Posted by Jeff on October 20, 2008 at 21:40:29:
Has any one tried using baseboard heaters in a mobile? I’ve wondered if they could be run off the furnace circuit, as a possible alternative to furnace replacement.
space heaters and window units? - Posted by jennifer
Posted by jennifer on October 14, 2008 at 17:57:11:
What are your thoughts on space heaters and window units?
I’m looking at a home where there is no central heat or a/c. They use space
heaters in the bedrooms for heat. And, in the living room/kitchen areas they use
3 window units for a/c and heat.
Has anyone here bought a home using space heaters and window units? Do you
think space heaters could be a liability?
Thanks for your help!
Jennifer
Re: space heaters and window units? - Posted by Jim (Tex)
Posted by Jim (Tex) on October 20, 2008 at 14:42:58:
Jennifer,
I just got back a 3bedroom home that had two kids in
it. Without my knowing it, they were heating with a
space heater. After they moved out I had an
electrician look at the place and he pulled out a
completely burnt plug. He said it’s a wonder that it
didn’t burn the home down. The reason the plug fried
was because there were 12 sockets on one circuit. My
recommendation is nothing but oil filled heaters be
allowed. If a circuit is too overloaded a window a/c
will just rip the breakers all of the time. Check to
see how many outlets are one each circuit. My
electrician said 9 max.
Re: space heaters and window units? - Posted by Sailor
Posted by Sailor on October 15, 2008 at 17:00:11:
Geographic location would a big difference. Because of safety concerns (not to mention the epidemic lack of common sense) I do not allow space heaters except for (1) electric fireplaces, which I install in almost all units, & (2) oil-filled electric (they’re the ones that look like portable radiators). With energy co$ts so high, I sometimes loan or give away these units, especially for a child’s bedroom. I buy them @ end of season for half-price or less, & it’s a cheap way to keep tenants happy & in place. Everyone has been hit hard this year, & I’ve found that it’s good biz to mitigate the economic drain wherever possible.
In my area, the 3rd week of Jan. is marked on my calendar because that’s when Lowe’s slashes prices to 1/2 on heaters & fireplaces.
Tye
Re: space heaters and window units? - Posted by Todd(AZ)
Posted by Todd(AZ) on October 15, 2008 at 15:10:13:
Hi Jennifer. 75% of the homes I’ve purchased have had window a/c’s…and I live in hot Arizona no less! If you know your market and the home is priced fairly, I would think the market is there for these homes.
Now, if you mention “liability” as in dangerous, well, I have not had any problems at all with that either. Just my 2 cents worth.
Todd (AZ)
P.S… Heating is not much of an issue here.
Re: space heaters and window units? - Posted by jennifer
Posted by jennifer on October 15, 2008 at 18:01:41:
Thanks, Tye. I’ll have to check Lowe’s out!
Re: space heaters and window units? - Posted by jennifer
Posted by jennifer on October 15, 2008 at 18:02:27:
Thanks for the input, Todd. Appreciate it!
Re: space heaters and window units? - Posted by Sailor
Posted by Sailor on October 15, 2008 at 20:00:24:
Keep an eye on Target’s end-of-seasons, too. I’ve picked up both heaters & A/C units there this year for 60-70% off.
I farm certain stores & aisles/end-caps just like I farm RE, so I can scoop up the goodies. The chains are having a rough go in this economy & are trying to move merchandise out ASAP. Managers almost always negotiate, too, if it the last item or if you buy more than one.
I also get great deals online, & I shop where shipping is FREE or almost-free. They are mostly out-of-state, so I save the sales tax, too. There are almost too many bargains this year!
Tye