As Americans become more eco-conscious, so, too, do their living environments. In fact, according to Angi, an astounding 92% of people made eco-friendly improvements to their homes in 2022. Having sustainable designs and eco-friendly amenities makes your apartments more appealing to today’s eco-focused renters. Yet, “going green” also offers many advantages for property owners, including lower energy bills and less water waste.
With Earth Day right around the corner, it’s a great time to start thinking about how to make your living spaces more sustainable. It isn’t particularly difficult to incorporate green elements into your multi-family properties, and sometimes, seemingly small efforts can lead to major savings. This Earth Day, consider making the following upgrades and enhancements to your apartments and other multifamily properties.
Swap out standard lightbulbs for LED models
If you have not already done so, swapping out old, traditional lightbulbs for energy-saving LED models is a quick, economical way to save serious time and money. LED lights are the most energy-efficient models on the market. They also last much longer than traditional bulbs, so you don’t have to switch them out nearly as often. LEDs are also more resistant to damage and generate higher-quality light than incandescent lightbulbs, making them especially attractive to renters.
Choose carbon-neutral building materials
Carbon-neutral construction materials like steel, concrete, aluminum, wood and glass strike an important balance between the amount of carbon they release into the air and the amount of it they absorb from the atmosphere. In other words, these building materials reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are key contributors to climate change.
Limit water waste
While there are, of course, exceptions, renters may not be as careful about conserving water as they would be if they owned their homes. Thus, it makes sense to add elements that make it as easy as possible for residents to save water. Swapping out traditional shower heads or kitchen faucets for low-flow models is an easy, effective way to reduce your building’s water consumption. Fixing any leaks or drips as soon as they occur is another.
Use high R-value insulation
Installing high R-value insulation in your building’s roofs and walls is a great way to lower your heating and cooling costs while reducing your reliance on natural gas. R-value indicates how resistant to heat flow a particular material is, and the higher the R-value of your roof and wall insulation, the better its thermal performance.
Incorporate recyclable and eco-friendly materials
Carbon-neutral construction materials like steel, concrete, aluminum, wood and glass strike an important balance between the amount of carbon they release into the air and the amount of it they absorb from the atmosphere. In other words, these building materials reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are key contributors to climate change.
Include plants and landscaping
Plants have been scientifically proven to enhance air quality. Indoor plants help filter chemicals and absorb toxins and CO2, which in turn improves the quality of the air renters breathe. Incorporating plants and greenery into outdoor living areas may also help attract tenants by creating more shade and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a property.
While incorporating green elements into your apartment buildings lowers your carbon footprint and helps your living spaces appeal to eco-conscious renters, there are also major financial arguments for doing so. Most renters say they are willing to pay more for a sustainable living space, so any environmental upgrades you make to a multifamily property should both work in your favor and add to your bottom line.
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