• Program your thermostat. (Remember: Never set your thermostat below 55॰F in the winter. ​Otherwise, your pipes could freeze.)
• Use window blinds or thick drapes to boost comfort. Windows can account for 25-30% of a home’s heat loss or gain. In the winter, drapes can reduce heat loss from a warm room up to 10%! On sunny winter days, open curtains for sunlight and free heat. In the summer, close blinds or curtains during the day to block heat.
• B​e cautious with electric space heaters​.​
  Space heaters can efficiently supplement poor heating in one room – but they cause more than 1,700 residential fires every year. If you must use one, choose an Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL)-certified unit with safety features like tip-over shutoff, overheat protection, and a timer. Confirm your wiring and electric circuit can handle the load, and avoid plugging other high-wattage devices into the same outlet. Keep the heater away from children and pets when in use. And unplug your heater whenever you aren’t in the same room and using it. 

• Shower smarter – change your showerhead: 
  Efficient showerheads keep you comfy while slashing water and energy use. Be sure to talk with your landlord before changing the showerhead.
• Shorten your shower by a few minutes to cut your water and water heating bills.
• Wash laundry on cold (really!): It’s worth repeating: Using cold water for laundry saves up to 90% of energy. And most clothes, towels, and bedding get perfectly clean in cold water, especially with today’s detergents. So save the hot-water setting for items that truly need it.

• Unplug your TV, computer, and phone chargers when not in use. (See “Turn off and unplug devices” above for more money-saving tips.)
• Switch to LEDs – they use at least 75% less energy than incandescent lighting and last up to 25 times longer.
• Only run full loads of dishes or laundry to slash water and energy usage.
• Air-dry laundry or machine-dry on the lowest heat setting. You’ll lower your energy bill and protect your clothes from wear and tear as high heat can damage or shrink fabrics.
• Consider a portable induction cooktop if you have a gas stove.
  These affordable (often $50-$100), ultra-efficient cooktops can plug into a standard outlet. They’re extremely efficient because they heat pans directly using magnetic energy. And they boil water at least 50% faster than gas, without fumes. Thus, they use less energy, generate less heat, and improve your indoor air quality and safety.

Rent is just one of your total expenses. Seeing past utility bills gives you a better sense of what to expect. If two apartments have the same rent but one has much higher energy costs, that’ll impact your cash flow and savings. Consider starting with these questions:

• “Can I see the average monthly gas and electric bills for the past year, so I know how much utilities cost for a typical month?”
• “Who pays the utilities – the renter or the landlord?”

This might sound technical, but it shows you care about comfort and costs. You could phrase it as, “Do you know if the attic or walls have been insulated recently?” or “What kind of weatherization upgrades have there been to the building?”

If the landlord looks puzzled, the building is likely older and less insulated (common in houses built before the 1990s). Drafty windows and doors are also a red flag – you can often feel cold or hot air near them during a tour. Don’t be afraid to ask if those will be addressed, especially with Ann Arbor’s new efficiency requirements on the horizon.

Check if the unit has ENERGY STAR appliances either in the ad or by looking for stickers on appliances like the fridge or furnace. And ask about the heating system: “Is the heating system a high-efficiency model? About how old is it?”

Knowing who controls the temperature can give you a better sense of what ability you have to keep the temperature at a comfortable level and who is responsible for heating and cooling costs. Consider asking these questions: 

• If it's the tenant: “Does this house have a programmable or smart thermostat to help me save energy?”
• If it's the landlord: “What temperature do you usually maintain in the winter and summer?” And “What's the best way for me to reach you about changing the temperature if it's uncomfortable?”