Heating Options for Investment Property

sunnyc on 23/05/2020 - 23:26

So in one of my investment properties, I include energy usage. So with winter coming up, I'm thinking whether or not it is more cost-efficient to get a natural gas heater. Energy costs usually most prevalent during summer and in winter, most tenants/guests really just wear more clothing. Anyways I have ducted airconditioning and it is most likely an inverter reverse cycle. I'm stuck with energy trade on an embedded electrical system which for some reason makes me believe that the electricity bill is more expensive than traditional providers. Hence I why I've been looking into natural gas heaters.

Would some energy expert care to share whether or not they think it is worth the purchase of a natural gas heater or just stick with the ducted AC

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Capo93 on 23/05/2020 - 23:56
    +1

    Just don’t include energy usage, let the tenant pay it like every other rental.

    Benefit to reverse cycle is that it’s useful all year round, heating, cooling and dehumidifying. Gas is only good for winter and you’ll still pay service fees in summer.

    • sunnyc on 24/05/2020 - 00:12

      I have to pay for gas regardless, Energy Usage is included in short stays and shared properties

      • Capo93 on 24/05/2020 - 00:16

        Okay makes sense now if it’s a short stay like Airbnb? What do you mean by shared property? Like a granny flat without seperate metering?

        Gas hot water or cooking I’m assuming?

        • sunnyc on 24/05/2020 - 01:15

          Yes like Airbnb and also like room sharing, so paying per room.
          Gas is compulsory due to hot water heating is shared by apartment rather than unit so it links to a gas meter. Also gas cooking.

  • dcep on 24/05/2020 - 00:46

    the gas heater has to cover all spaces , else tenants will still use your AC for heating

  • Mechz on 24/05/2020 - 01:06

    Inverter reverse cycle compressors are very efficient for heating so it would take quite some time to offset the cost of gas heating installation.

    • sunnyc on 24/05/2020 - 01:17

      Yes true but I wouldn't know how cost-efficient it would be with the embedded electrical network, the discounts are reducing and I can't switch providers

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 24/05/2020 - 07:45
    +2

    Add an extra few dollars per night (per room or person) and this should offset increased utility cost.

  • The mikky on 24/05/2020 - 07:53

    Probably better to install solar panels than convert to gas. If you have ducted inverter ac already.

    • sunnyc on 24/05/2020 - 09:33
      -1

      Yes true, except it's an apartment so I can't get it installed for myself and only for the complex. Secondly solar only works during sunny days.

      • Capo93 on 24/05/2020 - 10:21
        +1

        Not entirely true that solar only works on sunny days.

        • sunnyc on 24/05/2020 - 12:03

          Or just when the sun is out. Yes it’s not entirely true but output would be low

  • elgrande on 24/05/2020 - 09:45

    Do you have a current outlet for a gas heater or would you get one installed?

    • sunnyc on 24/05/2020 - 12:04

      Yes, I have one so I wouldn’t need one installed

  • Wezzer on 24/05/2020 - 11:27

    Is the gas a strata/body corp inclusion? If so, you will struggle to get permission to install gas heating without also installing a meter in your property. Then you will also be paying for your gas cooking.

    • sunnyc on 24/05/2020 - 12:07

      Gas is individually metered. We have to have a gas bill because our hot water is central owned by strata/body corporation. I already have a gas account

      • Wezzer on 24/05/2020 - 13:28

        Ok, my previous apartment had a central HWS in the basement and one gas meter for the building.
        I'm no energy expert but the need to switch would have to factor in the location of the apartment and its window location/type.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join