Category: AC/ Air Conditioner

Are you building a small home and trying to figure out how to keep your small space cool? Or do you want to ensure that you have an icy cold bedroom this summer? Both are increasingly common issues as more and more customers are looking for creative and efficient ways to cool their home.

Plus, small homes are trendy right now as minimalist lifestyles become ever more popular. For many, these can lead to questions about the most practical ways to cool small homes.

Whether you’re trying to cool a small home or interested in bedroom installations, there are a variety of good options. Today we’ll discuss some of the pros and cons of three popular solutions: portable air conditioners, ductless HVAC systems, and smart thermostats.

Enjoy Versatility With Portable Air Conditioners

If you’re focused on bedroom installations, portable air conditioners are a good solution. These systems are basically ready to go out of the box. All you have to do is hook up an exhaust hose, and you’re ready to go.

You can easily connect this hose to a window with the included window kit. Portable air conditioners are effective for cooling a single room, and they work by removing hot air and moisture from the room.

Unlike window units, they give you the option of having access to your window and involve almost no installation. It’s important to note, however, that they generally use more energy than window units, which is an important consideration if you’re going to use it a lot. These systems work well for anyone trying to cool a single room but are more ideally suited for those looking to cool a bedroom as opposed to those trying to find a small home solution.

Is Ductless HVAC System Right For You?

Ductless HVAC systems are energy-efficient ways to cool single rooms. You’ll need to install a system in each room that you want to cool, which involves just a mounted wall unit and an outdoor compressor.

While these systems involve more upfront costs than other options, they are very efficient and will save you money on your monthly utility costs. As an added bonus, these systems are especially good at providing consistent climate control.

You do have to change each unit’s filter once a month, which is more maintenance than other comparable systems. That said, if you can deal with upfront costs and a little bit of maintenance, these are efficient and effective ways to cool either a bedroom or a small home.

Get Complete Control with Smart Thermostats

When thinking through ways to keep their bedroom cool, most people don’t consider smart thermostats. However, some models of smart thermostats give you the option of controlling the temperature of your home room by room.

This means that you can have the icy, cold bedroom that you want without having to cool your entire house. It’s a win-win, giving you the luxury of a cold room without adding a system or overworking your HVAC unit.

Plus, installing a smart thermostat will give you the opportunity to maximize the efficiency of your entire system and help you to save energy and money. While their often not the first thing that comes to mind when considering bedroom installations, smart thermostats can be an effective way to ensure that you sleep comfortably this summer.

If you have any questions about air conditioning units or are in need of an installation, call us today at (724) 382-4844.

You may think that because you live in an older home you can’t have any of today’s modern conveniences, such as central air conditioning. Wrong! You can have central air conditioning in an old house.

It may require a little extra effort and preparation, like ensuring there is adequate insulation in the home, building the ductwork, if needed, you may even have to lower your ceilings. But at the end of it all, you will be sitting pretty inside the cooling comfort of your old house.

It might cost a little more too. Adding ductwork to an older home will add to your list of expenses. The labor will cost more too. Make sure you hire a certified central air conditioner installer who has had experience installing central AC in older homes.

Choose The Right Size

Don’t presume that just because it’s bigger, it’s better. One of the most common central air conditioner mistakes people make when buying a new central AC is choosing a size that is too big. An AC system that is too big for your house will cycle on and off more frequently, and not run long enough for it to do its job.

Determining the correct AC size is easy. Just multiply the square footage of your house by 25. Divide that figure by 12,000. Subtract .05 from that. The result will be the correct size of central AC for your home.

Have a quality central air conditioning company help you determine the accurate central AC size for your older home. Other factors to consider when shopping for a new central AC are:

• Home’s age.
• Is the house well insulated?
• How many windows are in the home.
• Will you need to add ductwork?
• Door jams and older windows that allow drafts to sneak inside.
• Square footage of the space.

No Ducts Installation

Older homes don’t typically have ductwork. So, before you purchase your new central air conditioner, you will have to install the ductwork.

This will be an extra expense apart from the AC unit itself and the labor required. When adding ductwork to your old house, workers will have to break into the walls and ceiling to properly position the ducts. It may even be necessary to lower the ceiling a bit.

Modifications like these can take away some of the old home’s character and old world charm. Is this something you want to do? If the answer is no, then check out a ductless HVAC system instead.

With a ductless HVAC system, also known as a mini-split system, you can have cool air in the summer and retain your old home’s original character. A mini-split system pushes cool air through small air ducts. These small ducts can be inserted through walls and ceilings without the need for demolition.

How Much Will it Cost?

Putting in a central air conditioning unit in your older home will cost anywhere between $3,500 to $5,000.

This includes the AC unit itself and labor expenses. The price will go up if you have to add ductwork.

You can improve your comfort level next summer, boost your indoor air quality and increase your property value.

Ready to take the plunge? The central air conditioning experts at Warhold Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning in Greensburg, PA a call. They can answer any questions you may have and help you choose which central air conditioner is right for your old house.

So you are going to splurge on air conditioning for your home. Good plan! Air conditioning today is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. This is especially true if you live in an area that is hot year-round. But choosing the right air conditioner for your home is no easy task.

You want to purchase an AC that is right for your home and that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Well, have no fear. Selecting an AC for your home is not that hard once you know what to consider before you make your purchase.

Two of the more popular types of air conditioners for the home are central AC and window AC units. Does your home contain the ductwork and vents needed for central AC? If not, you will have to pay for ductwork in addition to the air conditioner itself and the installation.

Or, you can opt instead for a window AC unit. Either method of cooling will keep you comfortable during those hot summer months. Here, we will go over some of the things to consider before you take the plunge towards this major investment.

Pros And Cons of Central AC

A central AC system will keep your entire home cool and comfortable when it is hot outside.

It distributes cool air throughout your home via the vents and ductwork inside. If your home doesn’t already contain vents and ductwork, you will have to add them to your home.

This will be an extra cost that you may not want to get into. Additionally, you must have space outside your home for the compressor. It is important to note that, if your home is well insulated, central AC will also save you money every month on energy costs.

Central AC is one of the smartest inventions of the century. However, there are also disadvantages you should consider:

Pros And Cons of Window AC Units

If you are on a tight budget, you can still keep cool on hot days with a window AC unit.

They are affordable and easy to install. They are better suited for renters and apartment buildings.

Unlike central AC, window AC units require little to no maintenance. Here are some of the advantages as well as drawbacks of window AC units:

Which AC System Is Right For Your Home?

Before you spend your hard earned money on air conditioning, consider the benefits and drawbacks of each system. Central AC cools your entire home, whereas window AC units only cool a single room.

Central AC systems will set you back thousands of dollars, whereas a window AC unit will cost a fraction of that. You must have ductwork inside and space outside for compressor. With window units, this is not necessary.

Call the AC experts at Warhold Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning in Greensburg, PA, a friendly and knowledgeable team member will be glad to help you choose which system is right for your home. They will answer any questions you may have so that you can make an informed decision.