7 Smart Home Gadgets That Make Sustainable Living Easy for Renters
Creating a sustainable home doesn’t require major renovations or homeownership. As a renter, you might not be able to install solar panels or replace all the windows, but you can still make a significant eco-friendly impact. With the rise of smart home technology, there are gadgets designed to help anyone — including renters — save energy, water, and resources. Many of these devices are easy to install, portable, and move with you when your lease is up.
In this guide, we’ll explore seven innovative smart home gadgets perfect for renters who want to live greener without sacrificing convenience or comfort.
Why Smart Home Gadgets Are Game-Changing for Renters
Smart home gadgets offer powerful efficiencies for renters by:
- Reducing energy and water bills without contacting your landlord for permission.
- Offering simple, non-permanent installations that leave no marks or require drilling.
- Allowing you to take your investment with you when you move to a new place.
- Providing mobile app control so you can track your savings in real time.
Below are seven renter-friendly smart devices that will make sustainable living surprisingly easy — and even fun.
1. Smart Plugs: Effortless Energy Savings
Did you know that electronics continue to draw power, even when you’re not using them? This “vampire power” can account for up to 10% of energy use in the average home.
How Smart Plugs Work
- Smart plugs act as a switch between your outlet and any device you plug in.
- You can schedule them to turn off automatically or control them via your smartphone, voice assistant, or set routines.
Benefits for Renters
- Zero installation—simply plug in and connect.
- Perfect for controlling lamps, fans, coffee makers, space heaters, and more.
- Remote access to power off forgotten devices from anywhere, reducing wasted energy.
- Easily move them to your next place or rearrange as needed.
Eco-Friendly Tip
Use smart plugs to ensure electronics like TVs, gaming consoles, and chargers shut off overnight or during the workday.
2. Smart Thermostats: Precision Temperature Control
Heating and cooling can be one of the biggest sources of energy use and carbon emissions at home. Many renters assume they can’t upgrade their thermostat, but there are solutions that make it easier than ever — without complex wiring or permanent changes.
Why Smart Thermostats Matter
- Learn your schedule and temperature preferences for ultimate comfort — only when you need it.
- Offer features like geofencing, so they automatically adjust when you leave or return home.
- Smart analytics help track your energy use and savings.
Renter-Friendly Installation
- Choose a smart thermostat designed for DIY installation, especially ones with simple mounting or requiring no C-wire.
- Talk to your landlord before installation to get approval; most are easy to swap back before you move out.
Eco-Friendly Tip
Even if you can’t change out the main thermostat, try a smart temperature sensor for specific rooms, paired with a portable smart heater or fan.
3. Smart Lighting: Efficient, App-Controlled Ambiance
Lighting can account for 5-10% of a renter’s energy bill. Swapping old bulbs for smart LED bulbs or smart light switches is one of the simplest and most affordable green upgrades out there.
Benefits for Renters
- Easily screw in smart bulbs—no rewiring required.
- Customize lighting schedules and dimming for different times of the day.
- Control remotely to avoid leaving lights on by accident.
- Many bulbs last 10+ years and use up to 80% less energy than incandescents.
Eco-Friendly Tip
Set “away” modes so your lights automatically turn off when you leave, or optimize with sunset/sunrise routines.
4. Smart Water Monitors: Stop Leaks and Track Usage
Water waste is a common issue in rental units, especially in older buildings with aging pipes and fixtures. While you can’t always replace the plumbing, smart water monitors help you reduce waste, catch leaks early, and protect your security deposit.
What Do Smart Water Monitors Do?
- Some attach to pipes or appliances, tracking real-time usage and detecting abnormal patterns (like a running toilet or hidden leak).
- Others are standalone sensors you place near sinks, washing machines, or water heaters to send alerts if they detect moisture.
Benefits for Renters
- Install easily without tools or damage.
- Help notify you — and your landlord — about issues before they become costly disasters.
- Track your water habits to inspire shorter showers and conscious consumption.
Eco-Friendly Tip
Pair smart water monitors with low-flow showerheads or faucet aerators (which are also simple to install and remove) for maximum water savings.
5. Smart Power Strips: Master Switch for Electronics
Like smart plugs, smart power strips help cut off power to multiple devices at once, making them perfect for TVs, entertainment units, or desk setups. The added bonus: advanced models let you control individual outlets separately.
How Smart Power Strips Help Renters
- No installation—just plug and play.
- Schedule or remotely disconnect power to all or specific devices.
- Prevent energy drain from chargers, speakers, and monitors left plugged in.
- Ideal for grouped electronics in one area.
Eco-Friendly Tip
Label your power strip outlets in the app to easily monitor energy-hungry devices and shut off “standby vampires” with a single tap.
6. Smart Sensors: Automate Your Green Routine
Smart sensors (motion, temperature, and light) can help automate sustainable living without you having to remember every little thing. These tiny devices make sure lights, fans, or plugs only run when a room is in use.
Popular Smart Sensors for Renters
- Motion Sensors: Trigger lights or fans when you enter, and shut them off after you leave.
- Temperature Sensors: Work with smart thermostats or heaters for room-by-room climate optimization.
- Light Sensors: Use daylight levels to auto-adjust smart bulbs and minimize unnecessary usage.
Benefits for Renters
- No wiring or permanent installation required — mount with removable adhesive or simply place on a shelf.
- Can be placed anywhere and moved room to room as needed.
Eco-Friendly Tip
Use sensor-triggered routines in your smart home app to completely automate nighttime or away-mode shutoffs for all your major electronics and lights.
7. Smart Shower Heads: Water-Saving, High-Tech Showers
Upgrading your shower doesn’t usually require landlord approval, and a smart shower head is an easy, renter-friendly swap. These high-tech devices track usage and offer real-time feedback, helping you shorten your showers and save water — often with fun, interactive features.
Key Features of Smart Shower Heads
- Integrate timers, temperature displays, or even colored LED lights that signal when you’ve hit your water-saving goal.
- Track total water used per shower with app-based reports.
- No tools needed—most twist on by hand in minutes.
Benefits for Renters
- No drilling, wiring or plumbing experience necessary.
- Reinstall your old shower head before moving out.
- Enjoy the dual benefits of saving water and lowering your energy bill for water heating.
Eco-Friendly Tip
Combine smart shower heads with smart speakers (for music or podcast timers) to keep everyone on schedule and under your target water use!
