How Much Denver Utilities Cost and What Services to Expect

Basic Utilities in Denver

The average Denver household will have to spend $120 or more for utilities. That includes gas, heat, electricity, and internet. Fortunately, that falls under the national average, so having to pay for resources isn’t all that bad. However, if you aren’t careful, the bill could quickly shoot up, and you might end up paying over $200. Overall, the cost of resources is very manageable, and there are also ways to save throughout the year. Contacting providers and canceling or arranging utilities when relocating to another neighborhood should be at the top of your moving to-do list.

Doing Business with Service Providers

Even when moving locally, you should know what to expect when dealing with utility companies and providers. Each company has a customer service line where you can call and schedule to have your resources turned on or off. Fortunately, paying your bills is not hard at all. There are several options, like paying over the phone, paying online, signing up for auto-pay, etc. For any special packages or deals, the most likely contestant is the internet or wifi. They often have exclusive deals and packages to choose from.

Denver Water Company

The Colorado capital city raised the rates on the water to cover for the improvements to pipelines and aging dams. As of January 1st, 2020, the monthly fixed prices had risen by 19 cents. That’s a total of $16.13 per month on average. Aside from that, the Denver Water Company is quite easy to work with, and they have several services to offer residents, such as a start/stop, transfer, efficiency, and more.

Electric and Gas Companies

Xcel Energy is Colorado’s top electric and gas company which services a majority of homes in the city. A great advantage that most residents share is that electricity and fuel rates are below the national average. Most households in Colorado use 706-kilowatt hours per month, which comes out to $78 on average. Because The Mile High City is green friendly, the rates for natural gas have decreased by 20% over the past year. So your bill is likely only to cost you $6.58 per month. Contacting Xcel and conducting payments is just as simple as any other provider. There is a customer service support line and multiple ways to pay your bill.

Internet Service Providers

There are a multitude of internet providers throughout the city with different packages to choose from. For cable, digital networks, internet, and phone, you have companies like CenturyLink, Comcast Xfinity, Dish Network, DirectTV, and HughesNet. Depending on your needs, there are different packages you can choose, including channels, internet speed, home security, and more. Most of these services will require you to have an account with them to be able to pay online quickly. Prices for these companies range from $30 for 15 – 1000 Mbps a month to $60 for a fixed 25 Mbps, Comcast Xfinity being the cheapest.

Tips to Reduce Water Usage and Other Resources

Though you might be enjoying the relatively affordable rates of the city, it doesn’t mean that you can’t find ways to cut and make sure you don’t use too much. There is some common knowledge about conserving resources like using less water, turning off appliances when finished, etc. But what about the not-so-common ways to save?

Ways to Save Water at Home

Saving water is quite easy to do, as there are many different ways to cut down on how much you use per month. A quick start is to cut back on how much time you use to shower. Not only does showering take up a lot of water, but, depending on whether it’s fuel or electric, you’ll be charged for boiler usage. You can also replace old faucets and showerheads so that you can cut back. When washing dishes, using the bathroom sink, or showering, you’re likely to use five to ten gallons per use. Replacing the faucets and showerheads with new, more eco-friendly ones can cut that amount down by a lot.

Reducing Electricity Costs

Cutting back on your electric bill is a bit more complicated, and many small things account for your household’s energy use. The best thing to do is to start with an energy audit. This measures the level of your household energy efficiency. Once you have estimated data on how you use electricity at home, you can find ways to cut back or what in your house or apartment needs improvement. The next thing is to test out electrical appliances in your home and see what’s broken or not working correctly. Depending on the device, if it’s broken, it could cause problems and cost you more.

Another thing you can do is to buy surge protectors and power strips. Their purpose is to protect the wiring, circuit board, the appliances in your home from shorting out or using too much energy. Lastly, try line-drying your clothes. It may seem like a lot of work, but it saves so much money on your electric bill.

Saving on Heat and Gas

Around 47% of American households use natural gas for heating and other appliances, such as your stove or oven. During the winter, your heating bill will likely skyrocket. So you don’t have a nasty surprise, check out these simple ways to cut back the cost for heating and fuel.

First, you should know your heating system and how it measures the amount used per month. Ever wonder why your dad would get upset and yell about touching the thermostat? Heating during the year accounts for a large part of fuel and heating usage. He was probably looking to save money, so be sure to use heating in your house sparingly. You should also look for any leaks or ways for heat to escape, like open doors, windows, the chimney – all should be either closed or sealed. Lastly, call a house inspector to check your insulation to see if it’s working correctly or if there are any weak spots in the house.

Get The Best Movers for Your Relocation

Even though Colorado is an excellent state for lower utility rates, it never hurts to understand a bit more about the resource providers and how to cut costs and save money. Now that you’ve gotten some education on utilities and newfound information to save on your utility bills, your next relocation to a new home in Denver should be a breeze – no pun intended. To make things a lot easier, you can also contact Denver Professional Movers for our excellent moving services. We offer high-quality services for a smooth and easy relocation without any moving stress.