When the heat (of summer) is on, a cool home is the respite you need at the end of a long, hot day. When you are a tenant, many of the means you have to cool your home and yourself are preinstalled and must be accepted as is. While that may be the case in your situation, there are things you can do to ensure that the costs of cooling yourself this summer, in your rental, that won’t break the bank. While you can find out through the city the prior costs of utilities of a property, and can verify from the owner the and through your tour the energy amenities, there will be ways in any property you choose, for you to save on energy costs.
You cannot count solely on features put into place by the landlord to save you on energy bills. All of the amenities in the world are no substitute for responsible, thoughtful use of energy in the home in which you reside. While your rental may have energy star appliances or things like smart-thermostats, anything can be misused and/or underutilized to the point of becoming an energy drain. Here’s how you can do your part to save on energy costs:
- Choose a rental that provides energy-star appliances
- Turn off air-conditioner when no one is home for an extended period (it nice to come home to a cool space, but it’s not nice to pay to cool an unoccupied home)
- Set your thermostat at a comfortable temperature and leave it…no fluctuations!
- Turn off fans, of any kind, when a room is not in use
- Whenever possible, cook in a microwave instead of the stove/oven
- Turn off appliances when not in use, like: TV, radio, computer (And, some would recommend to unplug electronics that use even a modicum energy)
- Do things like lay down rugs to insulate during winter and keep blinds drawn and curtains closed to keep air in & sun/heat out during warmer months
- Use energy saving light bulbs
- Don’t cover vents with furniture or other items
- Let your landlord know of leaky faucets and pipes, ASAP
An important thing you can do is to keep the line of communication with your landlord open. If you feel there is some disparity in the energy you are consuming and the costs that are being applied through different utilities, then maybe there’s an unknown drain. There may need to be some updates/upgrades that will save you both in the long run. If you’re doing your part, there’s no reason that a responsible landlord won’t do what it takes to protect their investment, by keeping their tenant happy and a long-term renter.
