The Complete Guide to Renovating Older Homes: How to Make it Easy and Save Thousands by Jeanne B. Lawson

Author:Jeanne B. Lawson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
Published: 2010-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

A central air conditioning system basically works like a refrigerator. The refrigerant (a gas) is compressed and becomes a liquid when it passes through coiled tubes in the evaporator. The air in the home passes over these coils and, when pressure is released, the gas absorbs the heat from the air. This cooler air travels through the ductwork and comes out of registers placed throughout the house. The gas (heat) is pumped to the condenser located outside and recompressed, and the heat is discharged outside.

Homes with forced hot-air systems are perfect for a central air system because they already have the ductwork installed. The expensive part of installing a central air conditioning system is finding a way to install the ducts in an older home. They can be installed in ceilings, walls, floors, closets, attics, and basements. Installers need to get creative to find the best and least disruptive path.

Installation is ideal when a house is being gutted and there are more open spaces to use. Electrical service needs to be 200 amps for central air. If cost is prohibitive, consider installing individual window or wall units. Some do not like to use window or wall units in an older or historic home because it detracts from the appearance.

Another alternative is individual room air conditioners. These are floor models and can be rolled from room to room. The excess condensation needs to be vented out a window but will be less obtrusive in appearance than a window or wall unit.

Size matters

A central air unit needs to be the proper size for a house. If it is too big it could lead to too much humidity in the house. This happens because when air meets the cooling coils the air condenses, water develops and is drained away. This makes the air in the house cool and dry. If the unit is too large for the house, the unit will shut off before the air has a chance to be sufficiently dehumidified. This can cause the moist air to remain in the house and eventually develop into mold and mildew on surfaces and inside walls.

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