Becoming a more energy-efficient person is becoming increasingly important, not just from a sustainable mindset but also from a apartment cost-savings perspective. Energy bills are continually on the rise, and there is no real sign of them slowing down anytime soon, so there comes a time, especially during the colder winter months when the demand for energy is high, when cutting down on costs and keeping your flat well lit and warm for longer periods of time is a must.
Here are several ways in which you can address your energy needs and efficiency from today!
New Windows
While it’s very common for people to rent out an apartment from a landlord, and it’s not in their best interest for them to pay for new windows to be installed, which is unfortunately how it goes sometimes, therefore, this isn’t something you may be in control of, or your landlord is willing to do.
In case you can’t replace your window insulation or upgrade to triple-glazed with argon or krypton inserts, here are some ways you can do it yourself. Adding weatherstripping and draft stoppers, as well as applying window insulation film, are good temporary solutions. Even if this cuts out the vast majority of the draft, it’s a step in the right direction.
Caulking
It’s common for people to get drafts through cracks in the wall that can develop with the moving of the building or just everyday accidents. Caulk is usually silicone or latex-based, which is perfect for sealing gaps around windows, doors, and the walls and floors if needed. Caulk is a common tool used, so it is very easy to get your hands on and affordable, which is great for renters.
Seal Electrical Outlets
Another area that goes under the radar and is a common air leakage culprit. You can easily install a foam gasket or outlet seals behind the electrical outlets, all in all preventing air leakage, keeping your heated or cooled apartment at the temperature you need it to be for a long time, and minimising the need to have energy on all day.
Door Sweeps
Being an apartment, it’s not uncommon for the public areas, such as the hallway and stairs to be cold or warm as a result of seasonality. Another way to keep your apartment insulated to reduce the amount of energy needed to keep your apartment heated or cooled down is to consider a door sweep for the main door. You will be surprised how much this can transform and reduce drafts throughout your living spaces.
Seal Ductwork
One of many areas that can be a culprit of air leakage and overall reduces the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems is leaky ducts in your bathrooms. This is a very simple and quick solution without the need to get someone external in and therefore without the need for landlord permission or extra cost.
Use mastic sealant or metal tape to seal the joints and connections to the ductwork. You will be able to test to feel any drafts; however, little changes like these all add up and make a huge difference.
Personal Changes
There are other ways in which you can help to cool and remain comfortable within your apartment without having to rely too much on energy during the summer and winter months.
Apartments are usually sun traps for the most part, and are guilty of being extremely warm. Invest in curtains that are effective in blocking out the sun, as this will reduce the amount of sun getting into your apartment during long summer days and prevent overheating and overuse of air conditioning systems and fans.
During the winter months, while you might have a small place to heat up in comparison to a 5-bedroom house, this doesn’t mean you aren’t a victim of harsh winters. It’s all well and good taking the measures to reduce drafts to maximise the energy of heating systems; however, there are additional things you can do to further reduce it, including hot water bottles, thick and luxurious throws, warm dressing gowns, thick socks, warm clothes and so forth.
Other low-energy options could include electric blankets, which are a game-changer.
Overall
There are so many things you can do that are both cost-effective and renter-friendly in making your apartment a more energy-efficient place to live. To know exactly what you need to do and to create an effective plan, consider doing a little home analysis, testing and trailing new things but also finding all the possible culprits that could be contributing to your energy bills and energy consumption. It’s the little things and changes that can truly transform your whole apartment life.
Common Questions
Becoming more energy-efficient is crucial for both environmental sustainability and cost savings. Energy bills are consistently rising, and improving efficiency helps reduce these expenses, especially during peak demand seasons like winter.
Replacing windows in a rented apartment is usually not feasible as landlords are often unwilling to cover the cost. However, you can use temporary solutions like weatherstripping, draft stoppers, and window insulation film to reduce drafts.
You can use caulk, which is typically silicone or latex-based, to seal gaps around windows, doors, and even cracks in walls and floors. It’s an affordable and easy-to-find solution for renters.
Yes, electrical outlets are common culprits for air leakage. You can easily install foam gaskets or outlet seals behind the electrical outlets to prevent air from escaping, helping to maintain your apartment’s temperature.
A door sweep is a seal installed at the bottom of your main door to block drafts from public areas like hallways. It significantly reduces air leakage, keeping your apartment better insulated and lowering the energy needed for heating or cooling.
You can seal leaky ductwork in areas like bathrooms using mastic sealant or metal tape on joints and connections. This is a simple, quick, and cost-effective solution that doesn’t require external help or landlord permission.
