When renting a property of your choice, you should not forget to evaluate its energy efficiency. The energy bills you receive every month may vary according to your usage pattern, however, this is a fixed expense and will add to your renting costs. It is, therefore, imperative to finalize a property that does not consume more energy than the prescribed limits. You can achieve this objective by evaluating a few factors, no matter whether you are renting an apartment in San Angelo TX or any other city. The post discusses such factors to consider.
1. Is the building weatherized and equipped with water saving devices Make sure the apartment you rent is weatherized and properly insulated to keep heating and cooling costs under control. Prefer houses that include energy-efficient natural gas water heater rather than using electric water heaters. Last but not least, make sure the shower has a low-flow showerhead as the process helps save water and energy. 2. Check the apartment’s heating systems The electricity used by the heating systems of the building to maintain the living conditions in the house will form a substantial percentage of the total energy consumption and has a considerable impact on the final costs. It is, therefore, imperative for you to ensure that the heating system of the apartment of your choice minimizes wastage. A few energy efficient heating options you can consider include forced air, hot water or steam, and residential heat pumps. On the flip side, avoid renting accommodation that uses electric baseboards as they’re highly expensive to operate. 3. Check the thermostat's efficacy The thermostat is the central control system for the heater and regulates the heating output needed to manage the apartment’s temperature. Make sure the thermostat registers accurate temperatures in the rooms and signals the heater to restart once the temperatures dips below the prescribed limits. Remember, inefficient thermostats are one of the major reasons behind the escalation of energy bills. Last but not least, make sure there are multiple thermostats within the apartment. 4. Evaluate the appliances While taking a tour of the apartment, make sure all appliances furnished by the owner function flawlessly. Prefer renting an apartment that comprises gas dryers and ranges, as they are more affordable than electrical appliances. It is also advisable that you prefer an apartment that comprises top or bottom freezer refrigerator /auto defrost refrigerators models that are more cost effective as compared to side-by-side refrigerators. Last Word Apart from evaluating the above criteria, make sure to get a rough idea of the amount you can expect to pay towards electricity and gas expenses. You can achieve this objective by visiting sites like mge.com that provide average monthly utility costs and include information on highest and lowest utility costs for apartments of your choice. Additionally, it is also advisable that you go through reviews for the apartments you've shortlisted according to your location. You can use relevant location-specific keywords to refine your search. For example, if you’re looking to be a resident of San Angelo, a few relevant search terms are ‘apartments in San Angelo TX for rent’, ‘apartments for rent in San Angelo’, and ‘houses and homes for rent in San Angelo’.
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