tenant complaints about heat cost- can anything be done?

[Marci Stein]

Finally found a tenant who pays her rent on time,

but now she wants to move out when lease is up due to  heating cost.

 It's her first winter there and

propane heat costs 2 tanks a month ($230 a tank).  there is also electric heat

 but that's even more costly.  Plus,  she does not like it warm so keeps the heat low.

 will more insulation help?

I really would like to have her stay .

[Jon Graham]

When trying to lower energy costs, you have to start with the areas that give you the most bang for your buck. That area happens to be the attic. Heat rises, so a lot of heat is lost through the ceiling. This also happens to be the easiest and cheapest place to add insulation. 'Blown in' insulation, fiberglass or cellulose, is super cheap and easy to install. Your local box store will loan you a machine at no charge to install! Usually there is a minimum purchase involved, which typically is pretty low. 

Next would be your floors. Code requires access to your floor system so in pretty much any semi-modern home there is access. Unless of course your property is on a slab, or on a second level etc. 

The walls are the hardest to access so I would recommend going there last. 

Windows are often inefficient, but are expensive to replace. Plastic film is a quick band-aid that is cheap to use as well. 

Cheers and good luck.