Finding ways to save energy in an apartment can differ from the ways you’d save energy in a house. Whether you live in a multifamily apartment complex or a single-family dwelling, we have some easy ways you can conserve energy.

HOUSE

Check out these 40 ways to use less energy and save more around your house.

1. When you use the dryer, clean the lint filter after every use.
2. Use smart lighting to reduce usage in your house.
3. Wash your clothes in cold water, when possible.
4. Hang clothes outside to dry in warmer weather.
5. Seal air leaks around windows and doors for up to 30% in energy savings.
6. Upgrade your thermostat. Switch to a programmable or smart thermostat and set it to turn the heat or air conditioning on and off based on when you’ll be home or away.
7. Use your ceiling fans. You can raise the thermostat four degrees in summer without feeling a difference in comfort.
8. Let dishes in the dishwasher air-dry.
9. Unplug small appliances (like toasters, coffee makers, etc.) and electronics when they’re not in use or being charged.
10. Use a slow cooker, microwave, toaster oven or pressure cooker instead of your oven.
11. Keep your freezer full or nearly full. The emptier it is, the harder the appliance has to work to keep a steady, cold temperature.
12. Swap regular incandescent bulbs for more energy-efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in your most-used light fixtures.
13. Turn off fixtures using incandescent lightbulbs whenever you leave a room. (And turn off fixtures using CFLs or LEDs when you leave a room for an extended period of time.)
14. In winter, turn your thermostat down a few extra degrees at night and use blankets and layers of clothing to keep warm.
15. Take showers instead of baths.
16. Take shorter showers.
17. On colder days, keep curtains open during the day to maximize solar gain; use heavy curtains over windows at night to avoid heat loss.
18. On hotter days, close curtains to keep the inside of your house cooler.
19. Lower the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees.
20. When buying a new appliance, choose an energy-efficient model. (Look for the ENERGY STAR® certification.)
21. Install dimmer switches to reduce lighting use.
22. Repair the seal in your refrigerator door to prevent warm air from seeping in.
23. Install faucet tap aerators and low-flow showerheads to conserve water while washing.
24. Vacuum the refrigerator’s coils once a year to ensure it runs at maximum efficiency.
25. Insulate your attic to the recommended R-value.
26. Clean or replace all air filters in your house on a regular basis.
27. Use your oven light to check on baking food instead of opening the oven door and letting hot air escape.
28. Set your thermostat only to the desired temperature. Cranking it up or down will not heat or cool the room any faster, but it will waste electricity.
29. Keep furniture away from air vents.
30. Consider turning off the heat and using a space heater if only one room in the house needs to be heated for a period of time.
31. Keep your garage door closed to avoid heat escaping your home.
32. Use a pot or pan that matches the size of the stove burner.
33. Reduce cooking time by using lids on pots and pans.
34. Have your heater and air conditioner serviced once a year for optimal performance.
35. Consider installing solar panels on your house.
36. Wash only full loads of clothes and dishes.
37. Insulate your heating ducts.
38. Turn your thermostat back two to three degrees for eight hours a day.
39. Install motion-detector lights instead of leaving outdoor lights on all night.
40. Dry towels and heavier cottons separately from lighter-weight clothing.

APARTMENT

Although you can't make major home modifications as a renter, you can use these 30 tips to help maximize the energy efficiency of your apartment.

1. Make the case for energy-saving upgrades to your landlord. ENERGY STAR® appliances, double-pane windows, ceiling fans, low-flow shower heads, faucet aerators and smart thermostats can all increase property value while helping you to save money.
2. Adjust your thermostat settings to save energy when you’re not at home.
3. If your apartment has a mechanical thermostat, ask your landlord to replace it with a programmable model. If they decline, ask if you can make the switch yourself.
4. Apply non-adhesive window film to insulate your apartment.
5. Keep curtains closed on summer days to minimize heat gain; open curtains on winter days to let the sunshine warm your space.
6. If you have ceiling fans, turn your thermostat up a few degrees in summer and set your fans to rotate counterclockwise to distribute cool air; turn your thermostat down a few degrees in winter and set your fans to spin clockwise to push down the rising warm air.
7. For smaller areas, turn down your thermostat and use a space heater.
8. If your apartment building has an air-conditioned lobby, clubhouse, lounge or fitness center, relax there to give your A/C a break.
9. Turn off lights and appliances when not in use.
10. Unplug small appliances and electronics when not being used or charged, to avoid drawing standby power.
11. Use smart power strips to turn electronics off after a set period of time.
12. Swap out incandescent lightbulbs for the more efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in your most-used light fixtures. (Hint: Swap them back in when you move and take your LEDs with you!)
13. Ask your landlord to install dimmer switches to reduce lighting use.
14. Open vents in each room, even if unused, to distribute airflow evenly.
15. Keep furniture from blocking air vents.
16. Request that your landlord replace air filters monthly, or provide you with replacement filters so you can do it yourself.
17. Report leaky faucets, running toilets and air leaks around doors and windows to your landlord.
18. Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees, or ask your landlord to do so, to save energy and prevent scalding.
19. Opt for showers over baths to conserve hot water.
20. Take shorter showers.
21. Wash clothes in cold water to save energy on water heating.
22. Clean the lint trap in your dryer after every load.
23. Dry towels and heavier cottons separately from lighter-weight materials.
24. Run your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer only when they have full loads.
25. Let dishes in your dishwasher air-dry.
26. Cook with a pressure cooker, slow cooker, toaster oven or microwave instead of the oven or stove, when possible.
27. When you use your stove, make the most of your energy usage by covering pots and pans with lids.
28. Match pots and pans with the size of the stove burner.
29. Use the oven light to check on baking goods instead of opening the oven door, which lets hot air out.
30. Keep your fridge and freezer well-stocked so they don’t have to work as hard to keep items cool.

Following these easy energy-saving tips for renters and owners can make your apartment or home power up more energy efficiently and help reduce your electricity bill.

Click here to learn more tips or sign up for Discount Power to start saving today!