Should I Refuse to Split Utility Bills Equally with Roommate Who Insists on Keeping AC at 60°F?
WIBTA for refusing to split utility bills equally with roommate who insists on an icy AC, leaving OP shivering and stressed during work-from-home days?
A 28-year-old guy says his roommate decided the apartment’s summer setting should be “Arctic.” And it’s not just a little chilly either, we’re talking AC running at 60°F all day and night, every day, while he’s stuck working remotely in the same space.
They started out with a clean agreement: split utilities evenly. Then the temperature wars began. He claims the electricity bill is climbing fast, she insists she “can’t stand anything above 60°F” because of her heat sensitivity, and every time he tries to compromise at 70°F, she quietly turns it back down when he’s not looking.
Now he’s considering refusing to split the bills equally, and he’s worried it’ll blow up their roommate situation.
Original Post
So I'm (28M) living with my roommate (27F) in a small apartment. We agreed to split the utility bills evenly when we moved in together.
Everything was fine until summer hit, and my roommate decided she wants to keep the AC running at a chilly 60°F all day and night. I've tried talking to her about it, explaining that it's not only freezing but also racking up our electricity bill like crazy.
But she insists that she can't stand anything above 60°F due to her 'sensitivity to heat.' For background, I work remotely and have to stay in the apartment all day, so I'm the one feeling the effects of the Arctic temperatures the most. I've tried compromising by setting the temperature at a more reasonable 70°F, but she keeps lowering it as soon as I'm not looking.
It's gotten to the point where I can't focus on work because I'm shivering all day long. I'm now considering refusing to split the utility bills equally since she's the one driving up the costs with her extreme AC preferences.
But I'm worried it will create tension between us and strain our living situation. So, WIBTA for standing my ground on this and asking her to foot the extra AC bill?
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This heat-standoff feels similar to asking an unemployed roommate to pay less for utilities.
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He thought the “split utilities evenly” deal would survive summer, but the moment she set the thermostat to 60°F, everything changed.
When he’s shivering through work hours and she keeps lowering it behind his back, the argument stops being about comfort and starts being about costs.
The real twist is that he’s the one home all day, so he’s paying in both electricity dollars and frozen toes.
That’s why his plan to ask her to cover the extra AC bill feels less like a petty move and more like a last resort.</p>
What's your opinion on this situation? Join the conversation!.
If he has to choose between freezing for free and paying for her comfort, he might not come out of this roommate deal the same.
For another utility-bill blowup, see what happened when your lights-on roommate refused to change.
