Retrofitting Your Home for Central Air
If you live in an older home, it’s likely not equipped with a central heating and cooling system. Unfortunately, traditional systems require a network of large ducts that cost a significant amount of money to build. Not to mention, they can alter your home structurally and visually.
This may entail gutting part of the walls, ceiling and floors for new construction. While the result is functional, traditional HVAC systems tend to have a bulky appearance that may require a contractor to create dropped ceilings or soffits to help it blend in.
For homeowners looking to retrofit an older property, what options are available? Mini-duct HVAC systems take up less space, are more environmentally friendly and require less construction to install. Here’s what to expect if you decide to install mini-duct HVAC systems.
What Is a Mini-Duct HVAC?
A high-velocity mini-duct HVAC system helps heat your home with a less prominent design. Mini-duct HVAC systems use a network of cylindrical-shaped, insulated ducts measuring two to three inches across. The size makes them easy to place behind walls and prevents having to physically alter your home. Also, flexible duct materials allow them to fit into a range of space types and home designs.
An air unit is paired with the ducts, designed to fit into a smaller space while providing your home with the same amount of cooling power as a traditional HVAC system. This unit is typically no larger than a compact disc.
Once these elements are in place, the mini-duct HVAC system forces air at a high speed through the ducts. As the air begins to flow, it emerges to cool your rooms through vents no larger than nine inches long. Unlike with older central air systems, mini-duct HVACs generate less noise and are typically located within your home’s insulation, resulting in an overall quieter experience.
Benefits of a Mini-Duct HVAC System
If you’re on the fence about retrofitting your home with central air, consider these points:
- Should you ever decide to sell the property, a mini-duct HVAC system helps bring the design up-to-date, allowing you to sell at a higher price.
- Due to their design, mini-duct HVAC systems lose less energy. By contrast, the ducts used for traditional central air can cause 25 to 50 percent of the air to leak out.
- During the summer, mini-duct HVACs can remove as much as 30 percent of your home’s humidity, helping it feel cooler with less energy.
- Mini-duct systems are more energy efficient to reduce high utility bills.
- The speed of a mini-split system allows for better air mixture in a room, resulting in stronger cooling and heating.
- For winter, the mini-duct HVAC system can be connected to a boiler or furnace to better distribute heat through your home.
Installing a Mini-Duct HVAC System
The unit to manage the system’s air is first installed inside your attic or outdoors in an unobtrusive location. After this point, larger sets of ducts measuring six to seven inches across are installed. Depending on your home’s design, these can align with the joists or sets of rafters.
After these components are set up, the two to three-inch wide flexible ducts are run through the ceilings, floors and walls to narrow vents. To lessen potential noise, attenuators or insulators will be installed around the ducts.
While the process is less involved than a traditional central air system, installation will take a few days.
Thinking about retrofitting your older home with a mini-duct HVAC system for central air? Contact MJ Fahy & Sons to learn more.
