Energy Bill Big Concern When Renting
Q. My family and I will be moving into a rental unit soon. I want my energy bills to be as low as possible without sacrificing my family’s comfort. What are some things I can look for in a rental unit before I become bound to a lease?
A. Affordability and comfort are two essential points to address prior to agreeing to any housing arrangement. An apartment that’s not energy efficient will drain your pocketbook and can leave you and your family sweating in the summers and shivering in the winter.
Here are some points to consider:
Energy bill: When you find a unit you like, talk to the landlord or owner about the energy bills. Is the power bill included in the rent? If not, ask the landlord for monthly energy bill estimates. If neighbors in the same building are open to questions, ask them what they’re energy bills are like. The local utility can also supply energy bill information. But keep in mind, energy bills for the same unit can vary from one renter to another, depending on individual energy use behavior, family size and exposure to climate.
Heating system: What kind of heating system does the rental have? Since heating is the biggest household energy user, look carefully to judge whether the system appears to be in good condition and wellmaintained. Turn on the heating system if possible. Can you control the thermostat? Does heat come from all the registers? Can you open and close the registers? Do the baseboards work? Listen for noises or unusual vibrations. If the system needs maintenance and repair, make sure the landlord takes care of this before you move in.
Air leakage: Rental units with lots of glass and single-pane windows usually have high heat loss. Does the apartment have storm windows? Check for weather stripping around doors and windows. If there are gaps, the apartment will be drafty and cost more to heat. If there is a fireplace, does the damper seal properly? If the unit does not have some of these features, ask the landlord if he or she would be willing to make upgrades to deter heat loss.
Air leakage between rental units and different stories is also important. In tall buildings, the warm air will rise, often making the top floor units too hot and the lower levels too cold. The more the people on the lower levels turn up their heat, the more likely the top floor units will open their windows, letting more air out, which causes more cold air to be drawn into the lower units, and around and around we go. Ask people on the top floors and lower floors about their comfort levels. Air leakage between units also brings with it odors and indoor contaminants such as tobacco smoke, paint fumes and cooking odors.
Water heating: Check the hot water tank to see that it is wrapped in insulation or set on a three to four-inch Styrofoam block and set back to 120 degrees. Run the water at the tap. Is it scalding hot? How long does it take to get hot water at the tap? Are there water-saving showerheads and aerators installed? Do the faucets leak? Keep in mind water heating is the second biggest energy user behind space heating.
Insulation: If possible, check the attic and the crawl space. There should be at least 12 inches of insulation in the attic. Ask the owner if the walls are insulated. If it is very cold out and the inside wall surface is cold, there is a good chance the walls probably have little or no insulation.
For a free brochure, “Rent Wisely,” call the Energy Hotline at 324-7980 or (800) 962-9731.
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