In the past decade, Americans have started to consider the impact that their lifestyles might have on the environment and are looking for ways to improve their environmental footprint. As an apartment renter you might often feel powerless to make significant changes on the whole that actually matter. But don’t worry, there are still several EASY things you can do as an apartment renter to help with the conservation of our Earth. Below are 7 tips to help get you started.
1. Use LED Light Bulbs
One of the easiest ways to begin your environmentally-conscious journey is to install LED light bulbs where able. These light bulbs conserve energy, have long shelf lives, and can also set nice ambient moods in your apartment.
Make sure to keep the apartment’s old light bulbs in a box so you can take your new LED light bulbs with you when it comes time to move out. If you’re not able to change the overhead lighting, try using lamps with LED light bulbs instead.
2. Hang up Black-Out Curtains
The US Department of Energy states that 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost via the windows. They also claim that 76% of sunlight that hits standard windows in the warmer months will become heat. Not only do black out curtains help solve these problems, they can also improve your sleep schedules if you aren’t required to wake up at the crack of dawn.
If for some reason you are unable to put in regular curtain rods in your apartment, try out a tension rod that doesn’t require holes. Paper window shades are another option, but they are not as good at keeping light out for the late sleepers.
3. Limit Plastics
We get that not all apartments have fridges with filtered water dispensers or the like. But it is much better for the environment to install a water filtration system than to stock up on plastic water bottles. The Ocean Conservancy reports that almost 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enter our oceans each year. To reduce plastic waste, simply grab a portable water filter such as a Brita or Pur pitcher and never resort to plastic water bottles again.
4. Actually Recycle
The routine of recycling can be a bit intimidating to start for some. At first you’re not sure what goes where and if you’re better off just putting it all in one trash bag instead of risking possible contamination. Don’t let the initial learning curve stop you from conserving the planet.
Keep a separate bag next to your standard trash bag in your apartment and when it comes time to take it out, make sure you get it to the right trash chute. Modern apartments in Fort Worth often have valet trash services that facilitate your recyclying endeavors.
5. Air-Dry Clothing
Consumer Reports claims that clothes dryers use more energy than a new fridge and dishwasher combined. With this in mind, try to limit how much you use you dryer. You don’t have to eliminate the dryer altogether, but leave some items for air- drying such as clothes that are at risk of shrinking or losing color. Your more fragile garments will thank you in the short term and the earth will thank you in the long run.
6. Use the Features on Your Thermostat
A less known fact about electronic thermostats is that most of them have a great feature that significantly reduces energy usage when no one is home. Figure out how to set up this feature as soon as possible. If you need help, try googling the model unit on your thermostat for guides on setting up energy conservation features. If your thermostat does not have this feature, try setting up manual schedules for your thermostat if you have a consistent work/school schedule.
7. Invest in Drought-Tolerant House Plants
Succulents are all the craze right now, and for good reason – they don’t require nearly as much water as house plants of the past. If succulents aren’t your thing, try other drought resistant plants like cacti. Not only do these kind of house plants give you a chance to make your apartment have a more natural atmosphere, they are extremely low-maintenance.
We hope that you take these easy tips and use them to improve your environmental footprint as an apartment renter. These shouldn’t change your lifestyle drastically, but they will help with conserving energy and Earth’s resources.
We’ll Help You Find an Environmentally Conscious Apartment!
If you are searching for an apartment in Fort Worth that has all of the modern features and amenities you could think of while still being focused on energy conservation and living cleanly, give us a call at (817) 685-7368 and we can go over your options. Our service is free and could even save you up to 6 weeks off of your rent!
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