These days, more people than ever are trying to do their part to help our environment. In addition to turning off lights and recycling, being smart about where you rent your future home can also make a major difference. Today, Decker Properties has some great tips on what to look for on your next rental to live as sustainably as possible.
Sustainable Add-Ons
There are many challenges that come with moving – especially if you’re relocating to another state. However, there are many changes that you can make to your rental to save energy and reduce your utility bills, and potentially the most significant of these changes involves installing solar panels. This is easier to do if you are renting out your own home, but by adding panels, you will greatly reduce the utility bills, and over the years, the panels pay for themselves. Solar panels use the power of the sun so you are using very little energy from the power grid.
You don’t necessarily need to break the bank when it comes to eco-friendly add-ons. You can reduce water waste by installing low-flow showerheads in the bathrooms. You can also save water by testing your toilets to ensure that they are working efficiently when you flush.
It is also important to have a rental that utilizes LED bulbs within all light fixtures. LEDs are typically brighter and more vivid and they also cost less to buy and use.
Smart Appliances
Landlords who are renting out their properties would be smart to install smart appliances wherever they can because renters will be looking for them as they look to live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle.
Start with a smart thermostat that will manage the temperature of the home all day and night. The US Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat at 78-degrees during the summer when you are at home and up to 83-degrees while you are at work to save the most energy. This is all good in theory, but it can be easy to forget to change temperatures all the time, so a smart thermostat can remember for you and change the temperature automatically.
EcoMENA notes that the kitchen can also be modified with a number of smart appliances. Smart washing machines can cut down on water waste. Smart refrigerators use less energy overall while still keeping your food cold and fresh. Even a smart coffee maker uses less water and a reusable filter to avoid waste.
Driving Distance and Eco-Friendly Movers
As an environmentally conscious renter, it is not only about what is inside a potential rental but where it is located. Vehicle emissions are still as dangerous to the environment as ever so if you can find a property that is closer to your job, friends, and family, then you can drive less and help the environment in that way as well.
You can start this change from day one as you try to find a local furniture mover that also cares about the environment. Even if you are moving to a place far away, you can research online for long distance movers and in addition to obtaining quotes and reading customer reviews, you can ask them about their sustainable practices, such as if they make it a point to drive efficient routes. Before meeting with a moving company to get a quote and discuss your needs, you can evaluate companies by reading reviews online.
If you’re moving to an apartment, you have the advantage of having a range of choices as it pertains to driving distances to shopping and the workplace. Reach out to Decker Properties, who has apartments for rent throughout southeast Wisconsin.
If you watch the news, you know how important it is for us to protect our planet. We all have to do our part. So do yours by looking for a rental that prioritizes sustainability, which you’ll know by whether they have eco-friendly add-ons, smart appliances, and they advertise short commutes to shopping centers and other attractions.
Decker Properties owns and manages hundreds of apartments throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Contact us today for more information! 262-785-0840