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!
omg, for sure take out the a/c. even with the a/c “cozy” they still let in a ton of drafts during the winter. i never understand how people can leave that thing in 9 months of the year and lets in cold during the winter and you lose being able to open that window during pleasant spring and fall days / evenings. i bet that alone would make a big difference. having lived in a freezing apartment before, those plastic window sealers also help a lot with the cold. i think it’s not so much the temperature setting as much as the heat lost to the draft.
The therm is on the ground floor and she’s on the top, 3rd floor.
The therm is on the ground floor and she’s on the top, 3rd floor.
unfortunately, with steam heat you will, ultimately, be forced to make the “coldest” people warm…this will be at a temp. that is too high for many people…i would buy them a space heater and pay the electric difference for the cold months…probably cheaper…
i was going to say just ignore them because most people always complain it’s cold when it’s really not, but since they are elderly maybe you could do the right thing and make sure they are comfortable.
*rob*
yanks, where is the termostat in relation to the apt in question?
first remove the AC. a significant amount of heat is lost thru the gaps around it.
second measure the temperature in the apt. if it is fine, then either tell the tenant to put on a sweater or be really nice and raise the up the heat. if the temp is too low, then check and make sure all radiators are working properly, seal any openings by windows, doors, etc.
if it is a low paying stabilized or rent controlled tenant…..just kidding!!!
No, her radiators don’t heat up til the vent, but none of the ones in the building do, not even mine.
Thanks for the added suggestions.
There are fabric A/C covers to cut down on any draft. Go in on a cold day and feel round for drafts — windows, along the floors, outlets on exterior walls. And yes, play with the radiator vents if this is a steam system. Top floor should have largest vents. You may want to go with smaller vents in your unit, as well. Also, when heat is on, do her radiators heat up all the way to the vent?