4 Things To Consider When Buying A New Central Air Unit

Central air conditioning is something you take for granted until it stops working. As a landlord, one of the worst maintenance requests you can get from a tenant—perhaps other than flooding—is a call about broken HVAC. And when it’s time to replace the unit, the money can add up. What’s the smartest and most cost-effective solution?

4 Things to Consider When Buying a New Central Air Unit for a Rental

In most climates in this country, AC is an expectation for tenants. And even in areas where AC isn’t a requirement, having a system in place can greatly improve your ability to attract tenants. But what happens when the AC goes out in one of your rentals? At the very least, it can be frustrating. In most cases, it’s downright uncomfortable and aggravating.

When it comes to replacing an AC unit, you don’t want to take the decision lightly. It can be expensive, and it’s imperative that you do your research and carefully weigh all of the options.

1. Type of System

The first thing you’ll need to do is figure out what kind of system you want. (In all likelihood, the decisions will be made for you.) In most regions of the country, forced air systems are common. These systems typically operate on natural gas, though some do run on electricity.

Additionally, you’ll want to find out what size you need. Depending on the square footage of your home and some other factors—such as the types of windows you have, the ceiling height, and the climate—you could need anything from a 2- to 4-ton unit.

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2. Brand Name

There are some industries where brand name is nothing more than a superfluous detail, but AC units aren’t one of them. Brand names carry significant weight here.

“As you’re considering which brand to go with, it’s best to take a deeper look into the unique characteristics of each brand to determine which option is optimal based on your unique needs,” FilterBuy explains. “From there, you can break down the pros and cons of each to figure out which brand offers the best value.”

3. Warranties and Service Agreements

Warranties and service agreements can be quite important when it comes to installing and maintaining an expensive AC unit. Most AC manufacturers will offer warranties on parts ranging from 5 to 10 years, while a good HVAC service company will offer a labor warranty for a few years. In most cases, you’ll have to agree to have them come out and service the system once or twice a year, but you should be doing this regardless.

4. Passing Costs Along to Tenants

Because a new AC unit and all of the work that goes along with it can cost thousands of dollars, many landlords with tight cash flow look for ways to pass some of the cost along to tenants.

Related: 5 Tips for Assessing an HVAC System When Buying a Home

If your rent is already at the bottom of the market—or you’re in a hot market where you can easily find new tenants—you might consider a small increase in rent next time that option becomes available. A 5 to 7 percent increase is small enough that it probably won’t make a tenant move, but big enough that it’ll allow you to recoup some of the cost over the next couple of years.

Make the Right Choice

If you make the wrong choice when buying an AC unit for a rental property, you’ll suffer through the negative ramifications for years to come. The breakdowns, repairs, and inefficiency of the system will keep you awake at night and burn a hole in your pocket. Make a sound decision on the front-end—even if it means spending a little more—and you and your tenants will be much happier and more comfortable over the long haul.

What has your experience replacing AC units been? Any questions?

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Note By BiggerPockets: These are opinions written by the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of BiggerPockets.