We explain why working from home increases your monthly electricity bill by ¥5,000–15,000 and provide concrete energy-saving strategies. From air conditioning settings and PC power management to electricity plan reviews, here are practical techniques to significantly reduce your electric bills while teleworking in a rental apartment.
Reviewed by: Nobuyuki Mori
Explains how ZEH and energy efficiency ratings work. Provides detailed information on how to confirm energy-saving performance in rental properties, impacts on utility costs, and the benefits and drawbacks of property selection.
Since Japan's electricity market deregulation in 2016, renters can freely choose their power provider. Switching to an alternative energy company can save ¥1,000–3,000 per month. This guide by rental real estate experts covers the switching process, selection tips, and rental-specific limitations.
From leveraging deregulated power and gas markets to daily usage habits, we comprehensively explain practical utility-saving strategies for rental apartments. From living alone to couples, we deliver "immediately actionable tips" with concrete figures and step-by-step instructions.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, as remote work has become standardized, rising electricity bills in rental housing has become a serious concern. It's not uncommon to hear reports of monthly electricity bills increasing by ¥5,000–15,000 compared to when people commuted to an office.
| Cause | Estimated Monthly Increase |
|---|---|
| Air conditioning (heating/cooling) for extended hours | ¥2,000–5,000 |
| Long-term PC and monitor operation | ¥500–1,500 |
| Daytime lighting use | ¥300–800 |
| Router running constantly | ¥100–300 |
| Desk equipment (speakers, printers, etc.) | ¥300–1,000 |
In total, increases usually amount to over ¥3,000–8,000 per month, creating a difference of ¥30,000–100,000 annually.
Air conditioning is the biggest electricity consumer when working from home. While you may have unconsciously saved energy in an office, you need to consciously manage it in your own room.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry recommends 28°C in summer and 20°C in winter. Changing the temperature by just 1°C is said to change your electricity bill by approximately 10%.
For brief absences of 30 minutes or less, leaving it on is more energy-efficient. Air conditioners consume the most power at startup, so frequently turning them on and off actually increases your electricity bill.
Guidelines:
Dirty filters significantly reduce cooling and heating efficiency. Cleaning your filter once a month can save you approximately 10–15% on your electricity bill (according to Ministry of the Environment data).
Cleaning steps: Simply remove the filter, use a vacuum to remove dust, rinse it with water, and let it dry completely. It takes about 15 minutes.
PCs and monitors, which run for extended periods while working from home, also impact your electricity bill.
Windows/Mac settings:
Reducing your LCD display brightness from maximum to 60–70% can cut power consumption by 20–30%. It also helps prevent eye strain.
In a dual-monitor setup, each screen increases power consumption. You can save energy by techniques such as 'lowering the brightness of the inactive monitor' or 'putting one monitor on standby.'
When working from home, daytime lighting hours increase significantly. Simply moving your desk closer to a window lets you take advantage of natural light and reduce your lighting usage.
On days when you can work with open curtains, a desk lamp alone may be sufficient.
Illuminate just your work area with a desk lamp while turning off or dimming the ceiling light to save energy. LED desk lamps consume only 5–10W of power, making them extremely energy-efficient.
Even in rental housing, you're free to change your electricity provider or plan. If your electricity consumption has increased due to remote work, reviewing your plan can save you thousands to tens of thousands of yen annually.
In rental housing, you're free to change your plan without electrical work (in most cases, utilities are the tenant's responsibility).
Here's an estimate of heating electricity costs for a 1K rental apartment in Sendai City with 8 hours/day of telework.
| Heating Method | Monthly Electricity Cost (Dec–Feb) |
|---|---|
| Air conditioner (6-tatami, 20°C setting) | Approx. ¥4,500–7,000 |
| Electric fan heater (800W) | Approx. ¥9,000–11,000 |
| Ceramic fan heater (1200W) | Approx. ¥13,000–16,000 |
Air conditioning is the most efficient. Air conditioners have a COP (coefficient of performance) of 3–5 times, meaning they generate 3–5 times more heat energy than the electricity they consume.
Here's a summary of key points to efficiently reduce the increased electricity bills from remote work:
By combining these strategies, you can save ¥3,000–8,000 per month, which adds up to ¥30,000–100,000 annually. Practice smart housing habits that eliminate wasted electricity while continuing to work comfortably from home.
Insulation performance in rental properties directly impacts utility bills, condensation, and room temperature. This guide explains how to assess insulation grades during property viewings, the meaning of ZEH and energy-efficiency ratings, and measures for improving poorly-insulated units — all from a professional perspective.
床スラブ厚と上階の足音問題——賃貸で「ドン」という衝撃音が響く構造的な理由と物件選びのポイント
前橋・群馬の賃貸エリアガイド【2026年版】——主要エリア別家賃相場と住みやすさを徹底比較
Making the Most of Protruding Beams and Columns in Rental Apartments — Smart Furniture Placement Strategies
Mito & Ibaraki Rental Area Guide [2026] — Comprehensive Explanation of Rental Rates and Livability by Major Area
Uncovering Property Issues by Asking Previous Tenants About Their Departure—Questions to Ask During Viewings and How to Interpret Answers
