Living in an old home has a special type of feeling. The designs and interiors of the home can be old. But they resonate with vintage art and architecture. The structure of the house itself gives it a special appeal. Besides, the huge array of memories you have in these old houses makes you linger on them much more. Even though there are a lot of advantages to old houses, it has a set of drawbacks as well.
Of all the troubles, the one that bothers people the most is installing an air conditioning unit in old houses. Since most of the old houses come up with plastered walls, they do not allow the fixture of an air conditioning unit. Does that mean you cannot install an air conditioner in your old house? Well, you can install an AC. But the process is a little more complicated than in modern homes. Due to the complication of the process, the pocket pinch of installing an air conditioner is something that people are most worried about.
To find out the aircon installation cost, we have come up with a blog. In this blog, we will share with you a breakdown of the cost of installing an air conditioner in an old house. So, without further delay, let’s get started with the details of the blog.
Can you install a central air conditioner in an old house?
This is a question that bothers most people, especially the ones living in old vintage houses. Well, you can install air conditioning units in an old house, provided you follow the right rules. For this, a rule of thumb is to check if there are ducts in your house. In case there are no ducts, you have to consider whether you want to install ducts.
Installing ducts for an air conditioner is necessary. However, you can use the already installed ducts and repurpose them. If you repurpose the ducts and use them for air conditioning purposes, a part of your cost will not be required. However, if your old house lacks a duct, you have to first install the ducts and then move on to installing an air conditioner. Another option for ducts is a zone-based ductless cooling system.
Let us consider two vital factors about ducts here.
· Adding ducts
Adding ducts for the installation of an air conditioner can be a difficult task. As we have already discussed, the old homes have been plastered on the walls. To install the ducts, you have to first clear the plasters. Next, you have to install the vents into the ceiling or closet for the better functioning of these ducts.
· Devoid of ducts
In case you do not want to add ducts, you can check out a ductless cooling system. According to the experts, this ductless cooling system is more efficient. The system will divide the air into separate zones, thereby cooling each and every corner of the interiors. But it comes with some drawbacks. First of all, this is an expensive process. Secondly, installing ductless cooling systems can affect the aesthetic appeal of the house. The cooling units face outside and hamper the dimension of the house.
Cost of installing a central air conditioning unit
Here, the question arises – What is the cost of installing a central air conditioning unit in an old house? After several market research, it can be rightly said that the standard price of installing an air conditioning unit in an old house range between £3,000 to £15,000. However, this cost can vary as it depends on a variety of factors. The vital factors that determine the cost include the complex process of installing the AC unit and the area in which you reside.
Some of the other factors that determine the cost of installing an air conditioning unit in an old house are as follows:
a. Season or time of installation
Generally, people prefer installing air conditioners in the summer season. During this season, people want to stay comfortable. Since the demand for air conditioning units in the summer is much more, it is an expensive affair. So, if you want to save some money yet install an AC, we recommend you do it in the winter. If you can install an air conditioner in the winter, you can save 20% on the charges.
b. Size of the cooling unit
The size of the cooling unit matters the most. You will need a larger cooling unit if you have a large house. On the other hand, for a small house, the cooling unit should be a small one. Other vital factors connected to the size of the cooling unit include the number of windows in your house, the insulation process of the house, and the position of the windows in relation to the sun.
c. Material and labor cost
The labor cost and the cost of the raw materials required for installation also matter. The cost of installation will be less if you hire fewer people. Also, buying fewer raw materials will cut down the cost of installation.
Can you install an air conditioning unit on your own?
If you think of installing an air conditioner on your own, we recommend you reconsider your thought. For proper installation of the air conditioner, you need experienced and expert hands who have the capability to understand the requirement and make some instant changes.
When you install an air conditioning unit, we suggest you hire the services of a company. Here, the team members are professional, experienced, and skilled enough to take care of your air conditioning unit. Besides, they make sure to conduct the whole installation work without causing any damage to the property. Some companies also offer aftercare services.
Conclusion
Be it the installation of residential air conditioning or commercial air conditioning, there is not much difference in the cost. However, in the case of old buildings, this cost can be a little more. You can curb down the cost of installing an air conditioner if you install it in the winter.