Central heat or classic wall unit

Member since 2023 · 14 posts · 5 votes

Hello BP community, a 2bd 1bth i have is needed of new heat system. It currently has an old school wall unit heater that is rusted and needs to be replaced. My question, is it less expensive to install 2 new wall unit(1 living room and 1 kitchen) or better to install central heat? Thank you

2 Reply

33 views

Most Popular Reply

Kevin Sobilo

Realtor · Hanover Twp, PA · Member since 2018 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes

@Alejandro Ferrer @Alejandro Ferrer, more information needed.

What state is this in? A heating versus a cooling climate might make a difference in the choice.

What kind of unit is it? Is it C or D class or A or B class?

In a heating climate, for a C or D class unit, a wall unit is probably ok but a VENTED wall unit not UNVENTED.

In a heating climate for an A or B class I would have central heat.

In a cooling climate, I might use a wall unit because heat will only be very occasionally used.

1 Reply

See this reply in the discussion

18 Replies

Jump to latestLatest

Sort by

Theresa HarrisPro Member
Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
3y
I think you will find this varies by location. If it is already electric, you can do a couple of baseboard heaters-one in each bedroom and another in the living area. They will take up less space than a furnace and won't require any special duct work.
1 Reply
Kevin Sobilo
Realtor · Hanover Twp, PA · Member since 2018 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
3y
@Alejandro Ferrer @Alejandro Ferrer, more information needed.
What state is this in? A heating versus a cooling climate might make a difference in the choice.
What kind of unit is it? Is it C or D class or A or B class?
In a heating climate, for a C or D class unit, a wall unit is probably ok but a VENTED wall unit not UNVENTED.
In a heating climate for an A or B class I would have central heat.
In a cooling climate, I might use a wall unit because heat will only be very occasionally used.
1 Reply
Alejandro Ferrer
OP
Member since 2023 · 14 posts · 5 votes
3y
Quote from @Kevin Sobilo:

@Alejandro Ferrer @Alejandro Ferrer, more information needed.
What state is this in? A heating versus a cooling climate might make a difference in the choice.
What kind of unit is it? Is it C or D class or A or B class?
In a heating climate, for a C or D class unit, a wall unit is probably ok but a VENTED wall unit not UNVENTED.
In a heating climate for an A or B class I would have central heat.
In a cooling climate, I might use a wall unit because heat will only be very occasionally used.

Hello @Kevin Sobilo the location is Chicago IL, the area is a C class. The other 3 units have central heating but the 1 needs a new heating system.

0 Reply
Richard F.
Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
Aloha,

It will also depend on the space you have available for installation. Be sure to investigate what you have for insulation and where (old houses often have walls that are only insulated part way up, due to settling of the original insulation material). Be sure your windows are insulated or you have proper fitting storm windows to help keep the heat in. If you have options for type of fuel, consider operating costs for each available type. If you can install above in attic or below in crawl space or basement it will be relatively easy to run ducting. If you are spending the money, do not cut corners and end up with inadequate heating efficiency in your worst cold weather.
0 Reply
Mark AinleyBusiness Member
Property Manager · Roselle, IL (Chicago Suburb) · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
@Alejandro Ferrer at own time I thought the electric baseboard was the solution to all the tenant Peoples Gas issues but I quickly learned tenants do not know how to use baseboard efficiently leaving it on for long periods and getting large electric bills leading them to move out.
Couple things to consider
1. Any value to adding central AC now or down the road?. That would make you go furnace route
2. Do you have a location to house the furnace within the unit or common area space?
[email protected]630-781-6744 Podcast Guest on Show #72
GC Realty & Development LLC4.61090 Reviews
Website View Page
0 Reply
Kathy Johnson
Real Estate Professional · Hayfork, CA · Member since 2015 · 231 posts · 212 votes
3y
Is the existing wall unit electric or gas? If gas and vented, one advantage that a wall unit has is that they are available in an electric free version which means the tenant will still have heat in power outages. We have experience with the Williams brand and our tenant was very happy to have heat during recent power outages.
0 Reply
Alejandro Ferrer
OP
Member since 2023 · 14 posts · 5 votes
3y
@Mark Ainley the property is a 4 unit and 3 of them already have central heating only. No AC units they use window units. It might add value to the building. The apartment does have a place in there to put the furnace.
0 Reply
Mario Morales
Member since 2020 · 240 posts · 104 votes
3y
Quote from @Kathy Johnson:

Is the existing wall unit electric or gas? If gas and vented, one advantage that a wall unit has is that they are available in an electric free version which means the tenant will still have heat in power outages. We have experience with the Williams brand and our tenant was very happy to have heat during recent power outages.

Hi would you mind sharing the model and/or link?
0 Reply
Kathy Johnson
Real Estate Professional · Hayfork, CA · Member since 2015 · 231 posts · 212 votes
3y
The one we had installed in our rental is a natural gas but the one we just had installed in my mothers house is propane.
The model for my mom's house: https://www.wilmar.com/Sku/311...
The one in our rental is same but natural gas version. They do make a 50K btu version but it is a deeper cabinet so requires more space than we had for a hallway installation.
There is an added fan option which is useful to distribute heat when electricity is on but not when power is off. My mother is using a galafire heat powered fan to move some air when power is down.
My husband has the part number for the natural gas furnace but he is out picking up supplies currently. I can add the info when he returns.
0 Reply
Jeremy Horton
Rental Property Investor · Somewhere over the Rainbow · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
@Alejandro Ferrer
Why not go with the same or a ductless unit? I did a ductless in one of mine - awesome little unit. Works fantastic and they are supposed to last forever.
It sounds like the electrical is already there too which makes it even easier.
Retrofitting with central would be extremely costly...and this is a 2/1 in a C area. Not worth the cost in my opinion
1 Reply
Kathy Johnson
Real Estate Professional · Hayfork, CA · Member since 2015 · 231 posts · 212 votes
3y
Quote from @Mario Morales:

Quote from @Kathy Johnson:

Is the existing wall unit electric or gas? If gas and vented, one advantage that a wall unit has is that they are available in an electric free version which means the tenant will still have heat in power outages. We have experience with the Williams brand and our tenant was very happy to have heat during recent power outages.

Hi would you mind sharing the model and/or link?

My husband says the natural gas Williams wall unit is Williams model 3509822, 35k BTU natural gas.
0 Reply
JD MartinBusiness Member
Moderator
Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
3y
If you've got the ability I'd split the difference (no pun intended) and go with mini-splits. It gets you pretty close to central heat & air without having to run ductwork and you can usually mount the outside units somewhere that aren't so easy to steal because of the size, an important consideration if you're in C or below areas.
Podcast Guest on Show #243
Skyline Properties
View Page
1 Reply
Mario Morales
Member since 2020 · 240 posts · 104 votes
3y
Quote from @Kathy Johnson:

Quote from @Mario Morales:

Quote from @Kathy Johnson:

Is the existing wall unit electric or gas? If gas and vented, one advantage that a wall unit has is that they are available in an electric free version which means the tenant will still have heat in power outages. We have experience with the Williams brand and our tenant was very happy to have heat during recent power outages.

Hi would you mind sharing the model and/or link?

My husband says the natural gas Williams wall unit is Williams model 3509822, 35k BTU natural gas.

Thank you!
0 Reply
Jennie Berger
Lender · Chicago IL · Member since 2020 · 358 posts · 230 votes
3y
Quote from @Jeremy Horton:

@Alejandro Ferrer
Why not go with the same or a ductless unit? I did a ductless in one of mine - awesome little unit. Works fantastic and they are supposed to last forever.
It sounds like the electrical is already there too which makes it even easier.
Retrofitting with central would be extremely costly...and this is a 2/1 in a C area. Not worth the cost in my opinion

Can you share more info and resources on the 'ductless' system of which you speak? Thanks!

0 Reply
Jeremy Horton
Rental Property Investor · Somewhere over the Rainbow · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Jennie Berger:

Quote from @Jeremy Horton:

@Alejandro Ferrer
Why not go with the same or a ductless unit? I did a ductless in one of mine - awesome little unit. Works fantastic and they are supposed to last forever.
It sounds like the electrical is already there too which makes it even easier.
Retrofitting with central would be extremely costly...and this is a 2/1 in a C area. Not worth the cost in my opinion

Can you share more info and resources on the 'ductless' system of which you speak? Thanks!

Google "Ductless mini split"
Commonly used in Europe and the northeast US - anywhere youre tight on room. The can be affordable, efficient and last a long time too. Pretty cool little systems
0 Reply
Jennie Berger
Lender · Chicago IL · Member since 2020 · 358 posts · 230 votes
3y
Quote from @Jeremy Horton:

Quote from @Jennie Berger:

Quote from @Jeremy Horton:

@Alejandro Ferrer
Why not go with the same or a ductless unit? I did a ductless in one of mine - awesome little unit. Works fantastic and they are supposed to last forever.
It sounds like the electrical is already there too which makes it even easier.
Retrofitting with central would be extremely costly...and this is a 2/1 in a C area. Not worth the cost in my opinion

Can you share more info and resources on the 'ductless' system of which you speak? Thanks!

Google "Ductless mini split"
Commonly used in Europe and the northeast US - anywhere youre tight on room. The can be affordable, efficient and last a long time too. Pretty cool little systems

Ah, OK. It's mu understanding that mini splits may not be the best idea for Chicago considering how cold it gets here.
0 Reply
John Warren
Real Estate Broker · 3412 S. Harlem Avenue Riverside, IL 60546 · Member since 2015 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes
3y
@Alejandro Ferrer I am a big fan of electric baseboard. I think this is a perfect scenario for electric baseboard heat, since all you need is maybe 3 or 4 heaters in the space. If you run the conduit under the baseboard or run the wiring in wire molding, this can look really, really nice. I have this in around 40 units, and we had zero no heat calls this winter. There is no ongoing maintenance to the units, and they never go down all at once short of a power outage.
0 Reply
Jonathan KlemmBusiness Member
Moderator
Contractor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
Hey @Alejandro Ferrer - It depends on the neighborhood, but almost for sure switch to forced air! If you are here in Chicago, you want the option to add a condenser and provide AC down the road.
Happy to connect and talk through you specific situation if that would help.
[email protected]
Quality Builders4.966 Reviews
Website View Page
1 Reply

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.