Should I Replace Boiler Type Furnace with High Efficiency for Rental SFH?

[Lokesh W.]

I am looking at buying a SFH home for rental in Milwaukee, WI. It has the old boiler type furnace. I believe it works OK. Since I plan to keep this as a long term rental property, I want to keep this furnace instead replacing with the high efficiency furnace. At the time of reselling the house many years down the road, I may replace the furnace. Any suggestions? What are the pros and cons of keeping this old boiler type furnace?

Is it a good idea to replace boiler type furnace that is working fine with a new high efficiency?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Dave Carpenter]

I had older furnaces in my duplex, but did not replace right away. I heard from the tenants after the first winter, but they didn't have a huge issue with it. I decided to replace both a year later with the same tenants in the building. When they got their bill the next winter and it was half the cost they were very excited about it. My point being you could create good will by waiting a year before replacing it. It helps the tenants appreciate what you are doing for them. I suppose you could also increase the rent to accommodate for that, but then you would be losing some of that good will.