Neuendorf House in Mallorca / John Pawson + Claudio Silvestrin
Neuendorf House by John Pawson + Claudio Silvestrin | Courtesy of neuendorfhouse.com

Choosing the right air conditioning system for your home is no easy task. It’s a long-term decision that has to cater for all possibilities. But in the short term, it’s certainly tricky to think about the best air conditioning design.

Don’t stress if you’re unsure where to start. Upside Down is a leader in the heating and cooling industry. They have seen thousands of homes with different needs. A clear understanding of how homes can be best cooled is exactly why they can help you design the perfect air conditioning system for your home.


Know What You Want

Although it sounds simple, knowing exactly what you want out of your HVAC system is crucial. For example, consider how your family behaves during summer. Does everyone like the same cool temperature, or are you all different? If you could have a system that caters for everyone, well, wouldn’t that be perfect!

Other factors like energy awareness, indoor visibility, location/placement, and cooling load will all play a role. If you want a discreet system, avoid wall mounted split systems. You can also avoid noise concerns by installing outdoor units well away from bedrooms.

A whole host of factors will influence your design process. There is no how if you don’t know the why.


Understand Your Home Cooling Requirements

A great place to start with the design process is with your heating and cooling requirements. Think about the rooms where you spend the most time and how you want them cooled. A floor plan will help solidify your thoughts here, too.

Take into account where everyone spends their time after work or school. Do the kids hang out in the living room or their bedrooms? How much time is spent cooking in the kitchen? You want to cover all the high-traffic areas to keep everyone comfortable.

Additionally, you must recognize individual needs. The ability to have zoned heating and cooling is going to provide flexibility for all. You can cool specific rooms as required while also subtly adjusting temperatures to suit.


Calculate the Room’s Cooling Load

Before you make any purchase, you want to know exactly what heating and cooling load is required. Measured in British thermal units (BTU), there are handy HVAC load calculators to assist with your design and planning process.

Not only will this help you understand how much power and output your air conditioner requires, but you will be able to design a tailored cooling solution. You will not have to worry about installing something that’s too big or too small.

neuendorf house silvestrin pawson majorca
Neuendorf House by John Pawson + Claudio Silvestrin | Courtesy of neuendorfhouse.com


Focus on Energy Saving Capabilities

Passive house design and existing features will influence the way your home absorbs and repels it. The characteristics and orientation impact your heating and cooling load.

Windows are a major source of heat gain and loss, influencing 25-30% of your heating and cooling usage. Therefore, in conjunction with blinds, you can maximize your climate control with the appropriate placement of vents.

Vents should be located high in a room so the cold air pushes warm air around, replacing it as it settles to the bottom. Ground floor vents may seem more subtle, yet they quickly become blocked by furniture. Dust also settles in them and your air quality will be impacted.

Additionally, avoid installing vents by windows or doors. Your freshly cooled air will quickly leave a room if the door’s open, forcing your air conditioner to work harder. In turn, your utility bills will increase with the wasted energy expenses.

Also, consider roof insulation for additional heat protection. This is a great way to enhance your home’s comfort without visibly altering its characteristics. Central HVAC installation can easily occur alongside insulation installation.


Ask Yourself: Ducted or Split System Air Conditioning?

Energy-efficient central heating and cooling systems are great for complete home climate control. Ceiling ducts and vents provide airflow for all rooms in a home. You can control the performance and temperature from one control pad or even your smartphone.

Alternatively, inverter split system air conditioning is a less invasive option for focused performance in specific rooms. There are also multi-head split systems that operate off one outdoor unit. Again, you don’t have to worry about ceiling ductwork, but you can heat or cool several rooms easily.


Contact a Licensed Air Conditioning Installer

Although you can draft up plans and ideas on your own, ultimately, you will need a licensed installer to get the job done. If you want, contact an HVAC technician early on, and they can go through the whole air conditioning design process with you from start to finish.

Otherwise, they will work with your plan to create the perfect outcome. You can rest assured the best air conditioning system will be installed for the utmost satisfaction.