Condo dwellers and apartment renters alike can take advantage of technology to make their space more energy efficient.
Energy efficiency is an important factor in reducing carbon emissions. It can be achieved by reducing the amount of energy we use, increasing the amount of energy we generate or by a combination of both.
There are a number of ways to make your apartment more energy efficient, and we've listed six renter-friendly ways you can get started.
Seal it up
You can make a big difference in your apartment's energy efficiency by improving the insulation of your windows. A quick fix is to seal up any drafts coming in through cracks with some caulk or weather stripping. Installing window film is another easy and inexpensive way to keep your heat in over the cold months. Watch this installation video from our friends at BC Hydro.
There are many excellent videos and step-by-step guides on the web that explain how to find and seal air leaks in your home. For more on draft proofing and insulation, visit our page here.
Get smart
Use smart light bulbs - They are great because they allow you to control them with an app on your phone, and they can also be programmed to turn on and off automatically at certain times of day or night.
Smart light bulbs are easy to use and can help you improve your energy efficiency.
Retrofit
The energy efficiency of major household appliances advanced dramatically when the Government of Canada established new regulations for energy efficiency in 1990. Large appliances use lots of energy. If you are in the market for a new fridge or dishwasher - get high energy efficiency appliances, like ENERGY STAR, which use significantly less electricity than their counterparts.
At the very least, all appliances – new and old – should be maintained properly to keep them running efficiently. Visit our appliance page for more tips.
Turn down the lights
Replace your switches with dimmers. They save energy by reducing the flow of electricity to the bulb and allowing lights to operate with lower power outputs, which also means an extended lifespan on the bulbs.
Plus - the softer light will make your place feel cozy and is a nice mood setter! To learn more about brightness, lighting temperatures and dimmers visit our lighting page.
Fan of the fans
Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioners during hot summer days — ceiling fans use about one-third as much electricity. Conversely, a ceiling fan set to rotate clockwise, will circulate warm air. This will create a gentle updraft, which will force the warm air near the ceiling down into occupied spaces. Easy breezy.
Generators
Using natural resources such as solar power can help you conserve energy as well as save money. While these green power banks don’t output as much energy as some of their fuel consumption heavy competitors, a solar powered generator does have one major benefit: its power source is free. Additionally, because they operate as more of a rechargeable battery, there is no oil or maintenance to upkeep. They are also quieter, lighter, and can be used indoors. Perfect for an apartment or condominium. If you are considering buying a generator for your apartment, make sure it’s solar or battery-powered and NOT gas-powered. Gas-powered generators have the potential to cause carbon monoxide poisoning and should be used only outside in open spaces. Before buying anything, check out these Generator Safety tips by ESA.
Whether you implement all of these or just a couple of them, we hope that this list generated some powerful thoughts about energy conservation for you!