M ([info]balmofgilead) wrote in [info]sanfrancisco,
2009-12-13 13:29:00
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heat and circuit breakers

For those who rent: what's been your experience with heat sources and what the circuitry in your house/apartment will support?

I know that technically landlords are supposed to provide a source of heat that can make a dwelling 68 degrees, etc etc. I get the sense that most places don't realistically have this and people use space heaters to supplement.  That would be acceptable, in my case, except that everything (except the washing machine and fridge) in my two-bedroom apartment are on the same circuit, so my housemate and I cannot use space heaters at the same time, and neither of us can use a space heater if we're running the microwave - otherwise, we trip the circuit breaker. 

It's not a shitty apartment (though not luxury, either), but I'm not really convinced the landlord--while pretty friendly--will just up and add more circuits or whathaveyou.  My housemate (the leaseholder) has been living here for years and for some reason has never bugged the landlord about this, so I'm trying to figure out what the status quo is in these parts before I proceed.  It's an oldish building - one of those Victorian or Edwardian (not sure which) deals divided into four apartments.


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[info]marusja

December 13 2009, 22:22:07 UTC 2 years ago

We used to live in studio, then in couple of 1-bedrooms and now in a 3-bedroom, and we never had a problem of keeping the temperature at 70-71 F (this is the level that's comfortable for both me and my husband :), but our guests were famous for cranking the heat up - no problems with that either). I wonder if it might make sense to call PG&E and ask someone to come and check your heaters - they do that for free. They might have some advice for you, other than using space heaters (btw I've heard they are not very cost-effective). We recently did this for our new apartment because it was heating up maddeningly slow and with crazy noise at that. It turned out the reason was simple and very easily fixable.

[info]pdx6

December 14 2009, 01:26:07 UTC 2 years ago

Make sure the landlord-supplied heater is working as it should, as this is the landlord's responsibility.

Supplicant heat in these old buildings is tricky. You can try tapping into the D/W circuit by finding out where it's plug is and running a power strip. Your other option is to purchase a device called a "Kilowatt" at WalMart or the hardware store that will tell you how much juice you are using when the heater is plugged in so you can squeeze every last amp out of the breaker without it tripping.

I doubt the landlord will put in another circuit, but it is worth a shot!

Try sealing the windows with winterized shrink wrap stuff, I'll bet most of your heat goes right out the closed window.

[info]balmofgilead

December 14 2009, 02:09:12 UTC 2 years ago

I did just have the landlord come to look at the non-operational wall heater in my room. I think he's going to replace it, which will definitely help.

Unfortunately, my roommate has an enormous entertainment center in front of the wall heater in our common area, so it's unusable. I don't think she ever tried to turn it on, but it's moot anyhow. She also had the landlord remove the built-in heater from her room because it took up too much space. I didn't expect the problems to boil down to the choices my roommate has made, but it seems that's a large portion of it. Ah, the tribulations of communal living.

I may try the Kilowatt - someone just pointed out to me that the electric-powered radiant oil space heaters draw less power than the forced-air kind, so that could be a solution.

[info]pdx6

December 14 2009, 02:13:36 UTC 2 years ago

If your wall heater is non-operational, then you can withhold rent unless the landlord is providing an alternative heat source (this happened to me, I got half my rent back). I suggest contacting the tenant's union lawyers ASAP (you are a member, right?), since your landlord is breaking the law.

I don't know what to tell you about your roomie, sounds like you are getting the losing side on that one.

[info]balmofgilead

December 14 2009, 03:01:33 UTC 2 years ago

I was just looking at the tenant's union website...I'll get a membership if I end up needing advice about my landlord, but it seems like much of this depends on my roommate, unfortunately. The tenant's union seems like a great resource, though.

I didn't realize until yesterday that SF requires landlords to provide heat, and the landlord came over right away when I asked him about the wall heater, so I don't want to get litigious at this point. Especially if he replaces it tomorrow as he says. I was assuming he would be less responsive, because I can't imagine why else my roommate lived with a broken wall heater for so long.

(Truthfully, I was really surprised that a heat source is required here - as wussy as I am about cold, and as much as I want to make sure I can make my house toasty warm, being without heat in this climate seems more "extremely unpleasant" than dangerous.)

[info]pdx6

December 14 2009, 03:04:46 UTC 2 years ago

None the less, you could reasonably ask your landlord to refund your rent for the days it took him to replace the heater. It's the landlord's problem, and your rights.

[info]elusis

December 14 2009, 02:48:23 UTC 2 years ago

I use the oil radiant heaters in place of the wall heaters in my place as they save me money.

Unfortunately when I lived in a 2BR in Oakland, I found that I could not run heaters in both bedrooms simultaneously as both bedrooms, the bathroom, and the back wall of the living room (where my entertainment center was all plugged in) were all on one single circuit. Basically I had to close up the second bedroom for the winter, and be *very* cautious when I had guests or needed to use it for its regular purpose (office/sewing room).

[info]balmofgilead

December 14 2009, 02:59:43 UTC 2 years ago

Hmm, that's a good thing to know. I'll probably end up sticking with the wall heater once it's fixed since it's on its own circuit, though.

Using just one bedroom isn't really an option in a roommate situation. I think that's partly why all this is coming up now - my roommate used to live with her partner in this apartment, and heating only one room at a time is more workable in that situation.

Sigh. I like city living and charming old buildings, but sometimes I long for new construction with robust wiring.

[info]joyliveshere

December 14 2009, 21:32:28 UTC 2 years ago

You can borrow a kilowatt meter for free from PG&E. They have a tool library with all sorts of stuff like that.

[info]catmybunny

December 15 2009, 00:30:45 UTC 2 years ago

consider ways to conserve the heat you have especially at night. windows and doors can draw out a lot of heat through drafts! you can hang large weavings, wool or fleece blankets in front of the door and windows. even inexpensive fleece throws (ross is a good source) will provide insulation. if you get a nice color or print it can actually look good as well. you can just use push pins to hang them so theres no impact on the walls.

for covering the windows - pin it outside the window frame so you are covering the entire frame and the window - that will provide the best insulation. same with the door, pin it over the entire frame. this also saves heat when people are going in and out of the door. if you have any kind of hallway with a second doorway, consider putting another cloth across that doorway.

even bedroom and bathroom doors, by hanging a door covering, you'll conserve the heat in the whole place.

[info]tellumo

December 16 2009, 06:27:50 UTC 2 years ago

This page, meet that page. That page, meet this page. I think you'll find you have many interests in common.

Anonymous

December 31 2009, 01:59:58 UTC 2 years ago

Check Out the SF Rent Board website - its great

And stand up for your rights. All tenants in SF are entitled to a decent, legally compliant unit. If your landlord is unwilling to comply talk to the Tenant's Union or find a good attorney.
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