Slash your heating bill: Super easy (and inexpensive) tips for renters

Brrr! Winter’s here, and your apartment feels more like a walk-in freezer than a cozy home. Cranking up the heat sounds tempting — until your next heating bill lands in your inbox.

But guess what? You don’t have to surrender your hard-earned cash just to stay warm.

As a renter, you might feel like your hands are tied, but there are a ton of clever, practical things you can do right now to lower your heating bill. Best of all, most of these tips don’t require calling your landlord or spending much money — just a little effort and awareness.

Let’s dive into simple, renter-friendly ways to keep the heat in and the costs down.

Master the thermostat (the biggest money saver)

The thermostat is your most powerful tool to lower heating costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), you can save about 1% on your heating bill for every degree you lower the thermostat for eight hours.

• Are you heating your apartment to a tropical 75°F? Dial it back to a comfy 70°F, and you could already save around 5%.
• Take it down to 68°F during the day (which is totally manageable) and you’re looking at savings of up to 10-15%.
• Try setting it to 66°F or at night or when you’re away to cut costs even more. If your landlord allows it, install a programmable or smart thermostat that will automatically when you’re asleep or out running errands.

Don’t block the heat flow

It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised. If a vent is blowing heat right into the back of your couch or under a rug, that heat isn’t circulating. Make sure warm air can circulate freely throughout your apartment.

• Move furniture, rugs, or boxes away from heating vents or radiators.
• Vacuum vents and radiators regularly to remove dust and improve efficiency.

A few small adjustments can make your heating system work better — and help you reduce your heating bill without sacrificing comfort.

Use the sun like a space heater

Free heat, courtesy of Mother Nature! Yes, your windows are a secret weapon — use it wisely to lower your heating bill naturally. Here’s how:

• When the sun is out — especially if you have south-facing windows — open those curtains and blinds wide. Let that solar energy stream in and passively warm up your rooms.
• As soon as the sun dips below the horizon, close those curtains and blinds immediately. This creates an extra layer of insulation that traps the heat you just collected and keeps the frigid glass from chilling your apartment.

Be smart with fans and dampers

Exhaust fans are great for clearing steam after a shower or smoke from a cooking mishap, but they are also experts at sucking all your expensive warm air straight outside.

• Limit using your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to only when you absolutely need them and turn them off within minutes.
• Got a fireplace? Make sure that damper is closed when you don’t have a fire going. Leaving it open is like leaving a window open on your roof—it’s a direct escape route for warm air.

Managing airflow is one of the easiest ways to lower heating costs and keep your home cozy during those cold winter months.

Seal up those drafts

Drafts are sneaky — and expensive. Plugging air leaks is one of the fastest ways to cut your heating bill.

• Slap some door sweeps on exterior doors to block cold air from creeping in under the gap.
• Got drafty windows? Try a plastic window insulation kit. Just apply the clear film and use a hairdryer to shrink it tight. It creates a nearly invisible air barrier that keeps the cold out. It’s cheap, easy to remove and surprisingly effective.
• For gaps around window sashes, try rope caulk or removable weather stripping.

Pro tip: Always use materials that can be easily removed when you move out.

Tame the water heater

Water heaters can be sneaky energy hogs. If your rental lets you control the water heater, a few tweaks can lower your overall heating costs.

• The factory setting is often a scorching 140°F. Drop it to 120°F — you won’t notice a difference in your shower, but you will notice a difference on your heating bill.
• If your water heater is in a cold spot like a basement or garage, buying an inexpensive insulating blanket can cut down on standby heat loss significantly.

Upgrade small things for big impact

Even if you rent, you can make small, landlord-friendly upgrades that save energy. Just make sure you choose temporary or removable products. Many are designed for renters and come off easily when you move out

• Install a low-flow showerhead (but keep the original!). Modern versions reduce hot water use without killing water pressure, saving both water and gas or electric heating costs.
• Use door draft blockers. You can buy them for a few bucks a piece or make your own with rolled-up towels.
• Switch to LED bulbs. They don’t just save electricity — they give off gentle warmth, helping rooms feel a bit cozier.

You don’t have to own your home to take control of your energy use. By adjusting your thermostat, sealing drafts, using sunlight to your advantage, and making small upgrades, you can lower heating costs dramatically this winter.

A few quick fixes, a bit of mindfulness, and you’ll be cozy all season long, without fearing your next heating bill.