a house without central airIf you’re moving into an older home in the Central Valley, you may encounter an issue many residents know all too well.

Your home has no central air conditioning.

And when temperatures soar above 100 degrees in the summer, you’ll have to find creative ways to stay cool. Ultimately, you’re going to need some kind of AC unit to give you some form of comfort.

We’ve got some ideas here to help you decide what will ultimately be the right decision for you.

No Central Air? Get a Portable or Window AC Unit

A couple of viable alternatives for quick fix AC systems include portable AC systems and window AC units.

These are both usually ready to use straight out of the box, and require only minimal effort to install and get running. However they come with their own set of pros and cons that you may want to consider before going with this option.

Pros

  • Inexpensive Setup. When compared to installing central and ductless air conditioning systems, portable and window AC units are significantly cheaper
  • Easy DIY installation project. Most portable and window units have simple instructions for installation, and can be done in less than an hour. Typically, just plug it in, push ‘ON’, and you’re all set.
  • Quick-fix option. Because it’s so easy to install, you don’t need to make appointments and spend time waiting for intensive install projects before having cool air. Just purchase, install, and boom! Cool air all in one day.

Cons

  • Expensive to run. Both systems generally use way more electricity than central AC units, so you’ll be paying a higher electric bill in the long run.
  • May get loud. All of the moving parts in the unit are right in the same room as you, and you’ll hear all of it over your television, phone calls, and conversations.
  • Homeowners associations restrictions. Some HOAs have specific regulations about the exterior of your home, which may remove window AC units as an option entirely.
  • Theft & unexpected visitors. Window AC units require the window to be open in order to function, and most only have a plastic extender to make it fit into the windows. This can make it easy for would-be intruders (like thieves or unwanted animals) to come uninvited into your home through an open window.
  • Blocks windows/natural light from your home. If you’re someone who enjoys having natural lighting in your home, a window AC unit will undoubtedly inhibit this.

Adding Central Air Conditioning to Your House

Adding central AC to your home is actually a less disruptive and more affordable option than you may think. The cost to install central air systems can vary depending on where you live, what kind of system you may already have installed, and the state of your current air ducts.

Installing central air will require some more intensive work in your house, as air ducts would need to be installed throughout the interior walls. Also to consider, how you use a central air conditioning system could determine if you end up paying more or less on your electric bill.

Ductless AC Units

Here at Irish Heating and Air, one of our specialties is installations of Mitsubishi Electric ductless AC units.

Ductless AC systems only require an outdoor unit, an indoor wall-mounted air delivery unit, and a refrigerant line. The system can be installed much more quickly than a central air system. Ductless AC units can be installed in any (and every) room, and can be used to cool only the specific room you choose.

Because they deliver cool air to specific rooms at a time, rather than through the entire household, ductless units are much more efficient at saving you money. The Mitsubishi systems we install follow ENERGY STAR guidelines, making them far more efficient than the minimum standards set forth by the U.S. Federal Government, as well as reducing your carbon footprint. Each system also comes with a 12-year warranty.

Why not give us a call today to see if ductless AC system would be a good choice for you? We’ll be happy to give you a free in-home consultation to discuss your options.