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Take Ownership of Your Rental's Green Factor
Just because you rent doesn't mean ecofriendly living is beyond reach. These 16 tips can help
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/), my blog devoted to all of the things that make a house a home - decorating from the heart, living with intention, and savoring life's simple pleasures.
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/),... More »
From solar panels and reclaimed wood floors to recycled tile and low-E windows, homeowners have plenty of options these days when it comes to green design. But what about renters? If you rent your apartment, some of the larger-scale changes may not be an option, but there are still adjustments you can make on your own (or with your landlord's permission) that will reduce your energy needs, save you money and make for a healthier home and planet.
Check out these 16 great ways to begin.
Check out these 16 great ways to begin.
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| 1. Put in a programmable thermostat. If you have access to your thermostat, replacing the regular controls with a programmable version (like this one) can save you a bundle in energy costs. See the Energy Star website for more info and tips on how to program your thermostat. Ask your landlord first and see if you can get reimbursed for the upgrade. |
2. Use power strips — and turn them off when they're not in use. Power strips can help avoid "vampire" energy use that occurs when devices continue to suck power even when they are off. Have trouble remembering to switch them off? For a little extra money, you can purchase a "smart strip" (like this one from Belkin) that will automatically shut off power.
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| 3. Ask your landlord to lower the water heating temperature. Changing the water heater to the "warm" setting with a maximum temp of 120 degrees will save energy and prevent accidental burns. This is especially important if you ever have little ones around the house! |
4. Use caulk or weather stripping around doors and windows. Make your apartment warmer in winter and cooler in summer by filling gaps where air escapes. If you have a fireplace, be sure the flue is closed.
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by Leclair Decor
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| 5. Seal over VOC-containing paint. If you notice a strong chemical smell from the paint on your walls when you move in, consider getting permission to repaint them yourself. If you get the go-ahead, use a nonbreathable primer like B-I-N shellac-base primer first to cover the old paint; it will seal in the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and prevent further off-gassing. Then, follow that with a coat or two of low-VOC paint. Note that while B-I-N primer itself is not ecofriendly, it finishes off-gassing in a matter of hours, whereas traditional paint can continue emitting toxic fumes for years. |
| 6. Install dimmers or sensors on light switches. Not only are dimmer switches helpful for creating a lovely ambience, but they can also help save energy by allowing you to keep lights at the lowest level required. As an extra step, you could ask to install vacancy sensors, which automatically shut off lights when no one is in the room. 7. Switch to CFL or LED bulbs. If you haven't done it yet, switch over all of your bulbs from incandescents to CFL or LED bulbs, which last far longer. |
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8. Open windows and use fans to increase airflow. New furnishings, paint and other finishes can all impact the air quality in your home. Even if you live in an urban area, air quality is usually better outdoors, so be sure to open your windows for a little while each day in all seasons.
9. Get an air purifier. To really improve the air quality inside your flat, invest in an air cleaner with a HEPA filter, and be sure to stay on top of filter replacements.
9. Get an air purifier. To really improve the air quality inside your flat, invest in an air cleaner with a HEPA filter, and be sure to stay on top of filter replacements.
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| 10. Make a DIY water displacer for your toilet. Reduce the amount of water your toilet uses per flush by placing a liter bottle filled with water inside the tank. 11. Install a dual-flush converter for your toilet. For even more water-saving potential, you can install a dual-flush retrofit in your existing toilet. Run this fix by your landlord first — he or she may even be willing to reimburse you. 12. Switch to a low-flow showerhead. It may seem a little intimidating, but replacing a showerhead is a fairly simple procedure, and you can even remove it and take it with you when you move. |
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13. Reuse water on your houseplants. A simple way to save a bit of water is to pour all of those half-drunk glasses of water into your watering can instead of down the drain. You won't need extra water for plants again!
| 14. Use your window coverings to regulate temperature. During the summer months, close up windows and shades to keep the apartment cooler during the heat of the day. Fling open the windows during the evenings to refresh the air and let in a cool breeze. 15. Hang blackout curtains. This add-on for curtains or shades doesn't just keep it dark in the bedroom in the morning, it can also help insulate your apartment. |
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by Aidan Design
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| 16. Check if your utility company offers a "green power" option. Some cities are now offering renewable energy. If it is available in your area, it would mean that part or all of your electricity could be purchased from wind farms and other renewable sources. |
Ideabook published on July 11, 2012.
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Please provide some good references for this ... what is being emitted, at what levels?
BAD IDEA!!!! I've had well-intentioned tenants whose "green" ideas turned into brown floods. And I charged them for the repair because they fouled up the plumbing.
If you have a low-flow toilet, this is asking for sewer clogs and toilet problems. The low-flow toilets are engineered to REQUIRE the whole volume. If you have an old high-flow toilet, the same comment applies. You can mess up the toilet's flushing ability if you interfere with the flow.
Instead, make sure the toilet flapper is not leaking, that the tank shutoff works as intended, and don't flush sanitary napkins, diaper inserts, huge wads of toilet tissue, or huge wads of paper towels.
Good ideas in general.