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Is your relationship with your landlord anything but heavenly?
From Ideal Bite
The Bite: The Benefits: Wanna Try?
Help her or him see the energy-efficient light. Give 'em a few eco-tips that speak to their bottom line, and you'll be one step closer to domestic harmony. Amen to that.
* Hallelujah: a greener home-sweet-home. Improvements like updating appliances benefit both you and your landlord. Example: Replacing an old clothes washer with an Energy Star one can save 7,000 gallons of H2O per year.
* A 'lord that smiles down upon ya. Higher property values and lower bills (35%-plus savings with energy efficiency alterations) will win you brownie points.
* Install updated A/C - new air conditioning and even shade trees can lower energy bills.
* Replace regular incandescent lightbulbs in common areas with CFLs or LEDs to reduce lighting bills and require fewer changes.
* Install efficient windows and proper caulking to improve A/C and heating efficiency.
* Add a programmable thermostat into the mix, allowing for proper temp adjustment.
* Opt for Energy Star appliances to save big on energy and water.
* Put in new toilets like those with a dual-flush system (with a low-flow flush for number one and a regular-size flush for number two).
* CA Sustainability Alliance - new renters (and not just for Californians): Use its green lease tool kit to set up a green agreement with your landlord from the start.
* HUD - find your local tenants' rights org - it may be able to help you negotiate with your landlord.
- Tiffany_Elston's blog
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