Over 30% of Canadian households and 36% of American households are renters. If you are one of them, you have probably felt frustrated by energy-saving advice that assumes you own your home. "Install a heat pump!" "Add attic insulation!" "Replace your windows!" -- none of that is an option when you are renting. But renters can still save 15-30% on energy bills with the right strategies. Here is everything you can actually do.
Why Renters Pay More for Energy (and What to Do About It)
Rental properties tend to have worse energy efficiency than owner-occupied homes. Landlords pay for the building but tenants pay the utility bills, creating a "split incentive" problem -- landlords have little motivation to invest in efficiency upgrades that save tenants money. Studies from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) show that rental units use 10-20% more energy per square foot than comparable owner-occupied homes.
The good news: the most impactful energy-saving strategies for renters are behavioral and use small, portable devices that you can take with you when you move.
Tier 1: Zero-Cost Behavior Changes (Save 5-15%)
Thermostat Management
Even without a smart thermostat, you can save significantly by adjusting your heating schedule manually:
- Lower the thermostat to 17-18C when sleeping (save 5-10%)
- Lower to 15-16C when away for more than 4 hours
- Close interior doors to unused rooms and lower their radiators/baseboards
- In summer, use fans before turning on A/C -- a ceiling fan can make a room feel 3-4C cooler
Appliance Habits
- Wash clothes in cold water (saves 80-90% of washing energy; modern detergents work great in cold water)
- Run the dishwasher only when full and use the air-dry setting
- Unplug electronics and chargers when not in use (phantom loads account for 5-10% of electricity)
- Use the microwave or toaster oven instead of the full oven when possible (uses 50-80% less energy)
- Air-dry clothes when possible instead of using the dryer
Window and Door Management
- Open curtains on south-facing windows during sunny winter days for free solar heating
- Close all curtains at night to reduce heat loss through windows
- Keep windows closed when heating or cooling is running (obvious but commonly ignored)
- Use a draft stopper at the base of exterior doors ($5-$15, portable)
Tier 2: Low-Cost Portable Upgrades (Save 10-20%)
Smart Power Strips: $25-$40
Smart power strips automatically cut power to devices in standby mode. A single strip on your entertainment center (TV, gaming console, sound bar, streaming stick) can save $50-$80 per year. You can take them with you when you move.
LED Light Bulbs: $2-$5 per bulb
If your rental still has incandescent or CFL bulbs, replacing them with LEDs is one of the best investments you can make. LEDs use 75% less energy and last 15-25 times longer. Save the old bulbs and swap them back when you move out. Lighting accounts for 10-15% of a typical home electricity bill.
Window Insulation Film: $10-$20 per window
Transparent heat-shrink film applied to the interior of windows creates an insulating air pocket that reduces heat loss by 25-40%. It is removable in spring without damaging the window. This is especially effective for single-pane windows common in older rental buildings.
Portable Smart Thermostat or Smart Plug: $30-$150
If your rental has electric baseboard heaters with individual thermostats, you can replace them with a portable smart thermostat like the Mysa ($149/zone) or use smart plugs with temperature sensors ($30-$50) to automate space heater scheduling. These are non-permanent and can be removed when you move.
Tier 3: EconordAI -- Built for Renters (Save 20-35%)
EconordAI was designed from day one to be renter-friendly. Here is why:
- Non-invasive installation: Our clamp sensor attaches to the outside of your electrical panel wire -- no electrical work, no damage, no landlord permission needed in most jurisdictions
- Portable: When you move, unclip the sensor and set it up at your new place in 10 minutes
- No modifications required: We work with your existing heating system, whatever it is
- Works without a smart thermostat: Our app sends you actionable notifications (pre-heat now, run dryer after 9 PM) even if you control your thermostat manually
For renters who also install a smart thermostat (like Mysa for baseboard zones), EconordAI provides the AI brain that coordinates everything for optimal savings.
Renter Rights: What You Can Ask Your Landlord For
In many Canadian provinces and US states, tenants have the right to request energy efficiency improvements:
- Quebec: Landlords must maintain heating systems in good working order; you can request thermostat repairs and weatherstripping
- Ontario: Landlords are responsible for major repairs including furnace maintenance and window replacement when broken
- BC: The Residential Tenancy Act requires landlords to maintain reasonable energy efficiency
- New York (US): NYC requires adequate heat (68F/20C daytime) and landlords must maintain heating systems
- California (US): Landlords must maintain weatherproofing and adequate heating
Document any energy efficiency issues (drafty windows, malfunctioning thermostat, inadequate insulation) in writing and request repairs formally. Many provinces allow rent reductions if essential services are not maintained.
How Much Can Renters Realistically Save?
Based on data from our renter users across Canada and the US:
- Behavior changes only: $120-$300 savings per year (8-15% reduction)
- Behavior + portable upgrades: $250-$500 savings per year (15-25% reduction)
- Behavior + upgrades + EconordAI: $400-$800 savings per year (20-35% reduction)
For a renter paying $150/month in electricity (common in a heated apartment in Montreal or Toronto), the EconordAI Starter Kit pays for itself in under 12 months through savings alone.
Moving Checklist: Take Your Savings With You
One of the best things about renter-friendly energy solutions is portability. When you move:
- Unclip your EconordAI sensor (takes 2 minutes)
- Remove smart thermostats and reinstall the original ones (keep them in a box)
- Pack your LED bulbs, smart plugs, and power strips
- Peel off window insulation film
- Set up everything at your new place and re-run the EconordAI learning phase
EconordAI's system re-learns your new home's thermal characteristics in 2-4 weeks, and you keep all your historical data and achievements.
Ready to start saving in your rental? Try our Savings Calculator to see your estimated annual savings, or check out the Starter Kit designed specifically for renters.