Tenant-proof electric heating in WA?

Question

Hi there!

I'm just starting a 1200 sqft renovation on a duplex in Washington state.  Ductless heating works well here, but I'm worried about tenants breaking them.  Central, ducted heating seems much more robust.

Can anyone share their experience, good or bad, with Heat Pumps in their rental units?

---Marty

Marty Houghton · Answer

Thanks everyone.  It doesn't sound like too much of a risk, and there is a potential benefit of attracting better tenants, or at least keeping them longer due to the reduced utility costs.  i think I'm going to do it!

@Keli Coleman

What brand do you recommend?

---Marty

Marty Houghton · Answer

Thanks everyone.  It doesn't sound like too much of a risk, and there is a potential benefit of attracting better tenants, or at least keeping them longer due to the reduced utility costs.  i think I'm going to do it!

@Keli Coleman

What brand do you recommend?

---Marty

Keli Coleman · Answer

Hi Marty,

We put ductless heat pumps in all our rentals. So far we haven't had any issues. We do tell the tenants to clean the filters every 3 months. We also check them when we do our quarterly inspections. The only thing we have noticed is that we have to explain to tenants how they work, that they have to keep their doors open, etc. My husband has a ductless side business out of Olympia. He installs and maintains them, so that makes it easier. Make sure and check to see if your area offers a rebate too. Our surrounding counties offer rebates of $800-$1,000.

Thanks!

~Keli

Andrew Hodgson · Answer

Hi Marty,

A heat pump is a pricey upgrade to central heating system, but it could be a feature to perhaps get higher rent. I know when I'm showing homes here in Olympia, any house with a heat pump always gets an "ooooh, that's nice," out of my clients. Heat pumps also function as A/C in hot weather, so in the summers your tenants wouldn't have to use those ugly window-mount A/C units (can be dangerous if not properly secured, can also be a break-in risk).

Those ductless units are pretty nice, too, and fairly low-maintenance as far as I know. Fewer maintenance phone calls for you :)

Mike McCarthy · Answer

I don't know really what there is to break, other than not cleaning the filters (which is a problem for both types of systems), or potentially losing the remote (which is what the security deposit is for).

Unfortunately, the central hvac systems do supposedly last longer and are cheaper to fix, since there isn't much technology.  The heat pumps have more moving parts and are typically crammed into smaller spaces, making maintenance more difficult.

Haven't run the ductless mini-splits for long enough to prove or disprove that, but that's my understanding.