Statistics Canada research shows that Canadian households have reduced their energy consumption by approximately 20 per cent since the 1990s, suggesting that the environment has become a top priority across the nation. Yet despite this improvement, there is still much that can be done—particularly in the apartment sector.
By working together and changing common behaviours, property managers and tenants can limit the impact of their everyday activities without incurring additional expenses. In fact, simple communication—i.e. sharing tips and expectations via e-newsletters and posted memos—is the first step toward creating a greener building; taking action is the second.
Switch out those bulbs
One of the easiest things property managers can do to reduce energy usage in their buildings is switch to compact fluorescent bulbs, which not only consume less energy but also last much longer than their incandescent counterparts.
“With recent changes to how light bulbs are sold in Canada, we’ve been able to encourage our tenants to make the switch to compact fluorescents rather easily,” says Lidija Mandic of MetCap Living. “When a tenant moves out, we go in and replace the bulbs with compact fluorescents ourselves before the next tenant moves in. We also speak to prospective and new tenants about our green initiatives prior to them moving in.”
Encourage cold water washing
Let’s face it—everyone has to do laundry at some point, and washing machines and dryers are two of the biggest energy drainers around. To help reduce energy bills and overall consumption, post notices in your laundry rooms that encourage your tenants to use cold water instead of warm or hot.
“We find that most tenants are very receptive to making changes to how they do their laundry, as it is a small but very impactful step,” says Cindy Roy of Osgoode Properties. “We encourage our tenants to use laundry detergents that are specially formulated for cold water washing that will ensure their clothes are still thoroughly cleaned without wasting energy on heating up water.”
Lead by example
Property managers can make a huge difference on the green impact of their buildings by simply showing their tenants they care about environmental issues. Upgrading appliances to Energy Star certified ones will decrease the amount of energy used by the building as a whole. In many cases, there are government rebates associated with purchasing and using Energy Star certified appliances. Another smart option is to install low-flow showerheads and toilets, decreasing the overall amount of water used by the building. Include blinds and draperies in all suites to encourage heating and cooling regulation without the use of electricity. When an apartment is vacant, unplug all appliances and turn off utilities until it is rented to a new tenant.
Prioritize together
Property managers and tenants can make huge strides by identifying what is important to them as a community and making green-minded decisions together. For example, if the tenants all agree they don’t like receiving junk mail, putting up a sign prohibiting the delivery of unwanted newspapers and flyers makes everyone happy while also reducing waste. If recycling is a priority for all, ensure containers are placed where they are most likely to be noticed and used. Encourage open communication and ensure tenants know they can approach management with any concerns, ideas or problems.
“We create an open dialogue with our tenants so they know they can come to us and have an issue resolved promptly,” says Jessica Green of Greenwin. “If they feel a draft coming from their windows in the winter time, we ensure we are readily available so they can come to us and have us fix the weather stripping immediately. Just by being visible around the building, we are able to nip potential energy problems in the bud.”
By working together and making small changes, the environmental impact of your apartment building can be greatly reduced—and that is something everyone can feel good about.
Chaim Rivlin is the founder and CEO of RentSeeker.
