Efficient Home Guide: Choosing a Rental Property

There are many things to consider when looking for a rental: location, price, amenities, and more. Energy efficiency isn’t often top of mind when you’re signing on the dotted line. But once you move in, energy costs become a regular part of your life. That’s why it’s worth keeping an eye out for a few key things before you sign the lease. 

Ask for a Past Utility Bill

One of the best ways to understand your monthly energy costs is to look at past utility bills. If the landlord can't share them, the utility might be able to provide historical billing information. This will give you a clearer picture of what you can expect to pay each month and how your costs will vary in the warmer or colder months. If you’re unable to get historical electric bill data, try plugging in what you know about the rental and your planned usage to Efficiency Smart’s Electricity Usage Calculator for an estimate.

Understand the Heating System

Heating is usually one of the top energy costs for any home. Make sure you understand how your rental is heated: Is it natural gas? Propane? A heat pump? Electric resistance? Natural gas is generally the cheapest fuel, while electric resistance baseboards can quickly get expensive. Heat pumps are the best option for all-electric homes. You can also ask about the age of the heating system.

Check to see if the rental has a smart thermostat, which can help optimize your heating and cooling. If it doesn’t have one, you might be able to install one (and take it with you when you leave). Just make sure it’s compatible with the existing wiring, which might require hiring a professional installer. 

Inspect Appliances and Lighting

Older appliances tend to use more energy, which adds up over time. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label on kitchen appliances, which is a quick sign that your equipment meets higher efficiency standards. 

LED lighting has become standard in most homes, but it’s worth confirming. If the unit doesn’t have LEDs, see if the landlord can replace the bulbs or if you can do it yourself.

Feel for Drafts

A drafty space can be less comfortable and more expensive to heat and cool. Stand by the windows and doors: Do you feel a draft coming in? Can you see daylight around the edges? Those are both signs that your space isn’t well-sealed. With the landlord’s permission, you might be able to add inexpensive solutions like weather stripping or caulk, or a seasonal application of plastic wrap on the windows.

If the rental is part of a larger building like an apartment complex, pay attention to where your unit is located. Units near the center of the building might be a little warmer in the winter, whereas end units tend to lose a little more heat. Of course, every location comes with tradeoffs—interior units might have more noise from your neighbors.

Learn More

Renting doesn’t mean you’re stuck with high energy bills or uncomfortable spaces. A careful walk-through, paired with a few thoughtful questions, can help you choose a place that works better from day one.

Efficiency Smart can help answer your questions about energy efficiency in rental spaces. Call us at 877-889-3777 or email us at [email protected].