I am a tenant, how can I lower my energy bills with limited investments?
Both major and minor improvements can influence the energy efficiency of your rental home. The landlord is responsible for major improvements. You can carry out minor improvements – which you can take with you or remove at the end of your tenancy agreement without causing damage – at your own expense without permission from the landlord. Here are a few examples of minor improvements that are affordable and may have a positive impact on your energy bills.
Heating and cooling
- Use a programmable thermostat to heat only the rooms you are using
- Install radiator fans
- Install heat-resistant reflector panels between radiators and non-insulated exterior walls
- Attach radiator foil to the back of the radiators
- Install insulating solar control film or convection control film
- Apply weather strips
- Lay down a draught excluder
- Hang heavy/blackout curtains to keep the heat in or out
- Insulate your central heating pipes
- Install a letterbox draught excluder
Lighting
- Replace light bulbs with LED lights
Bathroom
- Invest in a water-saving shower head
Appliances
- Use multiple sockets with a switch/time switch
- Install smart sockets with built-in energy-saving features
- Equip your water heater with tank with an insulation blanket
- Regularly maintain your boiler
- Replace your own fridge, freezer and/or washing machine with one that has energy label A
If, when implementing these measures, you remove anything that was originally present in your home, you are required to store the items and place them back when you move.
This article was published on 04-10-2023. Unless expressly provided otherwise, all information you consult or obtain here is entirely without obligation and for information purposes only. The information applies exclusively to the Brussels Capital-Region.