Cost to install central heat with no existing ductwork

The Summers Are Getting Hotter.  What are your options and how much will it cost to cool your home?

At Walden Homes, we understand that it can be difficult to do your research when it comes to finding out what the  costs are for average home improvement projects. This blog post is the first in a new series that is meant to provide an average measure for homeowners to better get an idea of their budget.

To keep things simple, we will be using the following home as a “typical Toronto home” which readers can use as a measure to scale up or down from. This home pictured is roughly 20′ x 40′ in length.  So 800 sq ft per floor. Overall it is 1,600 square feet plus the basement, making it around 2,400 sq. ft.

Cost to install central heat with no existing ductwork

This post researches the costs of cooling our  “typical home” during Toronto’s hot summer months. As the weather temperatures increase, more and more Torontonians are looking to stay cool when they are indoors. But what’s the average cost?

CENTRAL AIR (on existing forced air) - 3,000 sq. foot home

Cost to install central heat with no existing ductwork

 In a home that already has existing duct work in place, you would expect to pay $3,400 to $3,600 for the cooling equipment. If ductwork is required, the cost of installation will increase by $6,000 to $7,000.

This means that if you home currently has no existing ductwork , you  would expect to pay something in the neighbourhood of $9,400 to $10,600 for the system and installation. There would be additional costs for “boxing” or closing up and finishing the areas where the ducting has been installed.

This can add another $4,000 to $5,000.  Adding a forced air system with cooling will cost $13,000 to $16,000 factoring in all costs.

Central air is one of the more cost-effective routes to take, assuming that you have existing ductwork. If ductwork needs to be added, it may make more sense from a cost perspective to go with another system.

HIGH VELOCITY

 A Hi-Velocity system is an energy-efficient, high-pressure air delivery system that can be designed to provide heating, cooling, filtration, ventilation, humidification and dehumidification. It is popular in older homes with radiators that do not have ductwork.  High velocity systems operate with “mini ducts” that are designed to be installed inside existing walls with minimal remodeling.

High velocity systems are a good option for those of you living in older homes with no pre-existing ductwork.. Our typical home would require a 2.5 ton system to cool the home. The cost  of  the equipment (cooling only) and installation is between $15,000 to $18,000. There should be minimal additional costs for repairs to walls and ceilings.

MINI SPLITS (SPLIT AIR CONDITIONING):

Cost to install central heat with no existing ductwork

A ductless, mini-split system makes a good retrofit add-on to a house with a “non-ducted” heating systems such as hydronic (hot water heat), radiant panels, and space heaters. They can also be a good choice for room additions where extending or installing distribution ductwork is not feasible. It is also good for very efficient new homes that only require a small space conditioning system.

The units cost between $ 3,000 and $7,000 to purchase and install.  Our typical home could be cooled using a single head system.  The cost would be $4,000 to $5,000..

GEOTHERMAL

Cost to install central heat with no existing ductwork

Geothermal technology is one of the most efficient and advanced ways to extract energy out of the ground to better heat or cool your home and save on your energy bill. It doesn’t need a compressor or a cooling component because it uses an extraction method from the ground and a fan to circulate through the house.

The cost to install a geothermal system installed is about $20,000 compared to the average $9,600 for installing a conventional forced air furnace and cooling system.   The annual savings with earth-energy systems  can range from 75-80% on your heating bill.  Payback on the system can be reached after about three to five  years after installationA geothermal system is about $20,000 compared to the average $9,600 for installing a conventional furnace system. The annual savings with earth-energy systems usually begin three years after installation.

We hope this information proves useful for you over the next hot couple months!

Maybe you’re one of those people who believe that installing central air in a house without ducts is impossible. Well, it’s not true. When you plan to install central air in a house without ducts, there are many factors to consider.

For example, how much do you want to spend? It would be best if you also thought of the size of your home and what it will take to install air conditioning without ductwork. We’ll go over these essential considerations and answer any questions you may have.

Can You Install Central Air in a House without Ducts?

Installing air conditioning without ductwork can be challenging but is not impossible, especially for people with unique home designs. If you’re looking to install central air in your ductless house, these few proven options may suffice.

Use a Mini-Split System Instead

One way to avoid installing central air in a house without ducts is by using a mini-split system. The installation process for these systems will be much easier because you don’t need bulky and hard-to-install ductwork.

A mini-split system is also a great way to save on energy costs. Using one will allow you to cool or warm a single room at a time, saving on the cost of heating the entire home.

What’s more, this mini-split system has standard-sized internal components that require minimal installation. This means you can practically install the system anywhere within your home, provided there’s access to electricity.

Get a Multi-Zone Ductless Air Conditioners

If you’re living in a larger house with many people simultaneously, the need for concurrent air conditioning can arise. To avoid a situation where some rooms are air-conditioned and some are not, you can opt for multi-zone air conditioners.

These work similarly to the mini-split system, with the only difference being they come in multiple numbers. For example, you can install three separate single-zone units in two different rooms for better temperature control.

Benefits of a Ductless AC System

There are several benefits to installing a ductless air conditioner over central heating and cooling, which include:

  • The system is easy to use with minimal time required for installation; the only problem is that they require a lot of space, which can be problematic in smaller homes.
  • These systems are perfect for homes with an existing central heating system without any air conditioning features.
  • The installation process doesn’t involve the addition of ductwork. You only need to mount the condenser in a position of your choice, which makes the system quite versatile and adaptable.
  • It’s also possible to add a dehumidifier. This is perfect for houses with basements or garages with high chances of dampness and mold formation.

What to Consider When Choosing a Ductless AC System for Your Home

While you can always consider buying a ductless system for your home, certain factors need to be considered before purchasing. Here’s a list of some of these points:

Size Matters

When it comes down to choosing between wall-mounted or window units, the size of your home also matters. Window units are great for single rooms, but if you have a larger room or multiple rooms to be cooled at once, wall-mounted is the way forward.

Location

Another factor that needs careful consideration when choosing between the window or wall-mounted systems is where exactly you want them to go in your house. Window units are best suited for rooms with large windows or patio doors.

Wall-mounted systems can go in any room of your house. Still, they need to be connected directly into an existing duct system used by the central air conditioning unit already installed in your home.

Installation

As the window-mounted units are self-contained, installation is straightforward. All you have to do is place the unit in a window that gets some sunlight, attach it to your home’s electrical system and then plug it into an existing AC outlet inside the room.

Wall-mounted units are more complicated because they need ducts installed before they can be used. The good news here is that in most cases, you would have had a central AC unit installed before the wall-mounted units were added to your home.

Therefore, you may not need to pay for duct installation if the work has already been completed. Ensure that the window or wall-mounted unit is installed by a professional who can evaluate your home’s airflow and advise on how best to use it.

How Much to Install Central Air without Ductwork?

Installing a central air conditioner without ductwork is possible, but it might not be the best method for all homes. In some cases, installing central AC units in rooms with no vents or registers will provide minimal cooling and airflow to that room.

This can also lead to higher utility bills. You would have to run your home’s central AC system longer to achieve the same temperature as central air installed in every room.

On average, you can expect to spend around $2,000 to $8,000 for a contractor or professional installer to install your central AC system without ductwork. However, this figure will vary depending on where you live and the complexity of the installation work required.

If replacing an existing unit is not an option, you can expect to spend even more money. Replacement is usually the most cost-efficient method for getting central air conditioning in a room with no ducts or vents.

Final Thought

Installing central air in a house without ducts is agreeably a challenging task. However, if you have the right plan and work with the right team of professionals, then it is only a matter of time before you have central air in your home. You can always do extensive research online for the best companies offering central air installation in your area.

At Anderson Air, we are always ready to help you with all your HVAC system needs. Whether duct or ductless installation, you can always rely on us for the best services.

Can baseboard heat go through central air?

If you have a baseboard heated house, adding central air is a great idea for your comfort alone. To make it even more worthwhile, though, is understanding that it can also save you both energy and money.

Can you have central air without a furnace?

Central Air Conditioning vs Ductless Air Conditioner As a result, one of the major benefits of a ductless air conditioner is that you have more options for installation. Since a ductless unit doesn't require a forced-air furnace or ductwork, you can install one indoors or outdoors.

How much does it cost to get forced air?

For most homes, forced air is the most cost-effective way to heat the home and has the lowest installation costs. What is this? You can expect to pay a maximum cost of $2,600 for your heating furnace and a minimum of $775. For a lower cost forced air heating system, you can pay as low as $1,000.