Keeping Older Houses Cool
Classic homes are beautiful and charming, but when that Chicago summer heat comes around, they can be a bit uncomfortable to live in. Sure, the ol’ window unit might cool you down a few degrees, but it doesn’t quite get the job done. Because many classic homes don’t lend themselves to ductwork, keeping them cool can be difficult.
Mini split systems - use individual cooling units, which require only a thin refrigerant and power line to connect them to an outdoor air-conditioning compressor and fan.
The main advantages of mini splits is their small size, and flexibility in cooling individual rooms. Some models can have as many as four individual indoor air-cooling units. This number all depends on how much cooling is required for the building. Since each zone or room has its own unit, you only need to use it when someone is in there, which saves energy and money.
High Velocity Systems – use two-inch insulated air-supply tubing to provide cool air. It can be snaked through existing walls and ceilings to deliver the air where it is needed.
Although the mini split system is good for individual rooms, this type of system is ideal for a home with high cathedral ceilings, and drafty open spaces with uneven temperatures. Be careful: an improperly installed high velocity system can be very noisy, due to the high velocity at which the air shoots through the tubing. Make sure you hire a professional to do the install!
Size:
A bigger AC system isn’t necessarily better. Although over-sized systems cool the air more quickly, they often fail to extract the moisture from the air, which is the main thing that makes you feel hot. Once they have done their job in cooling the air, they turn off, and cycle back on again when the room warms up. This only wears them out faster.
Electrical Factors:
- Old houses usually have only 110-volt, 60-amp service for the entire home, barely enough power to handle the home’s existing lights and appliances.
- Central AC Units require a 230-volt circuit and might require 20-50 amps of power, making an electrical service upgrade imperative.
- Make sure an electrician sizes your home’s electrical supply up before installation.
Who is Going To Install the System?
A professional installer who shows you the industry-standard sizing calculations for your home. This includes taking measurements of your exterior and interior walls, windows and ceiling. The calculations should also take into account your home’s wall frame construction, ceiling insulation, and the number of people that usually occupy particular rooms. Never let a contractor who wants to use “rule of thumb” methods do this job.
The contractor should give you an in-depth run down of the procedure they will use to install the system, and how it will effect your home. After the work is completed, the contractor should patch up any walls that were effected during the installation.
Contact Us
If you are interested in how Besco Air can help solve your heating and cooling needs, then fill out the form below:
