How to Save Money on Utilities as a Renter

It’s easy to fall into complacency as a renter. You grow accustomed to having few choices, as it seems everything requires your landlord’s permission. However, you still have some agency, including savvy ways to save money on utilities — without switching to solar or making major upgrades on a property you don’t own.

While it may seem that your options are limited, you have more power than you think. Here’s your crash course on how to save money on utilities as a renter.

Don't Skip Renter's Insurance

Saving money on utilities is a top priority for renters looking to manage their expenses effectively.

However, while trimming down energy bills is crucial, it’s equally important for renters to safeguard their belongings and living space. This is where renter’s insurance steps in as a smart investment.

Renter’s insurance provides financial protection against unexpected events like theft, fire, or water damage, ensuring that your possessions are covered in case of unforeseen circumstances.

The best part? Renter’s insurance is often surprisingly affordable, with options like Lemonade Renter’s Insurance offering comprehensive coverage at competitive rates. By coupling savvy utility-saving strategies with the security of renter’s insurance, tenants can enjoy peace of mind knowing their finances and belongings are well-protected.

>> Save money on Renter’s Insurance today!

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Article: Say Goodbye to Bill Shock: Mint Mobile’s Budget-Friendly Data Plans
Article: Top 5 Cash-Back Apps To Save Money This Year
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Factors That Drive Up Utility Costs

Renters sometimes fall into the trap of considering only the factors they can’t control in saving money on utilities. While it’s true you’ll have a hard row convincing even the greenest landlord to invest in a full solar upgrade, other factors come into play. They include:

Your conscious choices
Your unconscious habits, built through conscious choices
Your human ability to do research and get savvy

For example, when was the last time you changed your air filter? If you don’t even know where it is, surprise — you’re wasting oodles of unnecessary money by lowering your HVAC efficiency.

Ways To Save Money:

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Lemonade Renter’s Insurance: Protect your belongings and save even more money by bundling your insurance.
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Fetch Rewards is a free grocery savings app that rewards you just for snapping pictures of your receipts. That’s it. Really. Free gift cards on groceries on thousands of products every day, no matter where you get your groceries. Just scan your receipts and get gift cards from retailers like Amazon, Target, Ulta, Applebees.
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10 Ways to Save on Utilities When You Rent

If you’re smarter than the average renter and ready to save money on utilities, here are 10 habits to work on consciously building and DIY tricks to keep more cash in your wallet.

Pro-tip: Talk to your landlord if you intend to deduct the cost of any repairs you tackle from your rent. While many states have statutes allowing you to remedy issues your landlord fails to address, you must make a proactive attempt at communication first. Plus, it’s simply nicer to give a heads-up to preserve the relationship.

1. Do Some Caulking

Air leaks around doors and windows are major energy vampires, but they’re simple and inexpensive to fix. Caulk does the heavy lifting and weather stripping takes over for doors. Both cost less than $25 at most hardware stores, although you might want to invest in a quality caulk gun, slightly increasing your price.

The hardest part of this DIY upgrade is drawing a straight bead, so practice on cardboard. As a bonus, this quick energy-saving tip for renters also reduces outside noise.

2. Address Water Leaks

Even when you don’t own the property, mold affects your health. Furthermore, those drips show up on your utility bill. While you might be able to adjust a leaky faucet, water under cabinets or elsewhere in your apartment warrants a call to your landlord. It could be a simple fix or a sign of larger problems.

Remember, a burst pipe can flood the entire structure, destroying your furniture and personal belongings. Please don’t delay notification out of fear that needed repairs will raise your rent. Cooperate with your landlord’s winterizing instructions, like detaching your outdoor hose when temperatures dip below freezing

3. Use Power Strips

Smart home systems are great for turning off lights and lowering thermostats from your phone, but many aren’t portable. While you might be able to sneak out smart light bulbs, thermostats and major appliances remain in the residence when you move.

However, power strips let you turn off multiple devices at once. Furthermore, they come in handy in older apartments that lack sufficient outlets for modern lifestyles. Ensure the models you choose have surge protection to protect your devices, reduce fire risk and avoid connecting more than one to the same outlet.

4. Look to the Light

Take down heavy curtains and use natural light when possible. It improves your mood while boosting your energy levels and you can always rehang window dressings. Use gauzy models or try a one-way film.

When bulbs need replacing, choose eco-friendly LEDs that also come in fun colors, letting you create a mood. One fun way to spruce up a rented pad without spending a fortune is to invest in LED strip lights, available in most major hardware stores. Run these underneath cabinetry and furniture to give your apartment a sophisticated nightclub look after dark.

5. Adjust That Dial

Turning your thermostat down by one degree, even during the eight-hour workday, can significantly save money on utilities. Most people don’t feel the small difference, so experiment while at home. Also, dialing down your apartment’s water heater to the recommended temperature saves pennies.

6. A Splash of Cold Water

About 90% of your washing machine’s energy goes toward heating the water, so select a cold or warm-water rinse unless you have heavy-duty disinfection to tackle. Furthermore, try setting a timer when you shower. Occasionally you may need to disappear into a warm, steamy water blanket, but most typical daily rinses should keep you under the spray for less than five minutes.

7. Change Your Filters

Find your HVAC grate and change that filter. If it’s been a while, take your vacuum hose and clean out all that lint as much as possible. Do you notice gray streaks around your vents? Remove them, using a vacuum there, too and a mild soap to remove dirt stains from surrounding walls.

8. Use Appliances Wisely

Do you keep the fridge open while you cook to grab ingredients? Even tiny apartment kitchens lay out major appliances in a triangle for easy access, so reform your habits and coach other family members to do the same — with patience and compassion for both you and them, of course.

9. Consider Making a Switch

If you, not your landlord, pay utilities, you can pick your provider. While a single entity may have a monopoly in your region, some areas have options, including community solar projects that use virtual net metering to determine your share, and you can even move your service to a new rental in the same region.

10. Go a Little Off-Grid

You can save money on utilities if you have a prepper’s soul or live to camp, although it requires an upfront expenditure. Portable solar generators have come a long way, with some big enough to run nearly everything in your apartment. Those portable power banks work just as well indoors as in a tent — use yours to run your home office for free.

Saving Money on Utilities as a Renter

Forget feeling trapped as a tenant. You can still save money on utilities with a bit of savvy, even if your landlord never converts to solar.

Use these tips to take charge of your bills. Saving money on utilities as a renter reinforces positive habits and keeps you on a sustainable, economical track even as your housing needs change.

Author bio: Cora Gold is a family finance writer and editor of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She has been featured in publications including CafeMom and Mediabistro. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest.

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