Exploring Newer Features for Heating and Cooling Systems

Time For Central Air? What Homeowners Will Want To Discuss With Their HVAC Contractor

2 September 2021

Jessie Nichols

While central air conditioning is increasingly common in residential housing, there are a surprising number of households that still rely on room air conditioners or fans to cool their homes. In addition to having more potential for the development of humidity issues, homes without central cooling systems are generally less comfortable for their occupants to live in and may even garner lower resale prices when sold.  

If your home is not yet equipped with central air conditioning and you are interested in remedying that situation by installing a new cooling system, here are some things you may want to discuss with a trusted HVAC contractor. 

What are some possible options for installing ducts in an existing home? 

When central air and heat are part of the design of a new home, the plans are drawn to include adequate space for the installation of the ducts, vents, returns, system components, and any needed electrical or plumbing connections that will be needed. Homes that are constructed without consideration for this type of duct space can still be converted to central air but the process may require making changes in the existing structure, using special materials, or finding alternate placement for the components. 

If the home is built with sufficient space between walls or there are closets or other spaces that could help to hide ducts, it may be possible to use regular ducts and vents. Homes with less space to conceal ducts may be outfitted with flexible ducts or a high-velocity AC system that is specially designed to efficiently move large amounts of cooled air throughout the home via small diameter tubes.  

In homes that have walls that cannot easily conceal ducts, air conditioning installation contractors may choose to install system components in the attic space of the home and use ceiling vents to distribute the cooled air. 

How difficult is it to add AC components to an existing forced-air heating system? 

Existing houses that already have a forced-air heating system have the benefit of existing ducts but will still need to have an outdoor condenser unit and an indoor air handler component added. While these components can usually be grafted onto the existing heating system, homeowners may enjoy a much more efficient heating and cooling system by removing the existing heating system and installing a new one that already includes both heating and cooling components. 

When air conditioning components are grafted onto an existing heating system, damage to the ducts can occur that results in lessened airflow and a less efficient system. Homeowners may also find that purchasing and installing a complete HVAC system, rather than attempting to graft cooling components to an existing furnace, can result in more efficient operation and require less time and labor for the installation process. 

What benefits can homeowners expect with the installation of central air conditioning? 

Homeowners who have been relying on window air conditioners, fans, and open windows to keep their home cool often want to know if they will see any benefits from their investment in the installation of a central air conditioning system. If you are among this group of homeowners, you should know that your family should be able to enjoy a much more even level of cooling after the installation, but there are important health benefits they may also experience. 

Household members who suffer from allergies often see a reduction in symptoms when their homes are converted to central air. Today's AC components use special filtration, dehumidifiers, and other features to improve indoor air quality for the occupants of the home. 

Homeowners who have additional questions or concerns about adding central air to their existing home should schedule a time to discuss their situation with an AC installation service contractor in their area. 

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