Today’s new generation is all about renting. Outfitting an investment property comes with a certain responsibility. You need to make sure that the appliances and other fixtures and fittings will do the job you require of them. Nowhere is this more important than picking the right HVAC for your investment properties.
It’s an expensive piece of equipment. It should stand the test of time. A better running system will save you money over time. Below are three tips to ensure you pick a system that does all that and more.
1. Do Your Research
When outfitting an investment property, one can often be tempted to select either the most or least expensive item for sale and just go with it. Neither path is a good idea when selecting the HVAC for your investment properties for several reasons.
First of all, the cheapest units are more likely to break down. Then you’re scrambling to correct the problem for your tenants. Whether or not new parts are needed, labor costs will add up pretty quickly.
However, installing too expensive a system may also not be the right choice for you. HVAC experts have shared that most units have the same “guts” on the inside. The parts are manufactured overseas and put together in the U.S. So shopping by price alone is not a smart move.
So do your homework. Search for a cost-effective system that will meet your needs. Pay close attention to warranty information from both the manufacturer and the company installing the system.
There’s a great deal of free information online if you take the time to find it. Then make to keep all your files up to date. Once the warranties that came with the unit expires, you can get a home warranty that covers your HVAC to help protect you against any future costs from repairs or replacements.
2. Consider Maintenance
Choosing any appliance for an investment property means thinking long-term. Consider the maintenance issues, such as how long the unit will last and the cost of changing the air filters.
Depending on the nature of the investment property, it may be down to you as the landlord to provide fresh air filters for the HVAC system. If your property is for long-term rent and will have the same tenant for a number of years, it may fall to them to change the air filters for the property.
However, if you have a short-term let – for instance if you rent out an Airbnb – then you need to make sure that there are plenty of air filters on hand so that you can change them as often as is required. Making sure your HVAC brand’s filters are easy to find is going to be key too so you know they are always on hand. Check out filterbuy.com to see if your HVAC’s filters are carried by this popular provider.
3. Consider Your Tenants’ Wishes
If you are renovating your investment property while there is already a tenant in place, ask them for feedback on their experience in the unit. How does the system perform? Do they believe it might be too warm or too cold? Insulation could also be a factor.
Your tenants are going to be the ones who have to use the system and they may have more insight than you do. For example, they may know which systems are easier to maintain, or whether a certain one is actually good value for money. Speak to them soon and see what they can offer you in terms of advice and recommendations.
Always evaluate your tenant’s input. But don’t just blindly follow it—your tenant might not know much about HVAC systems. By asking them, you’ll make them feel involved, but you don’t have to take their advice verbatim.
The world of HVAC systems can offer so much choice that it may be hard for you to focus in on one particular brand. Whatever you choose, make sure to schedule routine maintenance which has shown to extend the life of whatever system you choose. Happy hunting!
