Energy Efficiency Tips for Renters

Before you can reduce your energy costs, it helps to understand where the money is going. In a typical UK home, energy use breaks down roughly as follows: heating accounts for around 60% of energy costs, hot water around 15%, lighting around 10%, cooking around 5%, and appliances make up the remaining 10%. As a renter, you may have limited control over the heating system and insulation, but you can still make a meaningful difference through the other categories.

Reading your energy bill

Your energy bill shows two key figures: your electricity consumption (measured in kilowatt-hours or kWh) and your gas consumption (also in kWh). Each has a standing charge (a daily fixed fee for being connected) and a unit rate (the cost per kWh consumed). As of early 2026, the energy price cap sets a typical unit rate of around 24p per kWh for electricity and 6p per kWh for gas. Understanding these numbers helps you see where savings are possible.

Estimated vs actual readings

If your bills are based on estimated readings rather than actual meter readings, you could be overpaying or underpaying. Submit regular meter readings to your supplier (monthly is ideal) to ensure your bills reflect your actual usage. This also helps you track the impact of any efficiency measures you adopt.

Which appliances cost the most

The biggest electricity consumers in most homes are:

• Electric immersion heaters — if your hot water comes from an immersion heater rather than a gas boiler, this can be your single biggest electricity cost
• Electric heaters — portable electric heaters and storage heaters are extremely expensive to run compared to gas central heating
• Tumble dryers — a single cycle can cost 60p-£1.00 in electricity
• Washing machines and dishwashers — especially on high-temperature cycles
• Electric ovens — using the oven for an hour costs around 30-50p
• Fridges and freezers — these run 24/7, so even small inefficiencies add up over a year

The cumulative cost of "always on" devices

Devices on standby or "always on" — TVs, routers, set-top boxes, phone chargers, games consoles — individually use very little power, but collectively they can account for £50-£80 per year. A smart plug with energy monitoring (around £15) can show you exactly how much each device costs.

These changes cost nothing but can reduce your electricity bill by 10-20% through simple habit changes.

Switch off at the wall

Turn off appliances at the socket when not in use rather than leaving them on standby. TVs, game consoles, laptop chargers, and set-top boxes all consume power even when "off." The exception is your fridge and freezer — these need to run continuously.

Use washing machines efficiently

Wash clothes at 30°C rather than 40°C or 60°C — modern detergents work just as effectively at lower temperatures, and you will save approximately 40% of the energy per cycle. Run full loads rather than multiple small ones. Use the highest spin speed available to reduce drying time.

Avoid the tumble dryer

Air-dry clothes whenever possible. A heated airer costs around 5-8p per hour to run, compared to 60p-£1 per tumble dryer cycle. In summer, drying clothes outside is free. In winter, a well-ventilated room with a clothes airer works well — just open a window slightly to prevent condensation.

Cook efficiently

Use lids on pots and pans — this reduces cooking time by up to 30%. Use the right size pan for the hob ring. Batch cook and reheat portions in the microwave rather than cooking fresh each day — a microwave uses significantly less energy than an oven. Use the kettle for just the amount of water you need rather than filling it up each time.

Manage your lighting

Turn off lights when you leave a room. Make the most of natural light during the day — open curtains fully and keep windows clean. If your rental has multiple light fittings in a room, use only the ones you need rather than switching them all on.

Reduce hot water waste

Shorter showers use significantly less hot water (and therefore less energy) than baths. A 4-minute shower uses roughly 30-40 litres compared to 80 litres for a bath. If your hot water is controlled by an immersion heater, check if there is a timer — running it for 1-2 hours a day rather than continuously can save £200-£300 per year.

Use your thermostat wisely

If you have control over your heating thermostat, reducing it by just 1°C can cut your heating bill by around 10%. The recommended temperature for living rooms is 18-21°C. If you have thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs), turn down the heating in rooms you are not using.

With a small investment — typically under £50 — you can make improvements that will pay for themselves within a few months. Since these are items you bring with you, they work in any rental.

LED light bulbs

If your rental still has old incandescent or halogen bulbs, replacing them with LED equivalents is one of the single most effective efficiency improvements. An LED bulb uses about 80% less electricity than an incandescent bulb and lasts 15-25 times longer. A pack of LED bulbs costs around £10-£15 and will typically save £40-£60 per year for a whole home. Keep the original bulbs in a bag so you can swap them back when you leave.

Draught excluders

Cold draughts force your heating to work harder. Simple draught excluders for doors cost £5-£10 each and can make a noticeable difference to room temperature. Self-adhesive draught strips for windows cost around £5-£8 per roll. These are non-permanent and can be removed when you leave without damaging the property.

Smart plugs and timers

Smart plugs (around £10-£15 each) allow you to control appliances remotely and set schedules. For example, you can set your TV and games console to switch off completely at midnight and back on in the evening, eliminating standby waste. Timer plugs for immersion heaters or electric radiators ensure they only run when needed.

Reflective radiator panels

If your radiators are on external walls, reflective panels placed behind them (around £10-£20 for a pack) reflect heat back into the room instead of letting it escape through the wall. These are easy to install (they stick or hook behind the radiator) and do not cause any damage to the property.

A heated clothes airer

If you currently rely on a tumble dryer, a heated airer (around £30-£50) will save you money within a few months. They cost around 5-8p per hour to run compared to 60p-£1 per tumble dryer cycle.

Thermal curtains or curtain linings

If your windows are single-glazed or poorly insulated, thermal curtain linings can reduce heat loss by up to 25%. They attach to your existing curtain hooks and can be removed when you leave. Close them as soon as it gets dark to keep the warmth in.

While you can make personal improvements, some efficiency measures are your landlord's responsibility. Knowing what you are entitled to helps you advocate for improvements that benefit both your energy bills and the property's value.

Minimum EPC rating

Since April 2020, rental properties in England and Wales must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least Band E. If your property is rated F or G, your landlord is legally required to make improvements unless they qualify for an exemption. The EPC is a public document — you can look up the rating for any property at epcregister.com. The government has signalled plans to raise the minimum to Band C, though the timeline for this has been pushed back.

Adequate insulation

Your landlord is responsible for maintaining the building fabric, which includes insulation. If your property is poorly insulated — for example, no loft insulation in a top-floor flat, or draughty single-glazed windows — this is a matter you can raise with your landlord. Under the Energy Efficiency Regulations, landlords cannot refuse reasonable tenant requests for energy efficiency improvements if those improvements are available through a government scheme at no cost to the landlord.

A functioning heating system

Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord must keep the heating system (boiler, radiators, hot water system) in repair and proper working order. An inefficient boiler or radiators that do not heat properly are not just an inconvenience — they force you to spend more on energy. If your heating system is not working efficiently, report it to your landlord in writing.

Condensation and ventilation

If your property suffers from condensation and mould due to poor ventilation or insulation, this is a housing hazard that your landlord should address. While tenants should ventilate the property reasonably (opening windows, using extractor fans), persistent condensation caused by building deficiencies is the landlord's responsibility under HHSRS.

Provided appliances

If your landlord provides appliances (fridge, washing machine, oven), they should be in reasonable working order. Very old appliances — particularly fridges and freezers — can consume two to three times more electricity than modern equivalents. While there is no specific legal requirement for appliances to be energy-efficient, you can request replacements if they are clearly faulty or excessively old. Energy labels (A to G ratings) help you compare running costs.

Government grants and schemes

Several government schemes provide funding for energy efficiency improvements in rental properties. The ECO4 scheme (Energy Company Obligation) funds insulation and heating upgrades for eligible households. The Great British Insulation Scheme provides grants for wall and loft insulation. Your landlord can apply for these schemes, and you can encourage them to do so — particularly if you qualify as a low-income household.

Choosing the right tariff and monitoring your usage with a smart meter can produce significant savings — and as a tenant, you have the right to take advantage of both.

Your right to a smart meter

As the bill-paying customer, you have the right to request a smart meter from your energy supplier, even in a rented property. Your landlord's permission is not needed — smart meters are installed by the energy supplier at no cost and replace the existing meter. If your landlord objects, they cannot prevent the installation (the meter is the supplier's property, not the landlord's).

Benefits of a smart meter

A smart meter sends automatic readings to your supplier, eliminating estimated bills. The in-home display (IHD) shows your energy usage in real time — in pounds and pence — making it easy to see which appliances cost the most. Research by Ofgem suggests that smart meter users reduce their energy consumption by 2-3% on average simply by being more aware of their usage.

Time-of-use tariffs

If you have a smart meter, you may be eligible for a time-of-use tariff. These tariffs charge different rates at different times of day — typically cheaper during off-peak hours (usually overnight and mid-afternoon) and more expensive during peak hours (4pm-7pm). If you can shift high-energy activities like washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers to off-peak times, you can make significant savings.

Economy 7 and Economy 10

Some rental properties, particularly those with storage heaters or immersion heaters, are on Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariffs. These provide 7 or 10 hours of cheaper electricity (usually overnight) and higher daytime rates. If your property has storage heaters, make sure they are charging during the cheap-rate hours and releasing heat during the day. If your property is on Economy 7 but does not have storage heaters, you may be better off switching to a standard tariff — check with a price comparison site.

Switching suppliers

As the bill-payer, you have the right to switch energy suppliers without your landlord's permission (unless your tenancy agreement specifically states otherwise, which is rare). Use a comparison service like Ofgem's accredited price comparison tools to check if you could save by switching. Pay attention to the unit rate and standing charge rather than just the headline price. Fixed-rate deals can protect you from price increases, while variable tariffs may be cheaper in a falling market.

Prepayment meters

If your rental has a prepayment meter, you are typically paying more per unit than customers on direct debit tariffs. Since January 2025, Ofgem regulations ensure that prepayment customers are not charged more than direct debit customers under the price cap. However, if you are on an older prepayment tariff, it is worth checking whether switching to a smart prepayment meter or a credit meter could save you money. Your supplier must install a smart meter if you request one, which can operate in either prepayment or credit mode.