Energy Savings for Ontario Renters and Condo Owners

Most energy advice assumes you own a house and can replace the furnace or blow insulation into the attic. If you rent an apartment or own a condo unit, you have less control over the building, but you are not powerless. Many of the most effective savings come from how and when you use energy, and from small upgrades you can take with you.

This guide focuses on what renters and condo owners in Ontario can realistically do.

First, know how you pay for energy

Arrangement	What it means	Your main levers
Utilities included in rent or condo fees	The landlord or corporation pays	Comfort and habits; report problems; savings help the building
You pay hydro directly to the LDC	Your own account with Toronto Hydro, Hydro Ottawa, Alectra, Hydro One or another local distributor	Price plan choice, timing, appliances, lighting
Suite sub-metering	A private sub-metering company bills you for your unit's electricity	Check your contract terms and rate; timing may or may not matter
You pay gas directly	Common in houses and some townhouses	Thermostat, hot water, sealing drafts
Baseboard electric heat in your unit	Heating is on your hydro bill	Thermostat settings, drafts, window coverings, room-by-room control

If you have an account with your local distribution company, you can usually choose between Time-of-Use (TOU), Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO, if your LDC offers it, as most do since 2023) and Tiered pricing. If you are billed by a private sub-metering company, ask them which pricing applies and how it is calculated, as the rules and options can differ.

Note: Ontario electricity commodity prices changed on 1 November 2026. TOU off-peak is 9.1¢/kWh, mid-peak 14.6¢ and on-peak 18.9¢. ULO overnight is 3.7¢ but on-peak (weekdays 4–9 p.m.) is 37.7¢. Tiered is 11.2¢ for the first 1,000 kWh a month in winter and 13.2¢ above that. The Ontario Electricity Rebate is now 15.7%.

Choosing a price plan in an apartment

Many apartment and condo households use well under 1,000 kWh a month in winter, especially without electric heat. For these households, Tiered pricing can sometimes be cheaper than TOU, because all their usage may fall within Tier 1 regardless of when it happens. Households that can shift laundry, dishwashing and EV charging to late nights may do better on ULO. Households that are home on weekday evenings and cannot shift use may find ULO expensive.

Run your actual usage through our electricity price plan calculator before switching.

Portable and renter-friendly upgrades

These cost little, need no landlord permission in most cases, and come with you when you move.

Upgrade	Typical cost	Benefit
LED bulbs throughout	$2–$8 per bulb	~75–85% less lighting energy than incandescent
Advanced (smart) power bar for TV and computer	$30–$60	Cuts standby loads
Removable window insulation film	$10–$20 per window	Reduces drafts and condensation
Door draft stopper	$15–$30	Blocks drafts under entry doors
Thermal or blackout curtains	$40–$150 per window	Keeps heat in during winter nights, out in summer afternoons
Low-flow showerhead (keep the original to reinstall)	$20–$50	Less hot water use
Plug-in power meter	$20–$40	Find energy-hungry devices
Programmable plug-in heater controls or line-voltage thermostats (with permission)	$40–$150	Better control of baseboard heat

See our phantom loads guide for how to find hidden electricity use.

Heating tips for apartments and condos

• Baseboard heaters: Lower temperatures in unused rooms and close their doors. Keep furniture and curtains at least 15 cm away from heaters. Dropping the temperature 2–3 °C overnight can save roughly 5–10% of heating energy (an estimate).
• Fan coil or heat pump units: Clean or replace filters as the building's maintenance schedule allows. Avoid blocking supply vents.
• Too hot: Many older buildings overheat. Report it, and close the radiator valve if you have one rather than opening windows in winter.
• Drafty windows: Request weatherstripping repairs from your landlord or condo management. Use removable film in the meantime.

Cooling tips

• Close blinds on sun-facing windows during the day.
• Use a properly sized ENERGY STAR window or portable unit. A portable air conditioner with two hoses performs better than a single-hose model.
• If your building permits it, a through-wall or window heat pump can provide efficient heating and cooling; check rules first.
• Shift laundry and dishwashing to off-peak hours on hot weekdays.

Read our summer cooling guide for more.

Caution: Many condo corporations and landlords have rules about window air conditioners, balcony installations and electrical changes. Check your lease or condo declaration and rules before installing anything.

Working with your landlord

Under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, landlords are responsible for maintaining the rental unit in a good state of repair. Requests that are reasonable to make in writing include:

• Repairing broken weatherstripping, door sweeps and window seals.
• Fixing faulty thermostats or heating equipment.
• Repairing leaking taps and running toilets.
• Replacing failed or very old appliances supplied with the unit.

Be specific, keep a copy and allow reasonable time. If you want to make an improvement yourself, such as replacing a thermostat, get written permission first.

For condo owners

Condo owners have more control inside their unit than renters but are bound by the corporation's rules:

• You can usually replace in-suite appliances, lighting and sometimes in-suite HVAC equipment (fan coils, heat pumps) with board approval.
• Windows and exterior walls are typically common elements. Raise concerns through the board.
• Encourage the board to consider building-wide upgrades: LED lighting in common areas, ventilation controls, EV-ready parking. Larger buildings may be eligible for separate commercial or multi-residential programs; check saveonenergy.ca.

Programs that may help

• Energy Affordability Program (EAP): Income-eligible tenants may receive free upgrades. Some measures require landlord consent. See our income-qualified programs guide.
• OESP: A monthly electricity bill credit for lower-income households who pay their own hydro.
• LEAP: Emergency help with arrears.
• Home Renovation Savings Program: Generally for owner-occupied low-rise homes; condo apartments may not qualify for most measures. Check saveonenergy.ca.

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch from TOU to Tiered as a renter?

If you have your own account with your local distribution company, yes, you can usually request a change. If you are billed through a private sub-metering provider, ask them about your options.

Is it worth buying a portable heater to avoid turning up the baseboards?

A portable electric heater uses the same amount of electricity per unit of heat as a baseboard. It can help only if you heat one room instead of the whole unit. Never leave space heaters unattended.

My building is always too hot. Can I ask for changes?

Yes. Report it in writing to your landlord or property manager. Overheating wastes energy for the whole building.

Do I need permission to install a smart thermostat?

In a rental, yes. Baseboard thermostats are line-voltage (120 V or 240 V) and must be compatible models installed safely. Electrical work may need an ESA permit.