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.
