Owning a home is a dream scenario for all those people who have never had a place they could call their own, but owning a home is also more expensive than you can imagine, which is why lots of people still opt for a rental instead.
This option is quite all right as well, especially since the landlords go out of their way to enhance their property with something special and intriguing that’s going to attract potential tenants. In this age of eco-friendliness, more and more rentals are becoming environmentally-aware, and that’s a decisive factor for lots of new tenants who love being surrounded by green things and sustainable solutions. If that’s not the case, you can still green up your rental on your own, and here are a few ideas on how to do that.
Replace Your Light Bulbs
This might not seem like the most thoughtful idea in the world, but there’s a reason why it’s still extremely popular, despite its simplicity – because it’s so effective! These bulbs may be rather expensive at first, but they’re much more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, so they’ll definitely pay off in the long run.
Not only will they use up to 80% less energy, but also last up to twenty-five times longer, so they’ll keep your rental sustainable even if you decide to move out of it. In the end, these bulbs provide a subtle light, which is more natural and suitable for your eyes, especially in the evening.
Use Second-Hand Furniture
Whether you’ve just rented an empty or a completely furnished place, you still have to introduce a few pieces of furniture, and that’s your chance to green it up even more.
Opting for second-hand furniture you’ve found online or on your local flea market is a much better and greener option than purchasing new things as the former effectively lowers the need for raw materials and the consumption of new resources, which is always eco-friendlier. Alternatively, you can reupholster your old furniture, and thus save it from being thrown away to the dumpster. This old furniture will add a touch of elegance to your rental, and it’ll give it a new life.
Solar Panels
Although utilizing solar power isn’t as easy in a rental as it is at your own place, it’s still doable and quite effective and useful. What you could do is install solar panels on your roof – if you’re in a house – or your balcony – if you’re in a flat – but also explore the possibilities of renting portable solar panels which you can easily install and take with you wherever you go.
Of course, you mustn’t forget to invest in SMA inverters that transform your solar power to the power you can actually use, and keep in mind that maintaining this entire system is the key to making the most of it. So, contact reliable professionals, listen to their suggestions and ask them to help you install your own solar system.
Interior Insulation
Renting an apartment in a residential building means you probably won’t be in a position to do much on the exterior façade, which is quite a shame since insulation can do wonders for these small places. But, what you can do is insulate your home from within – and you can complete this process on your own!
Start with one room and go slow until you get the hang of it, and then move onto the other rooms and insulate them completely. This will help you regulate your room temperature and keep your interior cooler in the summer and warmer during winter. However, don’t forget to talk to your landlord first: they’ll surely understand your need to install insulation and will probably deduce the money you’ve spent from your rent, so it’s a financial win-win as well.
Start Saving Water
When talking about eco-friendliness and sustainability, most of us think about energy consumption and what we can do about it, but we rarely think about the water. This is another major issue of the modern world and something we’ll have to deal with in the years to come, but the good thing is that even those who live in rentals can join the fight.
There are lots of things you could do, from installing energy-efficient water heaters and low-flow toilets to replacing your faucets and showerheads, so start doing these things one by one. Nobody says you need to invest a huge amount of money at once, but make a list of things that could help you become greener and start checking them off.
Investing too much of your own money into a rental seems like the worst idea in the world, but, after all, you’re living there, so you should at least think about certain upgrades. And if your landlord agrees to pay for them, you can go as sustainable and eco-friendly as you want!
Author Bio: Emma B. Joyce is blogger based in Australia. She is a true home decor and DIY fanatic. Emma is interested in music and also is a big reading enthusiast. Finding new designs and patterns is her daily task. She got hooked on home accessories and decorations during her traveling and now cannot stop searching for new inspiration.
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