Up to a few decades or even years ago, people didn’t know what ecology was. The main reason behind that isn’t ignorance, but carelessness. As the world and science advance at rapid speed, people are getting more and more familiar with the concept of being eco-friendly. How does that affect you, the landlord? As being eco-friendly is becoming a positive trend without a sign of ceasing any time soon, you can use it to your advantage. By becoming a green landlord, you’re reducing your and your tenant’s carbon footprint. This directly means that you’re helping the planet and saving money at the same time. Here’s how to adapt your real estate to earn more money from renting.
1. Energy
Energy is one of the most important problems on our way to eco-awareness. While buying completely new eco-friendlier appliances is good, it only wastes more money and creates waste that can’t be recycled. Instead of that, adapt your real estates to more energy-efficient ways.
The easiest way to do it is by using LED lightbulbs instead of the regular ones. Even though they may cost more, LED bulbs last 20 times longer than regular light bulbs. Unlike regular lightbulbs that produce more heat than light, LED bulbs are more efficient in converting energy into light, without heating up. In addition to that, they are toxin-free, which makes them safe for the environment.
Related: 6 Ways Landlords Can Cut Energy Costs Now
2. Insulation
Insulating your rental property is another way to save energy. However, you have to keep in mind that the process isn’t the same for every type of property. Attics, basements, and garages give away a lot of heat. This means that if you want to save money and energy, you should begin by insulating these areas.
However, insulation is a waste of money if you have unidentified bypasses that let the heat in or out. Lift the insulation up and try to detect moist or dusty patches. They are usually darker in color. By ensuring that your chimneys, vents, plumbing, walls, and vires are insulated, you’re using the full potential of this process. Besides that, you should seal your windows. They are one of the culprits of wasted energy that new, green landlords often miss.
3. Water
We can’t stress enough how important it is to save water. You’re not saving only water. You’re saving the energy that goes into heating it as well. Even though you might think that you’re using only the necessary amount of water, there are always more ways to improve the eco-friendliness of the bathrooms and kitchens in your real estate.
There are numerous ways to save water at home. You can install some tools and gadgets to help you preserve the water. However, the big part is played by your tenants. If they are aware of the environmental issues our planet is facing, they will be more likely to participate in saving water. You can always ask them to reuse the boiled water for something else or take shorter showers. Many of them would be happy to oblige.
4. Greenery
Is there a better way to support eco-friendliness than by planting flowers, plants, and trees? They look great, make the space more inviting and calmer, plus they reduce your carbon emission by creating oxygen. It’s a winning situation for you, your tenant, and the planet. However, not everyone is lucky enough to have a yard.
Not having a yard or a terrace shouldn’t stop you from pursuing the eco-dreams. You can create a high-quality green wall that simply freshens up your indoor or outdoor space. The best part of this vertical garden is that you can mix different kinds of plants and create a custom wall. Green wall kits carry healthier plants by retaining more water and growing stronger roots. Additionally, it’s a great place to start growing organic veggies!
5. Recycling
To be fair, recycling may be out of reach for you as a landlord. You can’t control what your tenants use and throw away. Is there something that you can do?
For starters, you can get recycling bins or clearly state where the nearest recycling container is. That’s how you’ll raise awareness and provide the opportunity to recycle. If you opt for getting your own bins, make sure that it is clear what material goes where. Additionally, you can get a compost bin and ask them to create compost. It’s ideal for the plants and helps them grow better and stronger.
Conclusion
The benefits of becoming a green landlord are clear: you reduce the carbon footprint, keep your tenants happy, and earn more money. There is nothing to lose. You can always seek for more ways to improve the eco-friendliness of your apartments or houses. Once you start living and promoting green life, you won’t want to go back. Become a green landlord and save the planet for your children.
This article has been contributed by Stella Ryne.