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How to insulate an apartment you don't own?
Teresa Cunningham
Oct. 21, 2019Updated: Aug. 7, 2020
I'm a tenant, not a homeowner, so I can't tear down drywall and reinsulate but winter is coming and drafts are already getting in. Is there anything I can do to prevent that without upsetting my landlord? The wall I'm concerned about is the only exterior wall in the apartment, it has one window and one door. And it's in my bedroom so appearance isn't that important (I'll shut the door when guests are over).
Do you feel actual ‘drafts’, meaning air leakage through or around the windows and doors? That sounds like an issue that a landlord should be taking care of, though I’m not sure what sort of tenant rights you have where you live, or how amicable your relationship is with the landlord. May we ask , what is your climate zone? Your winter conditions may affect what we would recommend. For now your best starting place are these pages here -
Top Tips for Getting a House Ready for Winter
Best Energy Saving Tips for Green Homes
For now, assuming a reasonably ‘cold’ climate and also running with the assumption of air leaks, you could do a lot to reduce that with some caulking or tape if you can identify clear locations where leaks exist. There is also the option of applying a plastic film with double-sided tape over the window, and maybe the door if it isn’t one you need to use for the winter.
I would check the weather stripping around the door, that may need to be replaced, which again, one would hope is something a landlord would take care of.
And if you really don’t care about the appearance, as a way to insulate it but not permanently and in a way that it could be removed, you could consider insulating it in a very temporary sort of manner by sticking some rigid foam boards (learn which are best here) to the wall with a few tiny nails, holes that small are easily repaired when you move out. That would go a long way to making it more comfortable. It means looking at a wall of your bedroom with sheet insulation against it, but maybe you can hang something over it to make it a bit more appealing.
I have similar situation as Teresa, I live in N.W Montana in a 25ft × 20ft 1br Apt and I'm freezing in the winter, I use the plastic with double-sided tape also put 3 blankets over windows tact up. Rolled towel at bottom of door, and my electric bills run $120 mo.
I took pictures of what they have for Insulation in the attic and it is some kind of white fluffy spayed Insulation about 6 in deep . I don't want to freeze again this Winter. Can you advise me what else I can do please.
Hi Melissa
That sounds like a high bill for a space that size. 6 inches isn't alot, but you may have nothing in the walls. It is difficult of us to council you on how to proceed given that whatever investment you might make ultimately benefits the building owner unless you stay long enough to recoup your investment thoughs savings on your bills.
But to improve the efficiency and comfort in a space that size, the logical first step would be to do an energy audit to find out where the most losses are occuring so you know where you will best benefit by investing in insulation and airtightness. But given how high your bills are in a space that size and you're still cold, it is possible you don't even have any insulation in the walls, in which case something like injecting dense packed cellulose in the walls would be an idea, and even blowing more insulation into the attic.
Putting plastic over windows is a great idea, as for the door, if its leaking air maybe a new weather strip would help, that at least is a cheap solution. here is a page about top tips for minor energy efficiency upgrades, maybe there is something in there that can help you. I know that isn't a super helpful answer, but there are not a lot of cheap ways for a tennant to cost effectively improve the efficiency of a rental property.