Air Conditioning Options For Older Homes: How HVAC Updates Can Be To Your Advantage

An old house has character — that is something we can be certain of. But on that same coin comes with struggles. Older homes struggle to heat and cool like modern homes. And especially in Arizona — when 100+ degree temperatures are just around the corner — it’s important to stay vigilant about combating the heat. With new HVAC updates to consider, general air conditioning options for older homes and even high-velocity air conditioning paving the way for more pronounced indoor temperature regulation, you have more options than ever to combat the heat. Here are our top 3 recommendations to keep your older home cool during the summer.

1. Small Duct, High-Velocity Air Conditioning System (SDHV)

This is a great air conditioning option for older homes. But what exactly is it? High-Velocity air conditioning systems are a solution for old homes to get access to modern HVAC air conditioning solutions. These HVAC updates are somewhat similar to traditional air conditioning in that through a compressor or heat pump to draw in air. The difference between conventional air systems and SDHV’s is that high-velocity air conditioning systems utilizing thin air ducts and small air vents throughout your house.

The reason why this air conditioning option is great for older homes is that installing and maintaining air ducts in an older home may be difficult due to the constraints of your home. Often, many older homes don’t have much space for fully built air ducts. These high-velocity air conditioning units and air ducts are 1/10 the size of a traditional HVAC unit and operate effectively. This HVAC update in your home can be a major benefit as it not only takes up less space, but the high-velocity density of force used by the air handler moves air quickly throughout your house to give you the ideal climate across your home.

2. Structural Improvements

Structural improvements to your home or pre-existing HVAC unit can benefit your home greatly. As such, it should be part of your air conditioning option for older homes. If your home already has pre-existing air ducts, changing them out or cleaning them is key to efficiency in air conditioning. Make sure that your air ducts are adaptable to your current system. OR, if you’re making HVAC updates, make sure the air ducts you utilize are compliant with the system AND the space in your home. Air ducts matter because ruptures can unevenly distribute cool air in your home, leading to zone issues with heating and cooling. Duct maintenance, as well as insulation maintenance, is key to ensuring your home is operating as it should, prevent air from escaping, and keeping your family cool during the summer.

Additionally, you should consider new curtains or window seals. Opting for blackout curtains over your windows can block sunlight from entering and trapping cool air in. Additionally, sealing windows can block cool air from leaving your home! Air conditioning options for older homes do not just center around the AC unit but also your home as a whole. Make sure to check for leaks in your home so that you can prevent any loss of air. You’re not trying to cool all of Arizona here!

3. Opt For a Programmable Thermostat

There are many different types of programmable thermostats, with smart ones offering many unique functional offerings. These can be instrumental HVAC updates to your home that reads your home and distributes cool air effectively. Many smart programmable thermostats even pay for themselves in about 2-3 years, offering homeowners a lot of savings. These are ideal air conditioning options for older homes as they regularly maintain the cooling in your home based on the schedules of you and your family. So you can schedule your air conditioning to work when you need to, allowing some homes to cut $180 off of their electricity bills — of course depending on how intensively they use air conditioning.

Questions?

If, even after all these updates, you’re still experiencing some difficulties properly cooling your home while keeping your bill low, reach out to our HVAC experts to get personalized insights to what you can do to better prepare your HVAC unit for the summer heats!