But you also need to consider your recurring costs. For instance, moving to a new location may become a false economy if it increases your commuting journey and/or time. Similarly, you can't always afford to go smaller without sacrificing your comfort. So what other tricks can save you money in the long run with a rental? 

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Opt for furnished options

This one is a no-brainer. If you are going to rent out a place, you could save money by moving into a pre-furnished apartment. Indeed, furnished homes are already equipped with essential units, such as beds and a sofa ensemble. It can be a great solution for tenants who need temporary accommodation, as you don't have to worry about buying your own furniture. 

Make sure, however, to inspect the furniture to ensure you can rely on its quality and sturdiness. 

Consider rentals with smart controls

Smart home hubs and dedicated hvac control module systems are growing in popularity in most homes. They enable you to have greater control over your energy consumption, ensuring you don't waste energy when you don't need it. 

Smart control systems can be programmable and connect to your smartphones. Others provide manual control and display, depending on the technology available. 

Check the insulation

You can review the insulation quality when you visit the rental. Approximately 90% of US homes are underinsulated, which means that it can be a significant issue for your rental. Typically, insulation problems can be detectable by touch. You may notice that the ceiling underneath the roof or the wall is cold to the touch, which means that cold air finds its way inside in winter. In summer, they will be warm to the touch. Additionally, you can also feel a draft around the door and the windows. 

Insulation problems will drive your energy costs high, as you need to heat more in winter or cool more in summer to create a comfortable environment. 

Are there preferred suppliers?

If you live in an apartment, it's worth checking with your landlord if they have preferred suppliers for the building. More and more suppliers are providing preferential services in community areas, such as apartments within the same buildings. 

Additionally, you may even discuss the possibility of having your landlord pay for some services, such as broadband or TV channels, as they may benefit from discounted prices. It is worth investigating different options and negotiating the best solution with them. 

Plumbing checks

Never skip basic plumbing checks if you get to visit a rental. Old pipes are not typically visible. However, old and dripping faucets are hard to miss. You may request plumbing repairs to be done before you have to move in if the damage is significant. 

It is worth checking pipe connections, such as behind the washing machine and dishwasher. 

Save yourself a lot of money by being thorough on your checks before choosing a rental. From furnishing options to plumbing checks, you don't want to leave anything to chance! 

• Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate .
• Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
• Exercise regularly.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, and substance use.
• Continue with routine preventive measures. Daily vitamins are a wonderful way to do this.

You may have your reservations about solar panels, but the only way you would think the bad outweighs the good is if you haven’t given it enough consideration. This article aims to trigger the careful consideration of solar panels.

Why the Hype Around Solar?

With just the sun and a few components, you can generate electricity for your home or company.  It would help if someone positioned strategically solar panels on a roof, an inverter, and batteries (optional but recommended).

You don't need to understand how these technologies work before deciding to proceed with an installation. If you can find an NRG Clean Power company near you, you must reach for their experts that can handle the process seamlessly.

For the best results, you should let the experts handle the entire project right from buying the panels till the installations are complete. This is why you should work with trustworthy experts. The perks of letting them handle the purchase are that they will know the perfect size of panels suitable for your roof and will probably be able to get them at good, discounted prices. 

Optimizing Your Solar Panels

Call me Captain Obvious, but solar panels work best when getting enough sunlight. So, to optimize solar panels, you need to be very intentional about their positioning; shades or trees should not obstruct them if you can help it. 

Also, you will need an expert’s assessment and opinion about your roof. You will need to find out if it’s durable, what kind and size of panels would be right for it, or if something drastic needs to be done to your roof. Even from this roof inspection, some experts can estimate how many returns you will receive. 

Comparing the Costs

At first look, it may look like going solar instead of sticking to paying electricity bills is a crazy idea, but that is a rather myopic view because, in a few years, you will be getting ROI. You won’t have to pay electricity bills for two decades or more: that is a lot of savings. 

Though it is something you can use solar panels without, it is a crucial component that you should factor into the costs of a battery. Having a battery is like having a power bank; you get to have excess energy, which will come in handy later on stored away till it’s needed. 

There is also the net metering way of getting electricity when you have run out of it. Using this method, you can divert your excess solar energy to the grid to be used by other houses, and when you are out of solar energy, you can get it from the grid for free. 

Summary 

Do away with the myopic view that paying electricity bills is more economical. If you spend over a thousand dollars on electricity bills in a year, it is time to switch sides. Also, to encourage more people to use solar, the government has put all sorts of incentives to take advantage of this.