Property Management Toolbox

Improving the Energy Efficiency of your Rental Property - Earth Day Part I

Admin
Published Date: 2010-04-12

To honor Earth Day this year we have developed a three-part series to help you improve the energy efficiency of your furnished rental units. Remember, every little bit counts towards creating a better planet for us all. When you’re the owner of a corporate rental property, you’re in a unique position in terms of the energy efficiency of your property.  Since your tenants don’t pay separately for utilities, you must absorb the cost of their energy usage. This means it pays to make sure that your rental property is as energy efficient as possible.  Money saved on energy costs is money that will go right back into your pocket. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests some free and low-cost energy upgrades that you’ll want to look into immediately. These include:

• Unplug unused appliances when your rental is unoccupied.
• Install programmable thermostats.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Weather-strip and caulk doors and windows.
• Repair leaky faucets and toilets.

More expensive improvements can also be made for energy efficiency, including replacing windows, repairing ducts, installing wall insulation and upgrading your heating system.  These are beyond the scope of most do-it-yourselfers and will require the services of a qualified contractor.