Information for college students

Before you sign a lease, talk with your landlord about who pays for which utilities. Some landlords take care of utility expenses and recoup the cost through your rent. Others let renters handle this directly with local utility companies. So just ask!

While you’re at it, here are a few more questions for landlords:

• Will the electricity be on when I get there, or do I need to start service?
• Do I need to put utilities in my name?
• Who pays for air conditioning?
• What kind of heating system does the house or apartment have? Furnace, boiler or baseboard?

Once you set up My Account, you can easily grant another person access to your account, like a roommate, spouse or parent.

Step-by-step instructions on adding a guest user and updating other information within My Account can be found here.

Summer months tend to have higher electricity bills. Winter months tend to have higher natural gas bills. Keep in mind that energy costs will vary based on your location and usage.

If your new apartment or house is in the Alliant Energy service area, you can check its previous energy use and costs.

If you don’t like the fluctuation in costs from month to month, look into our Budget Billing (Iowa or Wisconsin) and Fixed Amount Bill (Wisconsin only) programs, which allow you to pay the same amount each month.

You pay for electricity based on how much you use. Small changes can make a big difference. Here are some suggestions:

• Switch to LED light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs. It could save you as much as $75 a year. LEDs last a long time, so don’t forget to take them with you when you leave.
• Use advanced power strips to automatically power down devices that aren’t in use. If you’re in Iowa, be sure to visit our Marketplace when shopping for energy-efficient products. Wisconsin customers can get great deals at the Focus on Energy Marketplace.
• Change your thermostat by 10 degrees if you’re going out of town for the weekend. Make it warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter to save energy.

Get more energy saving tips.

If you need help paying your bills, there are options to help.

See options for your state.