You may not own your apartment or home, but you still have to pay the bills. The following simple changes won't cost you much and they can make a big difference on your energy budget. It's a great way to reduce your impact on the environment as well.
- Focus on lighting. Replace conventional incandescent lightbulbs with ENERGY STAR®-certified LEDs. These bulbs are at least 80% more efficient and last much longer.
- Adjust the thermostat. Raise or lower temperatures (depending on the season) at night and when you're away from home. If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to optimize savings while maintaining comfort.
- Go unplugged. Many electronic devices continue to use power when they're turned off or not in use. Unplug battery chargers and any other devices when it's convenient. Use a power strip as a central point to shut off power to clustered devices.
- Take shorter showers. The typical shower uses 30 to 50 gallons of hot water, costing you money. Limit your time in the shower to 10 minutes or less. Install water-efficient showerheads; it's a low-cost upgrade that can reduce energy and water use.
- Cook up energy savings. Cooking at home is a great way to make healthy meals. Cover pots and pans to cook food more efficiently, and match them to the size of the burner. Use a microwave oven to heat food whenever possible. Scrape dishes instead of rinsing before loading them into the dishwasher, and run it only when full.
- Use window treatments. Close window treatments on south-facing windows in summer to keep out solar heat during the day. In the winter, open curtains or drapes during the day to let in the warmth of the sun; close them at night to retain heat.
Talk to your landlord or property manager about additional energy efficiency improvements. High-performance windows, ENERGY STAR appliances and other upgrades will not only help reduce your energy bills, they're also a great investment. Studies have shown that such upgrades can improve property value and increase occupancy rates.