The unforgiving heat of a Texas summer makes central air conditioning almost a requirement for residential comfort. However, there are many older homes that still don’t have a central air conditioning system. Adding central A/C to older homes presents a few challenges, but it can be done relatively easily using the following steps.
Understand Cooling Needs
Before effectively adding central A/C to older homes, you have to know how much cooling a specific home actually needs. A load calculation can tell you exactly how much cooling is required to meet your indoor comfort requirements. This sophisticated process takes into account various physical and thermal characteristics of your home to determine cooling needs.
With this information, you and your HVAC professional can find a central air conditioning system that will easily produce the right amount of cooling. Make sure the load calculation is performed using the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)’s Manual J, Residential Load Calculations.
Boost Home Efficiency
Before investing in air conditioning equipment, make sure your older home is well sealed and as efficient as possible. This process can involve finding and sealing air leaks, increasing insulation, sealing or replacing windows, and taking steps to stop energy loss throughout the structure. An energy audit can help with this by showing you exactly where energy is being lost and where you should focus your efforts to boost efficiency.
Research the Options
There are several effective options for adding central A/C to older homes. Give these possibilities serious consideration, with help from your trusted HVAC professional, before committing to an equipment purchase and installation.
- Extend existing ductwork: If your existing cooling system is powerful enough, it may be possible to extend the ductwork you already have to support the addition of a central air conditioning system. Ducts will have to reach every part of the house for a central A/C to be effective. Keep in mind that adding or extending ductwork could involve revisions to the house structure, drilling or cutting of holes for duct installation, or installation of ductwork along walls or ceilings in cases where the ducts can’t be hidden. Some homeowners may not want these types of structural and aesthetic changes made to their older homes.
- Add a ductless system: If your older home doesn’t have ductwork or you don’t want to make changes to existing ducts, a ductless mini split could work well for you. These systems, based on the highly efficient function of a heat pump, use an outdoor unit containing the main components, and up to four indoor air handling units. These air handling units can be installed almost anywhere and can be easily placed in out-of-the-way areas where they don’t interfere with the aesthetics of your older home.
- Install a high-velocity system: High-velocity systems offer another option for adding central A/C to older homes while taking into consideration the need for ductwork. These air conditioning systems produce outstanding cooling that’s comparable with any other type of A/C equipment. The biggest difference is that they deliver the cooled air through a type of strong, flexible tubing instead of traditional metal ductwork. The tubing is versatile enough to be hidden by installing it inside walls or ceilings.
Select the Right Equipment
After you’ve prepared your home, work with your air conditioning expert to choose the right equipment for your home. This should involve the process of sizing, which is selecting a air conditioning system that has the functional capacity to produce the amount of cooling you need without the problems associated with generating too little or too much cooling. Too little cooling and the equipment will struggle to keep up with demands, increasing monthly costs and shortening the system’s useful life. Too much cooling will waste energy and money and reduce the system’s ability to properly dehumidify your home.
For more information on adding central A/C to older homes, check out Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating’s air conditioning solutions, or call 888-414-4655.
