6 Ways You Can Make Your Apartment Block More Energy Efficient
There are close to two million apartment buildings in the UK. This includes flats and maisonettes-making it evident that apartment living is popular.
If you have an apartment block or are involved in managing one, it is worthwhile to explore how you could improve the energy efficiency of the apartment block, to save you and your tenants costs.
Here are six ways for you to make your apartment block more energy efficient:
1. Get rid of drafty windows
If your apartment block windows are drafty, it’s possible to improve their energy efficiency by adding storm windows.
Storm windows are like regular windows, except they’re made of plastic or similar materials that allow less heat to escape through the glass.
Another option is to seal up any cracks in the frames and install caulking around them to help keep out drafts.
You can also use weather stripping around the window frames, along with a draft excluder (a type of material placed on top of an opening) or curtains.
2. Eliminate air leaks around doors
Air leaks around doors and windows are one of the biggest culprits for wasted energy in your apartment block.
That’s why it’s important to look for gaps and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping.
You can buy some at a hardware store if you have installed older, single-pane windows with no weather stripping. There will be instructions on how to install it inside the package.
If there is no way around having a drafty door, consider using a door sweep on the bottom of your door to help seal out drafts from underneath the front of each jamb.
For even better results, combine this with a draft stopper on top. This combination will help keep cold air from seeping in under your front door during winter months!
3. Invest in solar panels
What does it entail?
Solar panels are the way of the future. Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells that generate an electrical current when exposed to sunlight.
The photovoltaic cells are made from silicon wafers coated in a thin layer of crystalline silicon material called amorphous silicon.
When light strikes the surface of these amorphous silicon cells, electrons move from one atom’s negative inner shell (the valence band) up toward another atom’s positive outer shell (the conduction band), generating an electrical current in the process.
Why is it beneficial?
Without enough space (or money) to erect a wind turbine, solar panels are an affordable way to generate electricity without running up electricity costs.
The world is evolving, and having solar panels as an energy source will also ensure that your apartment block tenants have access to power when the power grid is off or there are power cuts or blackouts.
Supporting green energy and becoming energy efficient is an attractive option for those tenants passionate about the environment, so before you upgrade the building’s interior design, prioritize installing solar panels. If you’re located in the Sunshine State, you should check Solar Prime USA from Florida for more information and guidance on going solar.
4. Find out if there are any energy-saving programs in your area
Once you have decided that it’s time to consider some low-cost ways to make your apartment more energy efficient, enquiring about energy suppliers is your best bet for saving energy and costs.
Contact your electricity provider and ask if any programs in your area provide rebates for installing solar panels or incentives for installing energy-efficient appliances.
The local utility company can also provide information about how much money residents have saved by making changes to become more energy efficient.
5. Use LED lights instead of incandescent ones
LED lights are more expensive than their traditional counterparts, but they last longer, use less power (good news for folks who care about the environment) and generate less heat (also suitable for folks who care about keeping their place cool).
In short: buy some LED bulbs now!
6. Use programmable thermostats to keep things under control
If you’re looking for a simple way to save money on your apartment block energy bill, consider using a programmable thermostat.
Programmable thermostats let you set different temperatures at different times of the day.
For example, you could program the temperature of the apartment building to rise outside peak times so that the tenants don’t feel the need to adjust it rapidly when they return home from work in the evening, causing the energy use to spike.
These devices can save up to 10% annually in hot climates and 20% in cold temperatures—and they’re easy enough that anyone can set them up.
Conclusion
The good news is that there are plenty of simple ways to improve your apartment block’s energy efficiency.
Finding the right energy supplier to assess your building needs and provide you with the services your apartment block needs will render rewards way beyond your monthly reduced bills.
You can start making a difference immediately.
We hope these tips have inspired you to take action in your building and adopt green energy ways!