An eco-friendly lifestyle implies the use of appliances that consume less energy and cause less harm to the environment. The International Energy Agency roadmap shows the priority actions that are needed today to ensure the opportunity of net-zero emissions by 2050. Luckily, most appliances in the US have an Energy Star label, which is a huge step toward living a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. But let's be honest - if the utilities aren't your responsibility, you're less likely to be concerned about smart consumption strategies. Even so, with current environmental issues being what they are, taking active measures to improve your energy efficiency is a good idea.
How Energy Saving Appliances Can Save Your Money?
First, focus on what makes certain technologies more efficient than others to see how energy-efficient appliances might potentially save money. Thanks to technological improvements and more studies on energy usage, there are a variety of methods that might conserve energy. As a result, new appliances are more energy efficient than older ones. For example, energy-efficient LEDs or CFLs are among incandescent light bulbs and can help you save over half of your current electricity expenses.
Energy Star appliances can help you save money in a variety of ways. Energy-efficient products will save you money in the long term since they cut your energy cost. Energy Star accreditation is granted to items that save consumers money by reducing energy expenses compared to less efficient alternatives.
There are a lot of energy-efficient alternatives to choose from. Discover the advantages of buying energy-efficient equipment for your house, from lower power bills to helping the environment.
Related: Energy Efficient Home Improvements: 5 Landlords' Tips For Their Rental Properties
Benefits of Using Energy-Saving Appliances
The first step in contributing to environmental sustainability is to install energy-efficient appliances in all rentals you manage. Here is the list of 6 energy-efficient appliances that will lower your bills for electricity and reduce harmful impact on the environment.
1. Energy-efficient refrigerators.
Have an old energy-wasting fridge? Does your freezer look like an iceberg? Then it's probably time to replace it with a new Energy Star-approved refrigerator. Yes, you'll incur the cost of a new appliance, but you'll also save energy and lower any negative impact on the environment in the long run. Keep in mind that old fridges and refrigerators/freezers consume much more energy than new models. This means your tenants are racking up higher utility bills, which could leave them unsatisfied with general rental conditions.
It's much better to upgrade to a high-quality refrigerator that meets Energy Star standards and prevents tenants' complaints down the line.
2. Energy-efficient dishwasher.
It's equally important to be water-wise and take advantage of water-saving technologies. Energy Star-certified dishwashers lower water usage and save energy at the same time. Adding a dishwasher to your rental isn't a must, but it may attract more renters to your rental properties. High-quality dishwashers have a better filtration system than their low-budget counterparts. And from a practical point of view, there's no need to spend time handwashing dishes if there are more convenient options available.
3. Energy-efficient washers and dryers.
When it comes to electric and water utility bills, for economy’s sake encourage your tenants to use cold water when doing laundry. You could also suggest using dryers for towels and sheets only. Another idea is to install a portable washing machine, which can be a great solution for small apartments when there's not enough space for a full-size washer. Laundry doesn't have to take loads of effort and consumes massive amounts of energy. Providing energy-efficient washers and dryers will not only cut utility costs, but it'll also help to save the Earth's natural resources.
4. Energy-efficient LED light bulbs.
The easiest way to make your rentals environmentally friendly is to replace normal light bulbs with LEDs. They consume ten times less energy than traditional bulbs and last more than 20 times longer as well. LED lighting is a highly energy-efficient lighting technology that has the potential to transform the lighting industry in the United States. Residential LEDs, particularly those with the Energy Star label, consume at least 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lights.
5. Energy-efficient air conditioner.
Air conditioners keep us cool in the summer and help us live comfortably during smoldering heat. The most energy-efficient devices currently use around 30% less energy than conventional units, lowering your power costs and lowering carbon emissions. You may also reduce carbon emissions by using low-tech methods to chill your house, such as turning off the air conditioner for a few minutes longer. When choosing the best air conditioner for your house, look for the blue Energy Star certification.
6. Energy-efficient water heater.
The current generation of environmentally friendly heat pump water heaters (HPWH) offers technological advancements and increased energy efficiency, making them a worthwhile investment for anybody wishing to cut both carbon emissions and utility expenses at the same time. HPWHs, which generate heat using the identical mechanism that keeps refrigerators cool, emit no pollutants and use only half to a third of the energy that a traditional electric resistive or gas heater does.
What other energy-efficient home upgrades can you suggest? Share your ideas by leaving comments below. We'd love to hear your thoughts. :)
