Make your Apartment Green

If you like to cut costs or are passionate about going ‘green’, then living in an energy efficient apartment is definitely for you! There are a variety of ways to make your Tallahassee apartment more energy efficient without sacrificing quality. Here are four easy ways to cut down the amount of energy you consume each and every day.

4 Tips for Energy Efficient Apartment Living:

• Watch the thermostat: Living in Florida there’s almost nothing more sacred than your air conditioner. However, depending on your thermostat habits, the air may be running all day long racking up your energy bill one degree at a time. Consider adjusting your thermostat during the hours when you’re out or if you’re gone traveling. Even just reducing the temperature by one degree, you can save up to 10% on your electric bill. While it’s smart to cut back when you’re not in the apartment, it’s important that the temperate never go below 78 degrees. In Florida, where humidity it prevalent, mold can begin to grow indoors if the air isn’t circulating at a reasonable temperature.
  
  
• Shut it off: Another easy way to reduce your electric bill is to turn off anything you’re not using. Don’t leave the lights on in an empty room, set a timer on your TV at night, and only set your dryer for as long as it needs to run. These little changes really add up. Try this for a month and then compare your utility bills to see just how much you saved – you won’t be disappointed!  
  
  
• Alternate transportation: If you’re not traveling far, consider traveling on foot or by bike. Not only will this save you money on gas plus wear and tear on your car, but it’s also much better for the environment. If you prefer to ride, consider carpooling or catching the bus – less cars on the road means less fumes and waste! These alternative methods are also a great way to get in your daily exercise and Vitamin D for the day (thanks Florida sun!).
  
  
• Change the bulbs. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFLs). CFLs use less than 50% of the energy that incandescent bulbs need. CFLs will also last as much as 10 times longer and will emit less heat into your apartment – which will reduce the time your air conditioner must run. Note: hold on to the incandescent bulbs you replaced and put them back when you move out. This will allow you take the longer-lasting CFLs with you to your next apartment.