HomeTownRent's Blog

Tips That Our World (and Your Wallet!) Will Appreciate:

As a renter, your freedom to change the contents of your house or apartment may be limited because renters do not legally own the properties they occupy; therefore, most landlords and property managers have the right to determine what kinds of things renters can add to or remove from their rental units. However, a majority of landlords and property managers will embrace energy-saving initiatives, especially if they currently pay for some of your utilities like water or electricity. In light of the struggling economy and increasing appeal of renting as opposed to owning a home, HomeTownRent recommends the following easy, affordable and renter-friendly ideas for creating a green rental that you can call home.

1. Embrace the Power of Plants

Adding a plant or garden to your rental property can be beneficial in many ways: for one, taking on the responsibility of nurturing a plant or garden will be good practice for a pet (–or even child!) in the future, and the greenery will add aesthetic appeal to your living space. Incorporating plants into your interior and exterior décor is one of the easiest ways to go green, because Biology 101 teaches us that plants remove harmful pollutants from indoor and outdoor air. Some of the easiest plants to care for are: ivy, cacti, peace lilies, aloe, spider plants and bamboo.

2. Replace Old Light Bulbs with Energy-Saving CFLs

According to CBS News, using energy-saving light bulbs can save you $30+ in electricity costs over the lifetime of each light bulb. That means that an average household with 45 light bulbs could save approximately $180 per year! When you replace incandescent light bulbs in your home with CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps), not only are you reducing your monthly energy bills, but you’re also reducing overall energy consumption and its impact on the environment. Because CFL bulbs typically emit a whiter and brighter light than traditional incandescent bulbs, regular CFLs are fine for use in basements, laundry rooms and garages – but to mimic the dimmer light of incandescents in a bedroom or living room, look for CFLs with a lower wattage or phosphor coating.

3. Use Fewer Harsh Chemicals

Reducing the amount of harsh cleaning chemicals used in and around your rental property is yet another “going green” suggestion friendly to both your wallet and the environment. Most green cleaning products available today are similar in price to the conventional products, but homemade green cleaners can also do the job for a fraction of the cost. To dramatically reduce your use of cleaning products containing toxic pollutants, head to your kitchen (or local grocery store) and mix up the following green cleaning recipes:

• All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix equal parts baking soda and water into a spray bottle.
• Laundry Stain Remover: Mix ½ cup ammonia, ½ cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons liquid laundry detergent and 2 quarts water into a spray bottle.
• Glass Cleaner: Mix ¼ – ½ teaspoons liquid detergent, 3 tablespoons vinegar and 2 cups water into a spray bottle. Shake before using.
• Mold Killer: Mix 2 teaspoons tea tree oil and 2 cups water into a spray bottle. Shake before using. Do not rinse.
• Furniture Polish: Mix ½ teaspoon olive or jojoba oil and ¼ cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice into a glass jar. Dip a soft cloth into the mixture and wipe onto wood surfaces.

(Source: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/assemble-a-green-cleaning-kit.html)

4. Limit Water Consumption

Many landlords and property managers who foot the water bill for their tenants are now installing low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators with flow restricters to cut back on costs. If your rental unit does not include these features and/or you are responsible for paying your own water bill, you should purchase these water-saving tools to ease your wallet as well as the world’s water supply. While low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators can range from $20 to $100 each, your initial investment will quickly pay off as your water consumption decreases and your monthly bill dwindles. If you cannot afford to purchase these water-saving products, instead focus on following the simple – and FREE! – suggestions offered below:

• Only run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine.
• Multi-task in the shower by shaving or brushing your teeth as you lather up.
• When shaving, rinse your razor in a sink full of warm water instead of under a running faucet.
• Do not use your toilet as a wastebasket.
• Fill two plastic bottles with a few inches of sand or pebbles and put in your toilet tank, away from any working mechanisms.
• Check for leaks by reading your water meter before and after a period during which no water is being used. If the number on the meter changes, inform your landlord or property manager.

5. Build an Indoor Compost Pile

Composting is the process of decomposing organic matter into a nitrogen-rich substance useful for fertilizing an outdoor garden and/or indoor potted plants. Because some rental properties—especially apartments in large complexes—have very little yard space, many renters favor indoor compost piles to outdoor ones because they take up less space and create less mess. To reduce your trash output and produce nutritious fertilizer for the plants you are encouraged to buy in Tip #1, follow the instructions below and start composting!

Supplies:

• Two pounds of red worms (buy online or from a bait shop)
• Plastic Bin (at least 2 square feet big and 8 inches deep)
• “Bedding” (damp newspapers, damp cardboard, peat moss, or dead leaves)

Instructions:

1. Using scissors or a knife, cut holes in the sides of the bin about 2/3 from the bottom.
2. Put the bin on top of a tray to avoid leakage.
3. Loosen the bedding (cut damp newspapers or damp cardboard into strips 1-2 inches wide/pull apart peat moss or dead leaves).
4. Spread the bedding to fill the bin halfway.
5. Add worms to the bin, then cover with about 2 more inches of bedding.
6. Wait one week.
7. Start composting!

• Add: peels (carrot, banana), vegetable scraps, rinsed egg shells, coffee grounds, tea bags, used paper towels
• Do Not Add: whole eggs, meat scraps, dairy products

To remove the compost for use, move the bin’s contents to one side then add fresh bedding and food scraps to the other. After a few weeks, the worms will migrate and the older compost can be scooped out.