Last Updated: February 2023
Air conditioners are a great rental property improvement to make sure your tenants are comfortable. There are many different types of air conditioning units available for rental properties. While some can be installed by the tenant themselves, such as a window-unit, others like the central air systems require a professional construction tradesperson to install. Below we explore the top rental property air conditioner options based on 5 different factors that landlords and property managers look for in their rental property.
Table of contents
Best Rental Property Air Conditioners
Best Overall
Senville LETO Series Mini Split Air Conditioner Heat Pump, 18000 BTU 208/230V, Works with Alexa, White
Why We Like This A/C Overall
This is a great overall value unit that has all of the top features. At 18,000 BTU this unit is powerful and comes with a convenient full-install kit.
Best Window
Amazon Basics Window-Mounted Air Conditioner with Mechanical Control – Cools 150 Square Feet, 5000 BTU, AC Unit
Why We Like This Window A/C
This unit is an economical window unit that easily installs in a window (minimum 13” wide). Assuming you have a Prime membership, you can get delivered directly to your rental property.
Best Portable (Freestanding)
SereneLife SLPAC10 Portable Air Conditioner Compact Home AC Cooling Unit with Built-in Dehumidifier & Fan Modes, Quiet Operation, Includes Window Mount Kit, 10,000 BTU, White
Why We Like This Portable A/C
Delivering 10,000 BTUs, this unit is great for larger cooling needs and can also be moved around easily with it’s handy built-in wheels.
Best Mini-Split
Pioneer Air Conditioner WYS009A-20 Wall Mount Ductless Inverter+ Mini Split Heat Pump, 9000 BTU-110/120V
Why We Like This Mini-Split A/C
For under $1,000 USD, this unit is a great value if you decide to install a mini-split system. Although professional installation is required, these units are a great alternative to costly central air systems.
Best Central Air Conditioner Brand
American Standard – Heating & Air Conditioning
Why We Like This Central Air Brand
Central air systems are long term investments for any property. Most units will function perfectly fine, but we like American Standard for their great industry reputation among customers and HVAC professionals.
The #1 Rental Property Newsletter
Once a Month We Send Out an Exclusive Rental Property Market Update with Exclusive Content, Exciting Products, Mortgage Trends, and More. No Spam and Unsubscribe Anytime.
Rental Property Air Conditioner FAQ
What Are the Different Types of Air Conditioners?
Air conditioners come in many shapes and sizes to fit the needs of any home or business. Common air conditioner types include the window mounted air conditioner, wall air conditioner, portable air conditioner, ductless mini-split air conditioner and central air. Each has its own advantages, drawbacks and features that affect their usability in different settings. We take a look at each type below:
Window Mounted
Window-mounted air conditioners are the most cost-effective option and can be easily installed in a window or through a wall. Window mounted air conditioners are suitable for providing cool air directly into one room at a time. The only drawback is that they can be quite noisy and take up valuable window space.
Wall Installed
Wall installed models offer similar features as window units, but require a few extra installation steps for setup. Wall installed units can commonly be found in hospitality properties such as hotel rooms and older residential apartment buildings. They are quieter than window units, but you will need to modify the wall in order to install them.
Portable
Portable air conditioners provide maximum flexibility as they can be moved around and placed in any room. They are relatively inexpensive, but require ducting tubes to be connected to exterior fresh air. The only drawback to portable air conditioners is that they can be noisy and take up valuable floor space.
Ductless Mini Splits
Ductless mini split air conditioners (often just called “mini-splits”) offer energy efficiency like central air systems, but with the convenience of being able to add additional units as needed. As the name implies, they do not have any ducts and come in 2 components – the interior unit (evaporator) and exterior unit (condenser). These systems do require professional installation.
Central Air
Central air conditioners are the most expensive option, but provide the highest level of comfort and efficiency. They are quiet and reliable, but require a complex installation process that involves running ducting throughout the structure and upgrading the electrical panel. Larger units often found on commercial rental properties can be very large, expensive to replace, and require routine maintenance.
Explore More Rental Property Building Products
Disclosure: RentalRealEstate.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program as well as other affiliate programs, designed to provide a means for us to generate revenue by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you.