In recent months, the scarcity of available homes has caused many buyers to take a chance on homes that they would have overlooked in a less-crowded real estate market. An older home in need of considerable updating is an example of one of these homes.

If the home was built several decades ago and was not equipped with central air conditioning, the new owner will likely need to determine the best way to retrofit it with a cooling system. Luckily, innovations in the air conditioning industry have made it relatively easy to cool this type of older home.

Solving the ductwork issue

One of the first problems that will need to be addressed when retrofitting an older home with AC is determining how to solve the issue of non-existent ducts. Obviously, the new homeowner could choose to use existing space in closets or build bulkheads to hide traditional ducts, but that may not be the most affordable or attractive answer. 

Instead, those faced with the need to install a cooling system in an older home should consider the use of miniature ducts or the use of cooling equipment that requires no ducts at all. Miniature ducts, often called mini-ducts, are small diameter ducts capable of sending large amounts of high-velocity, cooled air throughout a home. Because mini-ducts are flexible, they can be snaked through openings in walls or between floor joists to service equally small vents in floors or walls. 

Another option for cooling a home that is not equipped with any type of ducts is to use a mini-split air conditioning system that requires no ducts. Mini-split systems utilize a compact evaporator unit that mounts high on the wall or on the ceiling. The compressor used by this system is mounted outside the home so that any noise it makes is unlikely to be heard inside the home. Mini-splits have become a popular cooling option due to their efficiency, ease of installation, and dependability. 

Older construction may require sizing considerations

Homeowners who would like to install a full-size system should know that the walls of their older homes may not be insulated as well as homes constructed more recently. This lack of insulation can often require the homeowner to purchase a larger air conditioning system than the space would require if adequately insulated. 

To make sure that all available cooling options are considered and sized correctly, homeowners will want to discuss their situation with a reputable air conditioning contractor before making a final decision. 

For more information about air conditioning, contact a local company.