Older homes have their charm, and if you’re skilled at remodeling, can be a lot of fun to update and put your personal stamp on. However, a vintage home can have its drawbacks, such as many of them don’t have central HVAC systems. This can be a problem if you live in a warm climate or a region where the temperatures fluctuate throughout the year; Central Ohio is a great example. The problem with older homes is that a lot of them don’t have the necessary ductwork for central AC, nor do they have the space in the attic or between stories and walls to install it. Doing a retrofit can be expensive and at the same time, take away from the character that drew you to the home in the first place. Fortunately, there is a solution: ductless mini splits.

Mini splits are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners whether it’s a historic fixer-upper or a new build. Mini splits are installed in rooms or zones of your home. As the name implies, these systems don’t require ductwork to function, which makes them an economical choice. The unobtrusive unit is installed on the wall and can be programmed to heat or cool a specific area; you can install a mini split in every room of your house and it still would be cheaper than retrofitting a central AC system. Mini splits are energy efficient and many models can be controlled by your smartphone. 

If you are interested in exploring the option of installing ductless mini splits in your older home, contact the ductless HVAC specialists at Atlas Butler. Call us at 614-681-2167 or use our online contact form. Our phone is answered 24/7 by a live person and in most cases, you can get a same-day appointment. Enjoy your vintage home in comfort.

What to Expect With a New AC Install

Summer is approaching and you’ve purchased a new AC unit. Exciting! Choosing and paying for the AC are the first and probably the hardest steps. Now comes the AC install process. When you bought or built your house, the AC was already installed when you moved in, so what can you expect during an AC installation? Here is an overview of what you can expect.

Prepare. When you purchased your new AC, there might have been discussions with your technician about replacing insulation in areas such as your attic or crawl space, we well as resealing any windows or doors where air could leak out. On the day of the install, make sure any valuable items are moved out of the way so they don’t get damaged during the process. It’s also a good idea to cover your furniture with dust cloths and make sure kids and pets are safely out of the way.

Remove the old unit. The technicians will cut the power to your old AC and drain any remaining refrigerant. The old unit will be disassembled and prepared to be hauled away.

Install new AC unit. During the installation, the technicians might need to get into your attic, basement, and crawl spaces so they have access to your ductwork, so make sure they are clear and accessible. The parts to be installed include (but not limited to): the AC unit, evaporator, outside compressor, condensing unit, refrigerant supply lines, thermostat, condensate drain lines, and condensate pump.

Testing. Once the basic installation is completed, the technicians will test the pressure and vacuum, charge the system with new refrigerant, and inspect everything. They will also turn the AC on to make sure it is running properly. Finally, they will go over everything with you to make sure you know how to operate your new AC.

How long does this take? In most cases, a complete AC install can be completed in one day; in some instances, the installation may be more complex and may stretch into two.

If you need a new Air Conditioner system, contact the HVAC specialists at Atlas Butler by calling 614-681-2167. Schedule a consultation with us to choose the right AC for your home, and we’ll also walk you through the installation so you’ll know what to expect. You can depend on Atlas Butler for your heating and cooling needs and to keep that AC running in top form, consider joining our Comfort Club where you’ll receive discounts on season maintenance, parts, and service.

An AC system is a huge investment, so it’s important to get it right the first time. Ongoing maintenance and repairs because the AC isn’t getting the job down can add up to frustration and high costs, so before you start researching systems, there are two acronyms you need to be aware of: SEER and BTU. You might already be familiar with the Energy Star stamp of approval, which means the AC unit meets EPA requirements for energy efficiency. However, SEER and BTU are equally, if not more, important.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which as the name implies, is a seasonal reading. The cooling output is divided by total energy input to come to an average. The minimum SEER is 13, although for older ACs, it could be as low as 10. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the AC is. This number is also a good measure of comparison when looking at overall AC systems.

BTU stands for British Thermal Units and is used to measure the size of the AC unit. BTU was derived by an old-time formula of how much heat 1 ton of ice could remove in 24 hours. Fast-forwarding to today, BTU is used to select the right-sized AC for your home and if you’re into data, 1 ton = 12,000/BTU. If your AC is too small, then it won’t cool your house properly; too large, and you’re wasting a lot of energy. When planning the correct size AC, you need to also consider the size of your home, type of insulation, where the sun hits your house during the hottest part of the day, number of windows, etc.

If you need to install a new Air Conditioner, whether it’s an upgrade or for a new built, contact Atlas Butler at 614-681-2167 to schedule a consultation with one of our heating and cooling specialists. They will gather basic information about your home and make the best recommendations to help you stay comfortable, save money, and conserve energy.