What Renters Can and Can’t Change to Save Energy

You do not have to own your home to use less energy. Renters can make useful changes, such as switching light bulbs, using curtains wisely, and changing everyday habits. These small steps can help lower energy use and make a rental more comfortable. The U.S. Department of Energy includes lighting, thermostat settings, fans, and draft reduction among its energy-saving options for renters.

But there is an important difference between changing how you use your home and changing the property itself.

Your lease, your landlord’s rules, and local requirements determine which physical changes you can make. A tip that works in one apartment may need permission in another. Treat this article as a practical guide, not as permission to alter your rental.

The best starting point is control: focus first on the lights, devices, and daily routines you can manage. Then ask your landlord about repairs and larger improvements.

What Can Renters Change to Save Energy?

Here is a quick guide to common renter-friendly energy improvements. The permission column is a starting point; always check your lease before changing fixtures or attaching products to the property.

Change	Practical approach
Turn off unused lights and electronics	Start with everyday habits that do not alter the property.
Replace ordinary bulbs with compatible LEDs	Check fixture requirements and any rental rules.
Adjust an existing thermostat	Use settings available to you without replacing equipment.
Open and close existing curtains or blinds	Manage sunlight without changing the property.
Use a freestanding fan or drying rack	Choose portable items you can take when you move.
Add adhesive window film or weatherstripping	Ask first, especially if removal could damage a surface.
Replace a showerhead or faucet aerator	Check your lease and get permission where required.
Install a smart thermostat	Get approval before replacing or rewiring equipment.
Replace appliances, windows, or insulation	Discuss these larger improvements with the landlord.

Lighting, temperature control, window coverings, electronics, and laundry are all useful places to look for energy savings in a rental. Larger building upgrades usually require landlord involvement.

Energy-Saving Changes Renters Can Usually Start With

1. Switch Suitable Light Bulbs to LEDs

If your rental still has traditional incandescent bulbs, replacing them with LEDs is a simple place to start. LEDs can use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last much longer. That comparison is with incandescent lighting; savings will be smaller if your home already has efficient bulbs.

Start with the lamps and lights you use most often. You do not need to buy every replacement at once.

Before buying, check the bulb base, the fixture’s requirements, and whether the bulb needs to work with a dimmer. Keep any landlord-owned bulbs you remove so you can discuss whether they should be put back when you move.

2. Adjust the Thermostat You Already Have

If you control your own heating and cooling, use the existing thermostat thoughtfully. Adjusting temperatures when you are away or asleep can reduce unnecessary energy use. You do not need a smart thermostat to make a manual adjustment.

Aim for a comfortable setting rather than making your home unpleasant to save money. Your health, your household’s needs, and your heating system should guide your choices.

A useful distinction is:

Changing the temperature on an existing thermostat is an everyday setting adjustment.
Replacing the thermostat changes installed equipment and should be discussed with your landlord.

If you are unsure which settings suit your system, ask the property manager for guidance.

3. Use Curtains and Blinds to Manage Sunlight

Your existing window coverings can help you manage heat without a renovation.

During hot weather, close curtains or blinds on windows that receive strong sunlight. In colder weather, open them when the sun can warm the room, then close them at night. Efficiency Vermont recommends this seasonal approach as a renter-friendly energy-saving step.

Start with the window coverings already provided. If you want heavier curtains, check before installing brackets, drilling holes, or using adhesive hooks.

4. Turn Off Electronics You Are Not Using

Some electronics continue using electricity when they appear to be off. Advanced power strips can help reduce this standby use by cutting power to selected devices when they are not needed.

Look at your television area, desk, and gaming setup. Ask yourself which accessories need power all day and which do not.

Keep the approach selective. This tip is for nonessential electronics, not refrigerators, medical equipment, security devices, or anything that needs continuous power.

5. Use Fans Thoughtfully

A fan can help you feel more comfortable without immediately changing the air-conditioning setting. If your rental already has a ceiling fan, the Department of Energy also recommends using its appropriate seasonal direction to help circulate air.

Turn fans off when nobody needs them in the room. They mainly improve how people feel rather than cooling an empty space.

A portable fan is also an option that does not require replacing a fixture. If a ceiling fan is broken or unsafe, report it rather than attempting an electrical repair.

6. Change Your Laundry Routine

If you have access to laundry facilities, your wash settings can affect energy use.

Cold-water washing and air-drying are recommended ways for renters to reduce laundry energy use. The direct effect on your bill depends partly on whether you pay for the electricity used by the machines.

Useful habits include:

Choose cold water when the clothing’s care instructions allow it.
Wash full loads without overloading the machine.
Use a drying rack when suitable.
Clean the dryer’s lint filter before each load.
Use a moisture-sensing setting if the dryer has one.

Full loads, clean lint filters, and moisture-sensing dryer settings can help avoid unnecessary drying time.

7. Use Less Hot Water

Hot water is another important area to consider when trying to save energy in a rental. Start with how you use it rather than changing the water-heating equipment. Heating and hot water are among the larger energy uses renters should consider first.

Try reducing unnecessary shower time and avoid running hot water when you do not need it.

An efficient showerhead may also help, but it is a fixture change. A utility’s renter guidance specifically notes that this option depends on what your rental agreement allows.

Do not adjust a shared or landlord-controlled water heater yourself. Ask the property manager to handle equipment settings and any concerns about water temperature.

Renter-Friendly Energy Upgrades That May Need Permission

Some improvements look temporary but can still affect paint, windows, doors, plumbing, or installed equipment. Ask before buying them.

Weatherstripping, Door Sweeps, and Draft Products

Reducing unwanted air leaks can make a home more comfortable. The Department of Energy lists caulking and weatherstripping among potential energy-saving improvements. However, that does not mean every tenant has permission to apply them.

The installation method matters. Some door sweeps require screws, while adhesive products may damage paint when removed. Slide-on options avoid those particular attachment methods, although you should still check whether the product suits your door.

Before adding a draft product, ask:

Will it mark or damage the surface?
Will it affect how the door or window closes?
Does the landlord need to repair the underlying problem instead?

Do not treat ventilation openings as drafts to be sealed.

Window Film and New Curtain Hardware

Before applying window film or fitting new curtain brackets, ask your landlord whether the product is allowed.

Explain exactly what you want to install and how it attaches. “Temporary” should not be your only test; consider whether removal could leave marks or require repairs.

You can still manage sunlight with existing blinds and curtains while waiting for an answer.

Smart Thermostats

A programmable thermostat can automatically adjust temperatures around your schedule, which may reduce unnecessary heating and cooling.

But replacing a thermostat is not the same as changing its settings. Get approval before buying or installing one, and ask who will check compatibility and carry out the work.

A new device is not essential to get started. Thoughtful use of the thermostat already in your rental may be enough.

Showerheads and Faucet Fittings

Ask before replacing plumbing fixtures, even when the job appears simple.

Your request should explain what you want to install, who will do the work, and whether the original fitting must be kept. An energy-efficient showerhead is a potential renter upgrade only where the rental agreement permits it.

What Renters Should Not Change Without Approval

Larger energy improvements generally involve the building or its installed systems. These are projects to discuss with the landlord, not routine renter DIY tasks.

Heating and Cooling Equipment

Do not replace, disconnect, or modify a landlord-owned heating or cooling system on your own.

Instead, report problems and ask about servicing or replacement. Renters generally cannot independently upgrade the building’s HVAC system, even though heating and cooling are important energy uses.

For routine tasks such as filter replacement, ask the property manager what you are expected and allowed to do.

Insulation and Windows

Adding insulation or replacing windows can be worth discussing, but these are building improvements rather than portable renter upgrades. Energy-efficiency guidance for tenants recommends talking with landlords about larger projects such as insulation, storm windows, and efficient appliances.

Your useful first step is to document the problem: which window feels drafty, which room is uncomfortable, and when it happens.

Landlord-Owned Appliances

Do not remove or replace an appliance supplied with the rental without agreement.

If an appliance needs replacing, ask the landlord to consider an efficient model. ENERGY STAR-certified products are one option recommended in renter energy guidance when equipment needs replacement.

Also agree on who owns the new appliance and what happens when the tenancy ends.

How to Ask Your Landlord for Energy Improvements

Make the request specific. Describe the issue, explain how it affects the home, and ask for an inspection or an approved solution.

You could write:

Hi [Landlord’s Name],
I have noticed a strong draft around the living room window when it is closed. The room feels colder than the rest of the apartment.
Could you inspect the window and check whether it needs a repair or new weatherstripping? I have not made any changes. If a temporary draft product would be suitable, please let me know what you approve.
Thank you.

Keep a record of the request and any permission you receive. Where a purchase or installation is involved, clarify who pays, who installs it, and whether it must be removed later.

Which Energy-Saving Steps Should Renters Try First?

Start with no-cost habits, then consider portable purchases, and leave property alterations until you have permission.

A practical order is:

Use existing curtains, blinds, and thermostat controls more thoughtfully.
Turn off unused lights, fans, and nonessential electronics.
Adjust laundry and hot-water habits.
Replace suitable incandescent bulbs with LEDs.
Report drafts and equipment problems.
Ask about approved upgrades.

This puts attention on major uses such as heating, cooling, and hot water while also capturing easier opportunities in lighting and electronics.

There is no reliable promise that every renter will save the same amount. Your results depend on your starting habits, equipment, weather, utility prices, and which bills you pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save energy in a rental without spending money?

Use existing curtains to manage sunlight, turn off unused lights and fans, adjust your thermostat when appropriate, and change laundry habits. These approaches focus on how you use the home rather than buying new equipment.

Can renters replace light bulbs with LEDs?

Replacing suitable ordinary bulbs is a common energy-saving tip for renters. Check the fixture requirements and your rental rules first, especially for unusual fixtures or integrated lighting. LEDs offer the biggest improvement when replacing incandescent bulbs.

Can I install a smart thermostat in my apartment?

Ask your landlord before replacing the thermostat. Programmable controls can help manage energy use, but installation changes the property’s equipment. You can also adjust an existing thermostat manually without buying a new one.

Can renters seal drafty windows?

Potentially, but check permission and product suitability first. Caulk and weatherstripping can reduce air leakage, while some attachment methods can damage finishes. Report a faulty window before trying to cover up the problem yourself.

Are energy-saving changes worthwhile if utilities are included in rent?

They can still reduce the energy your household uses, but you may not receive a direct reduction in your monthly housing payment. Check how your rental agreement charges for utilities before spending money solely to reduce bills.

What should I ask my landlord to improve first?

Start with a specific maintenance issue, such as a drafty window or malfunctioning equipment. For larger improvements, discuss efficient replacement appliances, insulation, or window upgrades rather than attempting the work yourself.

What is the simplest rule for saving energy as a renter?

Change your habits first, use portable solutions where suitable, and get approval before altering the property. That approach lets you act on practical energy-saving opportunities while keeping larger building improvements in the landlord conversation.

What Renters Can and Can’t Change to Save Energy | Energy Saving Tips for Renters