It’s normal to want to decrease your spending when you’re renting, especially when utility bills start creeping up. While you might not be allowed to knock down walls or install solar panels, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

Even the smallest tweaks can help trim your energy bills, but that’s not all. With some of them, you’ll also lower your environmental footprint, which is always a win-win.

Here’s where you begin and how you can make a lasting change.

Conduct an Energy Audit

Before you invest in expensive solutions, you need to determine which actions will have the best impact on your electricity bill. Keep a close watch on your utility statements over a few months. Patterns will start to pop out, and from there, you can figure out where the real savings lie.

There are apps and digital dashboards that do the heavy lifting for you. These tools map out your usage and even highlight those sweet spots where running your electricity-guzzling machines will cost you less.

Once you’ve glanced over your statements, it’s time to hunt down and eliminate those energy vampires. That decades-old fridge, those leaky window frames, and the prehistoric heater in the corner are all silently draining your wallet while you sleep.

Jot down everything in your home that uses power, determine your biggest energy wasters, and you’ll know exactly what you need to do to fix it.

Seal Gaps and Insulate

In rentals, air leaks are pretty common. They creep in through the smallest cracks and force your heater to work harder than it should. All you get in return are higher bills and chilly toes. Older Aussie homes—especially those classic weatherboards—are notorious for it.

To spot leaks, do a hands-on check or light a candle near the edges of doors and windows. If the flame flickers, you’ve found your culprit. Once you’ve identified those areas, add weatherstripping, install a door snake, or install thermal curtains.

If you’ve access to lofts or underfloor areas, ask your property manager before proceeding. Even a green light to add removable insulation panels can make a huge difference.

Good insulation acts like a thermos for your home. It keeps the heat inside during winter and out during summer, which helps keep your energy bill from spiking.

Use Efficient Lighting

Your lighting setup might seem harmless, but over time, those outdated bulbs rack up quite a cost. Switching to LEDs or CFLs is one of the easiest and fastest ways to start saving money.

Start with high-traffic areas, such as the kitchen or living room. These are the spots where the lights are often on the longest, so changes here have the biggest payoff.

If you want to go a step further, dimmer switches and smart bulbs let you customise the brightness for different moods. Some can even switch themselves off when no one’s in the room.

Maximising natural daylight is another simple trick. Rearranging furniture so the sun lights your space during the day reduces the need to flick the switch at all. It’s economical and brightens the mood of the room at the same time.

Optimise Heating and Cooling

Keeping your place comfortable shouldn’t mean copping sky-high bills. With a handful of smart tweaks, your heating and cooling system can shine without breaking a sweat.

First, adjust the thermostat slightly when it’s chilly or bump it up slightly in summer. You’ll barely notice, but your bank account will. Small tweaks like these add up to big results when you’re battling a humid Brisbane summer or a frosty Melbourne morning.

A programmable controller can learn when you’re snoozing or out shopping, and then adjust things accordingly, which can also save up some cash.

Also, try not to overlook fans. These budget-friendly powerhouses, whether stuck to your ceiling or sitting on your table, push air around so effectively that every corner gets the perfect breeze.

Placing fans near windows or doorways helps them do their job better. With the air flowing efficiently, you’ll feel comfortable without cranking up the dial.

Unplug Devices and Use Extension Leads

Even when appliances are turned off, many keep drawing power in standby mode. It’s called phantom power, and it silently increases your bills.

To cut this waste, unplug devices when they’re not in use. If that sounds like a hassle, plug them into smart power boards that do the work for you.

Some of the worst offenders include kitchen gadgets, entertainment systems, and gaming consoles. They might not look guilty, but they’re constantly sipping electricity.

Making small changes to your habits, like switching off power from the outlet or using a timer plug, can reduce this invisible drain. Trust us, the savings will creep in quietly, just like the costs used to!

Limit Hot Water Usage

Hot water is one of the sneakiest energy hogs around. Luckily, shorter showers are an easy way to tackle this. To keep things brief, set a time limit or use music as a playful guide.

Additionally, fix any leaky taps as soon as possible. You might not consider a slow drip a big deal, but over time, it wastes litres and the energy used to heat it.

Washing clothes on cold cycles is another easy win. Most modern detergents work just as well without hot water, and you’ll stop your garments from getting stretched in the process.

Low-flow showerheads are worth considering, too. They keep the pressure high but reduce how much water you use, cutting down both power and water bills in one go.

Negotiate with Your Landlord for Upgrades

Sometimes, the most effective energy-saving measures require landlord approval. That doesn’t mean the conversation has to be awkward or hard to win.

Start by suggesting better insulation. It’ll make the space cosier, and your heating won’t have to work as hard. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

Consider pitching those sleek, energy-smart appliances, too. They are quiet, rarely break down, and slash those monthly bills—all things that make future renters swoon.

If discussing money is difficult, consider a split-cost arrangement. You could chip in for the upgrade or divide the savings from those smaller bills, helping ease the upfront sting.

Don’t forget that small fixes, like swapping out old bulbs or blocking drafty doorways, are yours to make without asking. But if your landlord is on board, the results will be way better.

Eventually, all that cash you’re not handing to the power company can cover other costs when you leave.

For instance, you can use them to book move-out cleaning services and make everything sparkle before you hand back the keys. Mentioning this shows you’re thinking ahead, which most Aussie landlords typically respect.

Conclusion

If you plan on staying in your rental for a long time, these changes can significantly help reduce energy costs and are quite practical long term.

Do what makes sense in your individual situation and don’t be afraid to approach your landlord if the situation calls for it. That’s how you’ll reduce your carbon footprint, increase energy efficiency and end up with a little bit more in your pocket every month.