10 ms·

That's what the previous comment is saying - the tenant is responsible for the electricity cost, but has no ability to make capital improvements/investments to

That's what the previous comment is saying - the tenant is responsible for the electricity cost, but has no ability to make capital improvements/investments to increase efficiency. Meanwhile, the apartment owner has no incentive to make those same investments, because they aren't on the hook for the monthly energy costs. It's a mismatched set of incentives that results in cheaper, low efficiency apartment buildings and higher energy usage across the country.

panick21_ 2y ago
In theory people should consider electricity cost when selecting where they live. Maybe there is an issue with getting that information. But I think this is the same with all renting, not just apartments.
- wongarsu 2y ago
  In Germany (and I believe the entire EU?) we now have a "building energy passport" that summarizes information like this, broken down into simple numbers and rating scales. It has to be provided when selling or renting a place, and definitely influences behavior.
- BobAliceInATree 2y ago
  NYC buildings now have an "efficiency" rating they're required to post on the front of their building. Doesn't give you a $, but maybe a gist of what your energy bill might be like.
- inetknght 2y ago
  > In theory people should consider electricity cost when selecting where they live. In theory, perhaps. But how many people truly have the capability to choose where to live? Most are happy enough to find somewhere they could afford, let alone afford near enough to where they work, and they can't just go find new work to find better (more efficient, in this case) living conditions so easily.
  - panick21_ 2y ago
    Given the other answers I got shows that this is something that is done and people have found solutions too. Many people look at multiple places when they are looking for a place to live. Its unrealistic to think that for most people there is only a single possible place they can live. So as soon as you have two places you are considering, having information about what future cost will be, will make you help prioritize one over the other.

panick21_ 2y ago

In theory people should consider electricity cost when selecting where they live. Maybe there is an issue with getting that information. But I think this is the same with all renting, not just apartments.

wongarsu 2y ago
In Germany (and I believe the entire EU?) we now have a "building energy passport" that summarizes information like this, broken down into simple numbers and rating scales. It has to be provided when selling or renting a place, and definitely influences behavior.
BobAliceInATree 2y ago
NYC buildings now have an "efficiency" rating they're required to post on the front of their building. Doesn't give you a $, but maybe a gist of what your energy bill might be like.
inetknght 2y ago
> In theory people should consider electricity cost when selecting where they live. In theory, perhaps. But how many people truly have the capability to choose where to live? Most are happy enough to find somewhere they could afford, let alone afford near enough to where they work, and they can't just go find new work to find better (more efficient, in this case) living conditions so easily.
- panick21_ 2y ago
  Given the other answers I got shows that this is something that is done and people have found solutions too. Many people look at multiple places when they are looking for a place to live. Its unrealistic to think that for most people there is only a single possible place they can live. So as soon as you have two places you are considering, having information about what future cost will be, will make you help prioritize one over the other.