How to Create an Energy-Efficient Smart Apartment on a Budget: A Renter’s Step-by-Step Guide

Dreaming of lower utility bills and a greener footprint—without drilling into your landlord’s walls or breaking the bank? Good news! Smart apartment tech is now affordable, easy to install, and perfectly suited for renters. With a few small changes and savvy product picks, you can transform your apartment into an energy-efficient and high-tech home. Here’s your step-by-step guide to make it happen.

Why Go Smart and Energy-Efficient in Your Apartment?

Reduce energy waste and save money on your utility bills.
Increase comfort—maintain the perfect temperature and lighting.
Lower your carbon footprint.
Enjoy convenience with automation and voice control.

Best of all, these improvements are mostly portable. Move out? Just take your tech with you!

Step 1: Assess Your Apartment’s Current Efficiency

Conduct a Mini Energy Audit

Note the types of light bulbs you use (LED or incandescent?)
List big energy users (window A/C, space heaters, old appliances)
Check for drafts around windows and doors
Count your power strips and look for “energy vampires”

Identifying these factors helps you prioritize upgrades with the biggest impact.

Step 2: Choose Smart Devices That Don’t Require Permanent Installation

As a renter, you want devices that won’t get you in trouble during an inspection. Look for:

Plug-and-play tech—no drilling or complex rewiring
Wi-Fi or Zigbee/Z-Wave devices that don’t need a proprietary home panel
Stick-on or adhesive products for easy setup and removal
Portable hubs if needed (compatible with Google, Amazon, or Apple ecosystems)

Step 3: Target the Top Energy-Wasters in Apartments

Lighting

Switch to LED bulbs immediately for every socket—easy, affordable, and makes a huge difference
Smart bulbs let you set schedules, adjust brightness, and control remotely
Smart plugs make floor and desk lamps voice- or timer-operated, so lights aren’t left on

Heating and Cooling

Smart thermostats (for window A/C or portable heaters) are designed for plugs, not wall-wiring
Programmable outlet timers for window units to cut run-time when you’re not home
Insulating curtains and weatherstripping (temporary, removable options) cut down on drafts

Appliance Standby Power

Smart power strips cut power to devices that quietly drain energy (TVs, chargers, audio equipment)

Water Heating (Indirect, for Some Renters)

Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators reduce hot water use (check your lease for permitted upgrades)

Step 4: Start Smart—Choose an Ecosystem

For devices to work together (and be voice-controlled) choose one of these main ecosystems:

Amazon Alexa: Great compatibility, affordable entry-point with Echo Dot
Google Home: Seamless for Android/Chromecast users, supports a wide range of products
Apple HomeKit: Best if you’re already in the Apple device world

Pick your primary voice assistant, then look for products marked “Works with Alexa/Google Assistant/Apple Home” for max compatibility.

Step 5: Build Your Smart, Energy-Saving Toolkit Step by Step

1. Smart Plugs: The Foundation of Renters’ Smart Homes

No need to rewire—a smart plug turns anything with a plug into a smart device! Features include:

Remote turn-on/off via app or voice command
Set schedules so lamps, fans, or appliances only run when needed
Energy monitoring features (on select models) so you can see what’s using the most power

2. Smart Bulbs: Ease into Smart Lighting

Install just like regular bulbs
Change color temperature or dim to save energy
Automate on/off or group rooms together

3. Smart Thermostats for Renters

Look for plug-in thermostats (like Sensibo Sky, or Kasa Smart Thermostat Plug) for window A/Cs and space heaters
No need for hardwiring—simply plug in and control via app or voice

If you have in-wall heating/cooling and can’t change the main thermostat, focus on room-specific solutions (fans, portable A/Cs, or heaters on smart plugs).

4. “Dumb” Appliances Get Smart

Use smart plugs for coffee makers, TVs, and even tiny kitchen appliances
Group them for quick “all off” routines before bed or when you’re away

5. Smart Power Strips

Replace a standard strip with a smart version for media centers, workspaces, and charging stations
Individual outlet control lets you cut standby power only where needed

Step 6: Save Even More With DIY and Low-Tech Fixes

Block Drafts and Heat Loss

Use removable weatherstripping foam—no adhesive left behind
Door draft stoppers (reversible and renter-friendly)
Thermal curtains keep hot/cold air out but are easy to take down

Cut Down on Phantom Loads

Unplug chargers and electronics when not in use, or use a smart strip
Switch off computer monitors and gaming systems completely at night

Adjust Your Habits

Run laundry on cold and only when full
Take shorter showers to reduce hot water use
Open windows for natural ventilation instead of cranking A/C or heat

Step 7: Automate for Energy Savings and Comfort

Set “away” and “home” routines for lights, plugs, and thermostats with your smart home app
Create timers or geofencing (automatically turning things off when you leave)
Use scenes—“movie night,” “bedtime,” “workday”—for one-tap smart adjustments
Utilize energy monitoring features to identify which devices to adjust further

Step 8: Monitor Your Progress and Optimize

Check your utility bills each month to track savings
Use energy data from your smart devices’ apps to pinpoint big users
Adjust schedules, brightness, or temperature settings for more savings
Keep an eye out for new plug-and-play smart gadgets to expand your system

Renter-Specific Tips to Stay Lease-Friendly

Don’t drill or hardwire—choose peel-and-stick, plug-in, and portable products only
Document before-after photos if you make any changes—especially for weatherproofing or window films
Everything you install should be fully removable when you move out
If in doubt, check with your landlord before