5 Ways Renters Can Shrink Their Electricity Bills
With warmer weather we get a reprieve from high heat bills, but watch out for climbing electricity bills if you need air conditioning. Here are 5 ways to save electricity and reduce your need for a/c.
1. Employ the newest energy-saving gadgets. LED light bulbs, programmable thermostats, advanced power strips, and water-saving devices, such as low-flow showerheads, will help keep your energy costs down. All of these are provided and installed at no-cost when you….
2. Schedule a no-cost Home Energy Assessment. Just in time for summer, Mass Save® is now offering special visits for renters, which are focused on renter-specific ways to stop wasting energy. A certified energy specialist will assess your unit’s energy usage and find ways for you to save money on your bills. Call 617-635-SAVE (7283) to schedule a Home Energy Assessment or ask questions. If you’re not ready to set up a home visit, you can still take this 5 Minute Online Assessment to get a custom home energy profile, an estimate of potential savings, and cost-effective upgrade advice.
3. Use window shades, curtains, or blinds to help keep out unwanted heat. Curtains are not just decorative (though they certainly pull a room together)! Just as they can stop heat loss in the cold of winter, they can reduce unwanted heat gain during the summer by as much as 33%!
4. Cook strategically and vent. When cooking up something tasty this summer, use the smallest burner appropriate for the pot size and keep a lid on it! Often you can turn off the stove or oven a few minutes early and let the heat that’s already captured finish off your dish. You can also vent extra heat outdoors with kitchen and bathroom fans.
5. Talk with your landlord or building manager. Let them know that Mass Save provides special rebates for fridges, clothes washers and other appliances for landlords. Mass Save’s Whole Building Incentive offers up to $3,000 per unit of subsidized insulation and air sealing, with as little as a 10% match from the landlord.
Bonus Tip: Be any energy maven and check out this guide to detecting air leaks in your apartment. Alert your landlord or property manager to what you find. No one knows an apartment’s drafts better than someone who’s living in it!