How can I green my apartment?

[greenteadrinker]

She even took issue with a veggie garden I started in my own containers

Get a rope! (Made with organic hemp of course)

[UncleBen]

Replace your traditional bulbs with low power CFL bulbs. If you replace 4 bulbs in your apartment, you can save $69.85 in one year. Here is the simple math breakdown below. Enjoy.

4 bulbs * 60 watts * 8 hours * 365 days / 1000 KWH * $0.13 = $91.10 (old school traditional bulb)
4 bulbs * 14 watts * 8 hours * 365 days / 1000 KWH * $0.13 = $21.25 (new school CFL bulb)

Save $69.85 in one year!

[BrianN]

You can make attractive re-movable clear window insulation inserts (winserts) to roughly halve your winter window heat loss and dramatically reduce the cold zone surrounding each window.
My detailed instructions are at http://www.northquabbinenergy.org then click on winserts at left side.
I give free winsert workshops around central Mass and we at NQE educate and advocate community groups to replicate this as possible.

For example a typical 5ftx3ft air tight double glazed R2 (ie U 0.5) window typically loses $45 (oil at $2/gal & 80% eff system) worth of heat per winter in New England. Winsert material cost would be about $12 , labor about 90mins each, thus paying back $20+ for each winter for that window.

You can work out your total window heat loss in Btus for a whole average winter with a little multiplication.
Btu loss = window U value * total window area * 24 hrs * HDD for your location.
HDD is heating degree days & look up nearest city to you here:- http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/ccd/nrmhdd.html.
U value is 1/R value. A single glaze window has a U value of about 1.1 (ie R 0.9) and double glazed ranges in U value 0.5 - 0.4 (i.e. R 2 - 2.5) Lower U i.e higher R is better.
To convert the Btu cost to kWh of electric heat, divide the Btu s by 3,412.
To convert the Btu cost to gals of oil, divide Btu s by 139,000 then mult by about 1.25 for an 80% efficient system.

If you have really large windows and can sacrifice some winter day light, you can put 3/4" thick foil faced foam board or foil faced bubble wrap inside half the winsert. That would step up the winsert's R value improvement from almost +2 to about +3.5 and improve a R2.5 window to about R6.
If you have any air infiltration, use removable rope caulk to seal the windows tight before using winserts.

Good luck
Brian N

[UncleBen]

I have been informed that we need another way to green our apartments than just CFL bulbs.

Create your own worm composting bin and recycle your green waste at home. I made my own for only $5. I put all my old newspapers and vegetable clippings into it. I've had this one for over a year at my apartment. Trust me there is no smell. I've also had no need to harvest the soil yet because the worms break everything down so small. Best of luck.

[BrianN]

Whoops, in my prev comment I mistakenly gave a winter heat loss example for a 15 sqft window as $45 based on heating oil at $2 / gal. I was recalling that result from when a gal was actually $4 a gal so of course today the heat loss in terms of heating oil at $2 / gal would be $22.50.

[SgtMaj]

You can make attractive re-movable clear window insulation inserts (winserts) to roughly halve your winter window heat loss and dramatically reduce the cold zone surrounding each window.
My detailed instructions are at http://www.northquabbinenergy.org then click on winserts at left side.
I give free winsert workshops around central Mass and we at NQE educate and advocate community groups to replicate this as possible.

For example a typical 5ftx3ft air tight double glazed R2 (ie U 0.5) window typically loses $45 (oil at $2/gal & 80% eff system) worth of heat per winter in New England. Winsert material cost would be about $12 , labor about 90mins each, thus paying back $20+ for each winter for that window.

You can work out your total window heat loss in Btus for a whole average winter with a little multiplication.
Btu loss = window U value * total window area * 24 hrs * HDD for your location.
HDD is heating degree days & look up nearest city to you here:- http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/ccd/nrmhdd.html.
U value is 1/R value. A single glaze window has a U value of about 1.1 (ie R 0.9) and double glazed ranges in U value 0.5 - 0.4 (i.e. R 2 - 2.5) Lower U i.e higher R is better.
To convert the Btu cost to kWh of electric heat, divide the Btu s by 3,412.
To convert the Btu cost to gals of oil, divide Btu s by 139,000 then mult by about 1.25 for an 80% efficient system.

If you have really large windows and can sacrifice some winter day light, you can put 3/4" thick foil faced foam board or foil faced bubble wrap inside half the winsert. That would step up the winsert's R value improvement from almost +2 to about +3.5 and improve a R2.5 window to about R6.
If you have any air infiltration, use removable rope caulk to seal the windows tight before using winserts.

Good luck
Brian N

Brian, I really like those winserts... I think they are awesome and I'm going to make some for my windows... thanks for posting that brilliant idea!

[ruthalden86]

This is more appropriate for winter time, when you don't open your windows: Buy saran wrap-like window insulation. You tape it up to the frame and use a blow dryer to shrink it,and it insulates your windows better.

Good luck!

[Grefsuen]

Curtains!! Get thick curtains or shades that you keep closed during the day to avoid the green house effect with your apartment. At night when it cools, open windows to let the cold air in. This will cut down on cooling your apartment.

[Guest]

How about vermiculture/worm composting?
I've had worms eating my scraps in my tiny yardless apartment for 2 years with out a problem. Then I give the castings away or spread them around landscaping. And because I don't eat meat very often, I get to put off emptying the trash for weeks!
Good luck!

[Brian N]

Thanks SgMaj
I first saw a brief winsert article 4yrs agon on some lost FEMA archive so the idea is pretty old. Several people have contacted me about how they have been making them which is great and they offer their tips. My design was recently discussed on a PBS WGBY show EcoExchange (but I wasn't credited which is OK).

My winsert project is different from all others because its community based and non profit. I lead community workshops to teach the public how to make winserts for homes and for important community buildings. Now I'm starting to do youth and senior group projects. We at NQE even got some modest grant funding to cover materials and literature for one winsert project. Each workshop is recorded for our local AOTV station.

I encourage people to multiply the benefit of their own winsert making effort by working with local people to spread the knowledge. People quickly get good at making their own, so I encourage them to lead their own community workshops to help other homes and important buildings in their community. Libraries, churches local TV stations will all provide a free venue, and do public service announcements etc.

ruthalden86
Using the regular window insulation kits is certainly cheap but you have to repeat the labor every year, you can't open windows on sunny winter days and worst, the insulation benefit is overstated by the packaging.
The insulation improvement is somewhat less than R1 because the dead air space is about 3"-6" thick and it needs to be much less than 2" to inhibit a secondary convection cycle ever getting establish when the temp difference between inside and out is big enough. Its convection cycles that quickly lose heat.
The DIY winserts I decribe actually improve windows by almost R2 because both dead air spaces are thin.

Expensive commercial winserts are available from companies like Advanced Energy Panels and their website www.windotherm.com is worth a visit just for the excellent information.

[mikev]

Ask your landlord if you can make home improvements and have them credited to your rent. You probably have a much better chance at getting this if you rent from an individual than a company.

When I was still renting I was able to get my landlord to let me change the regular thermostat to a programmable thermostat and install insulation I just cleared it with him ahead of time, gave him the receipts with my rent and he knocked 100 bucks off for the rent for labor. I saved an extra 30 bucks a month during the summer months and about 15 bucks a month for the winter in utility costs.

[jtk821]

If you're feeling up to it, you can clean the dust and dirt off your refridgerator's coils. No matter how old or inefficient it may be relative to the newest, most efficient fridges out there, it will save energy by allowing the machine to release its heated content more efficiently - the dust and dirt particles "insulate" the coiling coils...

[eelsirhc]

Graciela
You can insulate the walls of your apartment using rigid foam. I have done this in two apartments. Cut the panels for a very tight friction fit at the ceiling and floor. Wrap the edges with duct tape to reduce the off gassing from the foam. Cover the room side of the panels and the edges with a highly textured heavy wall covering. The texture will hide imperfections on the foam. The heavier wall covering are often paintable as well. You could even glue paneling, cork, or fabric to the foam if you want. Use the same technique make air tight shutters for the interior of your windows. Be sure to decorate the face of the shutters that is seen from the outside as well. When not in use store the shutters under and behind furniture. This really works, if you have 100+ degree summers no math will be needed to prove its working. Other suggestions, make sure there are aerators on the faucets and that the faucets are not dripping, if not complain to the evil landlord. Is it a low flow toilet? This might be a bit old school but you can always stick a brick in an older tank. Dry some of your laundry on a bathtub clothesline. Does the complex have automatic sprinklers for the landscaping that waters so much its running down the street? Where I live there is a law against that, and the city is more than willing to help correct the problem. Clean the glass diffusers on your light fixtures. Clean your screens and windows. These last ones won't reduce energy consumption but you will have a better quality of light out of what you are consuming.
Sincerely,
An Evil Landlord

[ckraus111]

Ok I posted this on another thread by mistake but here it goes...

Being in an apartment will limit you if you don't want to leave your green changes behind. Thinking from an apartment perspective:

- Get a faucet water filter or pitcher and a reusable metal water container to filter your water and take along with you. Instead of buying bottled water.

- Thermal insulated curtains will reduce energy loss there and you can take them with you.

- If you are allowed to paint or plan to paint the apartment - use low or no VOC paint products. No smell and better for the air.

- Be sure you don't cover your heat/cooling vents with solid pieces of furniture as that will reduce the HVC systems ability to heat and cool the room. Get one of those "door dogs" if you have a draft from the bottom of your exterior door.

- If you have your own hot water heater, be sure to check the temp it is set at and most likely you can turn it down some. That will save energy and money.

- Keep a glass in the bathroom so when you brush your teeth you can turn the water off and rinse from the glass of water instead of having the faucet run the hole time.

- Some low flow water fixtures, like shower heads, are good to purchase. Especially for the shower if you get the kind that has a "kill switch" or knob that you can turn the water off at the shower head while you soap your bod and hair and then turn back to rinse - all without having to readjust the temp of the water. Saves tons of water and hot water energy and as an added bonus, save the original shower head and put it back when you vacate the apartment and take your energy saver shower head with you.

- Buy local for as much as you can from groceries to linens, clothing, rugs, knick-knacks, etc. Less energy is used to get the product to the point of sale and it supports the local merchants/farmers.

- If you live alone or there is just one other, get a good counter top convection oven. This is much cheaper to run than the big oven and often cooks roasts and whole chickens better than a microwave cause you can still get that "crispy" outer skin.

- Switch your cleaning and laundry products to green products. Same with cosmetics and personal care items (toothpaste, deodorant, lotions, creams, hair care, etc).

- Use paper towels, plates and disposable cups and utensils as little as possible. Use cloth dish towels and other non-disposable items instead.

- Again if it is just one or two of you, wash your dishes by hand or wait until you have a full load.

- Switching to CFL's has already been mentioned and is good. But along with that is to turn off lights when you are not going to be in the room for awhile. For when you are going out and don't want to enter a dark apartment, get one lamp that has a motion detector sensor and put it by the door. Use dusk to dawn type "nite lights" for halls and bathrooms. These will go on and off as needed. Some nite lights even have motion sensors so they won't go on until you enter the sensor range.

- Start a container garden for the most common vegetables, herbs and the like and grow these on your porch or patio. These will not only save money but they tend to taste better too. Many web sites out there for small container and counter gardening.

- Find a place to keep a recycle center in your apartment. Then practice the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle methodology. When you vacate the apartment, you have the center to use in your next residence.

- Plan your errands and travels to use the least amount of fuel as possible. Find some friends or neighbors that you can "pool" with for common regular errands and further reduce vehicle fuel and emissions buy doing these trips in a group on a planned route. Your group might also be able to purchase the more commonly used items in bulk and split them which will save money not to mention reduce all the packaging waste.

- Get a counter top composter for your compostable waste and use the resulting compost in your container garden.

These are just the items off the top of my head that can help you go green cheaply and easily when living in a rented space. Good luck and let us all know how you are doing

[frogandtoad]

I'm a renter and here's what I do to make what I can as green as possible:
-Use 'green' cleaning products
-No disposable cook wear or table settings
-Get a wholesale club membership and buy frequently used items in bulk (saves on money and package waste as well as trips to the store)
-Separate your trash even if you have no recycling program where you live. Ex: in Tennessee people don't normally recycle on an individual level. Everything gets sorted at the waste collection center. (I saw it on Dirty Jobs)
-Use small compost bins for your food. One for vegetation and eggs one for meats. Or... what I do since I live in the country, I toss all my scraps in the woods behind where I live.
-LED lights and hook everything electronic (even lamps) to serge protector strips. It's easy enough to just shut the serge protector off each night or when you're out.
-Use cold or warm water to do your wash. There are detergents out there formulated for cold water.
-Here's one trick we did: Rent a storage unit, and stick all the appliances that went with the apartment into the storage unit. Then purchase energy star appliances and bring them with you when you move out. (Remember to return the original appliances before you go)
-For the drafty gaps between door and window frames, find an easy to apply weather stripping at your local hardware store. Also for windows, I've seen these self-adhesive window applications to reduce energy loss/consumption due to single pane windows. It comes in a roll and you can cut it to size. And for the gaps under the doors/windows... there's a product that you can get like a door snake. The actual name of the product escapes me... but it slides under your doors and even your windows and moves with the door when opening or closing.
-Keep maintaining your car (if you have one). Even if it's older doesn't mean you have to get rid of it. I've had a 97 Toyota Corolla since '99 and I won't get rid of it. I get roughly 35 plus miles to the gallon and I keep it very well maintained. It runs great and I've never had any problems with it.
Good luck!