What Are Utilities and Its Examples? Full Everyday Breakdown

Utilities are one of those things you never really think about—until they’re gone. No water, no power, no internet? Your entire home routine gets turned upside down. But even if you know your bills include services like electricity or gas, you might still wonder: what are utilities and its examples, exactly?

It’s a great question—and one that often comes up when moving into a new place, reviewing your lease, or setting up a monthly budget. And once you know what truly counts as a utility (and what doesn’t), you’ll have a much clearer view of how to manage your home costs.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through what utilities actually are, what are called utilities, and answer a related question you’ve probably seen before: Which of the following are examples of utilities?

First: What Are Utilities?

Let’s define it simply.

A utility is a basic service that supports the livability and functionality of your home. These services are typically delivered by a public or private company, billed monthly, and required to maintain standard health and safety.

Without utilities, your house is basically just a building. With them, it becomes a home.

What Are Called Utilities?

When people refer to “utilities,” they’re usually talking about a group of five or six common services that most households rely on daily. These are considered essential, not optional.

So, what are called utilities? Here’s the breakdown:

• Electricity – Powers lights, outlets, appliances, and air conditioning
• Water and sewer – Provides fresh water and removes wastewater
• Natural gas or heating oil – Used for heating, hot water, and cooking
• Trash and recycling pickup – Handles garbage collection and sanitation
• Internet (broadband) – Delivers access to communication, work, and education

These are the pillars of what makes your home function. Without one of them, you’ll feel the impact immediately.

Which of the Following Are Examples of Utilities?

Let’s explore a few common bills and answer whether they do or don’t qualify as utilities.

✅ Examples of Utilities

• Your electric bill from your local power provider
• Your water and sewer bill from the city or utility district
• Your gas bill from a provider like ConEdison or SoCalGas
• Your trash pickup fee billed through your city or as part of rent
• Your monthly internet bill through Spectrum, Comcast, or a fiber provider

These all count as utilities because they’re tied to your physical residence and serve a function essential to safe, daily living.

❌ Not Utilities

• Cell phone plans
• Cable TV or streaming subscriptions
• Rent or mortgage
• Homeowners insurance
• Security systems
• Gym memberships

These may be recurring bills, but they’re not classified as utilities because they’re either personal services or financial obligations, not home infrastructure services.

Why Understanding Utilities Matters

Knowing what utilities are (and aren’t) can help you:

• ✅ Budget more accurately
• ✅ Set up the right accounts when moving
• ✅ Avoid lease misunderstandings
• ✅ Submit correct documents when needed (utility bills are often used for address verification)
• ✅ Separate necessary costs from optional ones

And if you’re a renter, it also helps you ask the right questions like: “Which utilities are included in my rent?” or “What do I need to set up before move-in?”

The Most Common Utilities You’ll Encounter

Let’s go through each of the major utility categories in more detail so you can see how they show up in everyday life.

1. Electricity

You can’t live comfortably without it. Electricity powers everything from your refrigerator to your router. Providers vary by state and city, and you’ll usually be billed based on how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) you use.

Expect higher usage in the summer (A/C) and winter (heating, lights).

2. Water and Sewer

Handled by your city or municipality, this utility is split into two parts:

• Water: For cooking, bathing, cleaning, and drinking
• Sewer: Removes and treats wastewater

This is usually one combined bill, and it’s billed based on gallons used.

3. Natural Gas or Heating Fuel

Homes with gas-powered appliances—like stoves, water heaters, or furnaces—get a monthly gas bill. This may come from a regional provider and fluctuate with the seasons.

In rural areas, heating may rely on propane tanks or oil deliveries—still counted as utilities.

4. Trash and Recycling

Your trash and recycling are usually collected weekly by the city or a contracted company. You may be charged monthly or quarterly, and fees might be bundled into water/sewer bills or rent.

It’s easy to overlook—but garbage pickup is a utility, plain and simple.

5. Internet Service

While not legally classified as a utility in every jurisdiction, broadband internet is widely considered essential today. Whether it’s for work, communication, or simply accessing information, it’s a daily necessity for most households.

That’s why internet is often treated as a utility in rental agreements or budget planning.

What Utilities Are Usually Included in Rent?

If you’re renting, utility arrangements vary widely. Here are three common scenarios:

1. No Utilities Included

You set up and pay for everything—power, gas, water, internet, and trash.

2. Some Utilities Included

Often includes water and trash. Electricity and internet are typically your responsibility.

3. All Utilities Included

More common in student housing or short-term rentals. All services are wrapped into a higher rent price.

If your lease says “utilities included,” ask which ones. Don’t assume it’s everything.

What Is the Average Utility Cost Per Month?

Utility bills are different for every household, but here’s a rough national average:

Your location, home size, number of people, and efficiency levels all affect your actual bill.

How to Budget for Utilities the Smart Way

When managing household finances, it helps to separate utilities from other types of bills.

✅ Budget Category: Utilities

• Electric
• Water/Sewer
• Gas
• Trash
• Internet

❌ Other Categories

• Housing (Rent/Mortgage)
• Entertainment (Netflix, Spotify)
• Phone Plans
• Insurance
• Food and Transportation

By keeping your utility costs in their own category, you’ll have better control over fluctuating bills and seasonal changes.

Tips to Manage Utility Bills

Even though utilities are essential, you still have control over how much you spend. Here’s how:

• Turn off lights and electronics when not in use
• Use smart thermostats to manage heating and cooling
• Run appliances during off-peak hours
• Bundle services with one provider when possible
• Check with your provider about budget billing or energy-saving rebates

A few simple tweaks can keep utility bills from creeping up unexpectedly.

What Are Utilities and Its Examples?

By now, you should have a solid answer to this commonly Googled question:

What are utilities and its examples?

They include:

✅ Electricity
✅ Water and sewer
✅ Gas or heating fuel
✅ Trash pickup
✅ Internet (in most homes)

They do not include things like cell phone plans, rent, or streaming services—even if they’re billed monthly.

So next time you see a lease that says “utilities included” or need a utility bill to verify your address, you’ll know exactly what qualifies—and what doesn’t.

Set Up Utilities with Get Home Utilities

Need to start fresh in a new home? Want to switch providers or bundle services to save money?

Get Home Utilities helps you compare, choose, and activate the best utility services available—without the stress.

✅ Compare electricity, gas, and internet plans
✅ Search by ZIP code
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Visit Get Home Utilities today and get connected—on your terms.