My house was built before centralized ductwork was a standard feature.
The high ceilings, big windows and floor plan make the residence especially difficult to heat and cool.
For a couple of years, we attempted to get by with an assortment of electric baseboard heaters, box fans and window air conditioners. We shivered all winter and sweated throughout the summer. Plus, the variety of equipment looked awful and took up valuable space. We were unwilling to tear down the original walls and floors and deal with the mess of plaster and lath. The project would have been extensive, expensive and compromised the architectural integrity of the home. I started searching for alternatives and came across high-velocity heating and cooling. It is an innovative style of temperature control system designed specifically for retrofitting into older homes. The main advantage is the mini-ducts. The tubes are only two-inches in diameter and flexible enough to be routed through existing walls. They accommodate plumbing, studs and electrical boxes and link to circular vents that are only six inches across. The vents are available in a variety of styles and colors and offer freedom of location. The actual heating/cooling unit is compact enough that it fits into a closet. Through a process of aspiration, the system delivers heated or cooled air into the various rooms at a very high rate of speed and quickly raises or lowers temperature. The smaller ducts minimize energy waste and are also insulated for better efficiency and lower sound levels. We are delighted to be able to adjust temperature throughout the entire home by way of a thermostat.