You may think it's impossible to add central air to your baseboard-heated house but think again. Adding central AC is easier to achieve than you think. There are options available for different circumstances, including for homes without existing ductwork.
Dangerous and uncomfortable
Electric baseboards get hot, which means you have to keep furniture and curtains at least six inches away from them to prevent fire. If you have young children in the house, they can also be a burn risk. The heat generated by baseboard heaters is a very dry heat.
Fortunately, you don't have to settle for loud, ugly window air conditioners or portable AC's. In addition to the option of adding traditional ductwork in your home, you can also opt for ductless mini-splits or a small-duct high velocity system. We'll review how each option works and the main pros and cons of each.
Adding forced air to a baseboard heated house involves installing ductwork if you don't already have it. If installing the ductwork for a forced air system is not possible, you'll need to consider other options.
Yes, you can add air conditioning to a forced air system, as long as the existing infrastructure supports the addition. This often involves integrating a condenser unit and evaporator coil into the current ductwork.
Central Air Conditioning/AC
It is typically paired with a heating system like a furnace. A central AC system includes a condenser, a compressor, and an evaporator. Costs for both the system and the labor to install it range from $6,465 to $11,877.
Ductless mini split systems are smaller than traditional central air systems and don't require extensive ductwork to distribute the chilled air. This makes them much easier to install in a house.
Yes, you can remove baseboard heaters yourself. In fact, it's a fairly straightforward DIY task that you can complete in less than half an hour. However, you should only tackle this project on your own if you feel confident working with electrical devices.
Because baseboard heaters are outdated systems, you may need to hire heating repair services more often just to ensure they are in good working order. In contrast, more modern HVAC systems won't require as much maintenance, and they can efficiently heat your entire house through ducts and vents.
Unlike central heating systems, electric baseboard heaters are stand-alone appliances that heat each individual room or interior space. This means you can heat one room, a few rooms, or every room in your home.
The good news is that it's possible to install an AC system in many boiler heated homes. There are several approaches that can be used: ducted systems, mini-duct systems, through the wall units, ductless systems and the old standard window AC unit.
Hybrid Heating & Cooling Applications
Energy efficient and lightweight units that combine gas heating with evaporative cooling. Flexible installation options make this unit ideal for large open spaces including factories, warehouses, sporting facilities, hotels, education facilities, hotels and clubs.
For electric radiant floor heat, the thermostat needs to be a basic line voltage thermostat. It's important to have you or your installer check the maximum voltage allowable by the thermostat to ensure you are in electrical compliance to avoid overload.
How much does it cost to convert baseboard heating to forced air? Converting baseboard heating to a forced-air system by installing a new furnace and ductwork costs $3,400 to $11,000. A forced-air system uses air ducts and vents to circulate temperature-controlled air throughout the home.
The life expectancy of hot water baseboard heaters is about 20 years, however, with care they can last much longer. That's why you see them in older homes so often. But age doesn't mean they are defunct. The technology hasn't changed that much and there's a reason for that: it works.
Fortunately, there are several alternatives to baseboard heating that can provide comfortable and even heating throughout your home. Forced air heating, radiant heating, heat pumps, and electric space heaters are just a few of the many alternatives available to homeowners.
Electric baseboard heaters are generally more energy-efficient for long-term use because they convert nearly all the electricity they use into heat and can be controlled to heat specific areas. Space heaters can consume more electricity, especially when used for prolonged periods.
If you rely mostly on electric baseboard heaters to heat your home, they probably make up a big part of your annual electricity bill – sometimes as much as 44%. However, there are plenty of ways to maximize the efficiency of your baseboard heaters to cut down your winter heating costs.
Many baseboard heater issues stem from a faulty heating element or thermostat. Dust, debris, and other items crowding the heater can be a fire hazard and reduce the heater's efficiency. Regular baseboard heater maintenance helps prevent common issues.
Wall furnaces are one of the top alternatives to electric baseboard heating. These are smaller heating systems set up in the wall. A wall furnace's primary energy source is electricity.
Window air conditioning units are smaller, more portable, and easier to install than most other types of units. They are also the cheapest option for adding air conditioning to your home, especially if you're working with a tight budget.
Average Costs for Installing an HVAC System with Ductwork
2-ton HVAC system: $8,000-$12,000, depending on the brand. 3-ton HVAC system: $9,500-$13,500, depending on the brand. 4-ton HVAC system: $11,500-$15,500, depending on the brand.