One frustrated renter on Reddit went to the r/HOA subreddit for answers when they had difficulty with their landlord and homeowners association regarding their heating.

"I have baseboard heat that doesn't respond at all to the thermostat; I can set it to 90 degrees and nothing happens," said the original poster. "The emergency heat does work, and it's been on 24/7 for a few weeks now. … My electricity usage is 101% higher than last year according to Xcel."

According to the original poster, they did their due diligence by reporting the issue. 

"I reported this problem on October 23rd, and the property management says it's the HOA's responsibility to fix it, and the HOA is not responding," they said. "I'm seriously asking, does it benefit them somehow to not fix this?"

This isn't an idle question for the original poster or their landlord. Aside from the possibility that their emergency heating could go out, relying on less efficient HVAC systems can waste an incredible amount of money on energy, while upgrading your heating and cooling systems can save you money on your utility bills. 

TCD's partner Mitsubishi offers efficient and reliable HVAC upgrades for a full range of housing situations and budgets, and can help you understand your options to reduce your energy bills.

According to a commenter, while the HOA might be ultimately responsible for the repairs, it is the landlord's responsibility to coordinate them regardless. 

"How this should work," said the commenter. "1. You contact your landlord in the way they told you to contact them on the rental agreement you signed to let them know you have no heat. 2. Your landlord comes over to fix your problem or hires someone to do so. 3. If it is discovered that the issue lies outside your Unit, somewhere in the building outside your landlord's property, your landlord has the responsibility to deal with the HOA to get it fixed."

Smart upgrades that slash monthly bills

While you may not be stuck using a backup heating system, you still might not have the ideal HVAC setup for your home. Here are a few options for affordable upgrades.

• Mitsubishi can help you find efficient heating and cooling solutions for your home and connect you with trusted installers
• Not ready to spend up front? Palmetto's $0-down HVAC leasing program can lower your energy costs by up to 50% 
• TCD's HVAC Explorer makes it easy to access exclusive offers from preferred partners

Which of these savings plans for rooftop solar panels would be most appealing for you? Save $1,000 this year 💸 Save less this year but $20k in 10 years 💰 Save less in 10 years but $80k in 20 years 🤑 Couldn't pay me to go solar 😒 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

When considering Palmetto's HVAC comfort plan leases, remember to factor in the 12 years of free maintenance and repairs that come with the contract and the fact that the cost starts as low as $99 per month. In a situation like the original poster's, you would have a no-cost repair option.

To increase your savings even more, you can install solar panels to pair with your electric appliances. EnergySage can put you in touch with the best solar installers in your area via its free tools, saving you up to $10,000 on the cost of an installation.

To unlock rewards that will help cover the cost of these upgrades, download the free Palmetto Home app. By completing simple challenges such as cutting down on your home energy use, you can access savings of up to $5,000.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.