Small Appliances and Electronics
With smart purchases and a few minor changes to daily habits, you can make your apartment more efficient without waiting on your landlord for upgrades.
With smart purchases and a few minor changes to daily habits, you can make your apartment more efficient without waiting on your landlord for upgrades.
You don’t need to own your home to make a difference in your energy use. As a renter, choosing the right small appliances and electronics is an easy, cost-effective way to improve comfort, use less energy, and lower utility bills.
Using less energy to power your small appliances and electronics can save you money over the life of the product.
These are products that you can use for a long time and take with you to your next home for ongoing energy savings.
Modern, small appliances that use less energy are better for the planet.
Induction cooking is a modern way to improve efficiency and air quality in your kitchen. The good news for renters? You don’t need to replace your unit’s current gas or electric resistance range in order to start using this game-changing cooking technology. Countertop models are available in single and multi “burner” options, so you can easily make the switch for most of your cooking needs even in a rental.
Energy Efficient
Induction cooktops use advanced technology to heat pans more efficiently, using up to 20–40% less energy than traditional electric ranges or gas burners.
Healthier Indoor Air
Unlike gas stoves, induction cooktops don’t emit combustion byproducts like nitrogen dioxide, which can negatively impact indoor air quality.
Safer Cooking
The cooktop surface stays relatively cool to the touch even when your pan gets piping hot, which reduces the risk of burns and kitchen fires.
Affordable & Portable
Units start at around $50–$100 and can plug into any standard wall outlet, making them an easy add-on to your kitchen setup without landlord approval.
Top of the Line Performance
Induction cooktops are capable of boiling water in a minute or two, giving you more accurate temperature control, and even heating pans to a higher temperature.
Pro Tip:
Place a magnet on the bottom of your pan to test its compatibility with an induction cooktop. If the magnet stays, your pan will work on an induction stove!
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority| 1 min. 30 sec.
Learn the basics of clean induction cooking with Chef Lorenzo as he talks with our neighbors to the west in New York State. Induction is the safer, healthier, cleaner way to cook.
Here are some commonly used products that can help you use less energy and live more comfortably:
Smart Plugs & Advanced Power Strips:
Set schedules, turn your devices on or off from your phone, and reduce “phantom power,” which is when devices are off but still drawing electricity.
LED Lighting:
Switching from incandescent or CFL bulbs reduces lighting costs by up to 90%. Maximizing your use of natural lighting can help you save even more energy.
Dehumidifiers, Fans, & Air Purifiers:
ENERGY STAR® certified models use less energy while improving comfort and air quality. They can also reduce your reliance on air conditioning.
Mini-Fridges:
Look for ENERGY STAR® models that use less than half the energy of older or non-certified versions.
Battery-Powered Outdoor Equipment:
If you are responsible for landscaping or snow removal at your rental, consider replacing your gas-powered equipment with a battery-powered model.
Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative | 1 min. 28 sec.
Learn how you can use devices like smart plugs and smart thermostats to automate your apartment’s energy usage. These products simplify energy savings and your daily routine.
As a renter in Massachusetts, you can take advantage of certain benefits and incentives on these products and more!
The Mass Save Marketplace and other Massachusetts retailers offer deals on efficient small appliances and other energy saving products through state-supported programs.
Looking for something else? You can browse major retailers for their most energy efficient products using the Enervee Choice Engine®.
You can get no-cost or heavily discounted appliances for your apartment if your income meets the eligibility requirements for the Mass Save Income Eligible Program. This may include clothes washers, refrigerators, freezers, heat pumps, dehumidifiers, and window AC units, as well as no-cost professional insulation and air-sealing upgrades.
Refrigerators:
Keep the refrigerator at 37–40°F and the freezer at 0°F for the best balance of efficiency and food safety. Don’t overcrowd—cold air needs to circulate to operate smoothly.
Dishwashers:
Try to run full loads as much as possible and use the air-dry setting (if available) to save energy.
Laundry:
Wash with cold water when possible and always clean the lint trap before drying for better efficiency.
Electronics:
Unplug chargers and small devices when not in use or connect them to a smart power strip.