How to keep your apartment warm in winter without raising your energy bill

Written by Greystar

Edited by Greystar

For Residents March 4, 2026

When the temperature drops, your first instinct might be to turn up the heat. But keeping your apartment warm doesn't have to mean watching your energy bill climb. A few simple adjustments to your space and your daily routine can make a real difference in how comfortable your home feels and how much energy you use to get there.

Here are practical, renter-friendly ways to stay warm this winter without raising your heating bill.

1. Lower the thermostat (just a bit)

Even small changes can make a big difference. Lowering your thermostat by just 1–2 degrees from where you usually set it can reduce your energy usage without making your apartment feel noticeably cooler.

Hand turning a home thermostat knob to set temperature on energy saving mode. fahrenheit units. Composite image between a photography and a 3D background.

2. Keep temperatures consistent

Dramatically fluctuating your thermostat too often forces your system to work harder. Aim to maintain a steady temperature within a small range instead. If your apartment has a programmable or smart thermostat, set it to lower the temperature slightly while you're asleep or away and warm up before you get home or wake up.

3. Use your windows strategically

Windows are one of the biggest sources of heat loss in an apartment. During the day, open curtains and blinds on south-facing windows to let sunlight naturally warm your space. Once the sun goes down, close them. Heavy or thermal-lined curtains act as an extra layer of insulation, keeping cold air out and warm air in.

If your windows feel drafty, an inexpensive window insulation kit (clear plastic film applied to the inside of the frame) can make a noticeable difference. You can also check for gaps around the edges and apply removable weatherstripping if needed.

*Check with your onsite team before making any modifications.

Cozy living room with light gray walls, soft carpet, and a comfortable beige sofa. Sunlight streams through the window with sheer and heavy curtains. A decorative chandelier hangs from the ceiling

4. Add rugs to hard floors

If your apartment has tile, wood, or linoleum flooring, bare floors can make a room feel significantly colder. Area rugs, especially with a pad underneath, add a layer of insulation between you and the cold surface. They're also one of the easiest ways to make high-traffic areas like the living room, hallway, and bedroom feel warmer and more comfortable without touching the thermostat.

a living room with wood paneled walls and white rugs on the floor in front of the couches

5. Rearrange furniture around your vents

This apartment heating tip is easy to overlook. If a couch, bookshelf, or curtain is blocking a heating vent or radiator, warm air can't circulate properly, and your system has to work harder to heat the room. Take a quick look around your apartment and make sure all vents and baseboards are clear. In some cases, simply sliding a piece of furniture a few inches can improve how evenly your space heats.

6. Reverse your ceiling fan

If your apartment has a ceiling fan, there's a small switch on the base or motor housing that reverses the blade direction. In winter, running the fan clockwise on a low speed creates an updraft that pushes warm air trapped near the ceiling back down into the room. You won't feel a breeze, but you'll notice the room feels warmer without changing the thermostat.

7. Add humidity to the air

Dry winter air doesn't hold heat as well as air with some moisture in it. A basic humidifier in your bedroom or living room can make your apartment feel warmer at a lower thermostat setting while also helping with dry skin, chapped lips, and static. Aim for a relative humidity level between 30 and 50 percent for the best balance of comfort and efficiency.

Modern air humidifier on table at home

8. Check for drafts around doors

The gap under your front door can let in more cold air than you might expect. A simple draft stopper or door sweep placed along the bottom edge can block that airflow and help your apartment retain heat more effectively. Check the weather seal around your door frame as well. If it looks worn or doesn't make full contact when the door is closed, let your onsite team know so it can be replaced.

9. Dress yourself and your home for the season

Layering isn't just for your wardrobe. Flannel sheets, heavier blankets, and a warm comforter on your bed can make a noticeable difference in how comfortable you feel at night without turning the heat up. Cozy socks, wool sweaters, and fleece-lined loungewear do the same during the day.

For your space, think about adding a throw blanket to the couch, swapping lightweight bedding for something heavier, and keeping a pair of slippers by the bed. These small changes make a real impact on how warm your apartment feels.

Man in knitted wool sweater drinks tea a cup, relax at home in autumn day. Health care, authenticity, sense of balance and calmness. Fresh air.

10. Stay on top of maintenance

If you're noticing that your apartment isn't heating evenly, if a vent seems blocked, or if your thermostat isn't responding as expected, reach out to your onsite team. Heating system maintenance, filter changes, and thermostat calibration all help your system run efficiently. Many Greystar communities also schedule seasonal maintenance checks to keep everything in good working order heading into winter.

Smart living starts at home

Energy-efficient choices don’t have to be complicated, and they don’t mean sacrificing comfort. At Greystar, we’re here to help you live smarter, stay warmer, and feel more at home through every season. Explore Greystar apartments with modern heating systems, energy-efficient features, and responsive onsite teams.

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