Apartment Living and Energy Saving
There are many articles out there which offer great ideas for saving energy in your house. Many people, however, are renters and cannot implement many of the plans, such as energy efficient appliances or insulation.
Does this mean that you cannot conserve energy or slash your electric bill because you do not own your dwelling? Absolutely not! There are simple steps you can take which do not involve digging deep into your pocket to increase your landlord’s equity.
Light Bulbs
Change all the bulbs in your light fixtures to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). These bulbs do cost more than regular lights, but CFLs will cut your light bill and save you money in the long run. Another step is to turn off the lights when you are not using them. If you are stepping out of a room for more than 5 minutes, shut them off.
Turn Down the Thermostat
When you are asleep, just snuggle under more blankets! You can also reduce the temperature when you are not home and do not need the extra heat.
Hot Water Reduction
Clothes do not need to be washed with hot water. There are detergents available that are specifically for cold water washing. You can also turn down the thermostat on the water heater itself. Consider taking shorter showers or installing the aerating, low flow showerheads, which will reduce water consumption. Reduce the amount of water used during a shower, and you’ll reduce how much electricity is needed to heat it.
Let the Sun Shine
Open those drapes! Let the sun naturally heat a room.
Appliances
You may not be able to install energy efficient appliances or even convince your landlord to do so, but you can still save energy with the appliances you have.
Dishwasher
Consider loading the dishwasher fully. The fewer times you have to run it, the more energy and water you are saving. You can also choose to air-dry your dishes instead of having the dishwasher heat dry them.
Refrigerator
Did you know that the more packed a refrigerator is, the more energy it is using? The air cannot circulate when the fridge and freezer are stuffed and it has to work overtime to keep everything cold.
Oven
How about your oven and stove? Fit the pan to the burner so you are not heating the air around it. Microwaves use less energy than ovens and should be used in lieu of the oven when possible. Or, try using a slow cooker. They use comparatively little energy and as a bonus, they are perfect for “fix-it and forget it” cooking!
If you want to take the extra step and spend a little money on your apartment, you can consider installing weatherstripping, or insulating outlets and light switches to stop drafts. Just make sure you are able to install it correctly, or it will cost you more to correct a mistake. Do not know how to do it yourself or don’t want to spend the money? Consider talking to your landlord. He may be amenable to having weatherstripping installed or allowing you to do it in exchange for a discount in rent.
Whatever you decide are the right options for you and your rented space, you’ll be able to cut back energy and save some money every month. Every little step is
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