光熱費

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: It is read こうねつひ. 光 contributes light, 熱 heat, and 費 expense, forming a word for costs such as electricity, gas, and heating fuel.
• Basic usage: It is used for a household budget category or energy costs that change with the season. The example describes recording these costs each month.
  • 家計簿に毎月の光熱費を記録している。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An expression that also includes water
  • 光熱費 focuses on energy costs such as electricity and gas. 水道光熱費 explicitly includes water bills as well, so the broader English phrase “utility costs” may cover more than energy.