Adding AC to a House With Baseboard Heat
A house that heats with a hot water boiler usually has no ducts, which leaves window units as the default, though mini-splits and small-duct systems do a better job. The line at (732) 858-0915 can put you in touch with a contractor who adds cooling to boiler homes around Middletown.
Three ways to cool a house with no ducts
Ductless mini-splits
One outdoor unit runs one to five wall heads. The lines pass through a small hole in each wall, with no ducts at all, and each room gets its own control. Most mini-splits also heat, so they can carry the house on mild fall and spring days while the boiler rests.
High-velocity small-duct systems
An air handler in the attic or a closet pushes air through flexible tubing about two inches across, run through walls and ceilings. The outlets are small round discs. This works well in older houses with plaster walls and trim the owner wants to keep.
A standard air handler in the attic
In a Cape or ranch with an open attic, a regular air handler and insulated ducts can feed ceiling grilles in each room. It costs less than high-velocity per ton but needs attic room for the duct runs.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Single-zone mini-split | $4,000 to $7,500 |
| Three-zone mini-split | $10,000 to $17,000 |
| High-velocity small-duct system | $12,000 to $22,000 |
| Attic air handler with new ductwork | $9,500 to $16,000 |
| Electrical panel upgrade, if needed | $2,000 to $4,500 |
Wide ranges, because every house is laid out differently. The contractor quotes after a walk-through.
What the contractor will check first
- Electrical service: an older 60 or 100 amp panel may need work before adding a large system
- Attic space, insulation and how to get ducts or tubing down to the first floor
- Where an outdoor unit can sit, and whether the lot is in a flood zone
- Which rooms matter most, since one or two heads may cover the summer
Call to set up a walk-through with a local contractor.
(732) 858-0915Questions about Adding AC to a Boiler Home in Middletown
- Which option is quietest?
- Mini-split heads are very quiet. High-velocity outlets make a soft rush of air that some people notice in a bedroom at night.
- Can I keep my boiler?
- Yes. All three options leave the boiler in place for heat. A heat pump mini-split can just take some of the load off it.
Free to call. A person answers 24 hours a day and connects you with a local contractor.
(732) 858-0915