{"id":163,"date":"2025-07-25T14:55:06","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T14:55:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/?p=163"},"modified":"2025-08-08T15:50:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T15:50:26","slug":"which-of-the-following-are-examples-of-utilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/which-of-the-following-are-examples-of-utilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Which of the Following Are Examples of Utilities?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When setting up your home or reviewing your budget, it&#8217;s important to know which bills actually count as utilities. While electricity and water might be obvious, others\u2014like internet or trash pickup\u2014can cause confusion. This blog will break down exactly <\/span>which of the following are examples of utilities<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, explain how each one functions, and help you separate essential services from everything else.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ll also cover <\/span>what are utilities and its examples<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, along with <\/span>what is the average utility cost<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to expect month-to-month.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Are Utilities, Really?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To begin with, <\/span>utilities are essential services that make a home livable<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These aren\u2019t nice-to-haves. They\u2019re services you depend on to power your lights, run water through your faucets, heat your space, and take out your trash.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Utilities are either provided by public systems (like the city) or private companies (like an internet provider), and they\u2019re typically billed monthly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your home stops receiving any of these services, it doesn\u2019t function properly\u2014plain and simple.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>So, Which of the Following Are Examples of Utilities?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s look at some common services and whether they <\/span>do or do not<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> count as utilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>\u2705 Examples of Utilities (Yes, These Count)<\/b><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Electricity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Powers lights, appliances, outlets, and HVAC systems. It&#8217;s essential and billed based on usage (measured in kilowatt-hours).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Water and Sewer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your tap water, showers, and flushes all fall under this. Usually billed together by a city or municipality.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Natural Gas or Heating Oil<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fuels your water heater, furnace, and sometimes kitchen stove. Billed monthly depending on usage or tank refills.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Trash and Recycling Pickup<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, this is a utility! Regular waste collection keeps your home safe and sanitary. Some cities include this in property tax; others bill separately.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Internet Service<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This one used to be debatable. But in 2024, internet is considered an essential household utility\u2014used for work, school, and daily life.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><b>\u274c Not Examples of Utilities (These Don\u2019t Count)<\/b><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cell Phone Bill<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Important? Sure. But it\u2019s a personal mobile service, not tied to your residence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Streaming Subscriptions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Netflix, Spotify, HBO\u2014they\u2019re entertainment services, not utilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cable TV<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If it\u2019s bundled with internet, fine. But standalone cable? Not a core utility.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rent or Mortgage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are housing costs, not service charges.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Home Security Systems<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Useful, yes. But these are extras\u2014not considered basic utility services.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><b>What Are Utilities and Its Examples?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might still wonder: <\/span>What are utilities and its examples in a real-world setting?<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s a practical scenario. Imagine you\u2019re moving into a small house. To make it livable, you\u2019ll need:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Power<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to run the lights, outlets, and appliances<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Water<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for drinking, cleaning, and bathing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Internet<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to work remotely or attend school<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Gas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to heat the house or cook<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Trash pickup<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to keep the space sanitary<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These five services are your home\u2019s <\/span>basic utility framework<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They\u2019re usually billed separately, often by different companies or departments. And they\u2019re required to meet most building code standards for habitability.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Is the Average Utility Cost?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s shift to the next big question: <\/span>What is the average utility cost?<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This number can vary based on:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Region and local rates<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Size and type of your home<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Number of people living in the house<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Energy efficiency of appliances<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Time of year (heating and cooling seasons)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But here\u2019s a rough monthly breakdown for a typical U.S. household:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><b>Utility<\/b><\/th>\n<th><b>Avg Monthly Cost<\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electricity<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$120\u2013$150<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Water &amp; Sewer<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$50\u2013$80<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural Gas or Oil<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$40\u2013$100<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trash &amp; Recycling<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$25\u2013$40<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Internet<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$60\u2013$90<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Total<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>$295\u2013$460<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In winter, your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/site\/hra\/help\/energy-assistance.page\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">heating bill<\/a> may spike. In summer, expect higher electric costs from A\/C usage. And if you live in an area with higher water rates or drought restrictions, water can also get pricey.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why It Matters: Knowing What\u2019s a Utility (and What\u2019s Not)<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting utilities right isn\u2019t just about paying your bills\u2014it\u2019s also about:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Submitting proper documents (for address verification, applications, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding lease agreements (what\u2019s included vs. not)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoiding surprises when setting up service<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Budgeting correctly when planning your monthly spending<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowing your rights in case of disputes or service interruptions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your landlord says \u201cutilities are included,\u201d make sure you ask: <\/span>which ones?<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Don\u2019t assume internet or trash is part of the deal unless it\u2019s spelled out.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Manage Utilities When Moving<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re moving into a new home or apartment, here\u2019s a quick step-by-step guide to handle utilities:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ask your landlord or agent<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which utilities you\u2019re responsible for<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Make a list<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of essential services: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/electric\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">electric<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/water\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">water<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/natural-gas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">gas<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/internet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">internet<\/a><\/strong>, trash<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Contact providers 1\u20132 weeks before move-in<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to set up accounts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Schedule connection or activation dates<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Take meter readings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on move-in day for electric, water, and gas<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Set up auto-pay or reminders<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to avoid missed bills<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Review your first bill carefully<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to check for activation fees or prorated charges<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Staying organized up front can save you time\u2014and money\u2014down the road.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Can You Deduct Utility Bills on Taxes?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only in specific cases.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you work from home (as a freelancer or small business owner), you may be able to deduct a <\/span>portion<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of your utility bills\u2014like electricity and internet\u2014as a business expense. The IRS has strict rules about this, so always double-check your eligibility before writing anything off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the average household, though, <\/span>utilities are considered personal expenses<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and are not tax-deductible.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Smart Ways to Lower Utility Bills<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re paying utilities yourself or they\u2019re baked into your rent, reducing usage benefits everyone. Here\u2019s how to cut down:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Switch to LED lighting<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Install a smart thermostat<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to manage heating and cooling more efficiently<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Unplug idle electronics<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (they still draw power in standby mode)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Run full loads<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the dishwasher and washing machine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Use cold water<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for laundry whenever possible<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Shut off water while brushing teeth or washing dishes<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Request an energy audit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from your local power provider<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Small changes add up\u2014and your future utility bills will thank you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Which of the Following Are Examples of Utilities?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s summarize:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 <\/span><b>These are examples of utilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electricity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Water and Sewer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural Gas or Heating Oil<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trash and Recycling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Internet (yes, it counts)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c <\/span><b>These are not<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cell phone plans<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Streaming services<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rent or mortgage payments<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cable-only subscriptions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home security or insurance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding these distinctions helps you budget smarter, avoid confusion, and keep your home running smoothly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Simplify Your Utility Setup with Get Home Utilities<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Need help setting up utilities for your new home? Want to compare rates or bundle services?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Get Home Utilities<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> makes it fast and stress-free.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 Search providers by ZIP code<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 Compare electricity, gas, and internet plans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 Explore bundle discounts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 Set up everything in one go<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\"><b>Visit Get Home Utilities<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and get your home connected with confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When setting up your home or reviewing your budget, it&#8217;s important to know which bills actually count as utilities. While<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":166,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/163","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=163"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/163\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":168,"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/163\/revisions\/168"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=163"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=163"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}