{"id":169,"date":"2025-07-25T15:10:20","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T15:10:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/?p=169"},"modified":"2025-08-08T15:50:22","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T15:50:22","slug":"what-are-called-utilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/what-are-called-utilities\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Called Utilities? Essential Guide for Renters and Homeowners"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve ever had to set up services after moving into a home, you\u2019ve probably come across the term <\/span>\u201cutilities.\u201d<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> But what does it actually mean when someone says a bill is a utility? More importantly, <\/span>what are called utilities in everyday housing situations?<\/p>\n<p>In this blog, we\u2019ll walk through a simple definition of utilities, provide real-life examples, and explain how they apply to both renters and homeowners. We\u2019ll also touch on what are utilities in terms of housing and cover what are the basic public utilities you should expect to manage.<\/p>\n<h2><b>What Are Utilities?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Utilities<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are essential services that allow your home to function. Without them, the place you live would not be safe, sanitary, or comfortable. They power your lights, provide clean water, dispose of waste, and in many cases, keep you connected to the internet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the providers may be public (like a city department) or private (like an internet company), the definition is the same: a utility is a <\/span>core service tied to the infrastructure of your home<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What Are Called Utilities?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, let\u2019s answer this clearly:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span>Utilities are the basic services required for habitability in a home.<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> They typically include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Electricity<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Water and sewer<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Natural gas or heating oil<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Trash and recycling pickup<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Internet service<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (in most modern homes)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These services are considered <\/span>non-negotiable<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in terms of daily function. Without them, your house wouldn\u2019t meet local housing standards\u2014and in many places, it wouldn\u2019t even qualify for occupancy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Are the Basic Public Utilities?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To further break this down, let\u2019s look at <\/span>what are the basic public utilities<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014those commonly provided or regulated by local or state governments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2705 Electricity<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Powers all the major systems in your home. Typically delivered by regional providers through a public grid. Billed monthly based on usage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2705 Water and Sewer<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Handled by your city or local utility district. Water comes in for use; sewer removes and treats wastewater.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2705 Natural Gas<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your home runs on gas (for heating, water, or cooking), this utility comes through underground lines and is billed by therm usage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2705 Trash and Recycling<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usually managed by your municipality or a contracted provider. Often bundled into property tax or water bills.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are the public services you <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">must<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have to maintain health and safety in a home.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Are Utilities in Terms of Housing?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now let\u2019s connect the dots. <\/span>What are utilities in terms of housing?<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the context of housing, <\/span>utilities are the services that make a property livable.<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> That means:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are required for legal tenancy or homeownership<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are commonly included in lease agreements<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are often used to verify occupancy (via utility bills)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They directly affect monthly housing costs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you own or rent, utilities are part of the total cost of living in a home. In fact, when landlords advertise \u201cutilities included,\u201d they\u2019re referring to these exact services.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Utilities for Renters vs. Homeowners<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on your living situation, how you manage utilities will differ.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>\ud83c\udfe0 Renters<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Renters may or may not be responsible for utilities. It all depends on the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nycbar.org\/get-legal-help\/article\/landlord-tenant\/rental-agreements-leases\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">lease agreement<\/a><\/strong>. Here are common setups:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>All utilities included<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Rare, but happens in student or short-term rentals<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Some utilities included<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Often includes water and trash<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>No utilities included<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 You pay for everything separately<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always read the lease carefully and ask:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2753 Which utilities are included?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2753 What do I need to set up myself?<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>\ud83c\udfe0 Homeowners<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a homeowner, you\u2019re responsible for all utilities. That means:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing providers (where options exist)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paying monthly bills directly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Managing energy usage and upgrades<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintaining equipment tied to service (like gas heaters or water lines)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also means more freedom to shop around, bundle services, or make efficiency improvements.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Common Utility Bills You\u2019ll Encounter<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are examples of the most frequent utility bills you\u2019ll see:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><b>Utility<\/b><\/th>\n<th><b>Description<\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Electric<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monthly from power company based on kWh usage<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Water &amp; Sewer<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usually billed together by your city<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Gas<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on therm usage, more in winter<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Trash Pickup<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monthly or quarterly, sometimes city-managed<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Internet<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provided by a private ISP (e.g. fiber, cable)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep copies of these bills handy\u2014they&#8217;re often needed for address proof or expense documentation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What\u2019s NOT a Utility?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s easy to confuse recurring services with utilities, but not everything counts. Here\u2019s what does <\/span>not<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> qualify:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rent or mortgage<\/span><\/li>\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;\">Cable TV (standalone)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Streaming services (Netflix, Spotify)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gym memberships<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insurance premiums<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lawn care or pest control<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are household or lifestyle expenses\u2014not infrastructure essentials.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Is the Average Utility Cost?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now let\u2019s talk money. <\/span>What is the average utility cost<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you should expect?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Utility expenses vary based on home size, climate, location, and how many people live in the house. But here\u2019s a general monthly estimate for a single-family home in the U.S.:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><b>Service<\/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;\">Gas or Heating<\/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\/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;\">Tip: To stay ahead, create a monthly budget category just for utilities. This helps you avoid surprises, especially during peak heating or cooling seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Reduce Utility Bills<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you rent or own, here are smart ways to lower monthly utility costs:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switch to LED lighting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seal windows and doors to reduce drafts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use a programmable thermostat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wash clothes in cold water<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take shorter showers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bundle internet and cable for discounts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shop for competitive energy providers if available in your area<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over time, even small changes can lead to big savings.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>When Are Utilities Needed?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll need utilities when:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moving into a new rental or home<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switching providers to save money<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applying for ID or government aid (utility bill as proof)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Renting commercial or storage space<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Handling estate or real estate transitions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each situation may require setting up, transferring, or verifying services tied to the address.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Are Called Utilities?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s recap.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 <\/span><b>Utilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are essential services that support home life<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 They include <\/span><b><a href=\"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/electric\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">electricity<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/water\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">water<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/internet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">internet<\/a>, <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/natural-gas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>gas<\/b><\/a><b>, <\/b>trash, and sewer<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 They\u2019re either publicly or privately delivered and billed monthly<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 They are not the same as rent, insurance, or entertainment services<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 In housing, utilities are key to determining habitability, budgeting, and lease expectations<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowing what utilities are\u2014and how they work\u2014puts you in control of your home, your comfort, and your costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Power Your Home the Smart Way with Get Home Utilities<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Need to get utilities set up fast? Moving soon or looking for better rates?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Get Home Utilities<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> makes it easy to compare and activate your electricity, internet, and natural gas services\u2014without the guesswork.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 Find providers by ZIP code<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 Compare pricing and bundles<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 Save time, reduce stress<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 Get connected before move-in<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\"><b>Visit Get Home Utilities<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today and take charge of your home services the smart way.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve ever had to set up services after moving into a home, you\u2019ve probably come across the term \u201cutilities.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":173,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-169","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\/169","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=169"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/169\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":174,"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/169\/revisions\/174"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gethomeutilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}