Older homes have a lot going for them. When it comes to air conditioning, however, they can be challenging. Because of their thicker walls, different ceiling cavities and electrical systems, and often heritage considerations, careful planning is a must.
None of these characteristics necessarily mean air conditioning is impossible for properties built decades ago; however, they are worth thinking about in more detail. Getting it right from the start matters more here than almost anywhere else, because the cost of getting it wrong is higher.
Why Older Homes Require a Different Approach
The challenges presented by older homes often come down to the fact that these days, air conditioning systems tend to have to work harder than they would in a newly built home.
In many period homes, for instance, there is no easy way to install the pipework without causing significant damage to the home. In some cases, the ceiling cavity is not accessible at all. The switchboard may not have the capacity to support air conditioning without an upgrade. These are the kinds of things a good installer needs to assess beforehand rather than discover halfway through the job.
Homeowners in older suburbs would do well to speak to someone who knows the local area. If you’re exploring air conditioning inner west, go with a system provider who has plenty of experience installing air conditioning units for older homes in the area.
Heritage Considerations
One of the great challenges presented by older homes is that they may have heritage protections that limit what can be done. But even when there are no official considerations, it’s better to preserve features like original cornices, pressed metal ceilings and timber joinery. The same goes for Federation-era brickwork on the exterior.
All of these features can be damaged if air conditioning is installed poorly. Ducted systems can be tricky because they require adding ductwork somewhere in the home; split systems might be better but only if you can find the right location for them without ruining the look of your home or running cabling outside where it will detract from the property’s character.
An installer familiar with older properties will know how to work around these challenges without causing unnecessary damage.
Insulation and Efficiency
Older homes lose heat and cool air at a much faster rate than newer builds. A lack of wall insulation, single-glazed windows and gaps around the frames of original timber doors are all reasons why an air conditioning system needs to work harder.
A less experienced air conditioning installer who isn’t familiar with older homes might suggest a system that sounds right for the size of your home, but doesn’t take into account how quickly the air gets lost due to poor insulation.
Insulating your home properly before installing or switching out your aircon will make a difference. So will improving your home’s thermal performance once you have an effective system in place. Things like draft sealing, adding window film or external blinds will make a difference to how hard your system has to work — which means it will last longer.
What a Good Installation Actually Involves
Getting an air conditioning system installed in an older property involves more than just installing it and switching on.
A good installer will do a thorough site inspection, looking at things like your electrical switchboard, the ceiling cavity and where there might be space for pipework. They should ask questions about whether your property is heritage listed to ensure they avoid doing anything that might cause issues down the track. The quote they give you after doing this should reflect the work involved in taking all these aspects into consideration.
If you get cheaper quotes from people who don’t understand older homes in detail, you’re likely to get an air conditioning system installed relatively quickly and cheaply — but you’re setting yourself up for unexpected costs down the track if something goes wrong.
Taking the Long View
If you want to add value to your older home with an effective air conditioning system, you need to take a long view and do things properly.
Choose a system that suits your property and get someone who understands how to work with older homes on board for the job. Getting professional assistance from someone who knows what it takes to deliver a thorough assessment before choosing an appropriate system will lead to better results than rushing into it.
Older homes deserve thoughtful care, and in most cases the results are well worth taking the time to get right.