Contact Us
Contact Us

Energy Steps for Renters

Category

Home Energy

Impact

Cost

$

Are you a RENTER? Would you like to SAVE a few dollars on your electricity bill? How about making the place you live more efficient?

If you pay for your electrical bills, you are contributing to the Mass Save program with each bill. Take advantage of a program you’re already paying for!

You may receive these money-saving devices at no-cost from Mass Save:

  • LED Lightbulbs
  • Smart powerstrips
  • Thermostats
  • Showerheads and faucet aerators

Are You Hoping to Save on Heating?

If you are looking to save more on your heating bill, here are your options. Your landlord will need to be the one to approve any changes to the building, like insulation. Here is how you can help get this started:

Tell your landlord they might be able to insulate their building for free.  Get your landlord onboard with a Home Energy Assessment through Mass Save. There’s currently a limited time offer for up to 100% off approved insulation projects for renters and landlords. Learn more on the Mass Save website. Depending on your apartment, you might even be able to participate in demand response programs and earn rewards while doing so.

Steps to Take

  1. Sign up for a Mass Save online assessment. This will establish if an in-person assessment is right for you.
  2. If an in-person assessment is right for you, then have a Mass Save Home Energy Assessment conducted. Talk to your landlord about this assessment. Any large changes will need their written permission. You can sign up for that assessment here or by calling 1-866-527-SAVE(7283). Be sure to highlight how any changes may yield savings for them, whether through heating or through improved property values.
  3. Even if you can’t get permission or don’t qualify for larger changes, you can still get access to energy efficient devices, like LEDs and smart power strips, through your Mass Save assessment. Once you have an idea of what steps you can take towards energy efficiency (and savings), you can start finding products to help at the Mass Save Market Place.
  4. Consider smaller energy saving methods. We touch more on these in the Deep Dive. 

Deep Dive

The Mass Save Home Energy Report will also notify you and your landlord of a variety of rebates or incentives they may qualify for. As mentioned above, there are some rebates for insulation and air sealing specifically for rental units. There are also income based assistance programs for both homeowners and renters. There are two different tiers of programing and you can find out more about them here.

The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership has a blog discussing the experience of accessing the Mass Save Home Energy audit program as a renter. You can read that here.

Here some smaller energy saving tips that you can still take as a renter:

  1. Wash your laundry with cold water. This will save energy on heating and most detergents are designed to clean just as well with cold water as with hot water. It will also help expand the lifespan of your clothes. If possible, add an extra spin cycle to cut down on drying time. Alternatively, air dry your clothes!
  2. If you have a dishwasher, stop it after the wash cycle and let the dishes air dry. Your dishwasher may already have a feature that allows you to skip the drying step.
  3. Change your light bulbs to LEDs. Even if you just pick the bulbs that are on more than an hour a day, it will help cut down on your energy use. You can even take the bulbs with you when you move to save money.
  4. Install temporary insulation measures. Clear insulation covers can go over windows in the winter and help keep your heat in and your rental more efficient. You can even use items like door snakes to help block drafts.
  5. Avoid overfilling your fridge, as blocked airflow decreases the unit’s efficiency and uses more energy.
  6. Consider second hand furniture. Rather than buying a new shelving unit or kitchen chair, you can save another one from ending up in a landfill. Some second-hand stores help to raise money for worthy causes. Or you can look online at sites like Facebook marketplace.
  7. If your apartment has central AC and your landlord is willing to install a smart thermostat (if they haven’t already), you can earn rewards while enrolling in a demand response program called ConnectedSolutions.

Testimonials

A previous apartment I lived in for several years had electric heat, which wasn't an initial concern when I moved in. I hadn't been renting…
Window Seal for a Tight Thermal Envelope
Submitted by: Marissa Bovie

Add a Testimonial

Leave empty if the image is purely decorative.

0%

Subscribe

* indicates required
Email Preferences