For property managers in Central Texas, summer is a battle against the heat—and the electric bill. Keeping tenants comfortable in triple-digit temperatures without sacrificing profits can feel nearly impossible. Central air is expensive, and window units are loud, inefficient, and unattractive.

That was exactly the dilemma Scott Anderson faced. After retiring from a 30-year career in computer networking, he began managing several rental properties, including a compact Airbnb cabin. He needed a cooling solution that was powerful, affordable, and reliable.

Scott was no stranger to mini-splits—he’d seen them during his travels in Europe. His first impression was mixed. “I saw one just dumping water on the floor,” he remembers with a laugh. “I thought, ‘Oh, those aren’t any good.’ But then I saw others that worked beautifully—whisper-quiet and incredibly efficient.”

Armed with those experiences and a strong DIY spirit, Scott began his search. What he found would not only transform that little cabin, but also reshape how he thought about comfort, efficiency, and property management.

Crafting the Perfect HVAC Checklist for a Texas Landlord

Scott’s needs were a masterclass in modern property management. He had to think like a business owner, a maintenance tech, and a hospitality host—all at the same time.

His decision-making boiled down to a clear, non-negotiable checklist:

• Small Space Efficiency: Cool a tiny, one-bedroom Airbnb cabin—just 400 square feet—with even, effective cooling in a layout where “there aren’t even doors for the bedrooms”
• Investment Protection: Choose a solution reliable enough for a business property, where downtime means lost income and unhappy guests
• DIY Installation: Find a system simple enough to install himself, without needing EPA certification or specialized HVAC training
• Multi-Property Scalability: Test a solution that could be replicated across his portfolio, from small cabins to full-sized homes
• Energy Cost Control: Significantly lower electricity bills in the punishing Texas heat, where air conditioning can account for 50% of summer utility costs
• Professional Appearance: Avoid the “trashy” look of window units, which could damage his Airbnb ratings and long-term property value

“The price was so good, I thought, ‘Well, I can take a shot on my first one,’” Scott explains. “It was low risk—if it failed, I could go to Plan B.”

From Research to Rescue: How One Phone Call Earned Scott’s Trust

As a former tech professional and dedicated DIYer, Scott approached the purchase with care. He spent weeks immersed in YouTube tutorials, comparing specs, and analyzing customer reviews. This wasn’t just a home improvement project—it was a business investment.

“I looked at it for several weeks before I pulled the trigger,” Scott says. “I wanted quality—I didn’t want something I’d have to throw away in six months.”

Eventually, he chose Della—attracted by the price and strong user feedback. But the real test came six months later. On the day guests were due to arrive at the Airbnb, Scott walked into the cabin and saw an error code flashing on the unit. Panic set in.

“I thought, ‘Great, now I have to call China and get the runaround,’” he recalls.

Instead, something unexpected happened. A U.S.-based Della support rep picked up immediately. Within minutes, they diagnosed the issue—a simple service mode accidentally triggered by the remote—and walked Scott through the fix. Disaster averted.

That one call turned a transaction into a trusted partnership.

“When you guys answered the phone and fixed it on the first try, I was blown away,” Scott says. “That’s when I ordered two more units. That level of support gave me the confidence to go all-in.”

DIY Installation: Challenges and Victories

With a $120 vacuum pump kit from Amazon and a boost of confidence from online tutorials, Scott tackled the installation himself. It was challenging but entirely doable.

The biggest obstacle? Dealing with 16-foot line sets.

“When I don’t need 16 feet of hose, what do you do with it all?” Scott says. “I really don’t want to cut and flare the line set—I don’t feel good about flaring.”

His caution came from experience. A poorly flared connection on his father’s Pioneer unit had leaked refrigerant within a month and required professional repair.

Other lessons from installation:

• The wall bracket was tricky to snap into place
• He couldn’t find the exact hole saw size, so he improvised
• YouTube tutorials were far more useful than the official manuals
• Total tool investment: $120 for everything he needed

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Radical Savings and Unmatched Comfort

A year later, the results speak for themselves. The cabin’s utility bills dropped significantly—and stayed low.

“My electric bill for that cabin is just amazing. It barely uses any power,” Scott says. “In Texas, you just expect a high bill from AC. Not with this.”

But it wasn’t just the cost savings. The quality of the cooling was a game-changer.

“It’s a totally different kind of cool. It pulls the humidity right out,” he explains. “I’d go back to my own house with central air and think, ‘Wow, it’s hot and sticky in here.’”

Even his wife noticed. “She’d go over to the cabin and say, ‘This air conditioner works so good! We need one in our bedroom.’”

From One Unit to Three—and Counting

Today, Scott has installed Della mini splits in:

• His Airbnb cabin (the original test case)
• His father’s workshop office (after seeing the results)
• A two-bedroom rental property (where one unit cools the entire space)

He even has a fourth unit sitting in his garage, ready to install once he resolves the line set issue—a testament to his continued confidence in Della, despite the learning curve.

What Scott Uses

Here is the same mini-split Scott installed in his rentals. Quiet. Clean look. Good for small spaces and Airbnb cabins.

The Della Difference: Honest Feedback from the Field

“I definitely recommend it,” Scott says. “It’s a high-quality product at a great value.” Compared to other brands he’s encountered, Scott believes Della is “equivalent or better, in my opinion.”

Transparency matters, and Scott’s experience offers valuable insights for both first-time installers and seasoned landlords. His practical wishlist for Della includes:

• Shorter Line Sets: Offer multiple length options (like 8', 10', 12') to avoid the hassle of excess hose
• Improved Wall Bracket: A redesign to make mounting the indoor unit easier
• Official Installation Videos: More detailed, Della-specific tutorials
• Better Tool Guides: A complete, brand-specific list of required tools

We Listened and Made It Easier

• Manuals are now clearer, with step-by-step photos
• Lifetime warranty on key accessories, so you stay protected
• Tool rental program for DIY installers, no need to buy everything
• Multi-zone systems now support ceiling cassette style
• Line sets are available in more lengths, so there’s less extra to manage

These updates come from real landlord feedback. Simple changes that remove stress and save time.

The Smart Investor's Choice: Della is the New Plan A

For Scott, the math is simple: low upfront cost + ultra-low operating cost + rock-solid reliability = more profit, less stress.

It’s a formula he’s eager to scale. “I’d love to do my whole house with mini splits just to see what my bill would be like,” he says.

His advice to other landlords? It’s a complete reversal of where he started.

“I used to think the price was so good that if it failed, I’d just move on to Plan B,” he says. “But now? After seeing how well these work—and how great the support is—I realize Della is the plan. There is no Plan B anymore.”

In the competitive Texas rental market, Scott Anderson found more than just an air conditioner. He found a secret weapon for comfort, efficiency, and long-term profitability. He found a partner in Della.

Ready to make Della your Plan A? Discover the energy-efficient mini-split systems that turned one landlord from a skeptic into a multi-unit believer. Explore solutions tailored for property managers today. Get dialed in today!