With December come the holidays, winter chills and the potential for weather-related damage to your rental property. In addition to protecting your properties from costly cold-weather hazards, ensure that your tenants stay warm and happy throughout the 2015 winter season with these tips.
- Use foil
- Hang thermal curtains
- Close gaps
- Stop drafts
- Cover up
One incredibly inexpensive way to conserve heat this December involves aluminum foil. Cover a piece of plywood with foil and place it behind a radiator. This simple trick reflects heat back into the room to warm your rental property more efficiently. You can use ordinary household kitchen aluminum foil, but a more effective yet still inexpensive version designed specially for this purpose is available.
In 2015, blinds are still the window treatment of choice for most U.S. rentals. However, thermal curtains provide a much better draft-blocking alternative. Watch for December sales at department and discount stores for even lower prices on these already reasonable heavy-duty curtains.
Inspect your rental property for small holes and cracks around doors and windows. Purchase weather- and mold-resistant interior latex caulk at your local hardware or discount store. Using a damp cloth, clean areas to be caulked. Click here for caulking instructions.
Apply weather-stripping to exterior doors for an airtight seal. Draft snakes can also help stop cold December air from entering the home and can be placed at entrances or on windowsills.
Drafts can often be felt near windows and sliding glass doors. Consider applying the new generation of window film as an alternative to costly double-glazed windows. Inconspicuous and inexpensive film helps cut heating costs while keeping your rental property warm.
In addition to creating chills, December weather can wreak havoc on buildings and houses and cause heating bills to skyrocket. From redirecting heat to preventing drafts, these tips can help you create a warm, energy-efficient environment at your rental property. Make Winter 2015 less expensive and more comfortable for your tenants by incorporating one or more of our ideas.
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