When it comes to utility management and apartment sustainability, multifamily housing can shape its future by becoming more agile and adaptable, and embracing change.
Investors are increasingly emphasizing sustainable apartments. There is much stronger push with investors across the board. They are looking for programs that tie to sustainability.
Providing residents with the tools to promote sustainability is a starting point. If residents can see their consumption and its impact on billing, they are more likely to try to conserve.
There are so many ways to reduce expenses though sustainability that as a landlord or a tenant, here we present you some options:
Pay attention to the thermostat
Lowering your thermostat setting between 7 and 10 degrees for eight hours a day could help you save as much as 10% on your heating or cooling bill. You can make the energy-saving process even easier with a programmable thermostat, if you use it properly the temperature settings you choose. It pays off.
Insist on using rechargeable batteries
Rechargeable batteries have come a long way in just a few decades. You will save money if you make the switch from those outdated, disposable alkaline batteries. Be sure to recycle your old batteries, though, as they are especially toxic and should not be thrown away.
Ditch the bottled water
Bottled water is fairly expensive, and creates a lot of needless waste. If you live in an area with drinkable tap water, you can cut back on that unnecessary plastic by using your reusable container of choice.
Reusable containers everywhere
Bring your own mug to your local coffee shop in the morning, remember to bring your reusable bags when you visit the grocery store.
Helping curb the staggering volume of waste generated by typical consumers daily is reason enough to try.
Sustainable shopping
Even at the grocery store, you can make good choices that help the planet along with your wallet. Meat, seafood, and produce grown locally also require fewer carbon emissions to arrive at your local market than those grown elsewhere. Select products with recyclable packaging wherever you can.
Solar power
Residential solar power systems are cheaper and easier as you might think, and nothing is more sustainable than reducing your reliance on the local power grid. Harnessing the sun’s natural energy will save more, long-term, than most energy-conservation tactics.
Natural light and turn off your TV
Turning off the lights you are not currently using can have an immediate impact and help you save 9% of electricity usage. As for the television, modern flat-screen LED units do not use as much energy as those old tube models, but even the most efficient model will not save much money or electricity if it is left on all the time in the background. If you are not actually watching it, turn it off.
Unplug devices and small devices
Many of the devices in your home consume power even when turned off, just by virtue of still being plugged in. This phenomenon is called “phantom power” or “vampire power,” and it adds up: sleeping devices may account for 5–10% of household power use.
Go Paperless
Ask for paperless billing and statements for all your credit cards, bank accounts, and utilities. Today it is just unnecessary to cut down trees to have a physical record.
Water Consumption
Wasting water inflates your water bill, but it also has a much greater negative impact from a sustainability perspective; clean water is a precious resource in many areas. Luckily, saving water is pretty simple.
Home’s energy efficiency
Many homes, especially older homes, can benefit significantly from energy-saving upgrades like new weatherstripping or additional insulation. This kind of upgrade can be relatively inexpensive and will do a lot of good for energy conservation.
You can also consider having your vents cleaned to improve airflow if your heating and cooling system has trouble keeping up when outside temperatures are especially hot or cold.
Green energy credits
See if a renewable-energy offset program is available in your area.
Many forward-thinking energy companies offer green energy plans for eco-conscious consumers. Some are backed by renewable energy credits, and others allocate electricity generated by renewable energy technologies like wind or solar power.
Make a Budget
Are you buying things you don’t need or replacing items that could be repaired or used for longer?
One of the easiest, and perhaps most frequently overlooked, ways to live sustainably and save money is to simply create a budget. Track your expenses and look at where you are spending money—and why. Save mo
ney is to avoid buying things you don’t need.
These ideas simply seek to minimize the energy and resource consumption. As simple as that sounds, there are many ways to implement that philosophy into a lease. The landlord and tenant should work together to make the needed investments and system changes, and they can share the rewards.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
