Adding air conditioning to an older house typically involves extensive renovation work. Many older homes don’t have enough space for bulky ductwork installations and/or electrical system upgrades may be necessary in order to support new equipment.
Modern air conditioning solutions exist that can meet the cooling requirements of older houses without altering their original architecture.
If you’re looking for a reliable company that can help you install a new AC in an older home, feel free to click the following link to contact your local HVAC experts in Windsor, CO.
High-Velocity HVAC System
High-velocity air conditioning systems offer an effective alternative for older homes that lack traditional ductwork, thanks to small flexible tubes powered by electricity that run freely through crawl spaces, closets, and tight spaces without significant modification – they even run through walls!
Their two-inch tubes make installation much more straightforward. Typical locations for HVAC master air handlers can include the attic, basement, or closet.
High-velocity HVAC systems use small ducts with four times faster air movement to eliminate hot and cold spots in your home and remove up to 30% more moisture in humid climates, leading to reduced electricity bills and an overall more comfortable indoor environment.
Another advantage of installing a high-velocity AC system in historic homes is that installation can be accomplished with minimal disruption.
Installing new vents and ductwork can often be a major construction project in older properties, but with flexible tubing of high-velocity systems, contractors can do so without tearing out walls or weakening structures, thus significantly reducing installation costs while giving you the freedom to place outlets wherever they please instead of being limited by design restrictions or traditional AC systems.
Window AC Units
Many older homes lack ductwork; as an alternative to summer heatwaves, these residents opt for window air conditioner units as a source of cooling relief.
These units may be inexpensive to buy, but their operating costs can quickly add up. When used continuously for cooling purposes and at high levels, these air conditioning units consume significant electricity consumption while increasing humidity in the home.
Be careful when selecting your window unit size; oversized ones consume too much energy, while undersized units could need help to cool your room and overwork themselves effectively.
An ideal alternative is a ductless mini-split heat pump system, as this doesn’t require any ductwork and even offers air conditioning with built-in heating capabilities. Plus, no electrical upgrades are needed as with central air systems.
Though ductless air conditioning systems may cost more than window ACs upfront, you will save money over time with them. You won’t cause as much damage to walls, ceilings, and floors with installation as with traditional systems due to no ductwork needing to be laid.
VRF Systems
VRF stands for Variable Refrigerant Flow, and it is one of the latest innovative options for old houses. It works similarly to central air conditioning but without needing ducts; refrigerant lines connect small fan coil units spread throughout your home using refrigerant lines, allowing a zoned cooling/heating strategy that maximizes energy savings.
When shopping for an air conditioning system for an older house, it’s essential to consult an HVAC expert. They can point you towards the equipment most suitable to your space and, assist with load calculations and recommend trusted brands for installation – helping ensure there are no future complications with installation!
Ductless Systems
Many of our picturesque neighborhoods contain historic homes built prior to central air conditioning’s widespread adoption, making updating their AC systems difficult and expensive due to the lack of proper ductwork requirements. Installing new ductwork may prove more costly and time-consuming than anticipated.
Alternatives that bypass the need for ductwork are available: high-velocity systems provide adequate cooling in spaces that cannot accommodate large ducts. In contrast, ductless mini-split systems offer easy installations that allow you to target specific rooms of your home while not disrupting existing layouts or architectural integrity.
A ductless mini-split system uses an outdoor compressor unit and indoor fan coil units to cool your home. The indoor unit features a sleek design with a low profile to fit seamlessly on walls or ceilings; additionally, this solution can heat and cool individual rooms of your home, making it a cost-effective and flexible HVAC solution suitable for old houses that require modern HVAC technology.
Ductless systems offer greater energy efficiency and temperature regulation. You can keep unused rooms more relaxed using hand-held remote controls to adjust settings on interior units; moreover, there won’t be security risks related to opening and closing windows for AC use – eliminating potential fire hazards!