Preparing for winter, going eco-friendly with honeycomb shades

August marks the final, full month of summer, as well as the beginning of the end of high temperatures, so it's wise to begin preparing an apartment for the cooler months of the year. Window treatments can be instrumental in this task and also succeed in making a place more eco-friendly.

These modifications can be tricky for those who rent, rather than own their residences, because permanent renovations can sometimes feel like a waste of money, according to The Los Angeles Times.

One man who has excelled at these changes is 46-year-old Colin Beavan. He used candles instead of electric lights, unplugged his freezer and gave away his air conditioner. He estimates that these steps helped him save money and also reduced his family's waste production by about 4,000 gallons of garbage.

"The problem for apartment dwellers is that you can't change the infrastructure of the building," he told the news source. "So it comes down to using less."

Honeycomb cellular shades are one option for apartment dwellers that can have a significant impact on energy bills and, consequently, the environment. By keeping cooler air in the residence during the summer, and keeping it out in the winter, this window treatment can save renters money and reduce their carbon footprint.