Older homes that have limited or no ductwork can still enjoy central air conditioning. “How?” you ask since there is little room for ductwork in the existing space. Where there’s a will, there’s a way…and closets may be the way.
Repurposing Closets
Installing central air in a two-story home that has little ductwork can make use of attic and closet space to create new air flow portals.
The fan and coil unit is installed in the attic for most retrofit air-conditioning systems as this presents the most effective way to utilize ceiling vents in the room below for AC flow and return ducts. Generally, ducts that feed second-floor rooms are laid under the attic floor, supported by the joists, and connected to ceiling vents. Ducts that feed first-floor rooms run down through second-floor closets wherever possible.
Adding ductwork in a two-story home does not significantly decrease your closet space. In fact, ducts installed in closets are quite space efficient. Most ductwork is either 12” x 6” or 10” x 8”. When installed in a 2’ x 4’ closet space, for example, only ½ of 8 square feet is occupied by the ductwork.
No-Mess Ductwork Installation
Installing ducts is easy, and cleanup is a cinch. Ceiling and wall surfaces are usually left alone. Holes will need to be cut in first- and second-floor ceilings for vents, but these holes are covered by ventilation grates. Closets may require a few modifications, but most work is limited to drywall patching.
Did You Ever Imagine That Installing Central Air In An Older Home Could Be So Easy? It Can Be Easier Still. Contact R & R To Let Licensed HVAC Professionals Do AC Retrofitting For You.