Eco-Friendly Outdoor Enhancements for Modern Rentals

The average electricity bill in the US is $147.53 per month. Your rental property’s energy usage is possibly climbing faster than the rent, and going green is a smart move for anyone looking to attract quality tenants, lower operating costs, and do a bit of good for the planet.

Making your rental property more eco-friendly doesn’t mean ripping up the floorboards or installing a whole new heating system. Swapping out ancient light bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs or sustainable upgrades to energy and water more efficiently minimize your environmental footprint. 

A greener rental can mean healthier living spaces, better tenant retention, and even higher property value. Helping the planet while making your property more appealing to renters and easier on your wallet? It’s a no-brainer.

Adding a practical storage solution

A wooden shed can blend seamlessly into your yard or garden, customized with paint or stain to match the style of your property. This extra storage is an attractive selling point that sets your rental apart from others on the market, but it’s also made from a renewable resource!

Wood is a sustainable material that can be sourced responsibly, as opposed to plastic or metal alternatives. 

This helps reduce your property’s carbon footprint, and since wood is biodegradable, it has a much lower environmental impact when it eventually reaches the end of its life cycle. That being said, with proper care, a wooden shed can last for many years. Wood is naturally strong and can withstand heavy rain, snow, and wind. For landlords, this durability means less frequent repairs and replacements, a cost-effective wayto reduce the environmental burden of manufacturing and transporting new materials.

Adding a solar inverter to your rental property

At its core, the solar inverter is the powerhouse of your solar energy system, converting the DC generated by solar panels into the AC that powers your rental. This conversion is crucial because while solar panels can collect abundant energy from the sun, the inverter makes this energy usable for your tenants’ everyday needs. Integrating a solar inverter ensures that the sun’s renewable energy harnessed from the sun is maximized, effectively powering your property while reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.

Adding a solar inverter can significantly lower energy costs from a financial perspective. That’s a huge selling point, as tenants increasingly seek comfortable and cost-efficient properties. Properties with solar panels and inverters command higher rent, as tenants will pay more for the long-term savings on energy bills.

Implementing water conservation measures

By installing water-efficient fixtures such as low-flow faucets and showerheads, you can seriously cut down water consumption without decreasing the quality of life for tenants. These fixtures can lower water usage by up to 60% for faucets and 50% for showerheads, translating into substantial savings on water bills and less strain on local water resources.

Dual-flush toilets are another effective tool as they allow tenants to use less water for liquid waste. Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances like front-loading washing machines can mean 25% to 50% less water than traditional top-loaders. You can also give tenants some friendly encouragement to wash clothes with cold water.

Insulation and windows reduce the need for excessive heating and cooling 

Lower energy bills and decreases in the property’s overall carbon footprint come when your rental is well-insulated. Offering tenants a more comfortable living environment can be straightforward with effective window treatments. Curtains or blinds are not just decorative elements; they are also additional layers of insulation that can help reduce heat transfer. Blocking out unwanted heat, keeping the interior cooler without over-reliance on air conditioning or retaining warmth, and making heating systems more efficient are all benefits of the right treatment.

Drafts are a super common issue in many rental properties. By sealing gaps with weatherstripping and caulk, you can prevent this problem, ensuring the property is better insulated. If you have older, inefficient windows, upgrading to windows with a high U-factor and low-E glass can dramatically impact your property’s energy efficiency. Combined with adequate insulation in areas like the attic, walls, and floors, these measures create a rental property that truly ticks all of the boxes for comfort and keeping things green.

Streamline the tenant selection process

Finding the right tenants quickly and efficiently is what RentRedi’s customizable applications and prequalifications feature is all about. Tailor the screening process to ensure you only receive applications from qualified candidates. Our at-a-glance view of all pending, accepted and rejected applications manages the entire process from one central dashboard. Save time and find tenants who are a perfect fit today! Take a look around our site to learn more.