AC Type Impact on Rent

[Michael Shea]

Hello All,

I'm finishing an ADU in San Diego, one of the last construction items is AC. The home already has ducts for its forced air heating, but no cooling yet. Cost to add AC to the ducted system is about 6k, which really has me wondering how much that's going to increase my rent.

I’d rather hold cash for the next move, but don’t want to cheap out on the otherwise premium-rental adu. Which brings me to the forum. What do you all think: should I add the AC unit or cheap out with window units? And what would the impact be on rent price and demand?

adu is about 600 sf.

thank you!

Mike

[Dan H.]

Our rentals are in San Diego county and I will state in hot climates you will find it easier to rent with an AC, but you will not get much additional rent for an AC.  

If you had consulted me prior to the installation of the venting, I would have advocated a mini split system.  I have 4 units with mini splits.  Each of the 4 did not have ducting. 2 of them have one interior unit and 2 of them have 3 interior unit’s (2 in BR, one in living room).  

I have apartment units that rent for $3700/month without any AC (in Pt Loma) and units that rent for $1550 (Escondido) with AC.   This shows it is more a climate/expectation item than a rent price item.  

I recently replaced a furnace by Mesa college (Claremont) and chose not to add an AC. 

good luck