Best AC option for short term rental?

Question

Hi everyone, not sure if this post should be in STR section vs BRRRR section but here we go..

I recently got a BRRRR type of duplex property (3 br 2 bath in each unit) in Ft Lauderdale (Yayyyy!) and it currently has "wall/window AC" that looks horrible (old style, dirty, randomly located like under the window or high above the window) so really bad for marketing the unit in STR platforms.

I want to change them ASAP!! with the most practical, economical, but also nice-looking AC option:

Would you recommend Split AC or Central AC?? (there is enough space under the roof to set up the central AC).

A few pros and cons that I can think of for each option:

Mini split:

-Flexible room temperature control

-Less costly to operate if I turn it off in the rooms that I don't use

-Takes more visible space, not very pleasing to eye

-Renter might loose the remote or break the unit (somehow!!)

- Noisy??

Central AC:

- No flexibility to chose your room's temperature: Entire unit is the same temperature

- If it is broken, no other room to escape

- Quiet

- Cleaner look on the walls (guessing the outlets will be on the ceiling)

- I think costlier to set up

Andrew Steffens · Answer

If it were a single family residence, I would lean toward Central as it would help resale.  Since it is a duplex I would likely do whichever is cheaper.

Lily Aldridge · Answer

Congrats on snagging that duplex in Ft Lauderdale! For the AC dilemma, I'd lean towards split. Yeah, they're a bit chunky and could get noisy, but tenants love controlling their room temp.

Plus, it's a money saver if they don't use certain rooms. Central AC might look sleeker, but everyone's stuck with the same temp. And if it goes kaput, everyone sweats. It's like AC communism. I'd say go for the split — practical, economical, and folks dig that personal chill vibe.

Michael Baum · Answer

Hey @Halil C. Do you have forced air heat with ducting? If not, then doing a ducted whole house is going to be difficult.

If you do then I would go get bids on both systems. One thing is nice about central air is it is easier to control remotely, but I am not sure how you do mini splits remotely.

Get the bids and see what's what.

Halil C. · Answer

Wow! This is a great point! I have not thought about it this way!

I am not planning to sell in the near future but I am planning to refinance next year, so this is very important!

Thank you so much for sharing.

Account Closed · Answer

I have a STR with a minisplit in a added on sunroom.  To prevent the remote from it being lost I used the included wall mount for the remote and mounted it with longer screws onto a stud  (important). Then put a screw in the wall into the stud barely above the remote preventing anyone from removing it but can still control the minisplit.  To change batteries remove the screw.  2 years with no issues.

Halil C. · Answer

Hi Michael

There is no system in place, no air heat with ducting..

Seems like I will go with split units.

John Underwood · Answer

I always put in a Central unit and add the duct work if necessary.  I do it all the time to houses that have never had central HVAC and don't have any duct work.

You can control the temp in the house from one location and even add a programmable Wi-Fi thermostat for remote monitoring and control.

You won't be cutting holes in the side of the house and making it look like a hotel instead of a nice house.

This will increase your resale value over the other options.

Mini splits and window AC units look ghetto to me, so I spend the money to do it correctly.

Jeremy Jareckyj · Answer

If no ducts and a lack of availability to install ducts.. mini splits will most likely pencil out to be cheaper.

Be sure to get a good mini split system if it is for the long run.. don't buy the cheap brands

Halil C. · Answer

Despite lower efficiency, it seems I will be going with the central AC. Getting much lower quotes for central compared to split AC. Also, split AC sounds complicated to the folks who have visited the property so far. There is a good space in the attic too.

Thank you all for your valuable insights!

Best AC option for short term rental?

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