Energy-Saving Tips for Renters (No Installation Needed)

When you rent, you usually cannot replace the boiler, add insulation or install solar panels. But a large part of your bill depends on how you use what is already there, and that is fully in your control.

Heating and cooling

1. Turn the thermostat down a little. In the US, the Department of Energy suggests about 68°F while you are home in winter and 78°F in summer. In the UK, keep the rooms you use at a comfortable level (health guidance suggests at least 18°C in cold weather).
2. Use the timer or schedule so the heating or cooling runs only when you need it.
3. Close doors and use radiator valves to keep unused rooms cooler.
4. Heat the person: an electric blanket uses roughly 100 W, about $0.15 a night in the US or 21p in the UK. See electric blanket costs.
5. Be careful with plug-in heaters: a 1,500 W heater costs about $0.27 an hour in the US and 39p in the UK. See space heater costs.

Draughts and windows (removable fixes)

• Draught excluders along the bottom of doors.
• Removable window film or self-adhesive foam strips that peel off cleanly when you leave (check with your landlord if unsure).
• Thick or thermal curtains, closed at dusk in winter and on sunny afternoons in summer.
• Chimney balloons or covers for unused open fireplaces.

Appliances and habits

• Wash in cold water and run full loads. See washing machine costs.
• Use the tumble dryer less; a full load in a condenser dryer costs about £1.18 in the UK. See tumble dryer costs.
• Cook small meals in the microwave or air fryer instead of the oven. See air fryer vs oven vs microwave.
• Boil only the water you need.
• Switch off standby with a switched power strip. See phantom load.
• Swap bulbs for LEDs and keep the old bulbs to put back when you move out.

Your bill and your tariff

• If the bill is in your name, you can usually choose your supplier or plan. In the UK you have the right to switch supplier if you pay the energy bills directly. In US states with retail choice, you may be able to compare electricity suppliers.
• Check your real rate by dividing the bill by the kWh used, and compare it with the average rate in your state or the Ofgem price cap.
• Ask about help: payment plans and assistance programs exist in both countries. See why your electric bill is so high.

Problems your landlord should fix

Damp, mould, broken heating, faulty windows and electrical faults are generally the landlord’s responsibility. Report them in writing. In England and Wales, privately rented homes must generally meet minimum energy efficiency standards, and the rules are being tightened; your local council can advise.

A real example: a one-bedroom apartment

A renter in a one-bedroom apartment with electric heat might use about 700 kWh a month in winter, roughly $127.40. Draught strips on the main door and windows, a 2°F lower thermostat setting, a switched power strip for the TV corner and cold-water laundry together could plausibly cut 70 to 100 kWh a month, roughly $12.74 to $18.20, for under $40 of supplies that come with you when you move.

What to ask your landlord

• Whether the heating system or boiler has been serviced recently.
• Whether broken window seals, missing insulation or faulty thermostats can be repaired.
• Who pays for which utility, and whether you can see past bills before signing a lease.
• In the UK, the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. Most rented homes must meet a minimum of band E.

More questions readers ask

Can I install a smart thermostat in a rental?

Ask your landlord first. Many allow it if you keep the original thermostat and reinstall it when you move out.

Are portable heaters allowed in rentals?

Usually yes, but check your lease. Use them safely and remember they are expensive to run for long periods.

Sources

• U.S. Department of Energy, Programmable thermostats.
• Ofgem, Energy price cap.
• UK Health Security Agency, cold weather health guidance.