Should You Put Air Conditioning in an Old House?
Air conditioners aren’t a standard element of comfort in most old houses. Many of them don’t even have a central duct system, undermining the possibility of installation. For older homeowners, this can be a serious issue during the scorching summer months.
But people still need a way to maintain cool temperatures, and they may decide to mount air conditioning regardless of their home’s age. However, is this a good idea?
Should you install air conditioning in an aged property?
Installing air conditioning in an old home is possible, and there are many viable options:
Central air conditioning
If the house has a central duct system, installing central air conditioning may be the best choice. While it’s an expensive and time-consuming process, the unit effectively controls the temperature in the entire home at a higher efficiency. As a result, the investment usually pays off after a couple of years.
Nevertheless, homeowners should first consider the power capacity of their aged property. Older homes often come with 60-amp systems, whereas central air conditioning requires between 20 and 50 amps. Consequently, the rest of the appliances are left battling for electricity. Make sure to consult an AC specialist to see if the house can support such a powerful unit.
Air-source heat pumps
Another option is to mount an air-source heat pump to provide both cooling and heating. It has an array of benefits when working side-by-side with a furnace. For instance, it can lower winter electricity bills by about 40%.
Like central AC units, air-source heat pumps necessitate a lot of power. Therefore, have an expert determine whether the unit suits the house.
Ductless mini-split systems
People with older homes should also consider installing ductless mini-split air conditioners. They allow for installing cooling solutions in one area instead of mounting a system for the entire house. These machines operate with two primary components: an indoor air handler and an outdoor condenser.
More petite than conventional central air units, ductless products don’t require extensive ductwork to distribute cool air. As a result, they are easier to mount in older houses.
Also, the internal components take minimal time to install and can be placed virtually anywhere in your house. They are also perfect for renovations and additions, where climate control is added to one or two rooms without covering the whole place. Many people opt for them as replacements for window units since they’re cost-efficient and easily installed in properties with limited space.
Get suitable air conditioning for your home
Overall, installing an air conditioner in an older home can be an intricate procedure. Many factors need to be considered, such as ductwork, power capacity, and available space. Reach out to dependable HVAC technicians to find out if your house is suitable for AC installation.
CMB Air is residential heating and cooling installation, service, and repair and company with 15+ years of experience serving Tampa and surrounding areas. If you need a new air conditioner, repair, maintenance or some other service, we can help! Call 813-461-6243 today!
