Practical Energy-Saving Tips for Renters: How to Save Money and Boost Comfort

May 18, 2026

You don’t have to own your home to save energy or lower your bills. As a renter in Massachusetts, there are practical steps you can take to make your space more energy-efficient and comfortable year-round.

Small changes, like adjusting your thermostat or switching to energy-saving products, can make a noticeable difference. Working with your landlord can unlock even bigger opportunities, such as weatherization upgrades or appliance replacements.

Through Mass Save programs, you can improve the energy efficiency of your home—whether you live in a single-family house or a multi-family building. In this guide, we’ll explore practical tips and upgrades to help you save money, stay comfortable year-round, and make your home more eco-friendly.

Energy-saving products and discounts for renters.

Renters in Massachusetts can take advantage of instant discounts on energy-efficient products that help save both energy and money. Through the Mass Save Marketplace, you can shop online for products like smart thermostats, advanced power strips, energy-efficient appliances, and more. If you prefer to shop in-person, there’s also a store finder on MassSave.com to locate discounted energy-saving products near you.

Beyond products, the Sponsors of Mass Save offer a variety of services, programs, and incentives that can help boost comfort and save energy. Rebates are available for appliances, appliance recycling, and other home upgrades, making it easier than ever for renters to save energy and live more comfortably.

Smart thermostat incentives

Eligible renters can receive incentives by enrolling a smart thermostat in the ConnectedSolutions program. By participating, you can earn a $50 or $100 enrollment incentive (depending on income eligibility), plus a $20 annual reward for each thermostat connected to a central air conditioner or heat pump.

ConnectedSolutions works by helping reduce electricity use during times of peak demand. Your Mass Save Sponsor will automatically send a signal to your thermostat to pre-cool your home ahead of these events and then make small, temporary adjustments during the event to reduce energy use, without sacrificing comfort. You can maintain control of your thermostat and opt out of a peak event at any time by changing your thermostat setting.

Before getting started, be sure to check with your landlord to confirm that installing a smart thermostat is allowed in your unit.

Work with your landlord

The Sponsors of Mass Save offer a variety of rebates and programs that landlords can use to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. As a renter, starting the conversation with your landlord can open the door to meaningful upgrades.

For buildings with 1-4 units, encourage your landlord to schedule a no-cost Home Energy Assessment. This assessment can help identify opportunities to improve efficiency, lower energy costs, and increase overall comfort for your home. If you are a renter in a building with 5+ units, have your landlord call 800-594-7277 to schedule an Energy Assessment.

Home Energy Assessments allow you to:

  • Connect with an Energy Specialist to help you find energy-saving opportunities
  • Access 100% off approved insulation and air sealing upgrades to address air leaks, reduce drafts and improve comfort
  • Get generous rebates on heating, cooling, and water heating equipment, incentives to address barriers to weatherization, such as knob and tube wiring, and more along with access to 0% financing
  • Receive recommended no-cost energy-saving products, such as advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators and programmable thermostats or discounted smart thermostats

During your Home Energy Assessment, your Energy Specialist will also determine which additional rebates and incentives you may qualify for, based on your home and situation. These may include:

  • Additional support for eligible renters and landlords in Designated Equity Communities (DEC), which may unlock enhanced incentives
  • Additional resources to help remove barriers that may prevent weatherization improvements from moving forward

Participate in webinars and education

The Sponsors of Mass Save offer helpful webinars for both renters and landlords, covering energy-saving tips, guidance on how to discuss efficiency upgrades, and information on available programs and incentives. These sessions are a great way to learn how to make your rental more efficient and start productive conversations with your landlord.

To make these resources accessible, webinars are available in multiple languages. You can watch recent recordings here:

Check Eligibility for Income-Based Offers

You may qualify for additional no-cost or discounted energy efficiency services. Based on income-eligibility, renters and homeowners may qualify to receive new home appliances (like clothes washers, refrigerators, freezers, heating systems, dehumidifiers, and window AC units), and more in addition to no-cost insulation and air sealing upgrades.

You may qualify for no-cost upgrades, including:

  • Replacement of your heating system with high-efficiency equipment
  • Installation of additional attic, wall, and basement insulation
  • Air sealing of the drafty areas of your home
  • Replacement appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, window air conditioners, and/or clothes washers if your current appliances are inefficient
  • A programmable or smart thermostat
  • LED energy-saving light bulbs
  • Water-saving faucet aerators and showerheads
  • Replacement of eligible inefficient windows

To learn more, view the eligible requirements and offers here. Additionally, for buildings with 5+ units, there are also additional services and offers through the Income Eligible Multi-Family Retrofit Program.

Ready to save?

There are many ways to save energy in your home as a renter. Small changes and help from the Mass Save Sponsors can make a meaningful difference in lowering your energy use and improving the comfort of your home.

Start today by exploring available offers, taking advantage of Mass Save programs, and having a conversation with your landlord about potential upgrades. With the right steps, you can create a more efficient, comfortable living space, no ownership required.