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Here are eight ways to make an apartment building more energy-efficient and cut down the expenses. Read on!
Most renters are trying to cut down their expenses in order to make up for the increasing prices of almost everything. One of the easiest places to save some money is in apartments.
Aside from being good for the environment, making an apartment building energy-efficient will also help in reducing monthly utility bills.
But, how can you make such buildings energy-efficient? Here are some ways you can take into consideration:
Do Not Ignore Insulation
The external enclosure of the apartment building must be designed to lower both cooling and heating needs. If possible, the insulation should make the building sealed. For new apartment buildings, this can be accomplished using non-tradition walls and high-performance insulation systems. Window and door replacements in order to prevent leakages in existing apartment buildings can be a worthy investment.
Schedule Energy-Efficient Inspection
Another way to make an apartment building more energy-efficient is to seek help from energy auditors to assess where the building stands when it comes to energy efficiency.
These professionals are equipped with the skills and tools needed to efficiently assess the building’s efficiency and identify which areas need to be enhanced by recommending low-cost measures.
Actually, these will help in figuring out which areas of the building need more abrupt attention. Nevertheless, if you want to improve the efficiency further, you may want to check out WideSky Cloud or other businesses offering smart technology.
Install Energy-Efficient Lights
When it comes to light fixtures, as well as lamps, it’s highly recommended that you use LED light bulbs. As a matter of fact, LEDs that are energy-star certified usually use 90% less energy and will last 15 times longer compared to standard bulbs.
Pick the Right Ventilation System
Since the apartment building will be as sealed as possible, it’s advisable to make use of ventilation systems to prevent moisture buildup while maintaining good air quality.
A heat recovery ventilator is a system that utilizes the outgoing air from the apartment building to heat arriving air. During the summer, the air from the apartment building can help cool the air that comes from the outside.
Invest In Solar Panels
If you have a budget, you may want to invest in solar panels to make your apartment building more energy-efficient. Consider here how apartments for rent in Victorville have done it.
You can install these on the rooftop, and you’ll notice that your electric bills will be reduced significantly. It’s because solar panels will help you produce electricity as long as there’s enough source of sunlight.
This is a crucial thing to take into account, particularly when you think of the fact that solar panels are so cost-effective. Nevertheless, if you want to improve the efficiency of solar panels, consider installing backup batteries.
Look for Better Ways to Cool and Warm the Apartment
By making adjustments to cooling and heating systems, you’ll reduce energy consumption in your apartment building. For example, instead of using an air conditioner, consider installing ceiling fans.
But, if you want to use air conditioners, make sure to change the air filters periodically. You can also install a pellet stove or a wood stove since it is a more efficient heat source than furnaces.
Opt for a Tankless Water Heater
A tankless water heater can directly heat without using a storage tank. What’s more, it‘ll only provide hot water when needed. This kind of water heater doesn’t give off the standby energy loss usually associated with a traditional storage water heater that’ll cut energy costs.
Once you turn on the hot tap water, cold water will, then, travel through the pipes toward the unit. Gas burners or electric elements will heat the water. Thus, a tankless water heater offers a continuous supply of hot water. You don’t have to wait for the storage tank to fill with adequate hot water.
Plant Shady Landscaping
If you can have landscaping outside the apartment building, make sure to take advantage of it. Landscaping will protect the building from chilly winds during winter and intense sun in the summer days.
Trees, along with their leaves, will protect the apartment from the rays of the sun during hotter days and make it cooler to live inside comfortably. If the apartment is already equipped with energy-efficient appliances and has good insulation, the effect will become much smaller since the building is blocking all heat sources.
The Takeaway
Without a doubt, making apartment buildings more energy-efficient isn’t that totally hard. As you may have read above, there are many simple ways of achieving so, and you don’t need to do them all at the same time. It means you can make a few alterations every now and then to avoid overwhelming yourself.
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