Repair or Replace
Not every broken air conditioner needs to go. A bad capacitor on a ten-year-old unit is a repair. A failed compressor on a unit that runs on R-22 refrigerant is a different talk, because R-22 is no longer produced in the United States. The EPA's R-22 phaseout page has the background.
We look at the age, the repair history, the refrigerant, how the house cools, and what the ductwork looks like. Then we lay out the options and you pick.
Air Conditioning for Houses Without Ducts
Over half of Troy's housing was built in 1939 or earlier, before central air was common. A house that heats with radiators or baseboard has no ductwork to reuse. That is the main question on most Troy cooling jobs: not which unit, but how the cool air gets to the rooms.
Brick party walls, plaster, tight stairwells and three stories are the usual obstacles. The answer is often a system that does not need full-size ducts.
- Ductless mini-splits. An outdoor unit feeds one or more wall units through a small line set. No ducts. Good for rowhouses, top floors, additions and single rooms. Most also heat.
- Small-duct systems. Flexible two-inch tubing snakes through closets, floors and attic space to small round vents. A fit for older houses where regular ducts will not go.
- Standard central air with new ducts. Where there is attic or basement room, a conventional system with a new air handler and duct runs.
Planning new AC in Troy? Call us.
Call (838) 884-0024Heat Pumps in Troy
A heat pump is an air conditioner that can also run in reverse to heat. Cold-climate models keep heating well below freezing, and many Capital Region homes pair one with the existing furnace or boiler so the gas system handles the deepest cold. Energy Star's air-source heat pump page and NYSERDA's heat pump guide for New York homes both explain how they work in a northern climate.
Replacing Existing Central Air
If your house already has ducts, replacing a worn-out system is simpler. The new unit has to be sized for the house, not just matched to the old one. Old systems were often oversized, and an oversized unit short-cycles and leaves the air damp. We also look at the ducts, the drain, the electrical and the line set, because those decide how well a new system runs.
Troy's building code office handles mechanical permits in the city. You can find the City of Troy Bureau of Code Enforcement on the city website.
AC Replacement Questions
How do I know if my AC unit needs replacing?
Age alone does not decide it. We look at how old the system is, how often it has needed repair, whether it uses R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer made, and how well it keeps the house comfortable. If the compressor has failed on an older unit, replacement often makes more sense than repair.
Can you put central air in an old house?
Yes, in most cases. The question is where the ducts go. Some older houses have room in closets, attics and basements for ducts. Others do better with ductless units or a small-duct system that fits through tight framing.
What are the options for air conditioning in a house with radiators?
You keep the radiators for heat and add cooling separately. The main choices are ductless mini-splits, a small-duct high-velocity system, or a standard central system with new ducts in the attic or basement. The best fit depends on the house.
Mini split or central air, which is better for an older home?
Central air suits homes that already have good ductwork. Ductless mini-splits suit homes with no ducts, additions and single rooms, and they cool room by room. Older houses with no easy place to run ducts often end up with ductless units.
Should I replace my AC with a heat pump?
A heat pump cools like an air conditioner and also heats. In a climate as cold as Troy's, it is often paired with the existing furnace or boiler, so the heat pump carries the mild days and the gas system takes over in deep cold. Whether it fits depends on your house and your current heating system.
Why do AC replacement bids vary so much?
Two systems of the same brand can differ in size, efficiency and the work around them. Ductwork changes, electrical upgrades, the line set, the pad, access to the attic or basement and permits all change the job. When you compare, ask each company what size they picked and why.
Can a heat pump or AC be installed in winter?
Yes. Outdoor units can be set and connected in cold weather. Winter is a common time to plan a spring cooling install or add a heat pump for shoulder-season heat.
Are there rebates for heat pumps in New York?
New York runs heat pump programs through NYS Clean Heat and NYSERDA. Program rules change, so check the current terms directly with the program before you plan around them.