I have noticed more and more often that many apartment complexes around Austin, especially ones built in the 80s and earlier, have been re-modeling their units without upgrading the insulation/hvac/lighting. This can be very misleading to potential renters because they see on the outside a nice unit, and are offered a seemingly good rent, but the utility costs can be $300 or more a month for a 650 square foot one bedroom unit and the A/C kept around 76 degrees.
I wanted to have a discussion in one thread about this to help people. Austin has a very high occupancy rate so it's easy to get screwed since complexes have little incentive to compete. Here are a few things I've noticed, but feel free to add more or correct me if I am inaccurate:
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Check that the exterior siding has been replaced. If it looks new, see if the insulation was replaced as well. My old complex did both and it did wonders for the energy bill. They might have to do both, COA has been getting better about energy audits, and giving rebates to complexes to upgrade. If you're a home-owner you should look into these as well.
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Look at the windows. They should ideally be at least double-paned (Two sheets of glass) and should feel cool to the touch, even with the sun beating on them. There might be tags left on the windows if they are brand new.
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Check for air leaks around the window frames and any exterior doors. You should see no light leakage around the door frames either. Foam insulation is cheap and very easy to apply but you have to find the leaks first. Most importantly, check the sliding glass door if it has a patio. Does it seal well? These can allow a ton of air leakage, and often the glass is single pane and cheap.
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If the complex will not replace the crappy windows, buy black-out or solar curtains. They will help. Just as you you should use a solar shield on your car's windshield, do it for you home. Venetian blinds suck for just about everything, don't rely on them.
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Check the AC unit on the outside. Does it look new? Is it dirty? Are the copper refrigerant lines wrapped in insulation? If you can't find which one is yours, see if the breaker box is marked with the unit number. If not, in my experience the units are ordered with closest to street/sidewalk as ground floor and upwards. You can also have a friend stand inside at the thermostat and turn it on/off while you are standing outside.
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Make sure the AC filter has been changed. This, and the condition of the unit can show whether maintenance has been kept up. I firmly believe bad maintenance, especially low refrigerant, is a large cause of people's high energy bills. I also think a lot of the lines begin to leak. I've dealt with that in a condo I lived in. Such a pain to detect. Makes me seriously consider screwing central and getting window units, but I digress.
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Beware of units on the top floor with a vaulted ceiling. They are nice, but expect higher energy bills, especially with older complexes that have open attics without a radiant barrier. Look for vents along the outside edges of the building, especially on the eaves. Those vents keep the attic cooler. If you don't see ventilation to the attic, avoid at all costs! Take a lower floor.
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Check the appliances, especially the refrigerator. They use a surprising amount of energy as they age. Look under and behind it and check the condenser coils. They should be clean.
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Home lighting does not account for much of your energy costs (7-8% I believe), but LED and fluorescent lighting are becoming quite affordable. Get off incandescent asap.
Keep these things in mind, and maybe you can avoid those ridiculous energy bills. Of course, if your unit has these problems, you might really want to consider a pricier complex that is newer with more energy efficiency. I haven't done the math, but you might come out ahead and usually get better amenities. My current condo has energy costs around $65 a month during the summer and I keep the AC at 74 nearly all day.
Submitted October 16, 2015 at 05:07AM by jeffsterlive http://ift.tt/1X7VyMg Austin
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