We're remodeling an attic space to convert it into a rental.
We've been wavering back and forth on the type of heating to put into the new (small, 40 sq ft) bathroom. Seems like a small amount of $ either way, but we're trying to get a feel for long term appeal and costs.
As a rule we've been trying to go for energy efficiency and investments that will save money in the long term, even though they might cost more now. For example, we've really done a good job with the insulation so heating/cooling costs should be pretty low. This super cold winter, the space remained at about 50 degrees.
The main space, open floor plan, will be heated and cooled by a ductless mini-split system (expensive). This heat won't reach the bathroom. Our options for the bathroom are electric baseboard or electric radiant floor heat.
Here are the costs:
A good oil-filled baseboard is $130, with a programmable thermostat about $50. 750 watts, might run fewer hours per day than the radiant option.
SunTouch or Warmup floor system (the bid came back pretty much the same for both), about $500 including thermostat. They are 300-400 watt systems. Installation is a bit more complicated and expensive as we'll need to pour a self-leveling cement floor over the mats ($150 for cement alone), instead of regular underlayment
The decision maker might be this: the shower base is installed already, the shower walls will be tiled. Might be really cold stepping into that shower in the winter. Would stepping into the shower be totally freezing (50 degrees?). I've not had practical experience with this system and am trying to figure out which option is more mustachian in the long term.
We envision the apartment we're creating to be a moderately high-end rental. We're getting better quality items used on Craigslist, for example, a heavy frameless shower door, reclaimed hardwood flooring, nice plumbing fixtures, solid surface countertops.
So my question to those experienced: would the radiant floors in the bathroom have sufficient 'appeal' in a rental that we could factor that into somewhat higher rent? Would they cost less to run?
Thanks for weighing in.