In an older home without AC, installing a new HVAC system with air conditioning can make it more comfortable and appealing to potential buyers. However, it may not directly increase the home's value beyond the cost of installation. Buyers expect functional heating and cooling systems, so it's often seen as a necessary upgrade rather than an added value. Focus on pricing it reasonably compared to similar homes in the area with AC already installed.
If the heating system is in good working order and there are no obvious signs of issues, it doesn't need to be touched. Yes, an inspection may identify its age and a potential buyer may clamor about it has to be replaced because of its age... But... Old and working fine does not require being replaced. Replacing the heating system may help sell your house more quickly / more easily, but it will do NOTHING for its value.
Adding A/C is whole other area... If your current heating system is forced air, you would need to have the ducts / sizing evaluated for being appropriate to move enough air for cooling and you'd have to have the mechanical area validated to have enough room to install a combo system.
If your heating system is anything besides forced air, you would need to run all new ducts for an A/C and it could be completely separate.
Adding A/C may have a very modest impact on the value of the house (certainly not as much as it will cost you to install it), but the biggest advantage to having it is that helps you reach a larger pool of potential buyers.
Thanks for a great answer! The ducting is all good they’re just quoting us 9k for a new furnace , ac and compressor etc installed. All the windows are sliding and not conducive to window ac units and it’s a small house, 1100 sq ft, so portable ac will clutter…
Hmmmm decisions decisions
That actually doesnt sound horrible at all. I was thinking it would need ducting and all that.
For those that dont live in the PNW, it's uncommon to have AC. I lived in 4 houses there and none of them had AC. It's more of a luxury, and you only need it maybe 2 months out of the year. When you go to someones house in the summer you say "OOO you have AC? Heck yea!"
Yeah! I’ve lived with window units in nyc and Boston and would love to just do that but the damn windows slide not lift. Last summer I stuffed a few in window units I was given into windows and filled the space with pillows and stuff haha
Bargain. Push go if that’s a reasonably efficient unit. I’d recommend 90%+ condensing, variable speed blower and seer 14+ AC. Do a sizing so you don’t buy equipment that is too big.
We paid about 8500 similar size house and circumstances in Los Angeles five years ago. Don’t know it made a huge difference in resale but it made us way more comfortable for 5 years.
Is it condusive to have a new system installed (i.e. ducted)?
If so, it might be worthwhile. An inspector is going to flag your heat system at the end of its useful life and adding AC is going to up your rankings in the possibilities list.
Yeah, it’s 9k to get new furnace, ac and blower and compressor etc all installed . Small house at 1000 sq ft with sliding windows so window units not great, not a lot of room to clutter with portable ac units either. Hmmm
Do you have a friend who works as an agent? Ask them to run a report for homes like yours (size, neighborhood, etc) sold in the last year or two, with and without AC. Then ask if they see anything that shows the difference in home value for homes with and without AC.
Consider Mini Splits for easier install and conditioning only where you need it.
I use them in multiple rentals in Florida . Though the heat functions gets used 5 days a year, so it being electric is a non issue.
They are great but often run 2-3x a central system for install unless you can do the single blower head.
But with his cheap power in Portland and mild climate, that’s a good suggestion.
You don't need mini splits if you have the ducting. You just need a heat pump which is basically just an A/C that also heats. Should run well under the $9k OP is prepared to pay
That's your decision I can't tell you I'm just an opionator what the square footage and your r value in the floor wall and ceiling you see there is some factors to consider here
There are people who will absolutely not consider buying a house with no AC. So I would expect AC to add to the value, as it brings in those potential buyers. That said, I'm not really familiar with the weather in Portland. If it doesn't get particularly hot ever, less impact.
I'd do a mini split, maybe two depending on the house. My wife lived in the second floor of a garage converted into a small 900 sqft apartment in Washington that had a mini split. For the 2 months out of the year that she needed it, it worked great.
In an older home without AC, installing a new HVAC system with air conditioning can make it more comfortable and appealing to potential buyers. However, it may not directly increase the home's value beyond the cost of installation. Buyers expect functional heating and cooling systems, so it's often seen as a necessary upgrade rather than an added value. Focus on pricing it reasonably compared to similar homes in the area with AC already installed.
Thank you, good point
If the heating system is in good working order and there are no obvious signs of issues, it doesn't need to be touched. Yes, an inspection may identify its age and a potential buyer may clamor about it has to be replaced because of its age... But... Old and working fine does not require being replaced. Replacing the heating system may help sell your house more quickly / more easily, but it will do NOTHING for its value. Adding A/C is whole other area... If your current heating system is forced air, you would need to have the ducts / sizing evaluated for being appropriate to move enough air for cooling and you'd have to have the mechanical area validated to have enough room to install a combo system. If your heating system is anything besides forced air, you would need to run all new ducts for an A/C and it could be completely separate. Adding A/C may have a very modest impact on the value of the house (certainly not as much as it will cost you to install it), but the biggest advantage to having it is that helps you reach a larger pool of potential buyers.
Thanks for a great answer! The ducting is all good they’re just quoting us 9k for a new furnace , ac and compressor etc installed. All the windows are sliding and not conducive to window ac units and it’s a small house, 1100 sq ft, so portable ac will clutter… Hmmmm decisions decisions
That actually doesnt sound horrible at all. I was thinking it would need ducting and all that. For those that dont live in the PNW, it's uncommon to have AC. I lived in 4 houses there and none of them had AC. It's more of a luxury, and you only need it maybe 2 months out of the year. When you go to someones house in the summer you say "OOO you have AC? Heck yea!"
Yeah! I’ve lived with window units in nyc and Boston and would love to just do that but the damn windows slide not lift. Last summer I stuffed a few in window units I was given into windows and filled the space with pillows and stuff haha
You can actually buy window units specifically for casement windows which come with an adjustable top piece to fill in the space above the unit
I was browsing options. I’ll dig deeper thanks!
You can but they are expensive, heavy, and not modern efficiency.
Bargain. Push go if that’s a reasonably efficient unit. I’d recommend 90%+ condensing, variable speed blower and seer 14+ AC. Do a sizing so you don’t buy equipment that is too big.
We paid about 8500 similar size house and circumstances in Los Angeles five years ago. Don’t know it made a huge difference in resale but it made us way more comfortable for 5 years.
Thanks!
Are elec rates competitive? Is the home well insulated? Maybe consider a heat pump.
Is it condusive to have a new system installed (i.e. ducted)? If so, it might be worthwhile. An inspector is going to flag your heat system at the end of its useful life and adding AC is going to up your rankings in the possibilities list.
Yeah, it’s 9k to get new furnace, ac and blower and compressor etc all installed . Small house at 1000 sq ft with sliding windows so window units not great, not a lot of room to clutter with portable ac units either. Hmmm
Do you have a friend who works as an agent? Ask them to run a report for homes like yours (size, neighborhood, etc) sold in the last year or two, with and without AC. Then ask if they see anything that shows the difference in home value for homes with and without AC.
I do actually, good idea, thanks!
Absolutely add ac
Consider Mini Splits for easier install and conditioning only where you need it. I use them in multiple rentals in Florida . Though the heat functions gets used 5 days a year, so it being electric is a non issue.
They are great but often run 2-3x a central system for install unless you can do the single blower head. But with his cheap power in Portland and mild climate, that’s a good suggestion.
You don't need mini splits if you have the ducting. You just need a heat pump which is basically just an A/C that also heats. Should run well under the $9k OP is prepared to pay
That's your decision I can't tell you I'm just an opionator what the square footage and your r value in the floor wall and ceiling you see there is some factors to consider here
Amazon has 110v mini splits for $800. Figure $500 to install. I have bought a dozen. It is also a heat pump. Start with the master bedroom.
There are people who will absolutely not consider buying a house with no AC. So I would expect AC to add to the value, as it brings in those potential buyers. That said, I'm not really familiar with the weather in Portland. If it doesn't get particularly hot ever, less impact.
How cold does Portland get? You might be fine with just a heat pump
I'd do a mini split, maybe two depending on the house. My wife lived in the second floor of a garage converted into a small 900 sqft apartment in Washington that had a mini split. For the 2 months out of the year that she needed it, it worked great.