An HVAC system (heating, ventilation, & air conditioning) is an important topic for you as a rental property investor whether you own a single family home, a multifamily, or an apartment complex with many units.
Repair and replacement of HVAC systems are one of your biggest ongoing costs and could affect your rental cash flow. And to keep quality, long-term tenants you will need a system that works efficiently and cost-effectively.
If you’d like to pay a little bit now to save a lot later, you will want to implement a regular HVAC maintenance schedule for your rental units. Conventional wisdom says fall is the time to make sure your heating system is ready for winter.
If you have the skills, you can do much of this yourself. Of course, you could also hire an HVAC professional to handle them on a regular basis.
Conduct Your Own Preliminary Test
By checking on your furnace every couple of months, you will help guard against surprise expenses. Here are some things you should look for:
- Is the venting pipe fastened and angled?
- Are the drainage tubes secured?
- Does the furnace look like it can work for another year?
- Have you noticed any leaks anywhere on the furnace?
And then there’s a smell test, which you’ll notice right away. If you smell rotten eggs, then there’s a leak.
Replace Air Filters
First, make sure all of your air filters are the correct size and then replace them regularly as necessary. Clean and check the filters until their lifespan has come to an end. Keep a supply of air filters on hand for quick replacement. Generally, they’re not costly.
Get Regular Tune Ups
To ensure you have superb efficiency during the winter months, it would be a prudent step to have furnace tuned up by a professional annually.
If you’re short on time and looking for help with your rentals, consider outsourcing the job to Shoreview Property Management. Our property managers can oversee maintenance, winterization, and even mid-winter emergencies for you to make your life easier and save you time and headaches. The variety of services we offer can allow you to have a complete hands-off approach if desired, or choose from our a la carte services. We can do as little or as much as needed, from fielding late night calls from tenants regarding maintenance issues to making sure your contractor stays on budget and on time.