Conservation

Why we need to Conserve Energy?

We waste a lot of energy on a day to day basis, either by not turning the lights off when not in use or by utilizing old, inefficient appliances that are in need of an upgrade.
Browse the tips below for ways to conserve resources to help the planet and your wallet:

Water Conservation Tips

The Environmental Protection Agency figures that the average person uses 2,500 gallons of water per month.
Being mindful of how you use water will not only help the environment, but it will lower your utility bill as well!


RESIDENTS
   Report leaks to your property manager so the maintenance personnel can fix them.

  A running toilet can waste more than 1,000 gallons of water per day, and sometimes goes over 100,000 gallons in one month! Don’t ignore that running water sound—report it!

   A dripping faucet can waste up to 500 gallons of water each year.

   Avoid unnecessary flushing—you can save upwards of seven gallons of water per flush. Your toilet is not a trash can.

   Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator rather than running water until its cold.

   Take shorter showers. A 20 minute shower can use 50-100 gallons of water.

   10 gallons are required to hand wash dishes, so using a dishwasher is more water efficient, especially if
washing a full load. If you must wash dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing.
Let pots and pans soak. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.

    If your dishwasher is a newer model, minimize the rinse cycle. Newer models rinse more efficiently.

   Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth and save 5 gallons of water daily.

   Defrost food in the refrigerator rather than using running water.

  Wash full loads of clothes whenever possible. When smaller loads are absolutely necessary, adjust the settings accordingly, so that the water level properly matches the size of the load.

   Reuse your towels to reduce additional loads of laundry.

PROPERTY MANAGERS
High water pressure is the most often overlooked driver of excess water usage. Pressure over 80 PSI should be reduced to an optimum 50 PSI (unless local codes require otherwise).

   Toilets are the most wasteful device in single and multi-family properties. The most common installation error is not trimming the fill valve’s refill tube to affix to the top of the stand pipe; syphon leaks can result. The most common repair error is using the wrong toilet flapper valve (aka flush valve); flappers need to close within 6
seconds and give a good seal for proper flushing. Some toilets are very particular about the type of replacement flapper used.

   Fill and flush valves need to be replaced every four years, or less in harsh or chemical additive environments.

   Winterize irrigation systems to prevent costly freezes. Drain water out of supply lines as close to the main water supply as possible.

   Installing low-flow showerheads and faucets can help reduce hot water use.

   Beware of auto-refill valves on pools and spas; they can hide large water leaks.

Electricity Conservation Tips

Electricity is used everyday to heat, cool, and light your homes, as well as power appliances. By practicing some of the conservation tips below, you could potentially lower the cost of your electric bill.


ANY TIME TIPS
BASICS
    Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances. The electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars!

    Set computers, monitors, printers, and other home office equipment to their energy saving feature,
and turn them off when not in use. Avoid using screen savers.

   Unplug battery chargers once batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use. Many chargers continue to use power even when the device is not directly plugged into the charger.

    Turn off the lights when you leave a room.

   Swap standard lightbulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs. They give off less heat and use as much as 75% less energy than regular bulbs but still provide ample light.

   Decor is important—select light-colored or opaque lamp shades and position lamps in corners so that they reflect light from multiple walls.

   PROPERTY MANAGERS: Set a vacant unit utility policy and hold contractors accountable for proper thermostat settings.

LAUNDRY
    Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both water and energy, and it also helps clothes maintain their color.

   Choose to do several loads of laundry at once so that your dryer doesn’t completely cool down between loads.

    Do not over-dry your clothes. Not only does it waste energy, but it also causes wrinkling.

   Opt to air-dry your clothes whenever possible. Hanging clothing to air dry saves energy and helps to better maintain the shape of the garment.

KITCHEN

   When reheating leftovers, opt for a microwave or toaster oven. They use less energy than conventional ovens.

    Keep your refrigerator temperature between 30 and 42 degrees F. Use the power-save switch if available.

    Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so that the paper or bill is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment or the seal may need replacing.

   Dust behind your refrigerator the next time you clean. Check the coils behind the fridge—and use coil vacuums or dusters to clean them off and keep costs down.

   Stock your freezer—a full freezer uses less energy than an empty one.

SUMMER TIPS
   Close blinds, shades, or draperies during the hottest part of the day (cooling- air conditioning)

   A thermostat setting of no less than 78 degrees is recommended in the summer; offset to 85+ degrees if in a dry climate, or shut off your air conditioner if you leave home for an extended period of time in milder and dry climates.

   Don’t set your thermostat to a setting colder than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.

    Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so that the paper or bill is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment or the seal may need replacing.

   In warmer months, switch your ceiling fan to turn in a counter-clockwise direction.

    Clean or change the filter in air conditioning units at least every three months.

WINTER TIPS
    Repair broken or cracked glass and putty older windows; make sure that windows close properly and window locks pull sashes together.

   A thermostat setting of no more than 68 degrees is recommended in the winter; offset to 55 or lower where freezing is not an issue.

   In colder months, run your ceiling fan in a clockwise direction at a low speed.

Heating (Natural Gas) Conservation Tips

Gas provides heat, supplies hot water, and powers your oven/stove.


    Clean or change the filter in heating units at least every three months.

    If fan coils (central heat) or gas furnaces are us

   Keep furniture and rugs from blocking vents and radiators.

   Close dampers on fireplaces when not in use.

   Keep your thermostat low; every degree cuts your gas bill by about 5%.

    Preheat the oven for only the designated amount. Refrain from opening and closing the oven door to check on your food, as this releases significant heat from the oven and contributes to a longer cook time.