Greening Your Rental Property

It is easy to be green (despite what Kermit says)! Environmental consciousness is no longer a fringe movement but a growing part of mainstream consciousness. Making some simple green changes around your property is not only good for Mother Earth, but can improve your bottom line as well.

• Compact fluorescent light bulbs: Almost any light fixture in your property can be outfitted with a compact fluorescent bulb. These bulbs last substantially longer and produce significantly less carbon dioxide than traditional incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs. Gone are the days of harsh white fluorescent light. Ask in your local hardware store about compact fluorescent bulbs that produce warmer light.



• Cold washing: If you provide laundry services for your tenants, consider switching to a cold washing policy. Doing two loads of laundry in warm or cold water as opposed to hot saves 500 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. The heat for hot water generally accounts for 75 to 90 percent of all energy used to wash clothes, so a cold washing policy can save you a huge sum of money on utilities while helping cut back on carbon emissions.



• Low-flow toilets: Consider purchasing low-flow toilets for your next rehab; they can save up to 22,000 gallons of water per year for a family of four. A less expensive option is placing a glass bottle filled with water in the water tank of your existing toilets.



• Curtains: One of the simplest things you can do to reduce energy costs for your residents is to put up heavy curtains or insulated shades on some or all windows. Windows contribute heavily to heat loss, especially in older buildings.

If you find that you get excited about the environmentally friendly changes you have made to your units, let your tenants know! Post signs for current tenants informing them of the positive changes that have been made. You can also highlight these updates in your advertisements for new tenants. Both current and potential tenants will appreciate a landlord who is thoughtful and involved. And greening your rental units is a great way to show it.