Energy Saving Tips for Fall Apartment Living | Collective

As fall arrives and temperatures drop, you might notice a spike in your utility bills with winter just around the corner. If you're looking to save a little cash money, here are some practical energy-saving tips to help keep your utility costs down as we head into the colder months.


5 TIPS FOR ENERGY SAVINGS

Optimize Your Apartment’s Heating

We might be biased, but we have the best techs in town (and our residents seem to agree)! If you have any heating issues or drafts that need attention, submit a work order. We’ll ensure your heating system and windows are ready for the impending doom... I mean... winter temperatures.


Utilize Natural Heat

Open blinds or curtains during sunny days to let in natural warmth and close them at night to retain heat. Moving your couch or chairs near windows can also help you take advantage of that sunny warmth. These small steps can lead to significant savings.


Reduce Water Usage

Be mindful of your water use: take shorter showers, turn off the water while brushing your teeth, and lower your shower temperature slightly. Ensure faucets are not leaking. These are all things that are also great for the environment. Remember - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!


Adjust Your Thermostat Settings

Lower the temperature on your thermostat by a few degrees to save on heating costs. Small adjustments can lead to significant savings over time. Layer up to stay warm—fuzzy socks and blankets are the best fall attire, right?


Unplug Unused Electronics

Even when turned off, plugged-in electronics use energy—a phenomenon known as phantom power. Unplug devices and chargers when not in use to avoid this unnecessary energy drain. Power strips can help you easily disconnect multiple devices at once. And yes, if your coffee maker is on a timer, keep that plugged in—we need everyone to stay properly caffeinated!


By following these tips, you can effectively reduce energy consumption and keep your utility bills in check as fall and winter approach. Start implementing these strategies today and share any additional energy-saving tips you have with others or in the comments section.

Collective has been named one of Prairie Business Magazine's 50 Best Places to Work

By - - • September 8, 2026
Prairie Business Magazine recently announced the Top 50 Best Places to work for 2026 and Collective made the list! "This recognition is a reflection of the people who show up every day for our residents," said James Marcy, Director of Operations for Collective. "We are proud of the culture we have built, and even prouder of the team that makes it happen. Thank you to every Collective team member, at every property, in every community.” The Collective team spans over a half dozen cities across the Midwest and Mountain West. In fact, nearly 900 miles separate our team members in Billings from our team members in Minneapolis . Technology helps close that distance, but there is no substitute for being in the same room.
Residents at Dakota Park gather for the unveiling of the updated Dakota Prairie Community Room

Dakota Park Hosts Community Room Grand Re-Opening

By - - • August 3, 2026
Residents Gather to Win Prizes and Enjoy new Community Room

Rick Berg Named to Prairie Business Leaders and Legacies Class of 2026

July 15, 2026
Great States/Collective co-founder Rick Berg has been named to the 2026 Leaders and Legacies class by Prairie Business Magazine, joining six other honorees recognized for their impact on the region and their role as role models for the next generation of leaders. Prairie Business editor Carrie McDermott said the award recognizes top executives from our region, noting, "They are the region's leaders who are role models for the next generation.

Meet Shawna Jorgensen

June 4, 2026
Ask Shawna Jorgensen what a typical day looks like and she'll probably laugh. "That's one of my favorite parts of the job — no two days are the same." As Community Manager at Huntington Village and Jackson Heights , Shawna assists residents, conducts showings, coordinates with vendors, plans and hosts events, and steps in wherever she is needed. The list, she'll tell you, goes on.

Say Hello to Jackson Heights Apartments and Townhomes

By - - • June 1, 2026
Collective is excited to welcome Jackson Heights Apartments and Townhomes to our growing portfolio of resident-first communities in South Dakota. Located in Harrisburg, South Dakota, Jackson Heights is just down the road from our Huntington Village community in Sioux Falls. “Jackson Heights is a great fit for Collective. We are glad to be growing our presence in the Sioux Falls area,” according to Scott Houle, President of Collective. Jackson Height’s location is a big draw, offering easy access to Sioux Falls coupled with the pace of a smaller city. Another reason residents choose Jackson Heights is that it’s one community with two great choices: apartments and townhomes.

Collective Competes in The Corporate Cup

May 22, 2026
Teams from dozens of businesses from Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo, as well as team members from Collective and our sister company, Great States Construction, descended upon Nemzek Fieldhouse at MSUM to compete in the sold-out Corporate Cup, organized by the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. The teams competed in events like tug of war, human battleships, kickball, human foosball, an inflatable obstacle course, SNAG Golf, and flag football. The Collective-Great States team came out strong, with a dominating performance in the inflatable obstacle course, followed by a riveting battle on the tug of war field that saw the team come out on top once again.

Collective Takes on Maintenance Mania 2026

May 13, 2026
Cowbells. A derby car track. Smoke detectors beeping from every direction. Welcome to Maintenance Mania. The Greater Red River Apartment Association brought maintenance professionals together at the Avalon Event Center in Fargo to compete in a series of timed, scored events based on the real challenges these techs tackle every day: troubleshooting broken sinks, fixing locks, replacing dead batteries, repairing torn screens, and more.

Meet Jade Wahl: Jade of All Trades

May 7, 2026
Jade Wahl loves the kind of environment where most people would probably feel overwhelmed. “I thrive in chaos,” Jade said. “Every day brings something new.” Her career in property management started about eight years ago in Bismarck as a leasing agent before being promoted into a property manager role where she oversaw properties and the people who keep them running. Through connections from a previous job, she was introduced to Collective and shifted her focus to a different side of property management: Learning and Development Specialist. It was natural given her experience in supporting team members. "I love the relationships I get to create with each of our team members."
Tori Madilia with mountains and a lake in the background

Meet Tori Madilia: Building Relationships at Farmstead

April 28, 2026
Tori Madilia grew up nearly 2,000 miles from Billings, but the path that brought her to Farmstead is less random than it might seem. After making the move to the Treasure State to be closer to her boyfriend, Tori got a career nudge from someone who knew her well. Her best friend back home happened to be a community manager and had a feeling she might enjoy property management. He encouraged her to give it a try. “My best friend back home thought I’d do well at it,” Tori said. “He was right. I knew from the get-go I’d be a good fit here.”

Meet Thomas Janis: Keeping 10Bedrock Looking Great

By - - • April 21, 2026
Thomas Janis has been working in maintenance for nearly 8 years, learning as he goes and picking things up from the people around him. Today, he serves as a Senior Maintenance Technician at 10Bedrock Apartments in Box Elder, South Dakota. He is a proud member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe , a revered culture known for a deep sense of responsibility to others. Spend just a few minutes around Thomas and you’ll quickly see what matters to him. “My culture is based on warriors helping the community strive,” he said. “I carry that into my work.”