Tips for Green Living
Published on March 6, 2024 by Amy
As a renter, you may feel limited in making environmentally friendly choices. However, many simple and affordable ways exist to live a more sustainable lifestyle, even in an apartment. One of the easiest things you can do is reduce your energy consumption. This not only helps the environment but can also save you money on your utility bills. Explore our suggestions for heating and cooling, managing electronic devices, and optimizing household appliances below!
Quick Tips:
- Turn off lights when leaving a room.
- Ensure air registers are unobstructed for optimal air circulation.
- In cooler weather, utilize natural sunlight by keeping window shades open during daylight hours. Conversely, close shades to ward off excessive heat during the summer.
Heating and Cooling Tips:
- Energy-saving temperature. Set an energy-saving temperature on your thermostat, especially when away from home or sleeping.
- Schedule your thermostat. Program smart thermostats to align with your daily schedule for effortless energy conservation.
Electronic Device Tips:
- Unplug electronics when not in use. Many products use energy even when switched off.
- Use a power strip. Using a power strip can provide a central turn-off point when you are done using equipment, eliminating standby power consumption. Smart power strips will automatically turn off when items are not in use!
- Sleep mode. Switch home office equipment to “sleep mode” to conserve energy, extend your equipment’s life expectancy, and emit less heat to the surrounding area.
Household Appliance Tips:
- When using the stove
- Match pot size to stove burner size to avoid wasting heat.
- When washing dishes
- Run the dishwasher only with a full load to conserve energy and water.
- Opt for air drying instead of using the dishwasher's heat dry setting.
- When doing laundry
- Wash clothes with cold water when possible.
- Clean the lint trap before using the dryer for efficient heat circulation.
- Air-dry clothes when feasible instead of using the dryer.
We hope you find these green tips easy to incorporate into your daily life.