Lighting

• Turn off unnecessary lights in common areas and reduce light levels as appropriate.
• Keep light fixtures clean and dust free to maintain optimum light output.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent lights.
• Upgrade old T12 fluorescent fixtures to high-performance T8 fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts.
• Install occupancy sensors to control light in areas that are frequently unoccupied, such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, storage areas and other common areas.
• Install timers on bathroom heat lamps and ventilation fans.
• Learn more about Lighting.

Water heating
Water heating eats up a lot of energy, so using less hot water is a sure way to save energy. This helps control energy bills as well as water and sewer charges — most likely one of your biggest expenses.

• Install high-performance, water-saving (2.5 gpm) showerheads and faucets.
• Repair water leaks promptly.
• Set hot water heaters to 120 degrees unless they serve older dishwashers that need 140 degree water. Turn water heaters even lower when an apartment is vacant for a week or more (allow several hours for reheating).
• Insulate hot water lines where accessible.
• Wrap older hot water heaters to reduce heat loss.
• If a water heater shows signs of corrosion or leakage, replace it with a high-efficiency water heater. To minimize maintenance and replacement costs, choose models that have a 10-year warranty or longer. Size properly; excess capacity wastes energy. Choose a 30 to 40-gallon unit for a one-bedroom apartment and a 40 to 50 gallon for a two-bedroom unit.
• Learn more about Water Efficiency.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning

• In buildings with central heating/cooling/ventilation (HVAC) systems, set up a maintenance plan with your contractor to ensure it is serviced twice a year, including filters, belts, motors, compressors and controls.
• Check HVAC filters regularly between service calls and clean or replace them when dirty.
• Use a programmable thermostat for common areas to set back or turn off at night or when unoccupied. Keep the temperature at 68 degrees for heating and 75 degrees for air conditioning.
• Install programmable thermostats in tenant units and set the program for them. When doing a regular inspection, make sure it is programmed correctly.
• Seal air leaks: add weatherstripping around doors, caulk around window frames and points where plumbing pipes exit through the wall, and add gaskets behind outlet covers and switch plates.
• Install awnings, window shades or window film to reduce solar gain and the need for cooling.
• Plant deciduous trees, especially on the south and west side of your building, to help keep it cooler in summer.
• If tenants opt to install window air conditioners, offer guidance on choosing the proper size. Also encourage them to look for ENERGY STAR® qualified models that have an energy efficiency ratio of 10.0 or higher.
• Learn more about Heating & Cooling.
• Learn more about Windows & Insulation.

Pools and spas

• Cover swimming pools and spas when not in use.
• Check and clean pump and jet filters according to manufacturers’ recommendations.
• Ask tenants to shower before using the spa to reduce chemical usage and save energy with less flushing and refilling.
• Turn off jet pumps and lights when the spa is covered.

Appliances

• When it’s time to replace appliances, choose ENERGY STAR® qualified washers, refrigerators and other appliances. And consider high-efficiency front-load clothes washers; they help save energy and water.
• It pays to replace (and recycle) any refrigerator at least 15 years old; federal energy efficiency standards make new models much more efficient.

How PGE can help

• Check out the PGE class schedule to take advantage of a variety of courses to enhance business practices and get expert advice on how to save energy and money.
• The PGE Business Services team can put you in contact with an Energy Trust representative for assistance.
• Track your energy use and bills to pinpoint savings opportunities. To make it easy, PGE’s Energy Information Services offers monthly, daily and custom reporting options that help you pinpoint problems and identify key opportunities for saving energy. These fee-based options are designed to meet the needs of midsize to large electricity users.
• For outdoor lighting, use photosensors or timers and switch to high-pressure sodium, pulse-start metal halide or induction (QL) lamps (PGE Outdoor Lighting Services offers many options).

Learn more
Find more energy-saving ideas for apartment management in these sections:

• Smart Investments