Climate change is a serious threat to everyone. It has necessitated the need for sustainable and eco-friendly environments. “Going green” is becoming the trend and we all need to contribute our best to reduce the amount of carbon footprint.
As a landlord, it would be best to support this goal by making your rental property eco-friendly. Doing this has several benefits. An eco-friend rental property is less expensive to maintain. Your renters will also spend less money on utility bills. Eco-friendly properties attract more tenants.
As a result, you will have lower tenant turnover, high renter retention, low vacancy rates, more rental income, and high-quality tenants. An eco-friendly rental will also motivate your renters to contribute to the global cause and live comfortable lives.
There are specific things you will do to make your rental property eco-friendly. These things are affordable and do not require large budgets. You only need some modifications to your rental property to go green. Below are some tips on how to make your rental property eco-friendly.
REINFORCE THE INSULATION
Rental properties with poor insulation lose heat or air. During colder months, your tenants will need to use more energy to keep the house warm. In warmer seasons, they will need more electricity to cool the property and make it comfortable. The issue is common with older properties.
You can stop this from persisting. All you need is to reinforce the insulation. You can start by caulking the window. Doing so helps to reduce heat or air loss through the gaps. We recommend using cellulose insulation for landlords who want to replace the entire insulation. That is because this type of insulation has a longer lifespan, and the material for making it is 80-85% recyclable.
REPLACE THE LIGHT BULBS
One of the easiest ways to make your rental property more eco-friendly is to install LED bulbs. That is because LED bulbs use a lower amount of energy. They may use as low as one-third of the electricity that other bulbs use to give the same quality of illumination.
In addition, they convert almost all the energy they use into light. They only waste about 5% of the energy as heat and use the rest to produce light. LED bulbs last about 80% longer than other types of bulbs. That means you will spend less money replacing dead bulbs.
LED bulbs are available in different forms and shapes. You can always get the appropriate one for any lighting fixture. Retrofit kits are also available for lighting fixtures that do not accommodate LED bulbs. After attaching the sets to your light fixture, it will be easier to use any LED bulb.
INSTALL LOW-FLOW SHOWER HEADS AND FAUCETS
As part of an eco-friendly lifestyle, you need to minimize water usage. If you have old shower heads and faucets, your renters will not find it easy to reduce their water usage. However, they can easily do this with low-flow shower heads and faucets.
Low flow faucets help lower the amount of water flowing through them without reducing the water pressure. As a result, your tenants will use a lesser volume of water to perform similar tasks. Studies show that you can save about 5 gallons of water when you use them. As a result, you will lower their water bills.
INSTALL A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT
With smart thermostats, your tenants can control the heat or air in the properties remotely. That means they can turn the heating or cooling system on or off of the property even when they are away. It will help your tenants conserve energy and only use the system when they need it.
Programmable thermostats have sensors that automatically switch off the heating or cooling when no one is on the premises. It is an essential feature that aids in reducing energy bills. If your tenants forget to turn off the HVAC system before going out, the smart thermostat will help to shut it off. Doing so protects the environment and reduces energy bills.
INSTALL ECO-FRIENDLY FLOORING
Choose flooring materials that are environmentally friendly. It would be best to install them on your rental property. Eco-friendly floors include bamboo, glass tile, cork, and rubber. The manufacturers make rubber floors from recycled materials like tires. You can commonly see these floors in gyms and fitness centers. However, they are becoming more common in kitchens and bathrooms.
Glass tiles are also made from recycled materials. You can use them in kitchens and bathrooms to boost the aesthetics. Bamboo is eco-friendly, sustainable, and natural. They regenerate quickly and do not require cutting down trees. Cork floors last between 10 to 30 years. They are more durable and easier to maintain.
The bottom line
A crucial way of making your property eco-friendly entails leasing to eco-friendly tenants only. Ensure that you screen the renters and accept only environmentally conscious tenants. Eco-friendly renters can understand, appreciate, and maintain your property.
Guest Blog Post by: Evolve Nevada