Upgrade Your AC, Upgrade Your Home: Design Hacks You Need to Know

Integrating your AC installation into your plans is important to home design. Installation can improve your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and affect your home. Once you have a plan for your AC, you can discuss it with an AC installation contractor.

Photo by Sharath G. from Pexels

Assessing Your Space for AC Installation

Before focusing on style, you need to evaluate where you’ll install the AC, including the room’s layout and ventilation requirements. An HVAC professional can help determine an AC unit’s exact space requirements.

Evaluate Room Layout

First, look at the room’s layout. Select a location that fits the room. For instance, consider a location that is out of the way. You could naturally blend the AC’s color scheme and shape into a wall.

Consider Ventilation

Indoor air quality is an important part of your HVAC system. It won’t clean the air as efficiently without proper ventilation. With this in mind, you should never set up your furniture or decor to block vents and registers.

Consult Professionals

Professional HVAC technicians can assist with your vision. They’ve worked on many different AC installations, so they can provide recommendations that meet safety standards while enabling homeowners to maintain their style.

Photo by Freepik

Choosing the Right AC Unit for Your Home

Many factors go into choosing the right AC installation. You’ll want a unit that meets your energy-efficiency goals, fits your space, and properly cools your home.

Unit Types

First, decide whether you want window units, ductless mini-splits, or central air conditioners.

• Window Units: While window units are inexpensive to install, they are less efficient than central AC or ductless mini-splits and only cool a small space.
• Ductless Mini-Splits: These units are incredibly efficient and don’t require any ductwork. However, a central AC may be a better alternative if you have existing ducts.  You may prefer a central AC because its vents are often less noticeable than those of ductless mini-split units.
• Central Air Conditioners: If you already have ductwork installed, central AC offers the best of the previous options: energy efficiency, hidden vents, and design flexibility.

Energy Efficiency

Next, consider energy efficiency. Energy-efficient ACs can cost more money in the short term but can help you save on utility bills in the long run.

Size and Capacity

Finally, you should talk to your HVAC technician about the size and cooling capacity that best fits your home. An undersized AC will struggle with cooling, causing it to run for excessively long periods of time. Meanwhile, an oversized AC will suffer from short cycling because it cools your home too quickly. Either way, an improper AC will experience more wear and higher repair costs.

Photo by logo73 from Freepik

Design-Friendly Installation Techniques

The right HVAC installation tips help you plan your space how you want it.

• Hidden Installations: Start by looking for ways to hide your units and ductwork. Recessed installations are a good idea. If that route doesn’t suit your plans, a decorative cover, a fence, or a potted plant may conceal your outdoor units.
• Color Coordination: If you can’t hide your AC, you can always try to make it blend in. Pick an AC color that matches your room’s color scheme.
• Minimalist Design: A minimalist AC design can maintain your room’s aesthetic by blending it in.

Concealing Your AC Unit With Style

Tips for stylishly concealing your AC unit:

• Furniture Placement: While you shouldn’t block airflow, you can use furniture to conceal the unit.
• Decorative Panels: You can purchase custom panels that conceal the unit and match its surroundings.
• Custom Cabinetry: With custom cabinetry, you can hide your unit. Plus, you can have easy access whenever you need to perform maintenance or repairs.

Photo by logo73 from Freepik

Enhancing Home Aesthetics Post-Installation

When you work with Central Oregon Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, you can get help with routine maintenance. Minor adjustments, like new covers and decorative accents, can help your AC look good throughout the year.

• Regular Maintenance: Regular maintenance ensures better energy efficiency.
• Seasonal Adjustments: Seasonal adjustments to your covers and panels allow you to pursue seasonal designs.
• Decorative Accents: You can incorporate decorative elements into your interior design.

Start Improving Your Interior Design Today

Consider your AC design and how your unit will be accessed for repairs and preventative maintenance. Easy access is important because AC maintenance can extend the lifespan of your unit and prevent costly repairs. With the help of an AC installation contractor, you can figure out the right cooling capacity and unit size. Additionally, they can provide useful advice about incorporating your AC installation into your plans.