Almost every landlord wants to attract tenants who pay the highest rent and will live in the home for the longest time. But according to T-Square Real Estate Team these kinds of renters have a checklist of things they find most desirable in a rental property. To attract them to your rental, you must go over and beyond in the way the home is designed and the amenities you provide.
Everything in the home must be chosen for utmost functionality and aesthetics. The facilities should deliver the highest level of comfort while still making the home attractive. This must be true for appliances, flooring, patio, or furnishings, but most importantly, it must be true for the heating and cooling systems.
You don’t want heating and cooling systems that – although they work – take away from the overall beauty of the home. This is why upgrading your rental to ductless heating and cooling systems is one of the best ways to make it more attractive and draw higher-quality tenants to the property. Ductless systems have several advantages over central heating and cooling systems.
What is a ductless cooling and heating system?
Also known as mini-split cooling and heating systems, these consist of an outdoor compressor unit connected to several indoor wall-mounted units located in each room and which can be controlled with remote controls. Unlike central heating and cooling systems which force air through a network of ducts, ductless systems deliver air directly into the room.
They are unlike window ACs that need large holes in the walls. Ductless units require only a small hole to be drilled where the indoor unit will be hung. The indoor and outdoor units of a ductless system can be up to 50 feet apart. Each indoor unit can be operated by remote control; it can be switched on and off or have its temperature settings adjusted as needed.
The indoor units may also be freestanding, mounted on a wall, or installed on the ceiling or drop ceiling of the room. These systems are perfect when retrofitting a home or when the heating or cooling needs of the occupants vary significantly. Furthermore, with a ductless system, you don’t need ductwork, electric baseboard heaters, or space heaters.
Why is a ductless heating and cooling system the best for your rental property?
A ductless heating and cooling system satisfies all the criteria landlords think of when installing new equipment: cost-saving, ease of operation, and reduced maintenance costs.
1. Lower utility costs
Since the indoor unit delivers air directly to the room where it is installed, there are fewer opportunities for energy losses with these systems. As a result, ductless systems are far more efficient than traditional systems, which lose up to 25% of their energy through the ductwork.
Upgrading to a ductless heating and cooling system will result in as much as a 30% reduction in heating and cooling costs, especially when you buy an Energy Star rated system.
2. Better air quality
Another problem with central heating and cooling systems is the tendency of the ducts to collect dust and allergens. Dirty ductworks are a major problem in the home; it can secretly breed mold and mildew or provide a hiding place for dander, pollen, and other things that cause or aggravate respiratory illnesses. This problem does not exist with ductless systems since they don’t need ducts to function.
3. Lower maintenance costs
In addition to lower utility bills, lower maintenance costs are another way ductless heating and cooling systems save money for landlords. Traditional HVAC systems need regular filter changes and the air ducts must be cleaned professionally.
These increase the maintenance burden landlords have to bear when using such systems. Ductless systems do not need that much maintenance or cleaning.
4. Convenient and flexible
For landlords who own buildings with multiple units and central air systems, managing the system is a huge challenge when one of the units is vacant. The owner will incur a lot of costs for heating and cooling empty rooms. Ductless systems eliminate this problem. Furthermore, they give tenants complete control of the temperature settings for each room.
5. Highly versatile
Ductless units can be used in homes that are unsuitable for traditional heating and cooling systems. For instance, if the rental home only has a crawlspace or is built on concrete slabs, installing a central air system may be difficult. But installing a ductless heating and cooling system in these situations is possible, easy and even recommended.
6. Easier and safer to install
Installing a central air system takes time and costs money. If it is not a new construction, the interior of the home must be taken apart. Installation costs will include the cost of the units, labor, and repairs to the home.
When installing window units, a large hole must be created in the wall and this can become a security risk. Additionally, there is a higher risk of fire associated with traditional systems versus ductless systems.
Finally, ductless systems are extremely quiet. The combination of better air quality, super-silent operation and ease of control can help make your rental more attractive to high-quality renters.
