Renting a flat is a huge financial risk to foreign students. It’s indeed a great accommodation option, given the freedom and privacy you get. But the associated costs of renting like utilities and maintenance can be worrying.
One of the major expenses when renting a flat is energy consumption. The electricity that powers your appliances may come at varying costs. During peak seasons like summer, your bill may spike higher than normal.
Reducing energy consumption is great for the environment and your budget too. If you want to know how to save energy while renting, we have some tips here. Read on to help lessen your electrical usage during your stay abroad:
Learn To Unplug Electronics
Many electronics and appliances still consume standby power. Their collective energy consumption could cost you more in the long run.
When unused, especially for long periods, it’s better to unplug these devices. That way you can be sure that there is zero energy running through your appliances.
Wash Your Clothes on Full Load
Instead of small loads of laundry per week, collect your dirty clothes for a month and run a full load wash cycle.
To be fair, you may not have enough clothes to sustain a month without newly-washed clothes. You can still run a full load if you have roommates. Ask them to include their laundry so you can wash in one go.
Embrace Natural Light
During the day, you can leave your lights off and open your windows to invite light in. Natural light illuminates your space and saves you energy too.
If your flat isn’t near a direct light source, you can change your light bulbs instead. An LED light bulb uses 75% less energy than an ordinary incandescent light bulb. Consider switching to LED bulbs if your landlord allows.
Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances
Modern appliances today have energy-saving technologies that you leverage in your daily life. These appliances are slightly expensive, but they’re worth the value you pay.
When buying an energy-efficient item, focus on small things you can take back home. You won’t be able to transport a washing machine or a refrigerator easily. These are items you can still use after you’ve completed your studies, so make sure that you can ROI their costs.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to set a schedule for the temperature in your flat. As a student, you won’t be in your flat 24/7. With a programmable thermostat, you can set the temperature to heat up only at the time of your arrival.
Note that installing this thermostat means it stays with the flat. You must also consult with your landlord if they allow this. It’s a kind of investment you must surrender at the end of your stay.
Little efforts to save energy can go a long way. If you want to rent a flat while studying overseas, check out our blogs here at MSM Unify to find more tips about living abroad.
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