Category Archives: Boston Utilities

0 Weatherproofing Your Boston Apartment

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What a difference a window makes. Keeping heating costs down is very important to those of us who don’t have heat and hot water included with our Boston apartment. I, being one of these people, have begun my attack on the cold weather with a nice new window in my bedroom…along with some clear, saran wrap-like, insulation.

My bedroom is on the second floor of a duplex apartment. You’d think the bedroom would be warmer than the bottom floor as heat rises. Alas, a draft from an old window was turning my bedroom into an icebox at night. That isn’t exactly a dream for my wallet.

Of course, landlords aren’t exactly chomping at the bit to buy new windows, but it never hurts to ask (especially since mine was becoming discolored as the seal between the panes of glass degraded). So, as my super was about to insulate the window for me with some plastic, I inquired as to fixing the window itself. Low and behold, my landlord had just stocked some new windows that day. 30 minutes later, I had a fresh, draft free window.

OK, 9 out of 10 times if you ask for something like this to happen, you are going to be denied (unless the window isn’t up to code and is causing your home to drop to temperatures unacceptable by the city of Boston).  So what can you so about older windows in your apartment that are leaking out your precious heat? Here’s a quick guide from Home Depot regarding weatherproofing your windows: Keep Warm!

Remember, don’t do anything to your apartment without your landlord’s approval. Don’t be afraid to talk to your landlord about any issue you have though. You are paying rent and you deserve to have a warm, habitable home.

0 Finding Boston Off Campus Housing

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As I was showing apartments near Boston University to a young pair of students today, I was reminded about how many little details we, as homeowners or long-time renters, put on auto-pilot when real estate hunting. Do you bother to think about whether or not the apartment you are viewing is wired for cable? Probably not, but its things like this that first time renters may have questions about when finding Boston off campus housing.

'Buy Pizza And Strong Guys Will Show Up'

Of course, I can’t cover everything in one blog. Even if I tried to, I’d inevitably forget something. Let’s see if we can’t at least clear things up slightly though by answering some 1st step questions.

1. Heat & Hot Water: If any major utilities are included in the price of rent, it will usually be these two. This is ABSOLUTELY something you want to know as it can greatly impact your budget. Heat can cost a bundle, especially if you like to crank the thermostat in the Winter. When you are moving off campus, be sure to talk to your real estate agent about whether or not the properties you are viewing include utilities.

2. Electricity: This utility is rarely included in the price of rent. Take this into account if you’re used to leaving the lights, the TV, and whatever else on in your dorm room. You’ll want to break that habit before moving off campus unless you like throwing money away. A little conservation goes a long way. You can actually find out what the average electric bill is at any particular address by contacting the local electric company (NSTAR).

3. Internet and Cable: I group these together because that is usually how people pay for them. Companies like Comcast offer package deals on cable and internet that cost less than both services would on their own. Be forewarned though, read the fine print because there is always a promotional period after which the price goes up. Do your homework and be sure to compare prices between satellite and cable to get the best rate. *Something to keep in mind- your internet is only as fast as the cables in your neighborhood so before you go crazy paying for 1.21 gigawatts of speed, remember that it is only going to go as fast as the wires allow it. I have old school DSL in my place and its just as fast as anyone else’s computer.

'Just In Case You Didn't Get The Reference'

So we covered basic utilities today. Its not a ton of information to digest, but it is extremely important that you be aware of it going into your move off campus. If you have additional questions, big or small, contact a real estate agent and we’ll be glad to help you. Also, be sure to check out our Boston Renter’s Guide for a great overview of the rental process.

Moving off campus in Boston may seem like a big undertaking, but with the right real estate professional at your back, its much easier than you may imagine. All Access Boston is your source for finding Boston off campus housing.

0 Saving On Boston Utilities

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Keeping Heating Costs Down

ThermostatIt’s finally starting to cool down a bit outside. While I happen to be a big fan of the Fall weather, I’m not a huge fan of heating bills. I find that most people aren’t either. With the Fall weather however comes the looming specter of growing heating bills. So what can you do to keep your Boston heating bills down this year?

Of course there are a ton of things you can do if you’re a home owner. More efficient furnaces and water heaters, higher quality windows, better insulation, natural gas vs. oil… the list goes on and on. What if you’re a tenant in a Boston apartment though? None of these alterations are within your power (not that you’d invest the money in someone else’s property anyway).

There are some things you can do to keep money in your pockets this season though. Let’s go through a little list of easy to accomplish changes:

1. First of all, you need to be smart about your heating. Don’t start jacking up the thermostat the moment it’s a little chilly outside. Do you have a sweater? Put it on. I have a nice little number that looks like something out of Mr. Rodger’s closet that I like to toss on when it’s chilly out. It keeps me nice and toasty without costing me a cent. Also, beef up your sheets. A nice comforter or two will make a cold night a lot more livable without the dial turned up to 70 degrees.

2. How are the windows in your Boston apartment? Probably not top of the line. You’re obviously not going to replace those (and neither is your landlord) so what can you do to stop heat from leaking out? Grab some plastic sheeting and a little painter’s tape and you can improve the insulation on your windows without ruining the view (too much). Just cover the window from top to bottom, side to side and make sure to tape it up well. It’s not perfect, but trust me, it is very helpful if you have some heat bleeding windows.

3. Talk to your landlord about installing a programmable thermometer. Being able to set your temperature to keep you comfortable while you’re home, and down while you’re at work and sleeping can save a good amount of scratch. It’s a worthwhile investment and will make the apartment an easier rent for your landlord. They may be willing to pop one in for you.

4. Not many things feel better on a cold morning than a hot shower. Just remember, that hot water is costing you. Be mindful of spending too much time in the steam.

5. Contact your local power company for even more ideas on how to save. Everyone is going green and power companies are no exception. Whether you’re sending checks to Nstar or National Grid, their website is full of great ideas to help you keep your energy output down.

…and remember, everyone in the apartment needs to do their part. Talk over a plan with your roommates. If someone is leaving their bedroom window open at night while someone else is counting the minutes they spend in the shower, not only are you not going to save, but you’re going to end up at each other’s throats.

Saving on Boston utilties isn’t hard to do. It may take a few sacrifices, but nothing comes for free, especially money.

0 No Fee Apartments In Boston

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Search No Fee Apartments In Boston

Boston UtilitiesAs the 1st of September barrels toward us, it’s important to make sure you’re affairs are in order. It is for this reason, and the current great selection of No Fee Boston Apartments, that I am going to take a slight detour tonight to cover some things that are apartment essentials, but absolutely must be taken care of. Use of any likeness is for demonstration purposes only and does not imply or condone endorsements, No Fee Boston Apartments, or any affiliation with All Access Boston.

Electricity. Everyone’s got it, and everyone needs it, and you’d best thank Thomas Edison next time it’s just a little too dark in there. Electricity is one of those utilities that is rarely included in any lease, yet it’s one thing that rarely needs turning on to be functional upon first moving in. This is because Nstar will leave it on as a convenience in No Fee Boston Apartments with the understanding that you will call and set up a service after your moving has completed. They’re right, you will, they’re your electricity option (in the loosest sense of the word). This is solely to remind you to call…it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind that is (No Fee Boston Apartments) moving, but it’d be worse one day if your power suddenly don’t work.

Cooking Gas. Not all of you will have to deal with this. Many apartments have electric ranges, but many traditional No Fee Boston Apartments have gas stoves. For that..call National Grid. They’re going to hook your No Fee Boston Apartments up with so much cooking gas (the right amount) that you’ll be cooking like nobody’s business (fairly accurate, we assume you’ll still get takeout).

If you rented No Fee Boston Apartments from All Access Boston this year, you got your heat and hot water included in the rent. You’re welcome. Regardless of the fact that we have nothing to do with that at all, we are going to thoroughly take credit for it, and subsequently thank you.

There you have it utilities for No Fee Boston Apartments crammed in a peanut shell. It can occasionally get more complicated than that, and to that I say: No Fee Boston Apartments.

0 Boston Apartments With Heat Included

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Rentals with heat included save big money.

Boston FurnaceReeeeturn of the flame…Reeeeeturn of the flame. Oh yes, I’m back again, for the second time today, and much to everyone’s chagrin. Why am I bringing back esoteric (lyrically incorrect) and thoroughly unnecessary R&B choruses in this, the second installment of Alex’s Ultimate Utilities guide? Well it’s simple, I already covered the hot water…here’s something that you may not have been aware of. When you rent an apartment from All Access Boston that includes hot water, we’re gonna go ahead and throw heat in there absolutely FREE! Ok, we aren’t doing that, but that landlord is going to. Why? Read on eager knowledge sponges.

The reason your heat is going to be included along with the hot water (in most cases) is that you’re new Boston apartment is rockin’ the steam heat. Either in the form of a thermometer controlled hot water baseboard system, or the tried and true traditional radiator system. What does the inclusion of heat mean to you? Today, tomorrow, next week Continue reading →