Going green is something that homeowners are prioritizing today, all because of the myriad benefits that the move can open.
From cutting down energy bills to reducing your carbon footprint and supporting sustainable living, there are many ways in which this decision can make your life better. But apartment dwellers often struggle with the idea of making their homes green.
Obviously, it may not sound as easy as it is for independent homeowners. However, it is not impossible to achieve as some small changes can make big differences.
Here are some measures that apartment dwellers can implement for sustainable living.
Upgrading To Energy Efficient Appliances
Perhaps the easiest thing to do is to say goodbye to the outdated appliances and make a move towards energy-efficient devices.
Amazingly, there are a lot of options on the market, that will help you save up on energy without compromising with style and functionality.
Just swapping your halogen bulbs with LEDs is helpful, while you should opt only for certified and smart appliances when you buy new ones.
Consider replacing every appliance and electrical fitting one by one till your place becomes fully green and energy efficient. By upgrading to such appliances, you can actually cut down energy bills while protecting the environment.
This is something that the renters, owners and the community need to at local and national level.
Switching to solar energy
Just because it’s not possible to install solar panels in your apartment does not mean you cannot use renewable energy. You still have the option for switching to solar energy without spending a fortune and in the most hassle-free manner.
Consider signing up for community solar to get the advantage of clean and green energy for your home. The best part is that you don’t need to install solar panels or invest in any related equipment to get access to solar energy.
Rather, it is available on a subscription basis, which means you end up saving on electricity bills as well as making your living space eco-friendly.
Adding plants to your space
The most obvious measure for going green is by actually having greenery indoors. Simply speaking, adding plants to your living space is a great idea.
Apart from adding to the aesthetic appeal of your apartment, plants can detoxify the indoor air. They take in the carbon dioxide and release oxygen in the air, which makes it clean and pure naturally.
Think of creative ways to add some plants to each part of the apartment. You may have small herbs in the kitchen, some potted plants in the living room and bedrooms and even a full-fledged vertical garden on the balcony. Stick to plants that are easy to maintain and indoor-friendly.
Insulating your home
Another simple and smart measure that can turn your apartment into a green home is to insulate the external walls of the house. This will keep the place cool during the summer and warm during the winter, and this way will reduce the energy consumption of the building.
If your budget does not allow an external insulation of the house, you can simply fill in all the gaps (in the wall, doors, windows etc,) you can use curtains to cover the windows, and all these things will provide a minimal insulation of the building without spending a fortune.
It will also save you some money on energy bills and will make your home more comfortable as well.
Making recycling a way of life
For apartment dwellers who want to go green, recycling should be a way of life rather than just a conscious effort.
This is not something that apartment dwellers should confine to individual efforts only. The best you can do is to set up an easy-to-follow recycling program for the community as a whole.
Many communities are making conscious efforts in this direction by having dedicated recycling centers on-site to raise the awareness of the residents.
Ensure that your waste removal company has a recycling program. Placing bins with the apt signage in accessible locations around the property is a good idea to encourage recycling.
Conclusion
Apart from these steps, small measures like using low-VOC paints and investing in sustainable furniture help. Go the extra mile with saving water too. Remember that even small actions can make the earth a cleaner, greener and better place. This is a small bit that you can do and must absolutely do!
