ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND ADVANCE PAYMENTS: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR TENANTS
A little guidance on energy consumption, advance payments, and proper heating management. Correct understanding and action in these areas help prevent unexpectedly high bills, unnecessary strain on installations, and issues with indoor climate.
A ‘high energy cost’ situation is not always specific to the apartment but often results from mismanagement. Managing energy with conscience is becomes worldwide more important as energy prices rise and climate change measures are set in place; it applies to any (rental) property.
1. Advance Payments for Energy
Advance payments for gas and electricity should reflect realistic expected consumption. If the advance payment is set too low, it can lead to:
- Higher costs during the annual settlement.
- Confusion or financial stress for tenants.
Energy suppliers can calculate average consumption based on previous years. We recommend setting advance payments adequately to match realistic usage.
⚠️ Tip: A very low advance payment may seem attractive, but it almost always results in a large adjustment at the end of the year.
⚠️ Tip: If you switch providers or start an energy contract at an other date then the yearly billing date, double check the average used to set your monthly advance is realistic and calculated on a 12 month period.
2. Heating Behaviour and Energy Management
We provide tools, such as smart thermostats, to help you manage energy consumption automatically and efficiently:
- Use the automatic heating schedule recommended for your apartment.
- Avoid heating the property to extreme temperatures for short periods; this increases energy consumption and may strain or damage the boiler.
- Not heating or barely heating the property is not a solution to save money: it can cause humidity and condensation, which can harm both your health and the building.
- If you have a digital meter for your contract, login to your account of the energy providers website to follow up on your consumption.
Proper energy management is not only cost-effective but also ensures a healthy indoor climate. Tenants are responsible for maintaining their indoor climate optimal themselves.
For more information:
- Cold temperatures as cause of humidity and condensation
- Useful information during your stay in Antwerp
3. General Recommendations
- Energy management is important for all tenants, regardless of property.
- Incorrect heating management can lead to:
- Higher consumption and costs
- Faster wear and tear of installations
- Moisture and condensation problems
- If you are unsure or have questions, need help, ask your landlord for advice form his experience with both the building, local climate and energy providers
✅ Key takeaway: Manage your energy conscientiously, use smart thermostat settings, and ensure your advance payments are realistic. This helps you save money, protects the installations, and maintains a healthy home environment.
If you have any questions or need help setting up your heating schedule or energy management tools, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Tenant Energy Tips Overview
Save Energy, Save Costs, Keep Your Home Healthy
1️⃣ Set Adequate Advance Payments
- Too low? You may face a large yearly settlement.
- Use past consumption as a guide—suppliers can help calculate realistic amounts.
2️⃣ Smart Heating Habits
- Use your smart thermostat and automatic schedule.
- Avoid short bursts of very high heating—it raises energy bills and strains the boiler.
- Don’t skip heating entirely: condensation and humidity can harm your home and health.
3️⃣ Maintain a Healthy Indoor Climate
- Proper energy management prevents mold, dampness, and costly repairs.
- Tenants are responsible for maintaining a healthy temperature and ventilation.
4️⃣ Quick Tips
- Review your heating history in the smart app.
- Follow recommended automatic schedules.
- Adjust advance payments if your bills are consistently high.
- Contact us if you need help understanding or setting up energy management tools.
⚡ Remember: Moving to a new apartment will not solve high energy costs if heating habits and advance payments are not adjusted.
