Heat and Tenants
I keep the thermostat in my apt at a solid 68-72 all the time, day and night. One of my elderly tenants complains that the heat is still too low. I offered to help them remove their window A/C units to get a better air seal- is this reasonable? What else can I suggest before…
I keep the thermostat in my apt at a solid 68-72 all the time, day and night. One of my elderly tenants complains that the heat is still too low. I offered to help them remove their window A/C units to get a better air seal- is this reasonable? What else can I suggest before raising the heat? Could I suggest they get those plastic window sealing kits? FYI- The windows aren’t exceptionally old or inefficient. I would love any suggested alternatives to raising the thermostat again. Thanks!
Definitely the AC has to come out of the window. I had similar concern a few years ago to ensure that I was giving enough heat to the top floor, I installed a remote thermostat sensor on the top floor and ran the wire to my thermostat in my ground floor apartment. when I set the temperature on my thermostat the heat stops when it reaches that temperature on the top floor.
good luck
The ACs are still in the window? Multiple units? You’ve got to be kidding me. Take them out! That alone might do it.
The plastic window sealing kits work, but they’re also annoying because the glue bits tend to stick forever and make a huge mess out of your windowsills. I’ve heard some of these are better than others.
I had an apartment a few years ago where the landlord had cut plexiglass to the exact size of the windows. He installed some mirror clips as well. When winter came, I just put the plexiglass pieces on the sill, secured them with the clips. It created a third storm window, in effect. It stopped the drafts and made a huge difference.
Since they’re elderly, you’d probably need to install these things for them, and take them out in the summer.
maxsdad is right – the sensor/ thermostat should be on an upper floor; the venting should be slowed down on the lower floors and opened up on the upper floors/ extremities. you are underheating your house a bit…
Donatella, put the thermostat or a tempature sensor on the top floor apt. slow down the venting on your floor and put larger vents up top. you can also insulate the pipes in the boiler room to cut down on the extra heat in the room above it.
DIBS, it’s a 3 family. The thermostat is on the parlor floor. It’s always chillier in there and to make everyone happy all the time, I am roasting on the bottom floor, especially the room right above the boiler. Jeez. I’ve tried every way till Sunday, but the plexiglas idea is something I will check out. I guess just make a little frame and go to Canal St. and have them cut out a piece.
donatella, put a sheet of plexiglas (although it’s illegal by fire code…is you’rs more than a 2 family?) up in the skylights. It makes a hell of a difference.
Lesbiman,
lol,
if they live to 104, we’ll be gone by then
and they’ll be the next landlord’s problem
who will promptly turn the heat down to 40 one
evening and dispose of the frozen gramma in the morning.
Legion,
Great idea!
Its good math, but what if this “elderly” tenant is 60 and lives to be 104?
or push the tenant to move out, spruce up the apt and jack up the rent to market, then raise the heat a bit.