A quality home is the foundation
of society & community

A quality home is the foundation of society & community

Energy Literacy

How much energy and water is being used in homes?

The highest uses of heating in homes

  • Space heating at 43%
  • Hot water (in kitchen, baths, and laundry) at 17%

The highest uses of water in homes

  • Toilets  at 27%
  • Clothes washing 21%
  • Faucets at 17%
  • Showers/baths at 16%

In apartment dwellings it is likely that the percentage of water used for clothes washing is less than the average for residences in general, given the number of rental units that do not have clothes washer connections.

Figures 1 and 2 below illustrate estimated average residential energy and water use.

Going Green

Built off of prior commitments to reduce water and electricity consumption, in the spring of 2015, RHA began to formulate its energy literacy and conservation program. With a strong commitment to energy literacy and desire to “go green” and conserve, RHA’s program has three key points that serve ALL residents, from children to seniors.

  1. In 2016: RHA will demonstrate our commitment to conservation and raise awareness of conservation opportunities
  2. Summer of 2016: RHA will begin to reshape social norms for conservation, expand residents’ knowledge and practice of conservation, and build engagement capacity.
  3. By the fall of 2017: RHA will promote deeper and more lasting adoption of conservation behaviors with greater opportunity for consumption reductions, and expand residents’ sense of “ownership” of conservation activities.

These three objectives can be found in the SAHF Resident Engagement Tool Kit prepared by GreenRoots Strategies Inc., under contract with Stewards for Affordable Housing for the Future. RHA will utilize the tool kit to engage residents to meet the goals and objectives of the RHA as aligned with SAHF.

How to save Water

Resident behavior plays a significant role in overall household water and energy consumption.
Simple steps to conserving water:

  1. Keep showers under 10 minutes
  2. Turn the tap off when you brush teeth or shave
  3. Report leaky faucets or toilets to maintenance
  4. Wait for full loads to do a wash

How to save Water

Resident behavior plays a significant role in overall household water and energy consumption.
Simple steps to conserving water:

  1. Keep showers under 10 minutes
  2. Turn the tap off when you brush teeth or shave
  3. Report leaky faucets or toilets to maintenance
  4. Wait for full loads to do a wash

Water Conservation & Efficiency

RHA Property Management is maximizing
water conservation by installing:

Faucet Aerators, Low-Flow Shower Heads, Low-Flow Toilets

Did You Know?

A leaky faucet that drips one drop of water per second can
WASTE 2,600 gallons of water per year.

Reporting a leaky faucet can
SAVE 9.5 gallons of water per day!

WANT more information?

Call your property manager today! For more information on RHA’s next resident Conservation Class email: info@rockfordha.org!

How to save Energy

In order to best understand how to save both money and energy, we must first understand how much energy you use. Most RHA properties require residents to pay their own electricity. Take a moment to track your energy usage with this energy exercise, “How much electricity
do I use?”

Now that you understand your consumption, let’s consider how to conserve energy…

RHA Property Management has maximized energy conservation by installing compact fluorescent light fixtures in common areas.

Smart lighting cuts costs and brightens spaces – use it in your home!

How to save Energy

In order to best understand how to save both money and energy, we must first understand how much energy you use. Most RHA properties require residents to pay their own electricity. Take a moment to track your energy usage with this energy exercise, “How much electricity
do I use?”

Now that you understand your consumption, let’s consider how to conserve energy…

RHA Property Management has maximized energy conservation by installing compact fluorescent light fixtures in common areas.

Smart lighting cuts costs and brightens spaces – use it in your home!