Adding ducts to an old home can be a tricky affair. Many older homes have plaster walls or fancy woodwork which complicates the installation process and can make cleaning up afterward an awful time, aesthetically. The typical solution to this problem is to install the vents for the system in closets or ceilings and run ducts accordingly. However, this is where the individual struggle of your older home comes into play. For homes with unique challenges, ductless cooling systems exist.
They are typically more expensive to install than a traditional ducted system but can lend to better efficiency since each cooled area is a separate zone with a separate cooling unit. Otherwise you will be paying too much to run the equipment for many years to come. Also, house insulation plays a big role in the size of your Central AC — the better your house is insulated, the smaller the system you will need, which will in turn result in smaller electric bill.
For example, if you needed a 4 TON unit, after upgrading, sealing and insulating the ducts, you can scale back to 3. While it may seem marginal, that is a The above savings take into account power savings of Compressor only. However, insulating and sealing ducts will also likely reduce blower motor runtime, and overall AC runtime.
Winter heating savings can double that! After doing all the calculations, you may wonder if there is any way to save a few bucks on installing central AC.
Get a properly sized AC unit: one way to avoid overspending is to get the right unit size. Many people tend to err on the side of caution and want to get a bigger unit, just in case… This is not smart, because in addition to spending more money upfront, you will also be wasting money and energy on running the AC that is too large for your house. Moreover, when the unit is too big for the square footage of your house, it starts to switch on and off in order to maintain the set temperature. This wears out the system, shortens its service life and increases the risk of malfunctions.
Go for high efficiency: buying an energy efficient AC unit may be more expensive upfront, but it will save money in the long run. Did you know? SEER is the seasonal energy efficiency ratio, which shows how efficient the unit is throughout all four seasons. For example, it compares the cooling output during the summer vs. If you have an older system, you may want to consider replacing it.
Some HVAC contractors may push you into getting one of these extra high efficiency units, however this may not be advisable.
Second, these high efficiency units are known to break more frequently and require expensive repairs — why would you want that? Simpler, lower SEER models are actually more reliable and cause less problems.
Get 3 or more estimates: while you may not want to spend time interviewing different contractors, doing this will pay off! HVAC guys charge different rates for their labor and will judge your project based on a number of factors. Schedule the install during the cool season: once the hot weather sets in, HVAC contractors will have a ton of work. This means that many companies will even jack up their prices a little, just because they can.
Depending on the size and construction of your house, you may realize that central air is too expensive. If you live in a very old house, installing new ducts may simply not be feasible. One alternative is to go for a ductless air conditioning system, also known as a mini split.
These systems can cool and heat your house, without any ductwork. Thus, this is a great option when central air is not viable. Ductless air conditioning has been very popular in both Europe and Japan for many years. However, it is a fairly new option in the US. It has only been around for about two decades. Mini-split systems are far more energy efficient than Central AC systems, and deliver comfort where you need it, instead of cooling your entire home.
However there is a wide selection of multi-zone ductless systems with up to 8 zones in residential application! Installing central air is one of the most expensive whole house updates.
When you are spending this much money you want to make sure that the job will be done correctly, and will last for many years.
However doing this is a really bad idea that will surely backfire. Many people are worried about the potential challenges as well as the high costs of this upgrade. There is a common misconception that central air can only be put into new construction projects, or homes that have been recently built. While installing central air is not a cheap project, it costs the same or less than many other remodels. Most importantly, cooling your home this way will provide tangible benefits your whole family will feel right away.
Already have ductwork for the heater. Is there a reason for one or the other? This determines the heat gain your home is subject to. The calculation is relatively easy to perform and will reveal what size unit you need. Move on to another contractor if the one you're considering wants to determine the right unit for your house solely on experience. Though strongly influenced by where you live, several factors affect the size unit required, including the amount of wall and attic insulation you have; the types and placement of windows and doors; and the orientation of your home to the sun.
The calculation can also alert you to the possible benefits of upgrading the insulation in your house. By making your home more energy efficient, you may be able to reduce the size of the air conditioner you need. One ton equals 12, Btu per hour. Why is getting the proper size unit so important? An undersize unit won't be able to cool rooms down completely on the hottest days and will cost more to operate because it has to run longer than a correctly sized unit.
An oversize compressor also costs more to operate because it simply takes more electricity to run a bigger unit. And an oversize unit doesn't lower humidity effectively. That's because it cools the air so quickly that it shuts off before it has a chance to circulate the proper volume of air past the coils to extract the necessary moisture.
The result is a room that doesn't seem as cool as the temperature indicates. In fact, the room can feel clammy and damp. After determining the size of the unit, your contractor should talk to you about efficiency, which is expressed by the seasonal energy-efficiency rating SEER.
The higher the SEER, the less it costs to operate. These units have lower operating costs, tend to be higher quality, have more safety features, better sound shields and lower voltage requirements. In general, the higher the SEER, the higher the initial cost for the unit. Next, you must decide what type of system to buy. There are two kinds. A "package system" gangs the condenser, which cools the refrigerant and exhausts warm air, with the fan-and-coil system, which cools and blows the air.
The ducting connects directly to the unit. This is essentially a large wall air conditioner with ducts. Your AC may run more or less depending on your climate. If you install a window AC unit to cool a single room, the operational cost will be much lower. For a quick fix to a hot room, a window air conditioner may be the most budget-friendly option.
Window AC units require to 1, watts of electricity to run. One of the most important things you can do when determining your cost to replace an AC unit is request multiple quotes from local dealers.
We recommend getting at least three quotes to compare the equipment price, labor fees, and recommended system changes. Each quote should be presented in writing and easy to understand. Review each of your quotes for these three crucial elements. Equipment model numbers and SEER ratings : Look for specific equipment details so you can research the unit, read reviews, and ensure it meets your energy-efficiency requirements.
Request equipment details. Rebates and financing options : Manufacturers may offer special discounts or rebates on particular products another reason to get the equipment model number. In addition, some dealers provide a deeper discount, especially in the spring and fall seasons. Financing is typically available with brand-certified dealers. Schedule a yearly inspection to ensure your AC unit installation cost is a protected investment for years to come.
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