Heating options for a small house with only window AC units?

Question

Hello bigger pockets community,

I recently purchased a small 2br/1ba house that only has window AC units installed. I am looking for suggestions on heating options that would be most economical and reliable. I am in Louisiana, so our winters are typically pretty mild. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Jonathan Mills

Account Closed · Answer

I think the simplest, cheapest option for installing heat with the least maintenance issues - are baseboard electric heaters.  I actually installed these in a house I bought to live in myself in WA on the Canadian border.  I also had a wood heater in the living room, but installed electric baseboard heaters in all of the rooms.  I could just heat the rooms I wanted to heat, could set them on a minimum setting so the pipes wouldn't freeze.  Really cheap to install, maintenance-free.

I think tenants like being able to just use heat in the rooms they want to heat, as it's cheaper for them as far as the heating bill, too.

Another reason I don't like central systems, is the fact you can't really clean out the ducts, etc., and pests can move into the lovely little tunnels, like mice, etc.

John Teachout · Answer

Before you make any decisions regarding heating/cooling, check with your insurance company. I recently discovered that the insurance company that insures all my properties won't insure a property that doesn't have central heat. Baseboard heating "may" be considered but on a case by case basis. Space heaters whether electric or gas are not insurable.

Mini splits run about $1500 per unit. You can get a system with one compressor and multiple "heads". They do ease installations but if the house is compartmentalized, a ducted system is probably the best option in the long run. You would probably be looking at $5000+ for a heat pump that would do heat/cool.

Electric baseboard heating has electrical load requirements that may exceed your current panel capacity so consider that as well before going one direction or the other.

Mike McCarthy · Answer

Mini-splits are a great option, especially for a smaller property, but they are typically the most expensive option. Great option for a house/rent that can support the higher cost installation.

Baseboard heat is MUCH cheaper to install, but more expensive to run. But again, for a small house in the south, baseboard heat is an economical choice.

Jennifer T. · Answer

I live in and own rentals in New Orleans, so I totally understand where you are coming from!  Window units are so common anyway, I tend to heat/cool with those when a house doesn't have central air.

But here is a problem with window units that you may not have thought of.  If there is no other egress from the room, other than the interior door and the window, it's causing a major safety hazard in the event of a fire because the window is blocked by the window unit.

For rooms that have an additional egress, I'll use a window unit that has both heat and a/c.  Warning, not all but most window units with both need a 220V outlet.  For rooms that don't an extra egress, I'll use a portable a/c unit and a wall heater (Amazon links below as an example of what I'm talking about).  The portable a/c unit vents out the window, but it can be yanked out in seconds, in the case of an emergency.  I've thought about baseboard electric heaters because they are cheaper than the wall ones.  But for the relatively small difference in cost, I think the wall ones look better because they're smaller and are less "in the way" so less likely to potentially get blocked.

You DO need to be careful with electrical loads.  Usually it's fine.  But if the wiring on a house is right on the cusp, it can potentially flip the circuit if everything is on at the same time.  Ask me how I know that (sigh), lol.  But I've done this type of set-up with a number of houses/units and I only had that electrical issue with one.

This is the exact same wall heater I use.  It works great and I've never had complaints.  It will get a whole room as warm as a tenant would like:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AHOA6M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've used a variety of portable a/c's, including this one.  They work just as well as similarly powered window a/c units.  Unfortunately, they are more expensive than the window ones.  But, as unlikely as fires are, I couldn't live with myself if a tenant died because they couldn't escape out the window:https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-BPACT08WT-Portable-Conditioner/dp/B01DLPUWL2/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Black+%2B+Decker+8000+BTU+Portable+Air+Conditioner+Unit&qid=1587567865&s=home-garden&sr=1-1

Robert Leonard · Answer

If you are sticking with the window units for cooling, they make those that both heat and cool. Baseboard heaters are not common around here.

Jonathan Mills · Answer

Thank you so much for the input Sue. I actually hadn’t looked into baseboard electric heaters yet, so I’ll look into those immediately. I was debating between a mini split unit, heating/cooling window unit or a portable space heater. The baseboard heater sounds like a great option since the house already comes with window AC units.

I can relate with your comment about animals getting into the duct work for central air as well. I recently had a mouse eat a big ol hole in some some duct work and had to replace it!

Thank you again for your comment and feedback!

Jonathan Mills · Answer

@Jennifer T. Thank you SO MUCH for all of the information dealing with ways to be creative in heating these little South Louisiana houses! That's a great point you make regarding a room with a single egress paired with a window unit. I really like your creative solution to that situation, a situation which I've never really considered as this is the first home I purchase without central air. Also, I'll make sure to check out the electrical loads in the house and make sure they are compatible with anything that will be installed (thanks for looking out for me).

Thank you again for such a detailed response with a ton of great information!

John Teachout · Answer

@Jennifer T., have you had any insurance companies raise issues with your properties? and if not, who do you use?

Jonathan Mills · Answer

Thank you for the advice Robert! I’m learning that the brand new units are pretty expensive. I’ll try to find some used units around town with heating/cooling capabilities.

Thanks a bunch for your input, I appreciate it!

Jonathan Mills · Answer

That’s great to know John. I never thought about whether or not the heating source for a house could affect insurance coverage. I just bought the house and have it currently insured, so I’m thinking I should be good to go. That’s nice to know it is something that should be considered in the future though.

I bought the houses near our college campus, and it’s not exactly in an upscale location so I’m thinking the baseboard heater should fit in with the other houses. Adding central air to this house would inflate costs to a relatively inexpensive property, so I’m not sure if it would make sense in this particular situation. I agree with you that it would certainly solve the issue with such a compartmentalized house, if only central air wasn’t so dang expensive.

Thank you very much for your input and help. You definitely taught me something new!

Heating options for a small house with only window AC units?

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