15 Simple Ways to Make Your Apartment More Sustainable

By Greencliff Realty | October 26th, 2016

Environmentally conscious people are always looking for ways to live more sustainably and reduce their carbon footprint, and it’s something more Australians should become more aware and active about. Although it might feel like you’re not making a difference when implementing green-friendly changes on an individual level, the truth is every little bit counts. Your small changes can mean a huge difference to the planet and can even encourage others to follow suit.

You don’t need a huge amount of resources or time to live more sustainably. In fact, you can make small changes within your apartment that can make a big difference in the long run.

1. Make compost

Why not start your own compost heap? Even if you don’t wish to use it yourself, it can be great for friends and family who have gardens. In particular, there are a number of community gardens or sustainable programs in urban-dense areas that are dedicated to improving the carbon footprint of an area. For example, if you live in the inner-city then programs such as Sustainable Chippendale or the Ultimo Community Garden may appreciate a compost donation.

2. Reduce work travel times

If at all possible, work from home one or more days a week to reduce your carbon emissions during the working week. Or if your work doesn’t have this facility, living closer to your work and thereby reducing travel times could not only help the environment, but studies have shown that people with shorter commutes tend to be happier than those with longer travel times.

If neither of these options is possible, travelling with co-workers is another great option to help reduce your carbon footprint.

3. Reuse where possible

Do you have plastic bags, paper bags or even envelopes that usually just get thrown out and placed in landfill? Instead, consider re-using them. You can get more than one use out of each item.

If you take this one step further, instead of just reusing plastic bags (which aren’t very hardy) buy some canvas shopping bags and take them with you each time you go shopping.

4. Install the right showerheads

Improving your water consumption for environmental purposes can be as easy as ensuring that you have low-flow showerheads installed in the home. The purpose of this is to ensure less water is used, which can also lead to a reduction in energy costs as there is less water to warm up in your shower.

If you’re worried about reduced water pressure, make sure you do research to find the right showerhead for your needs.

5. Install motion sensing lights outside

Instead of having an outdoor light on all the time (which – as well as the impact on the natural environment of your outdoor areas – can lead to an increase in energy costs), installing a motion-sensor light means it’s only going to be activated if it senses someone is nearby. This also doubles as a great security measure.

6. Buy efficient appliances

As technology improves, so does the energy efficiency of many household products, from toasters and kettles to larger appliances such as fridges, washing machines and dishwashers. Thankfully these figures are carefully regulated by the Australian government, so by looking at their energy rating and efficiency, you can choose products that are the most energy efficient.

Before buying any new appliances, do your research online to ensure that you’re getting the best deal and that your new purchases have as high an efficiency rating as possible.

7. Shade your home

To significantly reduce your energy costs, you can do so by reducing the amount of sunlight directed into the home. Trees and fixed sunshades can block up to 90% of the sun’s heat from entering the home, meaning you won’t have to use other means of cooling the home as the days get warmer.

8. Install insulation

Ensure that your home is correctly fitted with insulation. Insulation can be added to the roof space and walls of the home, which can actually reduce up to 40% of your energy costs on cooling and heating.

9. Install double glazing

Double glazed windows and apartment balcony doors work extremely well for keeping warmth in throughout winter, and in turn you will be able to reduce heating costs.

10. Check for draughts

Checking the home for any gaps and reducing any draughts in the home means you won’t lose any heat or cooling through unnecessary spots in the walls or floors. Sealing your home will make it more energy efficient, and can lead to a reduction in energy bills by up to 25%.

11. Use the right lighting

You may be able to reduce your lighting energy usage if you install the right light bulbs. Choosing energy efficient light bulbs that utilise more efficient technologies can be of huge benefit to the environment and your energy costs.

12. Stop junk mail

It may not seem like much, but those catalogues that you receive in your mailbox can really add up over time. If not recycled, they can end up in Australia’s ever-increasing landfill. The simplest way to stop unwanted junk mail is by adding a sign to your letterbox, kindly asking to not receive any junk mail.

13. Give up bottled water

It may seem harmless to buy bottled water, especially if you recycle the bottles after using them, but the fact is a lot don’t get recycled and also end up in landfills. Instead, install a water filter in the home and reuse a water bottle made of glass or stainless steel.

14. Choose local foods and groceries

The closer to home your foods and groceries come from, the less impact your foods have on the environment. With reduced travel times and packaging and storage needs, you can support local communities and reduce your carbon footprint.

15. Unplug your appliances

When you’re not using your appliances, ensure you switch them off. Appliances on standby can still use energy, so it’s important to turn off appliances directly at the wall. Automatic switches and timers can make this easier.

Make smarter choices

Small changes can make a huge difference to the sustainability of your home. Even though it may seem like you’re not making a huge impact on the environment, the fact is these small changes can have a greatly positive effect on the reduction of your carbon footprint, making your home more energy efficient and sustainable. Green living doesn’t have to mean you need to give up on things you like in the home, it’s about making smarter choices.

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