Post Brothers Apartments Explains What to Look for in Eco-Friendly Living

When looking for an environmentally friendly apartment, there are several features on which a prospective renter should focus, according to a representative from Post Brothers Apartments, a company owning and managing seven environmentally conscious apartment complexes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There are several different features within an apartment that could be altered to be more environmentally friendly. Apartment complexes built to be environmentally conscious will be LEED certified; however, regular complexes may also feature some of these environmentally friendly properties.

The appliances should be the first feature to consider when looking for a greener home. An individual should ask the apartment manager about the energy efficiency of the various appliances, like the refrigerator, dish washer, and washer and dryer. When an appliance is energy efficient, it uses less energy. Many of the best energy efficient appliances have an Energy Star label, making it easy to spot. To save even more energy, the light fixtures should use compact fluorescent bulbs rather than the old incandescent bulbs.

In addition to saving energy through the use of electricity, an eco-friendly apartment should have features to lower the energy used for heating and air conditioning, according a representative from Post Brothers Apartments. Insulation is very important to controlling the internal temperature of the apartment, and it has the added benefit of soundproofing. Additionally, the windows need to be sealed to limit any air lost. Furthermore, double-glazed thermal insulated windows or similar glass choices makes it easier to control the internal temperature, reducing the reliance upon heating and air condition. To further save energy, the HVAC unit should have a high-energy efficient rating. Through using fans and having windows that can open, a renter can minimize the amount he or she uses the air conditioning, especially on mild days.

In addition to electricity usage, limiting water usage also helps the environment. Environmentally friendly toilets, faucets and showerheads are easy ways to reduce the amount of water used. Additionally, washing machines and dishwashers can waste a lot of water unless they are environmentally friendly, so a prospective renter should enquire about the water usage on these appliances in addition to the energy rating. An individual should also inquire into the overall water usage of the complex, including the landscaping irrigation, to see the environmentally friendly capabilities of the entire complex.

In addition to saving water and energy, there are other simple ways to manage the impact on the environment, like recycling, pest control, and e-billing. A prospective renter should remember to inquire about any recycling programs, as well as whether he or she can receive all bills electronically. Transportation is another important characteristic to consider when looking to live somewhere eco-friendly. A renter should look to see whether there is access to public transportation, bike paths and storage, electric car charging, and any other environmentally friendly characteristics.

Many apartments can feature one or several of these environmentally friendly features. If they do not, the renter can supplement some of them like appliances, although an individual should ask the manager before doing anything. Some cutting edge apartment complexes focus on being fully eco-conscious places to live through featuring even more environmentally friendly properties. These are typically LEED certified and feature characteristics like environmentally conscious and community friendly construction and development, solar paneling, composting, and environmentally friendly construction materials. A practical consideration an environmentally conscious individual should also consider is the closeness to his or her work, as well as shopping, entertainment, and grocery stores. Lowering the amount of time one has to drive saves money on gas, as well as reduces carbon emissions.

Living in environmentally friendly apartments have several benefits beyond just helping conserve the natural resources. The most practical benefit for the renter is financial. Energy and water conservation saves money due to lowering the monthly utility bills. Sometimes there are other money saving benefits, especially if an individual lives in a community where he or she does not have to drive far to get to work or run errands.