As we step into 2025, utility rates are on the rise across Washington state cities, including customers in our main service areas of Tacoma, Olympia, Renton, Seattle, and Snohomish County. With increases in both power and water bills, it’s more important than ever to take control of your household expenses. At Harts Plumbers, Electricians, & HVAC Technicians, we’re here to guide you through these changes and share smart ways to keep your bills in check.
Utility Rate Increases by Area
Many Washington cities share utility providers, meaning rate increases may look similar across different locations. Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect in our major service areas:
Tacoma and Olympia
Residents in Tacoma will see a 6.5% annual increase in electricity rates and a 6.3% increase in water rates for 2025 and 2026. This means an average monthly electricity bill will increase by $6.72 in 2025 and $7.09 in 2026. Water bills in Tacoma will rise by $2.88 in 2025 and $3.09 in 2026.
For Olympia residents, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) supplies electricity, so they will experience similar rate increases. Learn more about Olympia’s utility rates here.
Renton
Water rates in Renton are set to rise by 5.5% and wastewater rates by 4% in 2025, translating to about $3.50 more per month for a typical household.
Seattle
Seattle City Light customers will see a 3.1% electricity rate increase in 2025, followed by a 3.9% hike in 2026. Meanwhile, Seattle Public Utilities is raising water rates by 2.5% annually in 2025 and 2026.
Snohomish County
The City of Snohomish approved a significant 21% increase in water rates and a 10.25% sewer rate hike for 2025, with the average bimonthly utility bill climbing to $315.
Navigating Higher Bills: Small Changes, Big Impact
With utility rates rising across the board, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in higher monthly bills or shocked by the potential costs. The good news? You can take charge! By making small, intentional changes to how you use power and water, you can significantly offset these increases. Many of these strategies are completely free, helping you stay afloat and keep your budget current without sacrificing comfort.
Free Ways to Save on Power and Water
Implementing simple, cost-free habits can lead to noticeable savings on your utility bills:
Electricity Savings:
- Turn Off Lights: Always switch off lights when leaving a room. This simple action can save approximately $15 annually.
- Unplug Electronics: Devices in standby mode consume “phantom” power. Phantom power can add up to 10% of your electricity bill. By unplugging chargers and electronics when not in use can save up to $100 per year.
- Use Cold Water for Laundry: Washing clothes in cold water reduces energy consumption by significantly reducing the amount of electricity needed to heat the water, potentially saving $60 annually.
- Adjust Thermostat: Lowering your thermostat by 1 degree can reduce heating costs by about 1%, saving up to $10 per degree annually.
- Leverage Natural Light: Open curtains during the day to utilize sunlight for heating, reducing the need for electric lighting and heating.
Water Savings:
- Shorten Showers: Reducing a hot shower time by just 2 minutes can save up to 5 gallons of water and reduce the amount of energy needed to heat the water, saving on both water and energy bills, with the potential to save upwards of $30 a year per person.
- Use Dishwasher Efficiently: Running a fully loaded dishwasher uses less water than hand-washing dishes, saving up to 5,000 gallons of water annually.
- Wash Full Laundry Loads: Operating the washing machine with full loads maximizes water efficiency, saving water and energy.
- Fix Leaks: Addressing leaky faucets and toilets can save up to 10% on water bills.
While small changes in daily habits can make a noticeable dent in your utility bills, sometimes it pays to think bigger. Investing in energy-efficient upgrades or water-saving improvements can yield even greater savings over time.
Ready to Make the Change? Call Harts Plumbers, Electricians, & HVAC Technicians!
Whether it’s innovative plumbing solutions, efficient electrical repairs, or reliable HVAC maintenance, trust Harts to handle your home essentials with precision and care. Contact us today to discover the Harts difference and enjoy peace of mind in your home maintenance endeavors.
Smart Investments for Long-Term Savings
While some upgrades require an upfront cost, they deliver significant savings over time. Harts Plumbers, Electricians, & HVAC Technicians can help with these improvements:
Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Want to reduce your energy bills year after year? Here’s how Harts can help:
- LED Lighting: Replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs can save about $75 annually on energy costs.
- Energy-Efficient Appliances: Upgrading to ENERGY STAR-rated appliances can reduce energy bills by up to $500 annually.
- Smart Thermostats: Installing a smart thermostat adjusts temperatures based on your schedule, helping you save up to 10% on heating and cooling—around $130 per year.
- Home Insulation: Proper insulation can lower heating and cooling expenses by up to 15%, translating to annual savings of around $200.
- HVAC Maintenance: Regular servicing of HVAC systems ensures optimal performance, potentially reducing energy bills by 10%.
HVAC Energy Savings
Your heating and cooling system plays a huge role in your energy costs. Harts HVAC technicians can optimize your system and recommend upgrades to keep your home comfortable and efficient.
- Regular Maintenance: As previously mentioned, this alone can save 10% on your energy bill. This would be a perfect reason to sign up for a Harts Home Care Plan Membership, one of the many benefits includes a bi-annual HVAC System Tune Up. Cleaning filters, inspecting coils, and tuning up your system keeps everything running at peak performance—and saves energy.
- Ductwork Sealing: Leaky ducts waste energy by letting conditioned air escape. We’ll seal gaps to improve airflow and keep your home comfortable.
- Smart Thermostats: A smart thermostat takes the guesswork out of managing your home’s temperature. By learning your schedule and preferences, it automatically adjusts heating and cooling settings to maximize efficiency and comfort. This upgrade can reduce energy use during off-peak times, saving you up to 10% annually on HVAC costs while ensuring your home always feels just right.
- System Upgrades: Is your HVAC system outdated? Replacing it with a high-efficiency model can significantly lower energy use and boost your home’s comfort.
- Right-Sized Systems: We ensure your HVAC system is the perfect size for your home, preventing the inefficiencies of over- or under-cooling.
Plumbing and Water Efficiency
When it comes to water usage, efficient plumbing can make all the difference. Here’s how the plumbers at Harts can help:
- Routine Plumbing Maintenance: Regular inspections can identify leaks, preventing water waste and high bills.
- Efficient Appliances: Replacing old dishwashers and washing machines with high-efficiency models can save both water and energy, reducing utility bills by up to $150 annually.
- Tankless Water Heaters: These only heat water when you need it, cutting energy use and lowering your utility bills.
- Performance Showerheads: Save up to 30% of the water compared to traditional showerheads.
- Dual-Flush Toilets: Use less water for liquid waste and more for solid waste, saving water without compromising function.
- Efficiency Faucets: These fixtures mix air with water, using up to 30% less water.
- Faucet Aerators: Adding aerators to your faucets reduces water flow while maintaining pressure.
- Pipe Insulation: Insulating your water heater and pipes helps retain heat, reducing energy loss as hot water travels through your home.
- Fixing Leaks: Did you know even a small leak can waste gallons of water every day? Our plumbers can detect and fix leaks early to protect your property and lower your bills.
Take Control of Rising Utility Costs with Harts
Rising utility rates may be unavoidable, but with the right partner, you can take control. At Harts Plumbers, Electricians, & HVAC Technicians, we’re committed to helping you fight back against increasing costs through energy-efficient upgrades, expert services, and routine maintenance. Our Harts Home Care Plan Membership is designed to give you peace of mind and extra savings. With benefits like bi-annual HVAC tune-ups, annual plumbing and electrical safety checks, and exclusive discounts on services, you can ensure your home stays efficient, comfortable, and safe—all while keeping utility bills in check. Let Harts help you protect your home and your wallet. Contact us today to learn more about the Harts Home Care Plan and start saving!
