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Energy Steps for Renters

Energy Steps for Renters

Summary: Just because you don't own a home doesn't mean you can't take actions to reduce your carbon footprint and energy costs.

Description

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:

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. A current program offers up to $5,000 to help address barriers associated with insulation and air sealing upgrades recommended during a Home Energy Assessment of a rental unit. Learn more on the Mass Save website.

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. They can even receive up to $5,000 to help address barriers associated with insulation and air sealing upgrades recommended during a Home Energy Assessment of a rental unit. This only applied to renter-occupied units in buildings of 2-4 units only. Single family units and owner-occupied units do not qualify. 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. 

The Mass Save program underwent some upgrades in 2022. You can learn more about what that may mean to you as a renter.

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:
    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 insullation measures. Clear insulation covers can go over windows in the winter and help keep your heat in and your rental more efficient.
    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. Places like the Habitat for Humanity ReStore help to bring that money to worthy causes. Or you can look at other sites like Facebook marketplace.

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