10 Smart Home Gadgets That Make Sustainable Living Easy (Even in a Rental)

Living sustainably doesn’t mean you have to own your home or invest in expensive solar panels. Thanks to today’s advanced smart home technology, renters can easily embrace greener living with minimal hassle and no permanent alterations to their space. Smart gadgets not only slash energy usage and reduce waste, but they can also save you money and make your daily life more convenient.

If you’re ready to make your rental more eco-friendly without risking your security deposit, here are 10 smart home gadgets that make sustainable living simple—even for renters.

1. Smart Thermostats: Control Your Climate Efficiently

Why It Matters: Heating and cooling account for nearly half of a home’s energy use. Small changes can lead to big savings.

Top Features:

Programmable schedules for day and night
Remote access from your smartphone
Energy usage reports and tips
Easy, non-permanent installation

For Renters: Most smart thermostats are compatible with existing wiring and can be swapped for your landlord’s basic model, as long as you swap it back before moving out.

How It Helps:

Reduces unnecessary heating/cooling when you’re not home
Adapts to your lifestyle, lowering your carbon footprint
Many units come with rental-friendly adhesive wall plates

2. Smart Plugs: Take Control of Phantom Energy

Why It Matters: Devices left on standby can drain “vampire power,” wasting electricity 24/7.

Enable scheduling and auto-shutdown for lamps, chargers, and electronics
Monitor energy usage per device
Simple, plug-and-play setup—just unplug when you move

Best Practices:

Set schedules for routinely forgotten devices
Track which gadgets consume the most energy and unplug unused ones
Bundle “always-on” items into a single, easily managed group

3. LED Smart Bulbs: Efficient Lighting on Demand

Why It Matters: Lighting consumes about 15% of the average household electricity bill. LEDs use up to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs.

Adjust brightness and color temperature to suit the time of day
Remote control reduces accidental energy waste
No wiring changes—just replace your standard bulbs

For Renters: When your lease is up, just screw your smart bulbs out and take them with you!

4. Smart Power Strips: Advanced Surge Protection and Scheduling

Many renters rely on basic surge protectors, but smart power strips take it up a notch:

Individually control outlets via app or voice assistant
Create custom schedules for your work-from-home or entertainment setup
Monitor and optimize energy use by zone or device

How to Use:

Plug in your TV, gaming consoles, and router to monitor usage patterns
Set power-hungry devices to shut off automatically overnight

5. Smart Water Leak Sensors: Prevent Damage and Waste

Why It Matters: Leaky pipes and running toilets waste gallons of water and can seriously damage a rental.

Place sensors under sinks, near washing machines, or behind toilets
Get instant leak alerts to your phone before water damage spreads
No tools required—many are battery-powered and adhesive-backed

Some sensors even integrate with smart shut-off valves (check lease terms before installation) for fast, automatic response.

6. Smart Shower Heads: Track Water Usage and Reduce Waste

Why It Matters: The average American shower lasts 8 minutes and uses 17 gallons of water.

Some smart shower heads provide real-time water and energy usage feedback
LEDs change color to indicate shower length and temperature
Easy-to-install for most rental bathrooms—just unscrew the old one and attach the new

For Renters: Choose a model with easy removal, so you can reinstall the landlord’s original fixture at move-out.

7. Smart Window Sensors: Optimize Heating and Cooling

Why It Matters: Air leaks from windows can play havoc with your thermostat, wasting energy year-round.

Window sensors detect when a window is open or closed
Integrate with a smart thermostat to adjust HVAC automatically
Battery-operated, adhesive-backed, and non-damaging

Use Case:

Get alerts if you forget to close windows before leaving for work
Pause the A/C or heat automatically when you open a window for fresh air

8. Smart Blinds or Shades: Automated Sun Management

Why It Matters: Managing direct sunlight can significantly cut your heating and cooling demand.

App-controlled blinds adjust on schedule or by sunlight intensity
Help keep rooms cooler in summer, warmer in winter
Many options are tension-mounted or use removable adhesive, perfect for rentals

Rental-Friendly Tip: Look for stick-on, battery-powered models that avoid window frame drilling.

9. Smart Recyclable Waste Monitors: Cut Down on Trash

Why It Matters: Small changes to recycling habits can make a big impact over time.

Smart bins or scales track the amount and type of trash you throw out
Receive tailored recycling tips and reminders
Learn how to shop and sort smarter—no infrastructure required

While these gadgets are newer on the market, they can help make recycling effortless, even in an apartment with limited bins.

10. Smart Air Quality Monitors: Keep Your Home and Environment Healthier

Why It Matters: Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoors, affecting your health and energy consumption.

Continuously monitor VOCs, CO2, dust, and humidity
Receive alerts to open windows or run an air purifier
Integration with smart thermostats and fans to automate ventilation
Compact, portable, and safe for rentals

Benefit:

Breathe easier, optimize the use of fans and ventilation, and keep tabs on environmental impacts wherever you live.

How to Choose the Right Gadgets for Your Rental

Consider these action steps before you start your smart home upgrade:

Check your lease: Make sure gadgets don’t require permanent installation
Prioritize portability: Pick products you can uninstall and move easily
Use app-based controls: Minimize extra hardware
Choose compatibility: Opt for devices that work together for maximum savings
Preserve security deposit: Avoid drilling into walls or altering wiring unless approved

Tips for Getting Your Landlord on Board

Highlight cost-saving benefits and potential increase in property value
Offer to provide professional installation or revert changes at move-out
Focus on non-invasive upgrades (e.g., bulbs, plugs, adhesive sensors)
Document all modifications and get written approval when needed

The Bottom Line: Live Greener, with Less Effort

Even if you can’t install solar panels or swap out the insulation, renters have more eco-friendly smart options than ever before. With these gadgets, you can reduce your carbon footprint, save money, and enjoy a healthier apartment—no tools or permission slips required. Start small with a few key devices, and you might even inspire your landlord or neighbors to adopt sustainable tech, too!