March 18, 2019 at 12:52 PM

A world of energy efficient appliances and strategies is here. We need to be more conscious than ever before of saving money and protecting the environment. Not just for ourselves and our own homes but for our tenants and investment properties.

Here are a few tips to help in the home:

Switch to energy efficient light bulbs 

One of the easiest things you can do throughout your rental property, prior to a new tenant moving in, is replace all the old light bulbs with either ebergy efficient light bulbs or even better LED's.

Not only will this significantly lower your tenants electricity bill, but these light bulbs tend to last much longers than normal bulbs.

Insulate ceilings, walls and floors (also a legal requirement by 1 July 2019!)

Good quality insulation helps keep the heat in during winter and out during summer. This makes your house easier and cheaper to heat properly, and more comfortable and healthy to live in.

 

Install Energy Star Appliances

When the time comes to upgrade your rentaol property's major appliances, look to install those with an ENERGY STAR label.

The Energy Rating Label displays a simle star rating - the more stars on the label, the more energy efficient the appliance is. If you're comparing models for energy efficient, they must be the same type - that is, similar in capacity and features. So best to compare apples with apples when you're considering this.

 

Use Low-Flow Everything

By installing low-flow faucet caps, toilets and showerheads, your tenants can save significant amount of water per use, without ever sacrificing their comfort.

 

Mind Your Landscaping

A lot of water is wasted when tenants over-water landscaping in both the front and backyards of their rental home. When planting aim to use native plants that require less water and little-to-no pesticides to stay alive.

We love Jasmine and anything super low maintenance like the Bloodleaf plant.

Use the Sun

If it is time to replace the old, broken windows in your rental property, consider adding larger windows that let more sunlight in.

Make sure they have energy efficient sealing and insulation, and of course, encourage your tenants to let the light in as often as possible to warm their home up during the colder months.

If installing windows throughout your rental is not a cost-effective move for you, consider upgrading your rental to have high-quality blinds that your tenant can use to let more sunlight in.

By improving the existing window treatments, your tenant will be less likely to worry about breaking the cheap blinds that many rentals come with.

 

Perform Regular Property Inspections

One of the best things you can do for your rental home, in terms of staying environmentally friendly, is to perform regular routine property inspections.

During these inspections, you can check for anything that may be harming the Earth, or your tenant’s utility bill, and make changes right away.

 

Small things like the above listed could make the difference between tenants choosing your property over another. Let tenants know that you care and show them the features of the home that could save them money!