As temperatures continue to rise this summer, so do residents' utility bills. Air-conditioners use approximately 5 percent of all the electricity produced in the United States, and Americans use an average of 100 gallons of water each day.

With the drought in the West and Southwest, maintenance technicians may want to re-evaluate their community's water and energy conservation strategies to help reduce operational costs.

Water

• Upgrade irrigation controllers. Smart controllers such as WaterSense-labeled irrigation systems from RainBird® use an average of 15 percent less water per year. By applying water only when plants need it, they not only reduce annual water bills, but also offer convenience and peace of mind while keeping landscapes healthy.
• Revamp landscaping. Create a plan that uses xeriscaping. Select drought-tolerant plants and use mulch, decorative gravel and well-aerated soil that conserves water and is high in organic materials due to added compost. Laying mulch around drought-tolerant plants requires less water and little to no maintenance.

Consider hosting a resident meet-and-greet to educate residents about the benefits of curbing water and energy usage. Have maintenance technicians speak to best practices and highlight the potential savings renters can easily realize with quick changes and upgrades. 

With these simple modifications and buy-in from residents, you'll quickly see a significant reduction in energy and water usage costs.

Use WaterSense-Certified Products

Reduce water usage by up to 20 percent with products certified by WaterSense®, a partnership program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

These high-efficiency products range from faucets to toilets to showerheads, providing property managers with a variety of options. Replacing inefficient toilets with WaterSense-approved models or installing dual-flush converter kits, for example, can save up to $100 a year on water bills.

Energy

• Upgrade and maintain HVAC. Reduce air conditioning energy use by 20 percent to 50 percent by switching to ENERGY STAR® qualified high-efficiency units. After upgrading, practice annual maintenance to prolong units' lives by cleaning evaporator coils, preventing clogs by passing a wire through units' drain channels and routinely replacing/cleaning air filters.
• Install programmable thermostats. Allow residents to adjust their units' temperature from their phones with Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Programmable Thermostats. Programmable and smart thermostats can help save up to $180 a year, and changing air filters regularly will also help thermostats regulate the temperature more efficiently. Replacing air filters every three months can save up to $100 a year in energy costs.
• Seal and insulate. The best way to save energy is to add insulation where needed, and seal cracks and gaps with caulk, spray foam, weather stripping and door thresholds. 

The typical home or apartment spends nearly half their utility bills on heating and cooling, which causes unnecessary wear and tear on HVAC systems. Sealing and insulating can save more than $200 a year in energy costs.

Update Water Heater

Save water and energy by upgrading the water heater to an ENERGY STAR® certified model, such as the Rheem XR 90 Model, which only has the footprint of a 30-gallon water heater but the output of a 50-gallon unit-making it an excellent option if more hot water is needed, but space is limited.

—Contributed by Ron Jarvis, Vice President, Sustainability, The Home Depot