[diy50]

Hi Guys,
I have a 60 yr old home. In general everything looks ok but if I have opportunity I would change a couple of things. the home has two floors.
on the ground floor, there is no door in between the rooms

As there are no doors, my heating bill is high (I have based board water heating system about 15 yr old), also I was thinking I might not have enough insulation in the walls. questions is How do I confirm that there is insulation installed on out side facing walls ? any way I can check this?

second, as this is 60 yr old house, it does not have central AC, It has independent ac unit hanging on the windows. As I have base board heating, I don't have any vents already available. What are my options for doing central zonal AC ? (we need air condition 2-3 months in a year in east cost where I am)

Thanks!

 

[jsmith929]

You could look into a minisplit system might be a easy option.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

To check for insulation you need some hole or opening in the wall
Is there insulation in the attic? New or old?
My house is from the 50's & only had R7 in the walls & attic originally
You might be able to take some trim off near a window & then poke a hole in the all behind the trim to look for insulation
I built 3 window AC's into the wall, much cheaper
But we may only use AC 14 days out of the year when hot

 

[beenthere]

Doors between rooms won't help much.
You'll still be heating all the rooms.

Tighten up your home to lower air infiltration.

Central A/C can be installed in older homes without a lot of trouble.
Air handler can be installed in the attic. Might lose a little closet space on the second floor.
It can be zoned.

 

[diy50]

I am a fairly recent home owner so I am afraid to trim off anything because I might not be able to fix it back. is there any meter ?
even if I trim something off and try to pick in, how do I know there is enough ?


FYI : my attic is closed. and I have no intention to open it unless it is absolutely necessary

to : "beenthere" , "Central A/C can be installed in older homes without a lot of trouble." -- can you please elaborate how please? and how much will it cost for about 2000 sq. ft. or 3 rooms.

 

[beenthere]

Infiltration can be lowered by caulking around all yoour windows.
Adding/repairing/replacing door seals.
And adding seals to all your switches and receps that are on outside walls.

How much it will cost to install A/C varies with area, and the house layout.

Installing the air handler in the attic. You keep your basement space and head room.

An access to the attic can be installed. And a attic tent installed over the access.
Do a search on the internet on them.

When A/C is installed in an attic. You use the second floor closests to run the supplies to the first floor.
Its a very common way to do it.

PS: If you have any electrical wires running to the attic through the joist plates. They should be caulked. To revent warm air from being drafted in through your switches and receps, into the attic.