Heating Options to Consider in Apartments (For Building Owners). As the landlord, you’re under an obligation to ensure that the apartment has a reliable heating system so that they’re safe and comfortable throughout the year. If you don’t, tenants are able to take legal action against you or terminate the lease.
Not only are you responsible for providing access to an efficient source of heat and hot water, but you must also assume the responsibility of maintenance, which means that it’s up to you to ensure the heating system is safe and working efficiently. Indeed, housing codes vary from state to state, but every country acknowledges the warranty of habitability.
If the apartment you’re renting doesn’t have a heating system, look at the following options.
Mini-Split & Multi-Split Air Source Heat Pumps
A mini-split is a ductless heating and cooling system that lets you control the temperature in individual spaces. It serves the same purpose as most units, but it doesn’t require your building to have ductwork, transferring the refrigerant between an outdoor condenser and several indoor air handlers mounted in each room.
A mini-split heat pump is very reliable with minimal maintenance requirements, and, most importantly, it doesn’t present a single point of failure, meaning there’s no flaw in the design, implementation, or configuration. An expert will work with you to create an energy-efficient zoning plan for your building. The mini-split system will be customized to suit your needs.
A multi-split heat pump system is made up of one outdoor unit that serves two or more indoor units – up to five indoor units. It’s a flexible solution, ideal for walls, roofs, and terraces. Attention must be paid to the fact that there are design limitations for more significant multifamily apartment buildings, as it’s challenging to find space for numerous outdoor units. Getting back on topic, there are several multi-split heat pumps on the market today with various features. Heat pumps use less energy as compared to traditional furnaces and air conditioners because they move heat rather than generate it, so they’ve become realistic options for cold regions.
Steam And Water Boilers
High-efficiency boilers ensure high-performance water heating benefits for multifamily properties. Steam and water boilers operate based on the same principles, but steam boilers are more powerful, which is why they’re commonly used in industrial applications. Undoubtedly, a steam boiler uses more energy to boil the water, yet it uses less energy during the transfer of heat.
It has a higher temperature point, meaning that it’s capable of producing more. By contrast, a hot water boiler must maintain a suitable pressure throughout the system and requires an electric pump to move the existing heat from one place to the other. It must be installed in locations that can easily remain between 40ºand 90 ºFahrenheit throughout the year.
If your building must put up with a boiler breakdown, the heating system is being upgraded, or you experience a heating demand far away from what was predicted, temporary steam boilers are effective. As you can see, a temporary steam boiler is suitable for various occasions that might occur at your property, so regardless of why you may need a temporary boiler, you can find one to match your needs and requirements. When choosing a company, make sure they’re credible, certified, and reasonably priced. As far as cost is concerned, it depends on the complexity, technology, and manpower involved, which translates into the fact that prices can vary greatly.
PTAC Units
PTAC is an acronym, and it stands for packaged terminal air conditioner. It’s commonly found in motels, hotels, hospitals, senior housing facilities, apartment buildings, condominiums, and add-on rooms. The PTAC provides heating in winter and cooling in summer, which makes it invaluable, and is installed through a wall, typically near the floor level.
The compressor drives the refrigerant through the system, attracting heat and moisture from indoors and transferring it outdoors. Condensate drain piping isn’t necessary because the moisture forced out of the air by the evaporator coil is pumped by the condenser fan onto the coil surface.
If your PTAC spits water, there’s undoubtedly a problem with the position of the unit, but it can be easily adjusted. The heating system is installed on an exterior-facing wall, level or tilted slightly to drain properly. One key advantage of PTAC units is they don’t require thermostats because they have built-in temperature-sensing devices with digital controls.
When a unit fails to heat or cool a room, that means it needs a new thermostat (or refrigerant), particularly if it’s old. It’s advisable to change the filters at least once a month because they can damage the PTAC unit’s components. The grille might need to be removed to access the filter.
Natural Gas Furnaces & Electric Furnaces
Finally, yet importantly, let’s talk about natural gas and electric furnaces. A natural gas furnace generates heat by combusting natural gas. What happens is that the gas is ignited in the furnace, which in turn warms up the air that is delivered throughout the apartment. You have a gas line with a gas valve and an igniter, not counting various systems for capturing, separating, and spreading heat throughout the place.
An electric furnace is similar to a traditional gas furnace, but it relies on electric heating elements instead of gas burners. More often than not, it acts as auxiliary heat. Electric furnaces tend to be the safer option because they don’t produce carbon monoxide.
A great many natural gas and electric furnaces come with dehumidification, meaning you can eliminate indoor air contaminants that impact air quality. Additionally, you can reduce issues associated with humidity, such as mold and mildew, furniture damage, and so on. In case you didn’t already know, natural gas and electric furnaces are the least expensive heating options, and they’re incredibly quiet, hardly making any sound. Attention must be paid to the fact that all furnaces installed are ENERGY STAR-certified, so they ensure improved efficiency.
All in all, whatever hating options you decide on, it carries implications for the efficiency of the apartment, its desirability for tenants, and the profitability of your venture.
