There’s something so charming about an old house. The character, the hardwood floors – but what’s not so charming is that most old houses don’t come with air conditioning. And if you live in Southern Ontario, not having air conditioning just isn’t an option.

The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice your dream home to get the comfort of air conditioning! Here are some helpful tips to choose the perfect system for your older home.

Retrofitted Systems

If you’re worried about installing ductwork into your old home, there are options to help you avoid that. Mini-split air conditioners use individual air conditioner units in each room of your home, connected to an outdoor compressor and fan. They require little refrigerant and a small power line. While they’ll require a little bit of cutting into your home’s walls, floors and ceilings, the amount of work and overall cost is much lower than installing full ductwork. You can also choose to have a mini-split in only a select few rooms in your home.

Get a Quality Installation

The most important part of choosing any air conditioner is choosing a professional to carry out the installation. No matter what kind of air conditioner you choose, if you don’t have a certified professional install it for you, it won’t work the way you want it to. A professional HVAC installer can help you determine the right sized unit for your home, optimizing the level of comfort your unit provides. The right sized unit will not only keep your home cool, but it will properly dehumidify your home and extend the life of your air conditioner.

Consider House Power

Installing an air conditioner depends a lot on the type of electrical system you have. While newer homes are equipped to handle most air conditioners, older homes have 110-volt, 60-amp electrical systems for the whole home. Central air conditioners need at least 230-volts, so you may have to upgrade your home’s electrical before having an air conditioner installed. You can have an electrician evaluate your home’s power supply before your HVAC technician installs your new unit.

At Bryan’s Fuel, we offer a wide range of home comfort services in Orangeville, Shelburne, Collingwood, Caledon, Owen Sound and beyond. Find out how we can help make your home more comfortable!