Very few things are quite as horrible as living in a house with no air conditioning during the summer time. Even though central air was invented in the 1970s, it didn't really become normal in a house for a couple of decades. This means that there are many homes in existence that were never built with central air. While a window unit can be fairly effective, it only cools one room, can cause damage to the home, and takes a lot of work. If you live in an older home and you want to install central air conditioning, take heart, there is hope.

Taking into Account the Existing Structure

There are several different heating options that older homes have which largely help determine the type of air conditioning unit an older home can have installed. If there is already a forced-air, gas furnace in place, then installing a central A/C system is fairly easy. In fact, it generally only takes a few days to install if two technicians are working on it. However, if the heater is a boiler, baseboard heat, or a wood burning stove, things get tricky. Work time and costs double for central air installation in these types of homes.

Different Kinds of Air Conditioning

If the home owner is set on having central air in a more difficult setting, there are ways to add in a duct system. The most common place that ducts are retrofitted into an old home is to put them into closet floors. If you live in a really old home, it may not be the best option since closet space is usually pretty limited already. Another consideration is if you will be outfitting the house with too much electricity for the circuit box. It is possible to make modifications, but it does take a lot of extra time and money.

Another option is called a ductless split air conditioner. A small unit is placed high in a room, on the wall, with a larger compressor unit outside the home. Refrigerant lines are placed between the two different units that pump electricity and cool air between them. Fans in the smaller unit push the air out into the home. These units are efficient and easy to do maintenance on.

Consult a Professional

Window units and portable air conditioning boxes are also another option. Either unit can be hooked up to the thermostat or have a remote to control it for easier use. Finding the best option for your home is going to depend a lot on what a professional will tell you. Each house is different, so you will need a customized plan to get an estimate. To find out more, speak with a business like Uni-Serv Air Conditioning Co.