According to a government report, residential property in the UK accounts for 30% of the country’s total energy use, 27% of its carbon dioxide emissions and around 24% of greenhouse gas emissions.
The UK has also set in law a target to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 in an attempt to slow climate change. As a property manager, property investor or landlord, what can you do to reduce your impact?
Offering your tenants sustainable, eco-conscious accommodation is a start. The good news is that there are several significant changes that property managers can make to make their apartment blocks more sustainable. Implementing these changes will not only benefit the planet, but it will make your properties more attractive to tenants. A report from Landlord Today found that some tenants would pay 20% more for eco-friendly properties. What’s more, as the cost of energy increases, improving the sustainability of your residential block will save you and your tenants money.
Below, we’ve put together a few starting points to help you…
Offer smart meters and appliances
One of the simplest ways to improve the sustainability of your new-build residential block is to offer smart meters and appliances in each unit. Smart thermostats, like those offered by Google Nest and Centrica’s Hive, can reduce energy consumption and ensure tenants only heat their homes when needed. In communal areas like stairwells, receptions, and on-site gyms, thermostats allow property managers to control heating, conserving energy and reducing bills.
An independent study from Harringtons Lettings found that 56% of tenants wanted smart meters to be in place in properties, while 38% wanted smart thermostats. To make your properties even more efficient, you can use smart technology like LED bulbs with sensors in communal areas to reduce wastage and auto-closing doors to lock in heat3.
Switch to LED lights
LED lights are the most cost-effective and eco-friendly option. When fitting out your new-build apartment block, make the investment so that every room in the building uses the same bulbs to reduce unnecessary waste and ensure response times from your maintenance team are speedy. According to one report, LED lighting has already accounted for $51 billion in energy savings – that’s because they use anywhere from 3-10 watts of energy and last ten times longer than traditional bulbs. They also keep cooler, meaning you don’t have to run air conditioning as high, and they are more adaptable to significant temperature changes. It’s an affordable change that can make a significant difference.
Add some greenery
High-rise buildings have a drastically higher carbon impact than low-rise environments. Although planting a single tree isn’t going to undo the damage of your building, investing in outdoor communal spaces and introducing some greenery can go a long way. Green space is high on the list of desirable property attributes for those searching for their dream home in major towns and cities, so it can also be a selling point. A growing number of property managers are using apartment block roofs to create green spaces and ‘high-rise gardens’, whilst others are investing in ‘living walls’ with foilage growing up the sides of the buildings. Experiment with different ideas and see what works for your team.
Encourage recycling
It’s not just the building that needs to be sustainable – encouraging tenants, cleaners, and other patrons to think about the environment is just as important. Speak to your local authority about recycling bins for paper, glass, and cardboard and ensure they’re easily accessible to tenants. Recycling waste food packaging is one of the easiest ways to reduce carbon emissions and make your building more sustainable. Put bins in easy-to-reach places and adequately signpost them. When tenants move into the property, mention recycling in your welcome pack and consider offering recycling bins or tubs in each unit so they can easily transport their waste from their apartment to the waste area.
Make insulation a priority
During the design and build of your apartment block, think about insulation and invest in materials that are going to have a long-lasting impact on your energy usage. We’ve already talked about ways to make your apartment block more energy-efficient, and insulation is one of the key drivers. Poor insulation can lead to energy waste through drafts and cracks, whilst double-glazed windows can save up to 50% on heating costs and better sound-proof properties, too. Sure, good wall and loft insulation are more expensive, but it will pay dividends in the years and decades ahead, so don’t scrimp in this regard, as your tenants and your monthly energy bills will thank you for it in the long run.
Choose a renewable energy partner
Finally, consider making the commitment to using a green energy partner for your property. There are a number of companies that offer energy from renewable sources like wind power and solar – and you could even install solar panels on your own building to lower bills and boost your green credentials. The good news is that eco-energy companies aren’t necessarily more expensive than standard providers.
If you’re looking for support, Balance Mechanical is on hand to assist with energy centres, commercial gas, design services, drainage, HVAC, water treatment, and more. Give us a call on 01483 962525 today to find out more and to arrange a consultation with the team.
