You don’t have to own your own home to do your part for the environment. Apartment dwellers can go green. There are plenty of things management companies can do to help, but going green starts at home…whether you own it or not. By making small adjustments to the things you do every day you can make a difference.
Just follow these simple tips:
Conduct an Energy Audit:
An energy audit is an inventory of all the things you can do at your home to reduce your energy needs. Once you’ve made your list, prioritize those things that will make the biggest difference on your gas and electric bills.
Insulate Yourself:
Have maintenance seal around windows and doors if you feel a draft. This will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Make your own non-toxic cleaning products:
You wouldn’t believe what you can do with lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil and water. Visit www.eartheasy.com for details and recipes.
Turn water off while brushing your teeth:
On average, each time you brush your teeth with the water flowing, five gallons of water is wasted. On average with the water off, only a half of a gallon of water is used.
Another Bright Idea:
Replace a 100-watt incandescent with a 32-watt CFL and save at least $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.
Tune Up and Turn Off:
Make sure you allow us access when it is time to change your AC filters. Turn off the lights and the computer when not in use. If it has a light it is drawing power, unplug items such as coffee makers and toasters when not in use.
Timing is Everything:
Take advantage of our state of the art, programmable thermostats. This allows your thermostat to take it easy when you aren’t at home. Why spend the extra cash to heat or cool an empty home when you could use that money on something else?
Compost Your Way to a Better Tomorrow:
Invest in an urban compost bin made specifically for apartment living. You can compost right in your own kitchen with out fuss or odor.
Refueling:
Refuel gas tanks after 6 PM and don’t overfill. This will reduce escaping smog-forming fumes.
Go Green Around Town
For many, the commute accounts for most of the miles driven each workday. However, there are many other trips taken – to the store, to lunch and more. Use these tips to reduce the number of trips you take, and help reduce smog-forming emissions.
Tackle Your Trips:
Plan ahead to combine several errands into one trip, or run errands on the way home from work. Run groups of errands in the evening hours, since the impact of emissions is worse during hotter hours. Get your friends and neighbors to tag along and run their errands too.
Get Children On Board:
Encourage children to ride the school bus, or organize a “school pool”- a carpool with other parents. Share after-school driving and take turns driving children to sports practice, swim lessons, music lessons, etc.
Use Technology:
Use the phone and the Internet to locate or purchase products and services, instead of driving from store to store.
Reusable Totes To The Grocery Store:
Visit www.reusablebags.com for awesome handy items for urban shoppers, bikers, walkers & travelers. From foldable shopping trolleys and ultra-compact bags to reusable produce bags and cart helpers, using them helps cut down on disposable bags and boxes.
Make a Smart Vehicle Choice: Do your research on gas mileage and air pollution ratings for new and used cars and trucks. Consider a hybrid for your next purchase.
Use A Clothes Drying Rack Instead Of Your Dryer:
Air-drying increases the life of clothes, by minimizing the damage done to fabrics by appliance-generated clothes drying. Drying clothes in a dryer slowly breaks down the fibers of the clothing. The inherent safety of air-drying is a side benefit. Use of an air-drying rack does not necessitate that one be present while the clothes are drying, as is the case with an electric or gas clothes dryer. Drying racks require very little space and can be moved around, used in or outdoors. Air-drying racks are actually less inconvenient and more of a benefit than one might think.
Make Maintenance Top Priority:
Keep your engine tuned, tires inflated and replace your air filters regularly. A tune up can increase your gas mileage by an average of 4.1 percent, while a new air filter can improve it by up to 10 percent.
Walk or Roll:
In the U.S., more than 25 percent of the auto trips taken are less than a mile in length. Walk, bike, jog or rollerblade when running errands. Exercise is a bonus.
Air-Friendly Outings:
Take transit to metro area sporting events, museums and festivals. Kids will enjoy riding trains and buses.
Turn It Off:
Whenever you are driving, remember to turn off your car instead of idling for long periods. Extended idling causes greater wear and tear on your car, wastes fuel, in addition to adding pollutants to the air. Avoid drive-thru lanes and walk inside instead.
Check Your Gas Cap:
Leaking gas caps contribute to air pollution and waste fuel due to evaporation. Every leaking gas cap equals approximately 200 pounds of evaporative emissions each year. Up to 30 gallons of gasoline can be released annually – that’s a lot of money wasted.
Carpooling:
You can save time, money and share the driving duties. HOV lanes help carpooling commuters get to their destinations faster. Carpooling could significantly reduce that time for you. Carpooling can drastically cut the money you spend on gas and car care.
Telecommuting:
The benefits of telecommuting go beyond freedom from traffic; telecommuting can make you more productive, reduce stress and save you time and money.
Live and give the gift of green:
Visit www.lowimpactliving.com and www.greenshopping.com for great gift ideas, in addition to every day living products. You can find gifts for the entire family including your pets!
