Caitlin Aspden said the unit's poor insulation had meant constantly having heating running and a poorer quality of life during the winter months.

"When you're cold you don't really want to do anything, you kind of just want to snuggle up under the blanket and or jump into bed early," she said.

While praising her landlord's response to maintenance requests, Ms Aspden has welcomed the minimum energy efficiency standard being introduced in Canberra next year.

Rentals without ceiling insulation, or with existing insulation rated less than R2, will be required to have insulation installed or upgraded to R5, following an announcement this week.

The minimum standard, which mirrors a level typically used in new builds, comes into effect on April 1, 2023, with a phase-in period to November 30, 2026.

Landlords are required to meet the energy efficiency standard within nine months of a new lease being signed, during the phase-in period.

Having had insulation installed at their home prior to moving out, Ms Aspden said she could feel the temperature difference between it and the rental.

"We're also paying a similar amount or more to heat the unit than what we were in the old house," she said.

As part of the new standards, all properties will need to comply, or be in the process of complying, regardless of whether a new lease has been signed from December 2026.

New properties entering the rental market will have three months to comply with the standard from that date.

Landlords will also need to include whether their property is compliant with the minimum standard in all rental advertisements and in new residential tenancy agreements from April next year.

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In conjunction with the new standard, the ACT government's Sustainable Household Scheme will be expanded to include insulation.

Eligible landlords can apply for a zero-interest loan of up to $15,000 to cover the cost of installing insulation.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said landlords needing to upgrade their rental properties would have access to a zero-interest loan for insulation from early 2023.

"Getting landlords on board is another big step towards ensuring all Canberrans benefit from a zero emissions future for the ACT," he said.

More than 60 per cent of Canberra rentals are already compliant with the proposed standard, introduced to ensure both private rentals and public housing properties meet the requirement.

Better Renting Executive Director, Joel Dignam said the new standards were the first step to ensuring healthy homes for all people renting in the ACT.

"For too long renters have had to suffer in freezing homes that fail to meet World Health Organisation guidelines, putting them and their families at risk," he said.

"We hope that landlords will comply with these new requirements without renters having to go to the ends of the earth to enforce their rights."

Emissions Reduction Minister Shane Rattenbury said in addition to meeting the standard in public housing properties, the ACT government would invest in additional public housing energy efficiency improvements.

This includes replacing gas appliances with energy efficient electric alternatives, including hot water and heating and cooling systems, to support public housing residents as the ACT transitions off gas by 2045.

Mr Rattenbury said the minimum standards were essential for assisting renters with their quality of life and energy costs.

"Insulation is the most effective and efficient way to quickly improve energy efficiency in rental properties," he said.

"The government will continue to examine other energy efficiency measures that could be implemented in future years."

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