Central AC upgrade and increase rent?

[Federico Gutierrez]

I have two properties which I'm currently thinking of installing central AC in.

The install, unit and labour is about $2500-3500 through my GC.

Now of course IF I install the unit I will increase rents. From other landlords experience's how much have you bumped up rent afterwards that tenants will not cry? 

[James Mc Ree]

I am about to replace a 1950 gravity gas heater with a modern unit, add c/a and do a little basement duct work to a unit all for $5,800.

Around here (Delaware County, PA - near Phila), a "3Br, 1Ba, unfinished basement and no c/a" is the "base unit" for the row homes I buy.  Upgrades add a powder room, finish the basement and add c/a.  The base unit typically rents for about $1,000 - $1,100 while the fully upgraded unit rents for about $1,200 if you can ignore everything else that affects value for an over-simplified comparison.  That is very hard to do.  Condition, location and maintenance needs are very important.

One tenant factor you may run into is the affordability of c/a.  Lower income tenants may not be interested in c/a as it will increase their electricity bill and rent if you charge more.