The majority of people will appreciate living in an energy-efficient house. Nevertheless, depending on homeownership, your strategy for energy efficiency will change. When renting an apartment, you’ll employ different tactics than when you’re a homeowner. You probably don’t want to spend money on self-programmable thermostats or specially designed, efficient heating and cooling systems for a rented flat. That won’t be economical, and as Backed Homes points out, it’s not your duty to do so.
But just because you’re a tenant doesn’t mean you can’t save energy in your rental. By taking the necessary actions to lower your electricity usage, you can also take advantage of energy efficiency’s advantages. Energy efficiency offers a healthier environment and lower utility costs. Studies show that utilizing energy-saving techniques can lower your annual utility expenses.
We’ll look at various strategies for reducing energy consumption at home. Some of them require your participation, while others call for the purchase of other equipment.
Six ways to reduce energy usage in your rental
1. Cut down on phantom power
When you are not actively using gadgets that are plugged into outlets, phantom power consumption occurs. What this means is that when electronics such as toasters, televisions, and desktop computers are plugged in but not in use, they slowly consume power over time.
If possible, unplug any cords that are not being actively used, especially if you are planning to be away for a long period of time. An alternative is to purchase smart power strips, which cut off electricity use while devices are not in use. Smart power strips are a convenient alternative to manually unplugging devices to save energy.
2. Replace the old light bulbs with LED bulbs
The most energy-efficient lamps are ones using LED bulbs. According to studies, LED bulbs use 85% less electricity than incandescent bulbs and 40% less energy than fluorescent bulbs. By switching out your lightbulbs for LED ones, you may lower the overall electricity consumption of your rental. It might be preferable to talk about this with the landlord or property manager before the execution. Describe the several advantages of replacing these bulbs, including how they save energy and money, their robustness, and environmental benefits.
The bulbs can be changed on your own. However, if you’ll only be staying there temporarily and the landlord or property managers won’t permit you to switch to LED bulbs, you can buy LED fixtures like table and floor lamps in their place.
3. Turn down the thermostats when not in use
Electricity is used for household heating and cooling, which raises energy costs. But depending on your requirements, you can choose how frequently you use them. For instance, when no one is home, you can turn off the heat. Additionally, you can lower the thermostat before going to bed and then curl up beneath the cover to stay warm. With this tactic, you might be able to reduce your energy bill expenses by up to 10%.
4. Inform your landlord or property manager of plumbing issues
The utility bills also include charges for water usage. Thousands of gallons can be lost annually due to a slow leaky faucet. Water waste and excessive utility costs are brought on by running toilets. You might believe that it just amounts to a small sum.
On the other hand, ongoing slow leaks or running toilets will increase your energy costs. Inform the landlords or property managers of the problems now, rather than waiting until you vacate the property, so they can be fixed. You can reduce your energy costs by doing this.
5. Weather-strip the windows
If the windows of an apartment don’t support energy efficiency, the building will waste more energy. Gaps in the windows allow heat to escape or cold air to leave the building. As a result, heating or cooling the flat will use more energy from the HVAC system. By weatherstripping your windows, you can stop it from happening.
There are many weather-stripping products on the market that work well for this. Depending on your budget, you can pick affordable options. Depending on how old the window is, you might double the layers of weather-stripping material.
Keep an eye out for additional openings and doors that permit airflow or energy loss, and check the area to observe cold or hot air escaping. If you notice a draft, you can use gaskets to seal these areas.
6. Use the dishwasher appropriately
Some individuals think that washing soiled plates before putting them in the dishwasher is a good idea. This wastes water and results in high utility costs. Regardless of how dirty your plate is, modern dishwashers will clean it. However, with older dishwashers, this may not be the case.
You can enjoy energy efficiency even in a rental home. All you need are a few accessories and energy-saving habits. Experts can help you inspect your apartment and recommend suitable energy-saving strategies for your home.
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