A few simple adjustments can help make your apartment more efficient and comfortable.
Great news! If your home has a cold-climate heat pump you’re eligible for reduced electric rates from November – April.
You don’t need to own your home to make a difference in your energy use—there are still ways to lower the costs and reduce the pollution associated with heating and cooling your apartment without your landlord’s help.
Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative | 1 min. 02 sec.
If your apartment has one, a smart thermostat is a great way to save energy and money on climate control. Smart thermostats are Wi-Fi enabled, which lets them automatically adjust temperature settings based on room occupancy, your daily schedule, and weather data. Most smart thermostats can also be controlled remotely via a smartphone app. Your utility may also offer incentives for connecting your smart thermostat to their energy networks, putting even more money back in your pocket.
Alliance to Save Energy | 2 min. 00 sec.
A programmable thermostat allows you to pre-set temperatures for different times of the day. For instance, if your household has a regular schedule of being at home and away, you can program the heat to stay at a lower temperature when no one is home and increase it before you or your family will be home again.
As a rule of thumb, it is best to aim for no higher than 68°F when you are at home and awake during the winter and consider lowering it while you sleep or when you’re away. In the summer, you can keep the number on your thermostat or room air conditioner as high as is comfortably possible for you when you are at home.
Together, these simple steps reduce the strain on your HVAC systems, keep temperatures more consistent, and cut down on wasted energy. That means lower bills, better comfort, and less environmental impact—all without needing landlord approval.
