Contrary to popular belief, you CAN have a central air conditioner installation in your older home and still retain its old world charm. It can be done quickly and without mistakes when you hire a reputable central air conditioning contractor.
If your old house does not have the required ductwork, you will need to install that. Many homeowners of older homes cringe at the thought of having to make holes in the walls for fear of losing the home’s original character. If this is you, don’t worry, you can still have central AC in your old house.
You will want to hire a licensed central air conditioner expert who has experience working and installing central AC in older homes.
Right Size is Important
When it comes to central air conditioners, size matters. A common mistake people make is getting an AC unit that is too big for their square footage. A unit that is too big will not operate properly. It will cycle on and off too frequently, thus not allowing for a full cycle to run.
You will see the difference in your monthly energy bill. Determine the right size AC you need by simply multiplying the home's size in square feet by 25, divide that by 12,000 and then subtract .05. This will equal the correct size AC in tonnage.
Make sure you bring in a certified central air conditioner company to properly install central AC in your older home. Also, consider these factors when shopping for a new AC system:
- How old is the house?
- What is the square footage of the space?
- Is the place well insulated?
- Will you need to add ductwork?
- How many windows are in the home?
- Repair door jams, and old windows that allow drafts inside.
No Ducts Required
Because the majority of older homes do not already have the ductwork needed for central air conditioning, you will have to include this expense in addition to the unit and the labor.
Adding ducts to an old home will require walls to be torn and ceilings to be lowered. Many owners of older homes don't want to do this for fear of diminishing the old house's charm and character.
This doesn’t mean you can’t have central AC in your older house. You can skip all the demolition by installing a ductless HVAC system. These systems are high-quality and efficient and will keep you cool in your old home. These ductless HVAC systems also referred to as mini-split systems, send cool air through smaller ducts that are snaked into the walls and ceilings without any messy demolition.
What You Can Expect to Pay
Installing central air conditioner is not as expensive as you might think. Depending on whether or not you will need demolition work, you may spend between $3,500 to $4,000 for the installation and the unit itself.
Probably one of the more significant investments you will make on your property is the addition of a cooling system. Not only will it provide occupants with cool comfort when it’s hot outside, but it t will also keep indoor air quality in check and boost your property value considerably.
Be sure to enlist the services of a reputable central air conditioner contractor, like Albritton Services in Ruston, LA. They will be glad to discuss how you can add central AC to your older home, without making mistakes in the process.
