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Storage heaters or oil heating for rental property

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  • 10-12-2018 9:27pm
    #1
    oldsmokey
    Registered Users Posts: 783 ✭✭✭


    Hi, we,re doing up an spartment to rent. Small rursl town, lots of Polish, one of whom will likely end up in the property..question is, shoild we reinstate the existing ch oil fired system, or fire in some storage heaters?
    What do renters prefer?
    Tia


«13

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    #2
    dennyk
    Registered Users Posts: 1,644 ✭✭✭dennyk


    Storage heaters are worse for the tenant, as they usually cost more to run and are more complex to properly manage temperature with, but they're much better for you as they require little or no ongoing maintenance. Oil-fired heaters with boilers need more TLC (servicing the system regularly, bleeding radiators, etc.) which you will have to pay for, and if the tenant lets the oil reservoir run dry, it may require expensive repairs to get it going again (which you will be obligated to do immediately, as heating is required under the minimum rental standards). If you can have storage heaters put in for a reasonable cost, that will probably be the best long-term option for a rental, given that most tenants are not likely to be very picky in the current market.


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    #3
    antoinolachtnai
    Registered Users Posts: 9,773 ✭✭✭antoinolachtnai


    There is another thread here somewhere about putting in an air to air heat pump to heat an apartment. This might be a solution worth considering.

    A lot depends on whether the apartment is really cold. If it is, then you need to be sure the new heating system, whatever it is, has plenty capacity.


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    #4
    Claw Hammer
    Registered Users Posts: 6,160 ✭✭✭Claw Hammer


    There are 2 aspects to this. What about the tenants preferences. Secondly what about your resale value? You should talk to a local auctioneer.


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    #5
    the_syco
    Registered Users Posts: 37,295 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    First off, no-one seems to know how storage heaters work. But they'll figure it out at no cost to you.

    If they don't know to check the amount of oil there is in the tank, they'll run it until the tank is dry, and ring you when they top it and the oil burner won't switch on due to an airlock. It will probably cost you to have it fixed by an engineer.

    Please ensure that the oil pipe is above ground, as otherwise if it bursts underground, the tenant will only find out after they've put in a 2nd tank of oil (happened to myself in a previous rented house).

    =-=

    I prefer an oil fired system. It's cold, oil heats the place up. Storage heaters only work during the day from the previous night; there also may not be any heat left in them come 6pm.


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    #6
    Rows Grower
    Registered Users Posts: 7,826 ✭✭✭Rows Grower


    Oil heating is a way better option than storage heaters. You should show the person renting how to dip the tank to check for oil and how to bleed the boiler if is air locked and you shouldn't have any problems.
    Storage heaters can be set to work outside of the night saver electricity but they are a pain in the proverbial trying to master for optimal heating when needed and they cost a lot of money in electricity which is of no benefit to landlord or tenant.

    "Very soon we are going to Mars. You wouldn't have been going to Mars if my opponent won, that I can tell you. You wouldn't even be thinking about it."

    Donald Trump, March 13th 2018.



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    #7
    Mrs OBumble
    Registered Users Posts: 25,671 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    Storage are far better: too much risk of oil being stolen .


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    #8
    Rows Grower
    Registered Users Posts: 7,826 ✭✭✭Rows Grower


    Mrs OBumble wrote: »
    Storage are far better: too much risk of oil being stolen .

    Does it happen a lot?

    "Very soon we are going to Mars. You wouldn't have been going to Mars if my opponent won, that I can tell you. You wouldn't even be thinking about it."

    Donald Trump, March 13th 2018.



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    #9
    irisheddie85
    Registered Users Posts: 762 ✭✭✭irisheddie85


    If you going to get long term tenants who will use the heat correctly put in oil and you won't end up with a damp mouldy house when they move out. If you are expecting renters lasting less than a year stuck in storage heaters and expect to have to repaint every year to cover damp in poorly heated rooms.


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    #10
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,651 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Rows Grower wrote: »
    Does it happen a lot?

    Easily accessible, not overlooked/quiet area tanks would have a relatively high risk of theft. Tanks behind terraced houses are unlikely to be touched; a tank on a holiday house should probably never have more than 100l in just in case.

    OP has said this is an apartment, these would rarely have OFCH so the tank could be in an odd location with higher or lower risks.


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    #11
    Effects
    Registered Users Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭Effects


    Put in storage heaters if you plan to go back in time and rent your place out in the 80s/early 90s.


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    #12
    Rows Grower
    Registered Users Posts: 7,826 ✭✭✭Rows Grower


    L1011 wrote: »
    Easily accessible, not overlooked/quiet area tanks would have a relatively high risk of theft. Tanks behind terraced houses are unlikely to be touched; a tank on a holiday house should probably never have more than 100l in just in case.

    OP has said this is an apartment, these would rarely have OFCH so the tank could be in an odd location with higher or lower risks.

    Also said it was in a small rural town.

    "Very soon we are going to Mars. You wouldn't have been going to Mars if my opponent won, that I can tell you. You wouldn't even be thinking about it."

    Donald Trump, March 13th 2018.



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    #13
    Effects
    Registered Users Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭Effects


    Rows Grower wrote: »
    Does it happen a lot?

    Not a lot. But it does happen. Wouldn't make me choose electric over oil.


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    #14
    Rows Grower
    Registered Users Posts: 7,826 ✭✭✭Rows Grower


    Effects wrote: »
    Not a lot. But it does happen. Wouldn't make me choose electric over oil.

    I was thinking the same.

    "Very soon we are going to Mars. You wouldn't have been going to Mars if my opponent won, that I can tell you. You wouldn't even be thinking about it."

    Donald Trump, March 13th 2018.



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    #15
    ted1
    Registered Users Posts: 23,264 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    Effects wrote: »
    Put in storage heaters if you plan to go back in time and rent your place out in the 80s/early 90s.

    Actually they are making a come back and much more user friendly


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    #16
    Franz Von Peppercorn
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,070 ✭✭✭Franz Von Peppercorn


    I have storage heaters in the main room in my (large enough apartment). Built a few years ago. Comes with thermostat controls etc. Very toasty.


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    #17
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,651 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    New storage heaters really aren't as awful as the 80s ones most people remember. You do need to get a night rate meter installed or else the economy of them collapses though.


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    #18
    Effects
    Registered Users Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭Effects


    ted1 wrote: »
    Actually they are making a come back and much more user friendly

    Actually, you're probably right. The guy in the suppliers said that to me a while back.


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    #19
    oldsmokey
    Registered Users Posts: 783 ✭✭✭oldsmokey


    Franz Von Peppercorn wrote: »
    I have storage heaters in the main room in my (large enough apartment). Built a few years ago. Comes with thermostat controls etc. Very toasty.

    Thats useful info, right there..


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    #20
    oldsmokey
    Registered Users Posts: 783 ✭✭✭oldsmokey


    Effects wrote: »
    Actually, you're probably right. The guy in the suppliers said that to me a while back.

    Thats grest folks, ill price up the modern types, see how itll go, thanks


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    #21
    Rows Grower
    Registered Users Posts: 7,826 ✭✭✭Rows Grower


    oldsmokey wrote: »
    Thats grest folks, ill price up the modern types, see how itll go, thanks

    I know someone that replaced the older model from about 15 years ago with the newest most efficient ones they could afford.

    A close relative got a good discount on them, meant to use only one third of the power and are about one tenth of the weight. Can control them with an app on the phone from abroad blah de blah.

    Waste of time compared to oil heating or a stove with a boiler.

    "Very soon we are going to Mars. You wouldn't have been going to Mars if my opponent won, that I can tell you. You wouldn't even be thinking about it."

    Donald Trump, March 13th 2018.



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    #22
    AlmightyCushion
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 35,046 Mod ✭✭✭✭AlmightyCushion


    I would strongly avoid renting or buying a place that had storage heating and I know many others who would do the same. If I was just renting a place then I would definitely avoid them. All it takes is one gobshíte to not have a clue how to use it to give you a sky high bill. In a landlord's/seller's market like we have now that might not be much of a problem. Tenants/buyers will have to take what they can get and might compromise on that. But when the market normalises or if we ever get a situation like in the crash where it was a struggle to rent or sell a place, then your place would be a lot less desirable than a place with gas or oil.


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    #23
    oldsmokey
    Registered Users Posts: 783 ✭✭✭oldsmokey


    AlmightyCushion wrote: »
    I would strongly avoid renting or buying a place that had storage heating and I know many others who would do the same. If I was just renting a place then I would definitely avoid them. All it takes is one gobshíte to not have a clue how to use it to give you a sky high bill. In a landlord's/seller's market like we have now that might not be much of a problem. Tenants/buyers will have to take what they can get and might compromise on that. But when the market normalises or if we ever get a situation like in the crash where it was a struggle to rent or sell a place, then your place would be a lot less desirable than a place with gas or oil.

    Great advice, ta


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    #24
    Mrs OBumble
    Registered Users Posts: 25,671 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    Effects wrote: »
    Not a lot. But it does happen. Wouldn't make me choose electric over oil.

    Putting your whole winter heating budget into a tank and having it cleaned out on one go tends to concentrate the mind. Doesn't have to happen often ...once is enough.


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    #25
    Effects
    Registered Users Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭Effects


    AlmightyCushion wrote: »
    All it takes is one gobshíte to not have a clue how to use it to give you a sky high bill.

    It's the tenants bill, not the landlords.


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    #26
    Dardania
    Registered Users Posts: 3,612 ✭✭✭Dardania


    Another point to note: there is less possibility of a carbon monoxide incident with electric storage heaters, compared to with an oil boiler.

    My advice would be electric heating with good controls, and you won't have any complaints. Oil is going to be increasingly taxed in the coming decade, so you run the risk of the tenant not using the oil heating due to running cost concerns (and so, a damp apartment).

    What about rest of the apartment - decent insulation, and ventilation?


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    #27
    AlmightyCushion
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 35,046 Mod ✭✭✭✭AlmightyCushion


    Effects wrote: »
    It's the tenants bill, not the landlords.

    I meant in the context of moving into a house share with electric storage heaters. I would be very reluctant to do it because all it takes is one person to cost everyone in the house/apartment a small fortune. I would be very reluctant to live in a place with electric storage heaters and I know many others who would as well.


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    #28
    crossmolinalad
    Registered Users Posts: 837 ✭✭✭crossmolinalad


    Moving out of a house with storage heaters
    Never want to rent another house who have them
    On day time the house was warm and cosy but when at home after work the heat was gone
    Never again


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    #29
    Graces7
    Registered Users Posts: 32,634 ✭✭✭✭Graces7


    crossmolinalad wrote: »
    Moving out of a house with storage heaters
    Never want to rent another house who have them
    On day time the house was warm and cosy but when at home after work the heat was gone
    Never again

    I refused to use them in one rental. The landlord brought in a gas heater; perfect .


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    #30
    Effects
    Registered Users Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭Effects


    Graces7 wrote: »
    I refused to use them in one rental. The landlord brought in a gas heater; perfect .

    Gas heaters create excess moisture though. That's why I wouldn't be into them.


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    #31
    antoinolachtnai
    Registered Users Posts: 9,773 ✭✭✭antoinolachtnai


    A gas heater is a pretty expensive source of heat, especially as the main source of heat. In some apartment blocks it may be a breach of the head lease to use a gas heater for fire safety reasons.


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