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Buying And Flipping A House That Has Seen Better Days? What Are Your Most Cost-Effective Heating And Cooling Options?

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If you've recently purchased a home at a steep discount due to its dilapidated or outdated condition, you may be overwhelmed at the remodeling and renovation prospects that await you -- from selecting the counter and cabinet finishes most likely to show well and lead to a quick sale, to the heating, cooling, and plumbing choices that can provide long-lasting quality while keeping your investment costs low. Fortunately, there are several choices that can be installed quickly and inexpensively while still appealing to even the pickiest home browsers. Read on to learn more about your most cost-effective heating and cooling options when gutting a home for quick resale.

Radiant heat

For homes with an existing radiator and wall piping, replacing a leaking or outdated radiator with a more efficient version and leaving the pipes in place may be the least expensive way to provide heated and cooled air. Although many modern houses rely on natural gas or propane forced-air heating systems to keep energy bills low, radiant heat (either through electrically-heated panels or hot water) is actually highly efficient. The same pipes that carry heated air into your floorboards and ceilings during the winter months can also pipe cool air during the summer, helping keep your home at a comfortable temperature and humidity level. 

Radiant heating that utilizes water or electricity is also ideal for homes without basement space or much of a yard, as placing the compressor unit for a central air conditioning system can take up shaded lawn area some homes and buildings simply don't have available. Meanwhile, the radiator needed to heat and cool a home's water takes up relatively little space and can even fit in an interior closet or utility room. Homes that use electrical radiant heat shouldn't need a standalone heating unit at all and can utilize a much smaller compressor to radiate cool air through a room. The more space you can save on necessary appliances and fixtures during a renovation, the happier your prospective buyers will be at the amount of living space.

Heat pump

Although a heat pump can seem like a pricey choice when compared to heating and cooling options like space heaters and portable air conditioners, it is an energy-efficient option that should appeal to homeowners who are willing to spend more for quality over the long term. If you're flipping a home in a quickly-gentrifying part of town or are planning to offer a home warranty to potential buyers as an alternative to lowering the list price, purchasing a heat pump can be an easy way to ensure you'll recoup your investment while minimizing the risk that you'll be required to pay for any heating or cooling repairs in the first few years after installation. When properly maintained, a heat pump system can operate for decades without encountering any problems.

A heat pump operates by condensing heat from the cooler outside air and transferring it inside. During the summer months, the heat pump operates in reverse, removing the hot air from your home while leaving cooler air behind. Because a heat pump only condenses and moves air from one place to another, rather than generating warm or cold air by running it over a temperature-controlled surface, it's highly efficient compared to other heating and cooling options. In areas with high gas costs combined with low electricity prices, a heat pump can also provide an even better selling point in the reduction of utility costs -- not to mention reducing the cost of electricity for which you'll end up being billed while listing and showing the home after the renovation is complete. For more information, contact a business such as Actionaire Inc.


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