How To Make Your Rental More Energy Efficient

Being sustainable and aware of all the ways you can make more eco-friendly life choices is something many people neglect. Whether this is something you know a lot about or if this is your first encounter with it, there's always room for improvement. Especially if you're a rookie, you don't want to bite off more than you can chew. One of the best places to start is with some alterations to your rental property. Instead of carelessly wasting energy, here are some tips on how to make your rental more energy-efficient that you can implement. 
 

Keep your appliances clean

The easiest thing you can do to make your rental property more energy-efficient is to clean all your appliances. Especially with today's pollution, which causes poor air and water quality, our appliances are more susceptible to glitching and breaking down. Maintaining them and cleaning your washing machine, dishwasher, fridge, and other devices as often as possible will prolong their lifespans. The most important things to clean thoroughly are coils on the back of your fridge. They're known to hog a lot of energy when they get filthy and will make your fridge run slower. Cleaning your appliances on a regular basis should be a mandatory step of home maintenance. And it’s a step you shouldn’t skip.

Install a programmable thermostat

Do you have difficulties maintaining your temperature, and it always ends up being either too hot or too cold? We have a solution that'll make finding the perfect balance easier and help you cut down on your energy bill. Instead of cranking up your heater to its maximum just to be safe, you can install a programmable thermostat to do that for you - technology is taking over, and it's great. It'll control the temperature and keep it within your predetermined limits. The great news doesn't stop there - you can get this gadget for as low as $35 and install it in no time. There are no downsides.

Turn down the thermostat at nighttime

Once you've installed the thermostat, you can also adjust its settings to function differently at night. We don't need to be as warm while we sleep. It's healthier for us if the temperature is lower at night, so you'd again be killing two birds with a single programmable thermostat.

Energy-efficient ways of controlling the temperature

Aside from adjusting your heating and cooling sources, there are other ways to keep your home cooler or warmer, depending on the season. Here's what you can do:

●      Weatherstrip your windows. Since windows are some of the most significant ways that your home loses heat during the colder days, you should try weatherstripping them. Luckily, there are many cheap ways to do this. You can also double down by adding two layers just in case. However, if you're looking for a more immediate and less permanent solution, you can always roll up your towels and stick them in front of window sills to lessen the impact of cold winds.
 

●      Place thicker rugs on cold floors. Another similar method is placing rugs on your hardwood floors. It'll not only help control the temperature, but it'll also be great for the interior.
 

●      Keep your blinds down in the summer. One of the worst things during the summer days is not being able to escape the blinding sunlight even in your own home. You can crank up the AC all you want, but the sunrays are impossible to neutralize. That's why you should keep your blinds down. During the summer days - staying in the shadows is the way to go.
 

●      Seal outlets and switches. Insulation in the walls helps keep the outside weather where it belongs. However, installing outlets and light switches requires you to take out the insulation in those spots, which, in turn, allows air to get in. Make sure to seal these parts off once everything is set up.

Purchase smart energy strips to make your rental more energy-efficient

You might be right if you think your energy bills are much higher than what you actually spend. If you have many appliances plugged in all the time, it might be time to think about purchasing a smart energy strip. Don't worry - even though it sounds fancy, it's actually a pretty cheap solution. They go for about $80, and they'll pay off in no time at all. They'll help shut down the phantom energy expenses and stop your appliances from wasting energy while they're not working. 

Replace your light bulbs

Purchasing energy-efficient bulbs might not sound like the most groundbreaking way to make your rental property be more energy-efficient, but it works great. Although it's a fairly small waste of energy, the results would pile up quickly if every household were to do this. 

Purchase energy-efficient kitchen appliances

A considerable percentage of the energy you spend comes from your kitchen appliances. Along with cutting down on the unnecessary usage of these items, you can also purchase ones that are better for the environment. Here are some appliances you should exchange for better models:

● Energy-efficient refrigerator. Fridges are a big part of all the energy spent in our kitchens. Finding a more energy-efficient model can do a lot for the environment and your electricity bills. Make sure to follow the necessary steps when you move a refrigerator out and the new one in.  
 

● Induction cooktop. Induction cooktops transfer electromagnetic energy much more efficiently than regular stoves. They're quicker and far more efficient. 
 

● Convection oven. With an internal fan that circulates air inside the oven, the heat will be distributed more evenly, and the food will be cooked more efficiently. 
 

Wash your clothes at colder temperatures

Of course, you sometimes need to wash your clothes at higher temperatures, especially your towels and underwear. But you can turn the heat down when washing the rest of your clothes. It will make your rental more energy-efficient, but it'll also make your clothes more durable.

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