Experts Reveal How Ducted Air Con Affects Property Value

Ducted air conditioning is incredibly worthwhile if you’re looking to heat and cool your entire home. Or at least a fair number of rooms.

But can ducted air conditioning give you more bang for your buck when it’s time to sell? Let’s find out.

Property Valuation and Climate Control

Having your property valued is an essential step towards obtaining finance, seeking adequate insurance cover, and a valuation is used when dividing up deceased estates.

The good news is that a valuer can take into account a home’s heating and cooling along with aftermarket upgrades like air conditioners and fireplaces.

However, they may only check the age and condition of ducted air conditioners and not a unit’s market value.

HomeLight appraiser Paul Fonseca said that having the receipts and relevant paperwork handy could help inform a valuer of any recent upgrades or the specifics of a system.

“A lot of times, an appraiser will come and look at an air conditioner, and they’ll see the age on it,” he said.

“But it’s different when you tell them, this was just put in … and it was $7000.”

The relevant paperwork of ducted air conditioning can possibly see a valuer adjust their numbers accordingly. So yes, ducted air conditioning can increase the value of your home. Especially if it’s a modern ducted system, is in good condition and is expected to heat and cool multiple rooms for years to come.

However, property value and an actual selling price are two very different things. Ducted air conditioners may entice a buyer to spend some extra quid. But it’s also possible that air conditioning will not affect sale price whatsoever.

Can Air Con Affect Sale Price?

There’s no denying that ducted air conditioners are an excellent choice for homeowners looking to increase their long-term comfort. If you’ve got the budget and the roof space, go ahead and add a ducted air conditioning system to your home.

And yet, there’s little evidence to suggest that the complete temperature control you get ducted air conditioners will net you more money when it’s time to sell.

Property investor and mentor Orsolya Bartalis told RealEstate.com.au: “If you can’t see a feature, it’s unlikely to boost your return on investment.”

Talking about ducted systems, Bartalis said: “They are great to have, so if you want to add them to your long-term home, please do so.

“But do not install them as a selling feature as most people expect they are there and are in good working order.”

More Marketable, Not More Expensive

Property agent and CEO Craig Heppell supported Bartalis’s claims by stating that, while essential in most Australian climates, a ducted system did not increase property value.

“Adding a nifty split system for, say, $1000 does not increase the value of a property by $5000 as a number of home sellers believe,” Heppell said.

“This type of feature can add to the marketability, not the value.”

So, if your home already has a ducted air conditioning system installed, that’s great! But it’s not recommended that you install one in an attempt to increase the sale price.

Other additions that rarely increase sale price include swimming pools, landscaping, elegant fixtures and insulation. So, that dispels the myth of a quick view sale price increase with a ducted system.

If you really want to spruik the ducted air conditioning to potential buyers, consider listing a home during summer and having the ducted air con pumping at the open house.

Can I Charge More Rent for Air Conditioning?

We’ve already determined that air conditioning adds value to a home, but can it be used to charge more for a rental property? There’s no easy answer for this one, as rental price is largely determined by market conditions, including the prices of similar rentals in the area.

Webbs Real Estate Senior Property Manager Amy Johnson manages a block of units in which some have air conditioning while others do not.

Amy told Rent.com.au: “When comparing two units of the same size and in similar condition with the only difference being the air conditioning, we have advertised the unit with the air conditioner at a rental rate $10 higher than the one without.”

Of course, each property is different, but it would take a while to see a return on your investment if an air conditioner is installed for the single purpose of securing higher rent.

With a ducted air conditioning system, the indoor unit is generally in the roof space, so it doesn’t suit all kinds of properties.

So, there you have it. A quality ducted air conditioner is an energy efficient way to heat and cool your home and can increase your property’s value, but it may not affect the sale price or rental income.

This doesn’t mean ducted air conditioners are not a worthwhile investment. Consider adding a reverse cycle ducted system to your forever home for efficient, year-round comfort and maybe equip the rental with a trusty split system if you’re happy with the long-term tenants. That way you can supply cooled or heated air to the main living area rather than multiple rooms.

Ask the Experts at Metropolitan Air Conditioning

If you’re looking for expertise in ducted air conditioners, look no further than the licensed professional technicians at Metropolitan Air Conditioning.

We’ll let you know if your property is suited to a ducted system by examining the entire home. That includes checking out your ceiling space to see if you’ve got the room for the indoor unit (and outdoor unit), enough space for the air ducts, and looking at individual rooms where the air vents will be.

You’ll experience whole home climate control with ducted air conditioners. We have worked with commercial spaces (although our focus is on domestic air conditioning), so we know how well these systems deliver conditioned air to multiple rooms.

When you’re looking for professional installation and service, Metropolitan Air Conditioning is the ideal choice. We can install and repair the entire range of major brands, including AquaMAX, Braemar, Carrier, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Electric and more.

Contact the specialists at Metropolitan Air Conditioning today.

Please note: This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.