This article, 13 Tips for Apartment Renters to Save Energy saw first print on saveonenergy.com by Caitlin Cosper |
A lot of tips for cutting back on energy costs require
major home improvement projects and structural changes, like adding insulation
to an attic and installing double-pane windows. But for apartment dwellers and
renters, these projects aren’t always possible. Even something as simple as
caulking around windows to seal gaps can be a violation of a lease.
Why does this matter? Well, the amount of electricity you
consume each month directly correlates to your energy bills. For example, the
EIA says air conditioning expenses account for 12 percent of the average energy bill. If your home isn’t energy efficient, you could be spending
even more to cool your home during the summer months. And the more electricity
you use, the higher your electric bill will be.
If you’re renting an apartment or home, there’s no need to
give up hope on saving energy and lowering your electricity bill. There are a
lot of changes you can make that will add up quickly. Plus, the best way to cut
down on energy costs is to use less electricity. Turning off lights in unused
rooms and taking shorter showers are things you have complete control over. If
you live in an apartment or rent a home, give these tips a try:
- Know
where you’re using energy. Understanding where you’re using the
most energy in your home is key to knowing how to lower your electricity bills.
The SaveOnEnergy usage calculator can help you estimate where you consume the most
electricity and how you can lower your usage.
- Talk
to your landlord. There’s no harm in asking the building’s owner
to make some upgrades that could save you money and increase the value of
the property. If the answer is no, ask if you can still make some of the
changes yourself and if the owner would reimburse you. Also, be sure to
report leaky faucets, toilets, or broken appliances to your landlord
immediately. Malfunctioning appliances are not working efficiently and can
bump up your energy bill.
- Replace
the air filter. When your air filter is past its prime, your HVAC
system has to work harder to circulate air throughout your home. Replace
your air filter every three months to ensure it’s working efficiently and
to protect yourself from allergies.
- Adjust
your water heater’s temperature. If you have access to your water
heater, turning down the temperature can really reduce your heating costs.
If you live in an apartment and can’t access the water heater on your own,
ask your landlord for help.
- Use
energy-efficient lighting. Choose LED light bulbs, especially for
light fixtures and lamps that you use often. Energy Star-certified LEDs use up to 90 percent less energy and last 15
times longer than standard bulbs. You can also cut down on lighting costs
by turning off lights and ceiling fans in unused rooms.
- Avoid
energy vampires. Energy vampires are devices and appliances that consume electricity even
when they’re not being used. Beware of items like phone chargers,
toasters, and gaming consoles that you might normally leave plugged in
when you aren’t using them. Simply unplugging these devices can solve this issue, but you can also use power
strips to easily turn everything off at once.
- Adjust
your thermostat. If you leave for work every day, bump your
thermostat up a few degrees in the summer or down in the winter so you
aren’t paying to heat or cool an empty apartment or home. If you have any
control over the type of thermostat, choosing a smart thermostat can allow
you to program the temperature in advance so you don’t have to do it
manually every day. Remember, air conditioning in the summer takes up 12
percent of the average energy bill. Making small adjustments to your
thermostat can really add up.
- Invest
in energy-efficient kitchen appliances. If your kitchen is not
furnished or your landlord is open to upgrading the appliances that are
already there, choosing energy-efficient appliances can make a huge
difference in energy costs. For example, an Energy Star-certified
refrigerator uses between 15 and 40 percent less electricity than non-certified models.
- Have
an energy-efficient laundry day. A washing machine uses about 90
percent of its energy heating up water. Washing your clothes in cold water
can greatly reduce electricity usage. There are also other small ways to
lower your energy costs when doing laundry, including cleaning your dryer’s
lint trap often and washing larger loads of clothing. See our full guide to laundry-related energy savings for more information.
- Weatherstrip
your windows. If you’re a renter, you probably won’t be able to
replace your windows entirely. But simply using weatherstrips can lower
your energy bill by 15 percent. Weatherstripping properly keeps air
conditioning and heating inside your home and prevents outside air from coming
in. SaveOnEnergy’s guide to weatherstripping covers the different types of weatherstrips
and how to install them.
- Keep
air vents and radiators clear. Don’t put furniture in front of or
over your air vents or radiators. This blocks or redirects airflow where
you don’t need it and forces your HVAC system to work harder to heat or
cool your home.
- Use
rugs on hardwood floors. During the winter, laying down rugs on
hardwood floors can create more insulation and help to warm your apartment
or home.
- Shower
efficiently. We’ve already discussed how heating up water
requires a lot of energy. Cutting back on how long you shower or bumping
the water temperature down can lower how much electricity your water
heater uses. You can also save energy by investing in an energy-efficient showerhead. A new showerhead can save you up to $145 in energy costs
each year and you can bring it with you to your next home if you move.
With these tips, you can reduce your energy consumption –
and your electric bills – in your apartment or rental home. Find more ways to
save on energy costs with our LearningCenter or explore cheaper electricity rates offered by energy
providers at SaveOnEnergy.
________________________________________________________________________________
Energy Expert
Caitlin Cosper is a writer within the energy and power industry. Born in
Georgia, she attended the University of Georgia before earning her master’s in
English at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
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