise temperature control instead of guessing at a dial

Everyday habits that help

Take shorter showers and turn the tap off while brushing or shaving
Run the dishwasher and washing machine only with full loads
Add faucet aerators, which cut flow to 1.5 GPM or less without a weak stream
Wash clothes in cold water and clean the dryer lint filter each load
Switch bulbs to LED and unplug chargers you are not using

Why this matters more when you are submetered

Most submetered residents pay for their own water and energy, so every gallon and kilowatt-hour you save shows up on your bill, not the building's. That is the point of submetering: you are charged for what you actually use, so small fixture and habit changes pay you back directly. If your bill rises with no change in habits, it usually points to a leak worth reporting.

Recommended toilet fill valve

Check compatibility with your toilet, and clear it with your property manager or landlord before you buy.

Fluidmaster 400H-002 Performax Universal Toilet Fill ValveUniversal fit, adjustable fill level, and quiet. The standard pick for a reason.View on Amazon

Recommended toilet flappers

A tight seal is the whole job. These three hold one for years.

Our three favorite showerheads

All three keep good pressure. Pick by how much flow you want to give up.

Three smart thermostats worth a look

Get permission from your property manager first, and have an HVAC pro confirm compatibility before installing.

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