In these hot and sticky summer days we are all doing whatever it takes to keep cool and to beat heat. But sometimes in our desire to keep cool, we forget about the importance of energy consumption.
The Certified Rental Building™ Program encourages residents to become more environmentally conscious and energy efficient. All CRB-approved™ building are Living GREEN Together™ certified. Watch this video to learn more…
Here are 10 easy tips to help ensure that you are cutting back on both your environmental footprint and energy costs. Regardless of if you pay your own electricity costs or it is part of your rent, conserving energy is important and YOU can make a difference!
- Master the technique of ‘task lighting’ and keep the lights in your apartment on only if you need them! It’s that simple and effective.
- Replace incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent or LED lighting as they are more energy efficient and do a much better job of keeping your apartment cool.
- Small things can make a big difference. For example, shutting the blinds to block sunlight from entering the room does wonders for keeping it cooler, not to mention cutting electricity usage.
- Choose a fan over your rental unit’s air conditioner, unless the air conditioner is needed for medical purposes or there is an extreme heat warning. Always remember, health is the first priority.
- No matter if it’s an air conditioner or fan; turn it off when your apartment is empty.
- Ensure all windows are shut when the air conditioner is running. When hot air comes in, the air conditioner requires more energy to keep the room cool.
- Make it a routine to turn off computers along with printers when they are not in use. While leaving them on for the entire day has become a household phenomenon, they are a major contributor to energy consumption, even when you are not using them.
- Avoid using a microwave to thaw frozen food before cooking. Use the fridge to thaw frozen items. This results in a shorter time needed for cooking.
- Wash dishes and cutlery by hand instead of using the dishwasher, especially when the dishwasher is only half full.
- Do your laundry only when you have a full load! It’s best to wash less in bigger bundles. If you do have to wash a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting and cold water cycle.
Give these tips a try! You can make a difference.
