Energy Efficient Apartments: 14 Ways to Use Less Energy in Your Rental

When you think of energy efficiency at home, you probably think of features like self-programmable thermostats and specially optimized heating and cooling systems. But what about if you rent? You can’t exactly invest in the types of energy saving innovations that are becoming widely popular among homeowners if you’re just leasing your home (nor is that your responsibility), but that doesn’t mean energy efficient apartments are totally out of reach.

There are big benefits to taking some steps to reduce energy use in your apartment. In addition to being good for the environment, it also saves you money on your utility bills. In fact, making some smart shifts in your use of energy can reduce your annual utility bills by as much 30%.

Energy efficient apartments have two moving parts: things you buy to be more efficient and things you do. Let’s take a look at some of the changes you can make as a renter that will have the biggest impact.

Turn down the thermostat while you sleep

Weatherstrip your windows

Draft-proof your outlets

Replace your light bulbs

Beware of phantom power

Wash your clothes on cold

Seal off your window-unit air conditioner

Smarten up your shower

Don’t block air registers and radiators

Don’t rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher

Displace the water in your toilet tank

Keep your blinds down in the summer

Give your landlord a head’s up about leaky faucets or constantly running toilets

Put rugs down on wood floors

Energy efficient apartments require much of the same common sense steps that all energy efficient homes do, with the added caveat that you can’t make permanent changes to your unit. If there are additional changes you think would benefit your apartment, consider having a discussion with your landlord and seeing if they’d be willing to help you go the extra mile.