Boost Energy Efficiency in Rentals: 8 Easy Tips

Energy efficiency is an essential aspect of modern living, both for environmental and financial reasons. As a landlord or property manager, improving the energy efficiency of your rental properties not only benefits your tenants but can also increase the value of your investment.

This way, you can ensure that your rental and its tenants are contributing to saving the environment. Plus, the cost savings from reducing energy usage can benefit your bottom line.

Here are eight simple ways to enhance energy efficiency at your rental properties, providing benefits for both your tenants and your bottom line:

Upgrade Insulation and Seal Air Leaks

Proper insulation is crucial for maintaining a comfortable temperature inside a rental property and reducing energy consumption. Upgrading the insulation in walls, attics, and basements can lead to green living. Additionally, consider insulating power outlets and switches to prevent air leaks and heat loss.

Air leaks can be a significant cause of energy inefficiency in rental properties. Sealing gaps around doors and windows can help to maintain a consistent indoor temperature and reduce heating and cooling costs3. Caulking and weather-stripping are cost-effective solutions for sealing air leaks and improving energy efficiency.

Install Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors

Upgrading to energy-efficient windows can have a considerable impact on a property's energy consumption. Double or triple-pane windows with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings can help to minimize heat transfer, keeping the property warm in winter and cool in summer. Furthermore, properly sealed windows can prevent drafts and air infiltration, further improving energy efficiency.

Similar to windows, energy-efficient doors can significantly reduce heat loss and air leaks. Look for doors with proper insulation, weather-stripping, and high-quality materials to ensure maximum energy efficiency. Installing storm doors for added insulation can also be beneficial, especially in colder climates.

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances

Energy-efficient appliances can help to lower energy consumption and reduce utility bills for both landlords and tenants. Consider upgrading to ENERGY STAR-certified appliances, which meet strict energy efficiency standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

This can include:

• Refrigerators and freezers
• Washing machines and dryers
• Dishwashers
• Ovens and stoves
• Air conditioners and heaters

In addition to reducing energy consumption, energy-efficient appliances often have added benefits, such as quieter operation and improved performance.

Install Smart Home Devices

Smart home devices can help to optimize energy usage in rental properties, providing both convenience and cost savings. The latest generation of smart home devices can be programmed to automatically adjust lighting and temperature according to occupancy. They can also be used for remote monitoring, allowing landlords to better manage energy usage from afar.

Some popular smart home upgrades for improving energy efficiency include:

• Smart thermostats: These devices can be programmed to automatically adjust the temperature based on the occupants' schedule, reducing energy consumption when the property is unoccupied.
• Smart lighting: Installing energy-efficient LED bulbs and smart lighting controls can help to reduce electricity usage and provide customizable lighting options for tenants.
• Smart power strips: These devices can help to eliminate phantom energy usage by automatically turning off power to appliances and electronics when they're not in use.

Implement Water-Saving Measures

Reducing water consumption can also contribute to energy savings, as heating water is a significant energy expense in most households. That’s why it’s important to implement water-saving measures at rental properties.

Simple yet effective strategies include installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. These fixtures reduce water flow without sacrificing comfort, and can save an average household up to $150 a year in energy costs.

You should also make sure to repair leaks and drips promptly. Streamline your work order management process to make sure nothing gets overlooked.

Additionally, encourage tenants to use water-saving appliances. This includes high-efficiency washing machines and dishwashers. This can significantly reduce water and energy usage.

Consider installing a solar water heater or tankless water heater as well. These devices are more energy efficient by up to 34 percent.

Optimize Heating and Cooling Systems

Heating and cooling systems are among the largest energy consumers in rental properties. The good news is, there are several ways to optimize these systems to save energy and money.

For example, replace your outdated HVAC system with a high-efficiency unit that can help reduce energy costs. Additionally, proper maintenance of the heating and cooling units is key; make sure you schedule regular tune-ups for both systems.

Replacing air filters regularly is also important as it helps reduce the strain on the system and thus reduces energy consumption. Programmable thermostats are another great option for controlling energy costs. These thermostats can be set to automatically adjust the temperature, allowing people to reduce their energy use when no one is home and ramp it up as needed.

Encourage Energy-Efficient Tenant Behavior

Educating tenants about energy-efficient practices can help to further reduce energy consumption in rental properties. Use a resident portal for seamless communication.

Encourage tenants to:

• Turn off lights and appliances when not in use.
• Unplug electronics that are rarely used (such as televisions or game systems).
• Use cold water for laundry instead of warm or hot water settings, which use more energy than necessary to complete the cycle.
• Hang dry clothes on a line outside rather than using a dryer whenever possible.
• Keep windows and doors closed when running an HVAC system.
• Open windows and use fans when the weather permits to reduce air conditioning costs.
• Seal up any drafts or cracks around windows, doors, and other openings to keep cool air inside in summer and warm air in winter.
• Close window coverings on hot days to keep the sun’s rays out and reduce cooling costs.
• Replace air filters on HVAC systems regularly for optimal efficiency.
• Install a programmable thermostat to reduce energy costs by automatically adjusting temperature settings when people are away or asleep.

These simple actions can help tenants reduce their energy consumption, which in turn will have a positive effect on the overall energy efficiency of rental properties. It's a win-win situation for both landlords and tenants since landlords can pass on the savings from reduced energy bills to tenants in the form of lower rent.

Monitor and Track Energy Usage

Monitoring and tracking energy usage can help to identify areas for improvement and ensure that energy efficiency measures are effective. Consider using energy monitoring devices or software to track energy consumption and make informed decisions about upgrades and improvements.

To streamline the process, many landlords now use energy management solutions that allow landlords to collect data and analyze it in real-time, as well as set up energy efficiency goals and set up alerts when energy usage exceeds certain thresholds. ExactEstate is a great example of an affordable energy management solution for rental properties.

Conclusion

Improving energy efficiency at rental properties can lead to significant cost savings, increased tenant satisfaction, and a reduced environmental impact. There are many simple and cost-effective ways to make your rental properties more energy efficient.

To help you manage and monitor your rental property's daily operations, ExactEstate offers an all-in-one property management solution. Our comprehensive platform helps property owners save time and energy as well as money by tracking maintenance and repair requests and providing tenants with real-time communication and information.

Schedule a demo today to see how ExactEstate can help you maximize energy efficiency at your rental properties.