Benefits of Turning Off Radiators in Rooms Not in Use
By definition, radiators are used for heat transmission and are usually found in a house or building. The radiators are primarily responsible for keeping the hot water from the plumbing warm for use in the bathrooms. The heater/radiator system intends to maintain the room temperature by moving the heat from the heater to the radiators. The purpose of the heater/radiator system is to conserve energy by efficiently providing heat to the space. Because the system is designed for both heating and cooling, it is better able to warm up a room quickly in the winter and cool down the space when needed. In older houses and buildings, radiators were commonly located in the basement, on each level of the house, and in the attics.
However, these days, these radiators are usually located in individual rooms, in most cases the bathrooms. Bathroom radiators are one of the most frequently used radiator types. Modern HVAC systems have had advanced design and insulation to better meet energy requirements. The result is that older radiators are not being used as much as they used to, and are either not located in many areas, or they are located in them but used infrequently. This can hurt a home’s utility bills and environmental impact. To counter this, some property managers turn off the heat pump/radiator system for months at a time. Some turn the heat pump/radiator system off completely and only turn the radiators on when the room is being used. Here are 10 benefits of turning off radiators when not in use:
1. The Hot Air from the Pumps Can Leave the House/Building
Heat pumps cannot effectively transfer heat if there is no source of heat. The pumps are designed to push the heat out of the house into the outdoor air, so there will be no heated air left in the house. Instead, it will only continue to cool off. For this reason, the pumps will shut off if there is no source of heat. This can leave the house (or building) colder, and as a result, will require more heating.
Some property managers have reported that turning off the heat pump/radiator system can improve energy bills by 20 percent or more. Property managers are reporting that when they turn off the heat pump/radiator system, they can get utility bills that are 30 percent less than if the heat pump were still on. Another property manager reported that turning off the heat pump/radiator system resulted in a 35 percent reduction in utility bills. Turning off the heat pump/radiator system is a win-win for the environment, the community, and the property owner.
2. It Is Encouraging Visitors to Use the Bathroom
During the warmer months, some property managers turn off the heat pump/radiator system. As a result, they encourage the use of the bathroom or other bathrooms that are not in use. For example, the house may have one bathroom and another building that is being used. The property manager may switch off the heat pump/radiator system in the other building to encourage people to use that building when the house is unoccupied. If one building has an attached bathroom, the other building could have the same situation. If multiple buildings have unused bathrooms, they are encouraged to be turned on during the warm months.
3. It Is a Better Use of the Property Manager’s Time
If the heat pump/radiator system is not turned on, the property manager’s time is freed up. This means that he/she can devote it to other more important tasks. Instead of maintaining the house, it may be easier to go out and visit with potential renters or other tenants. Likewise, it may be easier to take care of other maintenance issues, such as fixing a leaking roof or replacing a leaky kitchen faucet. Turning off the heat pump/radiator system may also save the property owner money. If the house is rented at a discounted rate, then the house owner might not have to pay for additional heating and cooling costs.
4. It Gives the Property Owner a Chance to See if They Want to Extend the Lease
Sometimes, a property owner might decide to turn off the heat pump/radiator system for a while. The owners want to check in with the property and see how well it is being used. If it is not being used, they can decide whether or not to extend the lease. It may be difficult for the property owner to turn off the heat pump/radiator system and then immediately turn it back on again. To know whether they should turn the heat pump/radiator system back on, they should first see how long it takes for the house to become cold again. If it is too long, then they may decide to extend the lease. However, if it is only a few days, then they can turn the heat pump/radiator back on.
5. It Makes Sure the Home is Winterized
Winterizing is a major part of winterizing a home. If the house is not winterized, it is possible that the heating system may not work properly. When the house is turned off, some areas of the house are likely very cold. For example, one property manager reported that her building was very cold one morning. Since they are winterizing this year, she turned off the heat pump/radiator system. The house was so cold that they decided to turn the heat back on so that they could put more energy into the heat pump/radiator system to try and warm up the house.
6. It Makes the Property Owner Appear Responsible
When the property owner has turned off the heat pump/radiator system, it makes it look like the owner is responsible. It makes the property look better. For example, the property owner might want to rent to tenants that have good credit histories. They may want to avoid tenants that may be considering being charged late fees or having their rent delayed because of issues with the house. If the property manager turns off the heat pump/radiator system and then turns it back on, it makes it look like they were the ones to turn the heat back on, which can help them appear more responsible.
7. It Fosters a Reliable Rental Community
Owning multiple properties is something that a lot of people in the United States do. This gives many property owners a strong incentive to make sure that the units in the buildings are well maintained. If the property owners turn off the heat pump/radiator system for a few days, it looks like they are irresponsible landlords.
This can lead to problems, such as tenants walking away or having their rent delayed. Instead, if they turn off the heat pump/radiator system and then turn it back on, it looks like they were the ones that turned it back on. The renters will have no reason to be concerned about their rent, and the property owners will have a strong incentive to keep the units in their properties well maintained.
8. It allows the Property Owners to “Test the Waters”
If the property owner turns off the heat pump/radiator system for a few days, it allows them to “test the waters” to see if they want to be more responsible. The property owner can learn what their renters are experiencing, and the property owner may decide to turn off the heat pump/radiator system for a few days next year.
It also allows them to get a rent increase if they decide to charge less for a house that has been turned off for a few days. This will allow them to take advantage of the fact that their renters are less likely to leave or not pay rent if they feel like the house is adequately heated.
9. It Reduces Rental Tax
If the property owner turns off the heat pump/radiator system, the landlord may be able to save money on taxes. By allowing the tenants to stay at the property, they will be able to save on the property tax. A homeowner may have a house that is tax-exempt because it is a rental property. If the house is left unheated, they may not be able to use it for another year or two.
The tenants could be there for the same amount of time, so the homeowner would be responsible for paying more taxes because they aren’t paying rent. If the property owner turns off the heat pump/radiator system, they may be able to rent the house, but only charge renters $100 or less per month, which is $100 less than they would be charged if the house was left without heat for a few days. If the property owner is serious about keeping the property as a rental property, they may be willing to risk having to pay a lower rent.
10. It Shows the Property Owners’ Understanding of their Rental Units
The property owner will probably care about the safety of the tenants in their properties. They may be willing to pay a little extra money to have their property properly heated or cooled. If the property owner is less concerned about the tenants, they may not care if the tenants stay at their home. When the property owner turns off the heat pump/radiator system for a few days, it shows that they understand how much their tenants need a comfortable home, and they will be willing to pay to ensure that it is.
11. It Puts the Renter in the “Drivers Seat”
A tenant staying at a property that has been unheated for a few days isn’t going to have any reason to complain. If the property owner is more concerned about the property, it could put the tenant in a very advantageous position. If the tenant comes into the situation expecting that the property owner is going to be negligent and won’t pay attention to the heating or cooling systems, they may have a hard time remaining at the property. If the tenant isn’t concerned, they could get a rent increase or sign a longer lease. It gives the tenant more power and makes them feel more responsible for their situation.
12. It Encourages Tenants to Pay the Rent
A rental property owner may have a couple of hundred or a couple of thousand dollars sitting in a savings account to help pay for an increase in the rent. They have been able to pass on a significant portion of the savings to the tenants. If they turn off the heat pump/radiator system, they won’t be able to avoid paying the higher rent. If the owner turns the heat pump/radiator system on the tenants will know how much it costs and will be more likely to pay it, even if it means staying in a house with poor heating for a few days.
Conclusion
Turning off the heat pump/radiator system for a couple of days is an easy way to save money and it can motivate tenants to pay the rent, even if it means leaving the house a little chilly. It also encourages tenants to contact the property owner if they have an issue. They will feel that they have some control over the situation, and the owner will have to deal with them.
By turning off the heat pump/radiator system the owner is also helping the tenants because if they are not paying the rent, the tenant is going to have a harder time finding another property and paying the rent. It is a good way to save money for the owners of the property, but you may have to be careful because the property owner may want to stay in their house for a few more days.