Resources
Going Green
A Better Property Management Company, Inc. is going green to help the planet by saving water, energy, and resources. We care about the environment and we want our tenants to as well, but between finding or keeping a job, the kids, the rent, and tuning up the car; it’s hard to find time and energy to care about the whole world too. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of simple ways to help you save $$ in your electric, gas and water bill while helping the environment at the same time.
Conserve in the Kitchen
Garbage Disposal: Use the garbage disposal less and your garbage can more.
- Save up to 150 gallons of water per month.
Dishwasher: Run the dishwasher when it’s full, but not overloaded. Loading it fully will take advantage of the water used, but overloading it will not clean your dishes completely. Run your dishwasher at night to avoid adding heat and humidity to your rooms which can affect your air conditioning costs during peak hours, (the hottest time of the day and most expensive time to use energy).
- Saves up to 1000 gallons of water per month.
Refrigerator: Keep the temperature between 36 and 42 degrees. Check the gasket/seal on the door by closing it on a piece of paper. You should not be able to remove the paper. If you can, your door may be loose, or it might be time to replace the seal. Keep the seal around the door clean, and vacuum under the fridge on a regular basis to avoid dust build up around the motor and fan.
- Saves $$ on your electricity bill.
Range: Ranges, ovens, and grills account for 6% of the natural gas in your home. Check the flame in your gas appliance. Blue indicates that it is running efficiently and yellow means it is not. For yellow flames, an adjustment might be needed to get the most out of your appliance without wasting gas.
- Saves $$ on your gas bill.
Water: Wash your fruits and veggies in a pan rather than with running water. Reuse the water you collect for houseplants.
- Saves $$ on your water bill.
Conserve in the Bathroom
Shower: Shortening a shower by one or two minutes can save you a lot! Install a low-flow showerhead to save even more.
- Saves up to 150 gallons per month.
Bath: Baths use up to 50 gallons of water whereas a 5-minute shower uses 20 gallons, even with an unrestricted showerhead.
- Saves $$ on your water bill.
Exhaust Fan: Turn off the bathroom exhaust fan when the heater or AC is in use. The fan vents moisture from your shower into the attic space or directly outside. Heating or cooling your home while running this fan is like trying to change the temperature of an entire city block!
- Saves $$ on your electricity bill.
Shaving: Use an electric razor or fill the sink with a little water to rinse your razor instead of rinsing in running water.
- Saves $$ on your water bill.
Toilets: Check your toilet for silent leaks from the tank into the bowl by emailing us for a leak tablet. Place the tablet in your toilet tank and watch the bowl. If your bowl fills with blue dye, you have a leak! Send us an email to request a plumber to fix your toilet and save your water.
- Saves 200 gallons per day.
Conserve in the Laundry Room
Washer: Only run the washer when it is full, this takes full advantage of your washer’s size. Overloading the washer will prevent your clothes from getting clean. Rinse only in cold water.
- Saves you 500 gallons every month.
Dryer: Dry heavier weight items separately from lighter weight clothes. Clean the lint filter every time you use the dryer. Dry 2 or more loads in a row to take advantage of the heat. Dry your clothes in the evening to prevent heating up your home during the hottest part of the day. This also avoids peak electric billing hours, saving you even more.
- Saves $$ on your electricity bill.
Conserve around the house/apartment
Windows: Make sure your windows and doors close properly to avoid heat/AC escaping when in use. Email us if your windows or doors to not seal correctly, we will send a vendor to check them out.
- Save $$ on your electricity bill.
Lighting: Turn off lights when not in use or place lamps in corners you use often rather than lighting up a whole room. Purchase energy efficient bulbs to save even more.
- Save $$ on your electricity bill.
Vents: Close off vents in unused spaces or rooms. This redirects heat/AC into the rooms you use often.
- Save $$ on your electricity bill.
Thermostat: Every degree you lower your thermostat can reduce your usage by 1% and save you up to 5% of heating costs. Also, by reducing your water heater thermostat by 20 degrees you can save up to 10% on your bill.
- Saves $$ on your electric and gas bill.
Faucets: Leaky faucets and plumbing joints waste more water than you can use to water all of the plants in your home and feed the pets with. Check for leaks in the pipes under your sinks, behind the toilet, and around your shower and tub.
- Save 20 gallons per day.
Computer equipment/chargers: Even when not in use, computer equipment and plugged in chargers use power to keep their lights on or blinking. A computer left on can use as much power in an hour as one 14 watt fluorescent lamp over 24 hours.
- Save $$ on your electricity bill.
Conservation and Sustainability
California is in a drought. Even though the recent rains have swept through the streets, flooded our cars, and damaged our homes, Southern California has had too many dry years. Our water reserves are shockingly low, prices have skyrocketed.
These are just a few ways to conserve in different areas of your home or apartment. Most only require a change in the time of day one does chores, a few require action. (Email us) (link to green ideas form) with your ideas on green conservation. We want to know how we can change how we do business to save some green—both trees and money.
Buildings under our management that are found to be wasting water will be transferred to the CUBS system to encourage conservation and to keep the cost of water down for everyone.
Testimonials
“I really enjoyed living in Long Beach. Thank you for all your help and advance notice of all that was happening in our apartment building. I hope that I will find the same type of property management company up in the Bay Area.”
“I would like to thank you for being a wonderful property management company. ABPMCo,Inc. has always been very professional and a pleasure to deal with.”
“We have really enjoyed staying under A Better Property Management Co, Inc., you guys have been great.”
“You REALLY are the best! I never have to even think about stuff, it just gets handled. Thank you so much!”
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continual excellence in the management of our property. Your personal attention, pride of management and hands-on control was a real asset through our period of ownership. Thank you again.”
“Thank you VERY much for all the help on the sale of my Condo and for the GREAT job with managing my property all these (14) years. A Better Property Management Company made my job as landlord so much easier I never had to worry about screening tenants, making repairs, or collecting rent. When it came time to sell my property, you worked very well with the Real Estate agent (whom you had recommended!) by utilizing your knowledge of the local real estate market as well as of my condo unit and complex. I honestly could not have done it myself. I feel I got top dollar on the sale and my investment in the property has paid off. If you ever need a reference, please don't hesitate.”
“I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your expert and efficient Management of the properties that Bob Bauer and I formerly owned. Your services were so superior to any other management company we used in the past that I seldom, if ever, had reason to contact you. Please know however that I have been very appreciative of the professional and courteous manner your company performed during our business relationship.”
“Without a doubt, your services are again above and beyond the call of duty. It's always a pleasure working with you. Professional, courteous, and a great attitude about getting the job done has become your trademark when you are on the job. I only wish all of the management companies had your work abilities. I know that the bank greatly appreciates your work on the property. They have informed me that you are guaranteed to get all of their projects in your area. It's not often I feel comfortable to recommend people, but in your case, when I do recommend your services, it is always a pleasure. Thank you for a job well done.”
“I've enjoyed renting with A Better Property. Your courteous and quick help, and from Robin in particular, means that I'd surely recommend you to potential tenants. Thank you again.”
“I have enjoyed my stay at your property under your management. You have been responsive and understanding when it comes to things needed around the building and apartment and I thank you for that. This building is in a very quiet neighborhood and along with that comes a sense of safety. Thank you.”
“We would like to thank ABPMCo,Inc. for giving us the opportunity to be able to rent from such a great company. We have been at the residence for about 4 years now and have had a wonderful experience. It is very unfortunate to be leaving, but we hope in the near future that we may be able to rent another great unit. Thank you for all your help and attentive service.”
“We are in Panama and expect to go through the Canal on July 14th. It is one of those "bucket list" items. Thank you so much for taking such good care of things at home and allowing us to live the dream.”