Low Cost Tips and Tricks to Make Your Rental More Energy Efficient

 

 

Low Cost

Tips to Make Your Rental More Energy Efficient

 

 

     1. Install a Programmable Thermostat: Use a programmable thermostat to take control of your heat and cooling levels, which will reduce your energy use and lower your bills.

 

     2. Install Gaskets Behind Outlets & Switches: If you put your hand next to an outlet or switch plate and can feel air coming through, then you should install these gaskets to prevent unnecessary heat loss and air infiltration.

    3. Caulk & Seal Around Window and Doors: If you live in an old building, it's likely you have single pane windows and old or missing caulk. Combat air leaks by applying caulk around window frames and sashes and door panels, and of course there's the old plastic sheet option for the winter.

    4. Use Power Strips: A lot of energy is wasted through electronics left plugged in, and the resulting vampire energy. Put a stop to it by using one of a number of cool, smart energy strips, which will turn off vampire energy when the electronics are not in use.

    5. Check Your Water Heater Settings: Make sure your water heater is set at the lowest comfortable setting. If you've ever experienced scalding hot water, it's possible it's set too high and is wasting energy. If the tank is old, it's probably an insulated unit, which can be easily remedied by covering it with an insulating jacket.

    6. Replace The Furnace Filter: Make sure the furnace filter is being changed every 1-3 months to ensure clean air and improve the furnace efficiency. These are inexpensive and easy to install, but depending on where your mechanical closet is located, you may need to ask your landlord for assistance.

   7. Use Energy Efficient Bulbs: We've tested a ton of energy efficient light bulbs and at this point they look so good, and the prices have dropped enough, that there's no reason a majority of your bulbs shouldn't be LED or CFLs. Even if you're put off by the higher (slightly) upfront cost, you can simply unscrew them and take them with you when it's time to move.

    8. Install Window Shades: More than just window décor, blinds and curtains can help control the heat loss/gain and light levels. Using heavy curtains in the winter will help block any heat loss, as well as unwanted heat gain in the summer. Blinds can be adjusted throughout the year to also control light levels and privacy.

    9. Use a Humidifier & Lower Your Heat: Keeping humidity levels up during the winter is not only good for your health, but also for your air and furniture. It also helps keep the ambient air temperature feeling warmer than dry air, which means you can turn your thermostat down. If your HVAC system doesn't have a humidifier built-in, then you can get an inexpensive and portable humidifier to use during dry conditions.

    10. Clean Your Refrigerator: It's unlikely that you'll purchase new energy efficient appliances for your rental, but you can tweak the ones you already have. For example, by cleaning the coils on the back of your fridge you'll help one of the biggest energy hogging appliances run more efficiently.