Want a space heater? Air conditioner?

Please email the property manager before you buy a space heater or air conditioner.

All space heaters need to be approved before you use them for safety reasons. There are a lot of unsafe space heaters that can potentially cause fire.

Space heaters, air conditioners and additional refrigerators require a significant amount of energy to operate.

If utilities are included in your rent this needs to be negotiated before you use an additional appliance:

1. There will be a flat rate of $35/month per approved unit. This charge will be added to your Rentec upon the approval of your additional small appliance.
2. Email True Renew Homes the commitment below.

If utilities are NOT included in your rent:

1. We suggest getting an Electricity Usage Monitor Plug to monitor how much your additional appliance adds to your monthly electric cost.
2. Email True Renew Homes the commitment below.

For all tenants regardless of whether you pay your utilities or they are included in your rent: 

1. Email True Renew Homes this commitment: If using this appliance trips the circuit 2 times, I will stop using the appliance because the electrical draw is too much for the house. I do not want to cause electrical issues or a fire.
2. For window AC units add this to your commitment: I will turn the AC off when outside temps are comfortable and also whenever people are out of the apartment. I will not leave this appliance running while I am out of the apartment. I will not cause and damage while installing or uninstalling the unit, and when temperatures drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit I will safely remove the unit and close the windows in my apartment.
3. For space heaters, add this to your commitment: I will turn this additional appliance off when outside temps are comfortable and also whenever people are out of the apartment. I will not leave this appliance running while I am out of the apartment. I will keep the space heater far from curtains, bedding, clothing, towels, etc and will do everything I can to use it safely and prevent fire including turning it off whenever I am out of the room where it is being used for more than 15 minutes.

Microwaves, toasters, blenders, coffee makers, irons and hair dryers are fine if they are used safely.

The wiring in your house might not be able to safely handle such a big electrical draw. And window unit air conditioners can damage windows if installed and uninstalled improperly, and they let heat leak out of they are not removed during the heating season.

Here is the agreement in the lease:

Other ideas?

Rather than getting a space heater, protect yourself from the cold.

Use a fan when it is hot out. Most local people in Ithaca live without air conditioning. You may be coming from a place where air conditioning is used by the majority of the people there. In Ithaca, this is not the case. And go swimming! Ithaca is water rich.