Our very best tips to stay cool in summer involve one of our sparkling pools and a snowball from your favorite local stand, but sometimes it’s tempting to simply run the A/C at full capacity, open the freezer, and stand in front of it to cool down.
While we certainly don’t blame you (the Gulf South gets hot!), we do think it’s important to conserve energy. Using the following energy-saving tips for apartment dwellers is important not only for your monthly utility bill, but also the environment in general.
Your A/C unit will actually have to work harder to cool down your apartment if you only turn it on when you’re at home. Instead, keep the A/C running while you’re gone at a higher temperature… read more below!
Did you know that for every degree below 79 degrees you set your thermostat, your bill will increase by as much as 3 percent? When you’re not at home, keep your thermostat at 79 for optimal energy use.
Keeping air filters clean is one of the easiest ways to not only save energy but also improve air quality at home. For best results, replace fiberglass filters monthly. The air filter keeps debris and pollutants out of your home’s air system, which improves overall HVAC performance and can even help mitigate allergy symptoms.
You probably spend long periods of time in a certain part of your apartment, whether it’s at your desk on the computer or on the sofa watching television. For these stretches, it’s great to have a small, portable fan you can take with you to keep you cool. Rather than waste energy (and money) cooling down the entire apartment, point a fan your way to stay cool and comfortable economically.
Like a portable fan, ceiling fans are a great way to stay cool. However, you’ll want to check to make sure that your bedroom fans are rotating counter-clockwise for maximum cool-down potential.
Most modern CFL lightbulbs no longer have that annoying buzz or hum, and they use about 70% less energy than incandescent bulbs, so there’s no excuse not to use them! Make sure that the CFLs you use are compatible with your lighting controls though, as most motion sensors and electric timers are not designed to work with CFL bulbs. Be sure to also only use bulbs labeled as dimmable on dimmer switches.
Use your lights in a smarter way. For more light, it’s better to use one large bulb rather than several smaller ones. For example, according to Entergy, one 100-watt bulb uses the same amount of energy as four 25-watt bulbs, yet it produces 50 percent more light.
In addition to our collection of cleaning tips, this one is simple: dust and clean bulbs and lampshades every so often – you’ll be surprised at the difference! You can get up to one-third more light from the same amount of money simply by keeping bulbs and shades clean.
If you like to sleep in, blackout curtains are a must. But they’re also great for keeping out the heat during the summer months. Pick up a cheap pair at Target, or line your existing curtains with blackout fabric available at retailers like JoAnn’s.
Ideally, your refrigerator temperature should be between 37 and 42 degrees; the freezer should hover between zero and five degrees. Leaving town for a summer vacation? Use up the foods that will spoil, then turn your refrigerator up two or three settings (but keep the freezer’s temperature steady at all times).
Don’t overcrowd your fridge, as it can interfere with air flow and efficiency. The opposite is true for your freezer, however; freezers are typically most efficient when fully stocked.
Use the oven rather than the stovetop whenever you can, especially during the heat of summer. Insulated ovens retain heat much better and use less energy than stovetop counterparts, but be sure to use a timer, as opening the oven door lets up to 20% of the heat escape.
If you need a little culinary inspiration, BuzzFeed has you covered with one-tray oven dishes.
Entergy offers a service called Level Billing to help you take control of your monthly utility bill. You can sign up for Level Billing on their website so your bill will be about the same price month after month.
If there’s one thing that adds instant depth to homemade recipes, it’s fresh herbs. Basil on top of Caprese salad, rosemary with grilled chicken, dill with pan-seared salmon, minty lemonade — herbs are more than just garnishes. And while you could use the powdered versions, you’ll get so much more flavor with the real deal. Take advantage of a windowsill or countertop and create your own indoor herb garden with these tips.
Pick your vessel — Mason jars, vintage tea cups, mugs, traditional pots… they’re all fair game when planting herbs. Create drainage holes using a jewelry drill, or look for pre-made, attractive pots at places like Home Depot.
Consider sunlight — Make sure your herb garden gets about 5-8 hours of sunlight per day. Choose a south-facing window if possible to help ensure they receive enough light! If this isn’t an option, consider herbs that don’t require as much light — that means you’ll probably want to stay away from cilantro and parsley!
Watch how much you water — Thyme likes dry soil while basil needs a little more water. Once you pick your plants (side note: Trader Joe’s, Target, and Home Depot are great places to look for herbs), read up on how to best care of them.
One-pot wonder — Hearty herbs like sage and rosemary can coexist together happily in one pot. This is a great solution if you’re short on counter space or can’t devote much time to indoor gardening. All they need is a little water and as much sunlight as possible. Check out the tutorial on Apartment Therapy. Other great one-pot combinations are:
Kickstart with a kit — If you’re less inclined for a DIY project, you can buy an herb garden kit on Amazon. These kits can get pretty high-tech: some are self-watering, and others include a light that replicates natural sunlight.
Millennials know what they want. This is the on-demand generation where everything is available at the touch of a button. Need a ride? There’s an app for that. Need food, quick? There’s an app for that, too. But when it comes to finding the right home, it’s not as simple as downloading an app. Fortunately, we know what millennials want — and you can find it all at Bella Ridge.
The cozy club room at Bella Ridge.
While we don’t have an app for dry cleaning, we do offer concierge services for a variety of services (like dry cleaning!). Think of us as your personal assistant — we’re here to help keep your home life running smoothly.
Beyond perks like granite countertops, large spaces, separate tubs and showers, and more, we also offer a different kind of resident rewards. Our resident rewards program is free to join and gives you discounts on local shopping, dining, and lifestyle services.
Sustainability is important for the earth, and we’re pleased with our Green Globe Certification. This national certification demonstrates excellence in water conservation and energy efficiency.
Sustainability doesn’t stop at building codes. We offer free bike rentals at Bella Ridge — it’s a great way to burn some calories and help the environment simultaneously.
Four-legged friends are welcome at Bella Ridge. We even have our own designated dog park! Just remember to review our dog park etiquette.
Our stunning pool is the perfect place to get away from it all without ever leaving home. In addition to free covered cabanas, our pool also features tanning ledges and a grilling area so you can make a day of it.
Meet other Bella residents and enjoy perks like wine nights and holiday parties at our resident events.
Are you one of those people who likes to exercise late at night? We totally aren’t. But we feel you! That’s why our fitness center is open 24 hours.
Millennials love a good #tb. Enter DVD rentals. You might be tempted to queue up your Netflix account, but check our selection first! It’s old-school fun for an awesome night in.
There’s no better feeling than a clean space, but it’s easy to forget to clean certain areas. We’ve collected a list of spring cleaning tips focused on commonly forgotten areas – give these places a good scrubbing, and you’ll notice a difference in your home’s overall appearance and feel while also reducing germs, dirt, and grime.
Have you noticed crumbs or food stuck in the tiny gap between your oven range and countertop? Use a crevice attachment on your vacuum or a long, thin duster to capture grime between nooks and crannies.
Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Dirt and dust can accumulate on top of appliances like microwaves, refrigerators, and stove vents – clean these areas to remove months of buildup in one simple swipe!
Similarly to the tops of appliances, ceiling fans can collect dust and grime on the tops of their blades. Use the pillowcase trick so that dust doesn’t fall onto the floor!
Did you know your television remote control could be one of the germ-covered items in your home? Use a disinfectant wipe or spray to clean between the buttons and on the front and back of the remote. Remember to clean other oft-handled small appliances, too, like keyboards and tablets.
Have you ever cleaned your salt and pepper shakers individually? Probably not – but you should! Like the remote or shared tablet, salt and pepper shakers are used by everyone in the household every day.
Similar to salt and pepper shakers, your soap dispenser is an oft-used item that can accumulate germs and grime. Wipe it down each time you clean your kitchen or bathroom countertops.
Use a duster on house plants like orchids or ferns. The plants will immediately look brighter and refreshed, plus you’ll be removing surface dirt and grime!
Don’t wait until move-out day to give the fridge a frantic scrub-down. Take your time wiping the insides of all drawers and shelves, and you’re guaranteed to smile every time you open the fridge. You can also refer to these five all-natural methods for cleaning the fridge.
Even if you vacuum and wash the floors, you’ll see a big difference visually if you take the time to wipe down your baseboards with a damp cloth. Dust and small hairs can accumulate easily on baseboards, sullying the overall look of your floors.
Be sure to read up on more easy cleaning hacks here on our blog!
Valentine’s Day is a sweet way for couples to acknowledge one another. But what if you’re single? Don’t fret. We’ve collected five fun ideas for treating yourself this Valentine’s Day — no plus-one required.
With apps like Postmates and Uber Eats now available in New Orleans, you can have gourmet cuisine delivered straight to your door. Just think of how much more comfortable you’ll be on the couch in pajamas than waiting at a busy restaurant.
Channel your inner celebrity chef and whip up a new recipe for dinner. We like browsing The Kitchn — they even have a special post with “12 Recipes for a Solo Valentine’s Day Celebration.”
Round up some fun-loving friends, and go see a movie. Opt for a comedy or thriller, and definitely plan to spring for popcorn and candy.
Sometimes, getting out of town means getting a fresh, new perspective. If your schedule permits, plan for a day trip just outside of the city. We’ve got a few ideas here.
The holiday is all about love, so think about how that might translate into non-romantic meanings. Give your mom or friend a call and let them know you love them. Offer some extra snuggles to your pet. Or pamper yourself with a pedicure or beauty treatment for a little self love.
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
