Smart & Sustainable: 7 Energy-Saving Gadgets Every Renter Should Try in 2024
As renters, most of us want to trim utility costs and cut our environmental impact. But we’re also limited by what we can physically change in our living space. Enter the world of smart, sustainable, and portable energy-saving gadgets—easy, renter-friendly tech upgrades with big savings potential for your electricity bills.
This handy guide reveals the top 7 energy-saving gadgets for renters in 2024. Discover actionable tips for setup, and how each device lowers energy use without permanent modifications to your apartment. Let’s make your rental smarter, greener, and more cost-effective—no landlord approval required!
Why Renters Should Embrace Energy-Saving Gadgets
Many renters hesitate to invest in energy efficiency. Why bother if you don’t own the place, right? But small changes can bring big benefits—both for your wallet and the planet. Here’s why going green makes sense for renters:
- Lower monthly bills: Use less power and water = pay less for utilities.
- Easy installation/removal: Most gadgets require no permanent installation or drilling.
- Take them with you: Moving soon? These gadgets pack up and go when you do.
- Reduce your carbon footprint: Every kilowatt saved helps the environment.
- Remote control & automations: Many smart devices provide scheduling, app controls, and routines.
Now, let’s look at the most effective devices every renter should try in 2024.
1. Smart Plugs: Simple Control for Outlets
Why Smart Plugs Are a Renter’s Best Friend
Smart plugs bring instant “smarts” to traditional appliances. Plug in your lamp, fan, coffee maker, or TV—then control them via your phone or voice assistant. Use scheduling features to automatically turn off electronics when not needed, reducing “vampire” (standby) energy drain.
- No wiring or complex setup—just plug and play
- Track real-time energy usage in companion apps
- Create routines (like lamps on at sunset)
- Remotely turn off devices you forgot at home
How to Use Smart Plugs to Save Energy
- Schedule slip-ups: Set outlets to switch off overnight or while you’re at work.
- Monitor high-drain gadgets: Track usage for things like space heaters or air purifiers.
- Bundle electronics: Connect entertainment centers to a single smart plug for easy shutdown.
2. LED Smart Bulbs: Bright Ideas, Tiny Bills
The Benefits of Upgrading Lighting
LED smart bulbs cost pennies to run compared to old incandescent or even CFL bulbs. They also provide full-color customization, dimming, scheduling, and voice/app control without re-wiring existing fixtures.
- Direct incandescent swap—no rewiring or landlord approval
- Use routines to mimic sunrise, sunset, or away-from-home settings
- Save up to 75% on lighting-related energy costs
- Bulbs last 10+ years (even if you move frequently)
How to Make the Most of Smart Bulbs
- Replace high-use bulbs in lamps and overhead fixtures first.
- Use app features to ensure lights aren’t left on when you’re out.
- Utilize vacation mode for improved security while away.
3. Smart Thermostats: Climate Control Without Landlord Approval
What About Renters Who Can’t Replace the Thermostat?
Even if you can’t swap out the existing wall unit, portable smart thermostats are increasingly available. Compact, stand-alone sensors and climate controllers pair with room A/C or heaters via Wi-Fi.
- Control portable units (window A/C, space heaters) with smart routines
- Many work via infrared signals—no hardwiring required
- Monitor usage and receive efficiency tips in the app
Best Practices for Renters
- Set comfortable, seasonally appropriate schedules (e.g., warmer in summer evenings, lower in winter nights)
- Use geofencing: Some gadgets can auto-adjust climate when you leave or return home
Pro tip: Ask your landlord about digital thermostat upgrades—they often lead to savings for both of you!
4. Water-Saving Shower Heads & Aerators
Easy Water Conservation for Apartments
Did you know you can slash water utility bills without sacrificing comfort? High-efficiency shower heads and faucet aerators screw on in minutes and are a top renter-friendly swap.
- Reduce water use by 40% or more on showers and sinks
- Often improve pressure with better spray technology
- Take them with you when you move; re-install original fixtures if needed
- Compatible with most standard plumbing fixtures
Installation Tips
- Choose “tool-free” or hand-tighten options for easy removal
- Keep old showerhead/aerator in a drawer for reinstallation
5. Smart Power Strips: Tackle Standby Drain
Why Old Power Strips Aren’t Cutting It
The average American home wastes up to $100 a year from electronics left plugged in but turned off. Smart power strips fight this by automatically shutting off power to unused outlets, or allowing you to do so from your phone.
- Designate one “master” device (TV or PC) that, when switched off, cuts juice to peripherals (like speakers and consoles)
- Add Wi-Fi or app-enabled strips for flexible, remote control
- Schedule outlets by activity: bedtime, mornings, away hours
Best Uses in Rental Units
- Entertainment centers
- Home office equipment
- Kitchen counter appliances
6. Smart Window Air Conditioner Controllers
Modernizing the Classic Rental Appliance
If your apartment relies on a window air conditioner, you know the struggle: inefficiency, limited controls, and the temptation to leave it running. Smart A/C controllers attach non-permanently and offer:
- App/voice commands for on-the-go control
- Schedule cooling cycles for evenings or weekends only
- Monitor temperature and set energy-saving thresholds
- Automatically shut off or adjust when nobody’s home
How to Implement in Your Rental
- Look for models requiring only a line-of-sight between controller and A/C
- Double-check size compatibility for your current A/C unit
- Unplug and remove easily at move-out
7. Smart Blinds or Curtain Controllers
Harnessing Natural Light for Maximum Savings
Smart curtain or blind controllers may sound futuristic, but these little motors can save you hundreds per year in cooling (and even heating) costs by optimizing sun exposure in your rental.
- Automate curtain opening/closing for different times of day
- Reduce A/C use by closing blinds in the heat of summer
- Let in natural light and warmth on cold, sunny days
- Installation rarely requires drilling or permanent modification—some even use adhesive mounts or clip-on designs
Best Applications
- South- or west-facing windows prone to sun heating
- Bedrooms for gentle wake-ups and privacy at night
- Home offices to reduce screen glare and conserve energy
Extra Credit: Other Renter-Friendly Energy Savers
- Smart humidifiers/dehumidifiers: Optimize air quality and comfort with tailored schedules and real-time monitoring.
- Energy monitoring gadgets: Plug-in meters or whole-ap
