After a while, several maintenance tasks might become necessary and could take a toll on your budget – which is why you need to save money for the cause every year.
As residential properties consume massive amounts of energy and produce tons of waste, they have a major impact on the ecosystem. To reflect customer concerns about environmental issues, reduce pollution, and cut costs, more and more homeowners in Africa are adopting sustainable strategies.
Not sure what practices will work best for your business? Don't worry, we've rounded up 9 environmental best practices for homeowners that are good for both the planet and your bottom line.
1. Perform an environmental audit
The best way to really understand your current state is to do an environmental audit. Once you know your energy consumption habits, you'll be able to identify problems, set achievable goals, and choose the environmental practices that work best for you.
2. Use energy efficient bulbs
This is a low-cost, high-impact practice that will help you save money and reduce maintenance. LED bulbs use approximately 25-85% less energy than traditional bulbs and can last 3-25 times longer.
3. Promote a paperless environment
Technology makes it easy for homeowners to reduce their paper usage. With a cloud-based building management system, you can manage all aspects of your property in one central location, with no printing required.
4. Adopt a green purchasing policy
Adopting a green purchasing policy means taking environmental, social, and ethical considerations into account in each of your decisions. It is about choosing products and services that have a reduced impact on the environment. You will avoid products containing toxic substances, determine if the products can be recycled, and choose energy-efficient and fair trade products.
5. Develop waste management and recycling program
Tenants of large residential properties and hotel guests generate massive amounts of waste. Developing strong waste management and recycling program (including composting) is, therefore, one of the best environmental practices for homeowners. To engage your tenants or guests, provide in-room recycling instructions and place recycling bins in convenient locations throughout your property.
6. Monitor your energy consumption
Energy is the second-largest infrastructure operating expense, after payroll. There are plenty of tools to help you increase energy efficiency, but automatic energy usage monitoring is the foundation you need to quickly spot problems and track your improvements.
7. Install a leak detection device
Even a small plumbing leak can cause irreversible damage and cost a lot of money to repair. Most homeowners rely on manual water readings, which are often inaccurate and infrequent. Also, they don't catch leaks in time.
However, smart leak detection devices constantly monitor your water usage so you can detect leaks as soon as they occur.
8. Watch out for surrounding weeds or overgrowth
Clean up piles of wood, trash, metal, and other debris to reduce snake habitat. Trim shrubs away from the house, keep the grass short and manage weeds to reduce hiding areas. Secure all door sweeps and screens to reduce entry points into the home. Check potential entries in attics and basements.
9. Properly maintain outlets and switches
No homeowner wants to deal with a faulty electrical system, especially when it costs you money, safety, and comfort. All electrical problems start somewhere, so taking care of your outlets and switches is crucial. If you are currently experiencing or suspect that your home has an electrical problem, it is always best to call a licensed electrician. It can be tempting to try fixing the outlets and switches in your home yourself, especially when it can save you money. Your home's electrical system, however, is dangerous to use. A professional electrician can not only safely and effectively repair outlets and switches in your home, but also ensure that your home is safe and functional. Don't wait until you start smelling the smoke, start protecting your home today.
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