As we get closer to the hot days of summer in Virginia and North Carolina, you may be considering adding central air conditioning to your home.
While most houses can support some type of HVAC cooling system, it’s not a given that central air will work in your home. As Hall Propane Head of HVAC Brandon Shelton says, “every home is different, and some layouts make installation easier than others.”
According to Brandon, one of the biggest benefits of central air is balanced comfort throughout the home. Instead of cooling one room at a time with a window unit or mini-split, a properly designed HVAC system distributes air more evenly across the entire house.
“If you want it comfortable everywhere and pulling humidity out throughout your home, you need a ducted or central system,” Brandon explained.
“Older homes built before central AC became standard didn’t have space for modern ductwork. According to Brandon, this can create installation challenges depending on the layout.
“Duct location is what’s going to be the big determining factor,” Brandon explained. Homes with tight crawl spaces, finished basements or multiple additions may need more creative HVAC solutions.”
Even with ductwork challenges, Brandon explained that many older homes can still be adapted with the right planning and HVAC approach.
“Older farmhouses weren’t built for air conditioning,” Brandon explained. “HVAC wasn’t thought of when these homes were built.” Still, he says, even with ductwork challenges, many older homes can still work with the right planning and HVAC approach
That’s why it helps to work with an experienced central AC company that can evaluate your home and recommend the best option to keep your home comfortable.
When central air installation isn’t a practical option, Brandon says mini-split systems are often the next best choice.
These ductless systems skip the large ductwork and cool individual rooms or zones. They run quieter, offer better efficiency and provide homeowners with greater temperature control throughout the space.
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