You don't have to sacrifice today's modern conveniences if you live in an older home. Many of today's hi-tech comforts can be added to an older house, including air conditioning. More importantly, they can be added without having to give up your home's old world charm.
Does your old house already have ductwork? If not, this is something that is necessary to run central AC. This also means that your overall cost of the AC installation will go up.
Many owners of old homes do not want to sacrifice the old-world charm and beauty of their old house. If you are one of these people and you don't want to tear down walls or ceilings, there are other options from which to choose. Call a licensed central air conditioner installer who has experience installing central AC older homes.
Choose The Right Size
Size matters when it comes to central air conditioners. One of the more common mistakes people make when buying a new AC for their home is getting one that is too big for their home. A central AC system that is too big for your space will cause more problems, such as not being able to run a full cycle because it cycles on and off too frequently. This, of course, will result in a higher energy bill. To determine the right size of AC you need, just multiply the home's size in square feet by 25. Then, divide that by 12,000 and subtract .05. This will give you the correct tonnage for your AC.
Always hire a certified central air conditioner company to ensure the proper installation of central AC in your older home. Be aware of these other factors when shopping for a new AC system:
- How old is the structure?
- What is the square footage?
- Is it well insulated?
- Will you need to add ductwork?
- How many windows are in the home?
- Repair door jams, old windows that allow drafts inside.
Ducts Are Not Always Required
Most older homes do not have the ductwork needed for central air conditioning. You will need to add this extra expense, in addition to the unit itself and the labor. This will also require walls to be broken into and ceilings to be lowered.
The problem with this is that most owners of older homes are very adamant about maintaining their home's traditional charm. For them, demolition is out of the question. Does this mean central AC can be installed in an older house?
Not at all. If you don't want to add the ductwork to your home, a ductless HVAC system may be just what you need. These AC systems will also keep your old home cool and you won't have to break any walls. Mini-split systems, also known as ductless HVAC systems, work by pushing cool air through tiny ducts which are inserted into walls and ceilings without having to tear anything down.
What Does it Cost?
Installing a standard central air conditioner or a ductless HVAC system in an older home does not have to be expensive. The price depends on whether you will need ductwork installed, size of your home and other factors. You may be spending anywhere between $3,500 to $5000 for a new central AC unit.
Adding central air conditioning is an investment on your property and will provide you with cooling comfort when you need it. It will also keep your indoor air quality and humidity in check.
Ready to take that plunge? Call the central air conditioning experts at RupCoe Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning in South Plainfield, NJ to discuss how you can add central AC to your older home, without making mistakes in the process.
