Energy company say its 3rd party so won't do diddly.

There are some energy tracking tools out there, but nothing that can handle that many circuits that wouldn’t end up being more of a DIY project.

Could anyone give me some tips about how to efficiently use this forum that I can utilize to really learn?

I want to make my money and time more efficient.

If a contractor is booked 100% of their time working for an investor and his colleagues, that contractor is saving a LOT of money and time by not having to market or go out on bid appointments.And many contractors are happy to take that savings that their generating by having a steady investor client and use it to reduce their prices to that investor.In the end, the investor gets better prices, the contractor makes as much (or more money) and the contractor doesn't have to spend time and energy focusing on those things that aren't his core competency (like marketing and sales).Win/win.

I also worked 20 hours a week and lived efficiently but times are different and college tuition has certainly inflated.

Don't forget, besides asset protection there is tax efficiency...All single member LLC's are considered disregarded entities to the Federal IRS by default. 

@Jay AminRead this thread:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/839015-are-syndications-extremely-tax-efficient

Most of these homes will have boiler heat, around half will have modern high-efficiency systems.

Again, I don't think there is a harm in talking to lenders now to understand what you are looking at, but I wouldn't spend too much energy getting pre-qualified now, if you don't plan to start looking for at least another 6 months.