A quality HVAC system is essential in Yuma. Today, most new homes are designed and built with central air in mind. What if you have an older house, though? It might not be equipped with ductwork to relay air throughout the home. What can you do? Here are a few HVAC options for old houses.
Cooling Old Houses
It’s possible to retrofit ductwork into a home that isn’t built with it, but that kind of project is invasive, time-consuming, and very expensive. A much simpler option is to install a ductless mini-split. Several small air-handling units are installed in different rooms around the house and then connected to a heat pump outside. Not only does this create even air distribution throughout your home, but each air-handling unit can be programmed individually, allowing for zoning between rooms.
Another one of the HVAC options for old houses is a high-velocity HVAC system. Instead of ductwork, air is distributed through hoses or tubes, which can be threaded through the walls to provide cold air to each room via small registers installed in the ceiling. It’s effective and much less intrusive than a full ductwork retrofit.
Heating Old Houses
If you don’t have a furnace, one of the best HVAC options for old houses is a radiator. Placed in a room, it draws in cold air, warms it, and then redistributes it throughout the space. Unlike a furnace, which dehumidifies the air, radiators tend to run on hot water or steam, adding more humidity to the room — which can be a benefit during dry winters.
A radiator system is relatively easy to retrofit into an old home. In fact, if your house is old enough, it may have a radiator installed already. These old systems can have surprising longevity, and they tend to be fairly energy efficient too. However, you might consider getting a modulating-condensing boiler to use with it. These boilers only heat as much water as is needed, saving energy while keeping you comfortable.
To explore more HVAC options for old houses, contact us at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. We keep Yuma homes comfortable and efficient year-round.