Renters who want to cut down on their energy use and costs are often limited by choices their landlords make. They can’t, for example, install a more efficient heating system or solar panels for a building they don’t own. It’s easy for climate-conscious renters to become frustrated when key energy-saving options are not available to them.
Of course, renters can always better manage their heating and cooling costs by adjusting temperature settings, but there are other effective ways to reduce energy consumption.
1. Buy a portable induction cooktop: Renters are usually stuck with whatever appliances the landlord has in place. Stoves, whether gas or electric, are a major energy consumer in any household. Portable induction cooktops are more energy efficient than either a gas or electric cooktop. They are also affordable, with prices starting at around $60. Because these cooktops plug into a regular electrical outlet and take up little counter space, renters won’t need landlord approval to use them.
2. Buy a window heat pump: Rental fees might not include heat and electricity, but heating and cooling systems in apartments and rental homes often provide uneven or inefficient performance. That can drive up costs when renters try to compensate and make the heating and cooling systems work harder. Window heat pumps are set into windows like an air conditioner and can provide cost-efficient heating and cooling in areas where the main systems struggle to maintain steady temperatures.
Window heat pumps cost as little as $230, with prices ranging to around $900. The price depends on the output of the unit and other features, such as smart controls. In general, the larger the space needed to heat and cool, the more expensive a unit is required. It’s a good idea to get the landlord’s approval before purchasing a window heat pump.
3. Switch out incandescent light bulbs with LEDs or compact fluorescent lamps. Check the lights in the rental property. If frequently used lights have incandescent bulbs, replace them with LEDs or CFLs. An LED equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent bulb uses only 6 to 8 watts of electricity, and a CFL equivalent uses about 15 watts. Both LEDs and CFLs cost more than incandescent bulbs, but they last much longer. An incandescent bulb has a lifespan of 750 to 1,200 hours while an LED lasts about 25,000 hours and a CFL about 10,000 hours. This makes incandescent bulbs the more expensive option in the long run.
4. Keep HVAC air vents open and unobstructed: Closing off cooling or heating vents does not save energy or money. In fact, it can make air-based HVAC systems work harder and use more energy. Make sure that furniture or rugs do not block vents. Make sure forced hot water baseboards are clear, too.
5. Turn down the hot water heater temperature: If the hot water temperature setting is higher than 120 degrees, consider dropping it down to that level. This might not be possible if the hot water system is shared with other tenants or the landlord, but lowering the hot water temperature setting is a great way to save energy if the landlord approves. Hot water heaters are a major consumer of household energy.
6. Check the refrigerator temperature settings: The most efficient setting is 35 to 38 degrees for the refrigerator and 0 to 5 degrees for the freezer.
7. Turn off the dishwasher’s dry cycle: The heating element used to dry dishes uses a lot of energy. So, skip the dry cycle and let the dishes air dry by opening the dishwasher door slightly when the load finishes. If the dishwasher is like mine, the dry cycle never completely dries the dishes anyway.
8. Tell the landlord about energy efficiency programs and incentives available to them: When opportunities arise — say, an appliance or heating system needs replacing — ask the landlord if they’ve considered a more energy-efficient option. Rewiring America has a great information page (bit.ly/3Vjfv8n) that explains how tenants can speak to their landlords about the benefits of energy-efficient upgrades and electrification. It includes information on incentive programs available to landlords. This will help landlords understand the long-term cost benefits of energy-efficient upgrades and perhaps sway their decisions.
Renters who want to learn more how they can save energy and money while helping the environment should attend the Monadnock Clean Energy Fair on Sept. 27 at the Peterborough Elementary School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Co-hosted by the Monadnock Sustainability Hub and the Peterborough Renewable Energy Project, the fair will be a fun-filled event with activities for kids, food trucks and live music.
The fair gives homeowners and renters the chance to speak with energy experts and contractors who can offer advice and solutions for making homes more energy efficient. EV owners will be on hand to talk about their electric vehicle experiences as well. For information, visit monadnocksustainabilityhub.org/programs/monadnock-clean-energy-fair/.