(Newswire.net — August 22, 2016) — Developers of Montreal condos have done a pretty good job making their building green and eco-friendly, but that should not stop you from making your new home even greener. When living in a furnished condo, you can’t do much about the appliances and fixtures that are already there, but there are a lot of things which you do have some control over. Here are some suggestions.
- Manage Your Waste: some condos produce lots of trash and waste, so check if there is a recycling system available in your building. If not, follow the basic rules for properly disposing trash. Having recyclable containers for aluminum, glass and paper is good, and manage your personal waste by separating dry and wet trash.
- Switch to More Eco-Friendly Products: use biodegradable cups instead of Styrofoam, and whenever possible, switch to online or other paperless billing and statements to cut back on paper waste. When you’re ordering food, request that your food be set in cardboard or other types of recyclable packages.
- Have Recyclable Containers: your kitchen cabinet should have recyclable containers so garbage doesn’t pile up. Simply use these containers to properly dispose of trash so your kitchen – and the rest of your condo – remains clean and tidy.
- Reduce Energy Consumption: it doesn’t matter if your power bill is included in your monthly dues, as cutting back energy usage is just good practice. There are a lot of ways to do this such as adjusting your thermostat accordingly as the seasons change. You should turn off the lights when you’re not the room, and dressing up in cool clothing during summer and keep warm during winter helps. These might seem like small things, but they add up big.
- Go with LED: use LED lights for all your lighting needs be it wall sconces, overhead lighting, lamps etc. LED lights have on average lifespan of 50,000 hours and last much longer than fluorescent and incandescent lights. LED also uses up less energy and improves your savings significantly.
- Go with Carpool or Public Transport: not driving your car reduces carbon emission. If you have a co-worker or friend, a carpool can be used, or if public transit is available, use it. And another thing: if you can walk instead of taking the car, do so, as it isn’t just good for the environment but your health too. Riding a bike is another practical and healthy option if your workplace isn’t that far.
- Use Appliances Wisely: you can make your condo lifestyle even greener by using appliances judiciously. You could for instance, schedule the use of dryers and washers so they are not utilized daily, preserving energy. It will also help to use cool dry options on your dryers.
One of the more common misconceptions is living in a condo makes it hard to go green, but as you can see that is not the case at all. With the right approach and some planning, you’ll be able to do your part when it comes to living an eco-friendly lifestyle.