If you are installing a central air conditioner for the first time in your old house for the first time, you may have some questions. The truth is that installing AC can be a big project, especially if your home doesn’t already have a duct system in place, or the existing duct system needs to be replaced.
Here are some common questions about AC installation in older homes:
What Size Unit do I Need?
It is important to know that not all AC units are created equal. You need to make sure that any new unit you install is the right size for your home to avoid unnecessarily high energy bills and premature damage to the unit itself.
If you choose a unit that is too small for your house, your unit will be constantly running, trying to keep the house a consistent temperature. If the unit is too big, it will short cycle, constantly turning on and off, and put undue strain on the system.
Both of these situations will cause your monthly energy bill to go up. You can figure out the appropriate AC unit size for your home by using this formula:
Sq ft of house x 30 / 12,000 + 1
Keep in mind that residential units only go up to 5-ton units. If you need more tonnage than that, you’ll need to install two smaller units.
Do I Really Need to Install Air Ducts?
The answer to this question, believe it or not, is no! You actually don’t need air ducts to have central AC anymore if you install a ductless split-system. Mini-split systems, as they are often called, involve multiple smaller units that can be distributed around the house, connected by refrigerant lines to a larger outside unit.
This allows the zoning flexibility of individual wall units, while also offering the convenience of central AC. It also eliminates what is known as duct losses, or the loss of cool air into crawl spaces and attics, through poorly insulated ducts.
There are energy efficient models of this system available, some with SEER ratings of 18 or above! The US Government even offers tax breaks for homeowners that employ split-system cooling with a SEER rating of 16 or above.
How Much Should I Expect to Pay?
The cost of central AC installation should range somewhere between $3,000 and $4,500. Of course, the actual cost for your home will depend on various factors, including where you live and what kind of unit you decide to install. For example, the initial cost to install a ductless mini-split system is about 30% higher than that of a traditional AC unit, but it can bring you more savings down the line.
One thing you want to be absolutely sure of is that you are not compromising quality to cut down on installation cost. Make sure that any unit you do purchase is appropriately sized, that it has decent airflow and sufficient refrigerant, and that your ductwork is in good shape. And make sure that you hire only trustworthy and experienced technicians to perform the installation.
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Brian Sloan is the President of TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, one of the western Chicago suburbs' leading family owned home service companies, serving homeowners across more than 80 communities throughout Will, Kendall, DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties.
TR Miller is more than a business to Brian, it's a family legacy. The company was founded by his father, Tim Miller, and Brian and his brother Jim have played an important role in growing the business from a small local operation into a full service residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company serving homeowners throughout the greater Chicagoland area.
Brian's perspective on the home services industry comes from firsthand experience. Before taking on leadership responsibilities, he worked in the field as an HVAC Service Technician and Fabrication Technician, diagnosing heating and cooling systems, assembling custom HVAC components, and supporting residential installations throughout the western suburbs.
That hands on foundation continues to influence the way Brian leads TR Miller today. He understands both the work taking place inside a customer's home and the systems, training, and support required behind the scenes to consistently deliver a great customer experience.
Over the course of his career at TR Miller, Brian has worked across nearly every major area of the business, including operations, marketing, sales, job coordination, customer service, finance, and leadership. Today, as President, he is responsible for the overall strategy, growth, culture, and performance of the organization.
That breadth of experience across both the technical and business sides of home services has helped shape how TR Miller operates: combining the systems and accountability of a professionally run organization with the care, responsiveness, and personal connection of a family business.
Brian's philosophy is straightforward, make home services convenient and reliable while giving homeowners the information they need to make the best decisions for their homes and families. That means educating customers, providing clear options and upfront pricing, and making sure homeowners understand both what was found and why a repair or replacement may be recommended.
Under Brian's leadership, TR Miller has expanded beyond HVAC into plumbing and electrical services, grown across multiple locations, invested heavily in technical and leadership development, and been recognized seven times on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest growing privately held companies.
Credentials & Affiliations:
- President, TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
- Membership Officer, YPO Chicagoland
- Board Member, Nexstar Network
- Former Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
- Associate's Degree, Waubonsee Community College
- Former HVAC Service Technician & Fabrication Technician, TR Miller
