Big landlords have reputations one must delicately check out. The city will know if there are any violations. If there are none, you may have a well run building in the first place. For your apartment there are opportunities to test for leaks especially when the wind is blowing. Finding little breezes behind a sink, under a window ledge and around a door frame is quite common. You'll want to get some caulk and a caulking gun and learn to use it to block little leaks.
If you can borrow an infrared camera, you'll "see" the leaks when the temperature difference between outside and inside is 20 deg F. It would be cool if libraries could lend out this equipment. I've borrowed one from a fire department.
Let your neighbors know if you find a bunch of leaks. You'll have plenty of caulk left to share.
Next, air-conditioners. If you don't have the new heat pumps, then you either have a window unit or a through-the-wall unit or, perhaps forced air going through an attic space. Window units really have no hope. They have to be brought in or heavily insulated. A metal box is a disaster. It's a big hole. Attics are famous for being really cold when heat goes through the conduits or reverse in summer. The old expression "duct tape" points to a field of study called mastic. Sticky stuff. Duct tape isn't so stick and deteriorates over the years. If your building is older or not up to code, air conduits leak.
Make sure all fixtures have LED lights. 2500 kelvin is a good base number but be ready to do a deep dive and find the right lighting. I have an especially nice new reading lamp with several settings.
A landlord probably didn't invest in induction stoves. Later for that.
------------------------------
Wyldon Fishman
Bronx NY
wyldon1@gmail.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: Oct 07, 2021 04:12 PM
From: Elyse McClure
Subject: Sustainable college housing?
Hi! My name is Elyse and I am currently a junior in college. I rent from a large property management company in Boulder and I was wondering if you had any suggestions for ways I could make my home more sustainable? Thanks!
------------------------------
Elyse McClure
emcclure@ases.org
------------------------------