Typical BYU Utility Bills

Taken from a small sample survey of a few apartment complexes and houses spread out on the south side of Brigham Young University campus, the average monthly utility bill for September of 2013 was found to be $20.99 per person.  From the same data, we have found that the range is between $45 as the high and $8.94 as the low. This vast difference is $36.10.  That is four times as much as the lowest individual utility bill! Are people aware of this difference? Why would anyone pay $45 when they could be paying a mere $8.94. What are these low payers doing differently that creates such a low bill?  In attempt to save on the heating and cooling of their dwelling have they completely turned off the A/C or heat to cut costs?  Do they live in locations with much better methods of maintaining the temperature in their dwelling?
From our survey results, we have found that this lower bill was from an average apartment complex built about 30 years ago; not even a new place with new insulation, windows and seals! The $45 utility bill is actually a flat rate for an older complex as well.  Would you move into a dwelling with a set utility rate of $45 a month? Apparently some people are okay with the higher bills, but it is an unnecessary cost especially for a college student.
What we all need is to be AWARE.  We need to know the rates and not get cheated.  Talk to your landlord and make sure you’re paying a fair rate. A few extra dollars every month add up in a year especially when the difference is up to $36 a month as mentioned above.  Or verify utility costs at your new dwelling BEFORE you move in so that you don’t have to deal with unfair prices!
Read our other blog posts on simple ways of reducing your bill to learn more on decreasing your bill each month.