Green Living, Rental-Style
by Kayla Albert • March 21, 2011 • Home & Garden • 0 Comments
While you may not be able to install a solar array on the roof of your apartment building or put a low-flow toilet in your bathroom, there are still plenty of ways you can make your rental more eco-friendly. Even better, most of these tips cost very little and require only creative thinking or simple resourcefulness. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
Ok, so your landlord may not appreciate you swapping out your toilet for a greener model, but a showerhead is a different story. If your showerhead was made before 1992 (and considering it’s a rental, it might very well be), it uses a whopping 5.5 gallons of water per minute. You can change this by purchasing a low-flow model, many of which cost less than $20.
2. Upgrade Your Light Bulbs
Compact fluorescents or LED light bulbs might be a little pricier than traditional incandescent bulbs, but the energy and money savings will certainly make up for the price in the long run. And of course, if you move before reaping the benefits, you can always take the bulbs with you.
3. Keep Your Energy Contained
It’s no secret that the windows and doors on rental units tend to be pretty poor at keeping heat in. This problem can be fixed by adding weather stripping or applying reflective foil behind radiators. In the summer, beat the heat by applying plastic glazing to the windows or using sun shielding blinds.
4. Opt for Used or Long-Lasting Furniture
Before purchasing another furniture item that won’t even last the lifetime of your lease, consider buying something from Craigslist or splurging for a multifunctional item that won’t end up in the dump in a few years. This will help you create a sustainable abode.
So now there are no excuses—just because you live in a rental doesn’t mean you can’t be an eco superstar. Get to it.
Links: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/02/how-to-go-green-rentals.php
Kayla Albert is a visiting writer from CalFinder Remodeling. Before joining the CalFinder Team, Kayla worked towards her bachelor’s degree in English Writing from the University of Colorado at Denver. She is committed to bringing a quirky edge to remodeling ideas and home design. You can also read Kayla’s work at Confessions of a Perfectionist.
