What’s the Best Way to Heat a Rental?
FOR RENTERS: November 2022 Substack Exclusive
By Nikki Davidson and Shamontiel L. Vaughn, Go4Rent Staff Writers
People often consider a handful of factors before deciding how to keep a living space warm. Unlike trendy design features and wall decor, the heating source typically flies under the radar unless something has gone wrong and it needs a major repair or overhaul.
But the process of keeping a home at a comfortable temperature level can come with a hefty price tag. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating often costs more than any other system in a home and makes up about one-third of the entire utility bill.
Texas and Florida have mild winters, but the law requires landlords in both states to have heating sources in their rental properties due to an Implied Warranty of Habitability. This article will explain the pros and cons of some of the most popular heating methods and why some choices may be better than others.
Central Heating
Many modern homes have a centralized heating system, which means all of the equipment used to generate warmth is in one place. Centralized heating could be a heat pump, boiler or a furnace.
Pros of Central Heating
Turn the heat on in a place with a centralized heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and all rooms in the house will be toasty. This means cold spots are less likely. If there’s a maintenance problem in a multi-family home, it will be simpler for a property owner to fix the problem by going straight to the source rather than checking several individual systems. Those who like clean and clutter-free homes may also appreciate that the system is typically well out of view.
Cons of Central Heating
Some tenants may crave a warmer, cozier abode in a multi-family structure while others may like it cooler. It can be difficult to make everyone happy. Central heating is often fueled by natural gas, and the cost of that energy source has skyrocketed. The Energy Information Administration projected that nearly half of U.S. households that heat primarily with natural gas spent 30% more in 2021–2022 on their energy bills than did they did the prior year.
Space Heaters
One of the most common ways to keep a smaller space warm is a space heater, and the compact devices work by expelling hot air through a fan.
Pros of Space Heaters
Space heaters are efficient when used in a room for a short period and directly heat one desired area rather than the entire rental unit or house. The devices can easily be switched on and off and only used when needed.
Cons of Space Heaters
Using an electric space heater can be risky. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that, each year, more than 25,000 residential fires are associated with space heaters, and more than 300 people are killed. They can also be especially dangerous around curious children and pets.
Baseboard Heating
Baseboard heaters use hot water or electricity to disperse heat. They can be used to heat a single room, or an entire house depending on the desires and needs of the people who live there.
Pros of Baseboard Heaters
Baseboard heaters are easy to install because they don’t require ductwork, which means an upgrade might only cost a few hundred dollars. The devices might work well for a building with multi-family housing, as they can be tailored to fit the heating needs of each unit. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projections, costs are expected to rise in cost by about 4% in places that have a warmer winter.
For hydronic baseboards that are controlled by a boiler placed somewhere in the home (commonly a basement), there are no plugs. The boiler heats a large amount of water, and that water flows through a series of pipes in the walls that reach the baseboard units.
Cons of Baseboard Heaters
Baseboard heaters take up space, which can be a nuisance, especially in rental units or condos with smaller square footage. Residents have to keep furniture (ex. couches and large shelves) and personal belongings away from the system for baseboard heaters to work correctly.
Smart Heating
According to a press release from ResearchandMarket.com, the global smart thermostat market is expected to reach a value of $2,858.63 million by 2025. The primary perks are energy conservation, the ability to track energy usage and increased savings.
Pros of Smart Heaters
Smart home thermostats come with their own apps, and can heat both the floors and rooms. Depending on the device, users can verify the temperature in each room, schedule the times for heat to go on and off, have an “away” mode option for vacation and other remote settings, and monitor usage.
Cons of Smart Heaters
As with any Wi-Fi connection, moody weather connections and spontaneous disconnections can make smart heat devices unreliable. The distance from the Wi-Fi router to the room where the smart heat device is located are also significant factors in its performance. One way to troubleshoot this is to use a smartphone or tablet (the same one that will control the smart heating app) in the same room where the heater will be. If it works on a consistent basis with varying weather patterns, this may be an OK room for installation.
Which Heating Source Is the Best?
The answer for the best heating source is different for each home. According to Energy Star, people who live in Texas and Florida can expect to save anywhere from 7–9% on their heating and cooling bills by making proper energy efficiency adjustments.
If a property owner isn’t entirely happy with the available heating system in the rental, there are options to reduce energy consumption without the expense of putting in a new system. Changes in insulation, air sealing and even a new thermostat system can be major money savers.
Do you want more information about Go4Rent’s services? Are you a Texas or Florida resident looking for a new home? Visit Go4Rent.com today!