Remodeling a Home

The traditional split-system air conditioner remains one of the most popular forms of cooling for most homes. However, these systems require plenty of space to accommodate their massive ductwork. If you happen to own a vintage home built long before the advent of central air conditioning, then you may be hard-pressed to make room for new ducts or risk changing the character and originality of your home.

Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives that let you preserve your older home's character and historical provenance. Read on to learn about the pros and cons each solution offers.

1. Ductless Mini-Split Units

Ductless mini-split systems behave a lot like traditional split-system A/C units. Like their larger counterparts, these systems rely on an outdoor cabinet containing the condenser and compressor. However, the similarities largely end there.

Instead of a centrally located air handler, ductless mini-split systems use several wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted air handlers, usually one for each large space to be cooled off. These units are mostly discrete in their design, which prevents your air conditioner from dominating your home's décor. Having several separate air handlers also lets you create individual air conditioning zones, with each zone able to be independently controlled for maximum cooling flexibility.

There are a couple of downsides to consider. Most ductless mini-split systems can't be completely hidden from view like their central split-system counterparts. Not only that, but the average ductless mini-split system has a higher price tag than conventional air conditioning systems.

2. Mini-Duct Units

If you're not completely against the idea of having ductwork, you can opt for a mini-duct system instead of its ductless mini-split counterpart. True to their name, mini-duct systems rely on small-diameter flexible tubes that are fed through existing spaces between walls, ceilings, and floors. Forcing conditioned air through small ducts requires significantly higher airflow rates. This is where the mini-duct system's high-velocity air handler comes into play.

Installed in the attic or basement, the air handler pushes conditioned air at faster speeds than a typical split-system air conditioner. While this helps mini-duct systems deliver the same level of comfort as their bigger brethren, the higher speeds come at the cost of noise and poorer humidity control. Most mini-duct systems compensate for noise by using inline tubing silencers.

Like ductless mini-split systems, high-velocity mini-duct units also cost a pretty penny. The current national going rate for a mini-duct system ranges from $3,000 to $18,000 for a brand-new installation. However, the cost may be worth it if you're intent on improving your vintage home's comfort with very little to no modification.

3. Window-Mounted Units

Window-mounted air conditioners are a simpler and cheaper go-to option for effective cooling in vintage homes. These units take little to no time to install since the installation process usually entails opening a window and maneuvering the unit into place. Smaller window-mounted A/C units can be mounted in place, sometimes with no tools required -- a potential boon if you want to fully preserve the character of your vintage home without leaving behind any damage. Larger units often need brackets, braces, and other hardware to support the unit's weight, resulting in a semi-permanent or completely permanent installation.

As with any other air conditioning solution, window-mounted units have their drawbacks. In addition to being noisier than ductless mini-split or even mini-duct units, window-mounted air conditioners are also a constant target for scrap thieves due to their portable nature and relative ease of removal. The latter also makes window-mounted units a target for burglars in search of an easily-accessible point of entry.

Also keep in mind that you'll likely need more than one window-mounted A/C unit to keep your entire home cool. Since window-mounted units lack the efficiency of ductless mini-split and mini-duct units, adding more air conditioners can quickly add more costs to your next utility bill.

To learn more about air conditioning options for your vintage home, contact a company like Dale and Lee's Service Inc.