Central Air

We are putting a double dormer on our cape and redoing the bathroom.....today was the meeting with the architect to finalize the details before submitting plans to the town. Central Air came up. They quoted $12,995 for 1 zone. I have no idea if that's good/bad. I didn't grow up with central air and don't know much about it. Is it always on? Will it save us in the long run no electric bills? I don't mind the a/c units but my DH is all for central air. I don't really like the closed in feeling, I like windows open, ceiling fans, etc. Obviously during heat waves, we run the a/c's a lot and at night. We both work and are out of the house M- F for most of the day. What are your opinions on central air? Pros/cons? I guess if we are going to do it, now is the time while they are doing the dormer/kitchen.

Thank you!

Re: Central Air

I know nothing about the bills and so forth but I can tell you I love CAC!!! I have lived in a house with both, and you set the thermostat and let it maintain that temp. I miss it dearly. I also hate how loud wall units are!!!!

Re: Central Air

Jusy had CAC installed. Spent 16,000 on one zone but with 3 rebates/refunds of about 3,000. So it came out to about 13000. Every house costs different based on the layout, etc.

I think it's a great thing. You can use it if you want, if you don't then you don't have to. It will be my first year using it. I can't wait.

Re: Central Air

CAC is much better than window units. You can have it on a timer, so it runs much less than window units. It's more efficient than window units, so when it is running, you're using less electricity.

We have CAC, and right now, it's not on. We have ceiling fans and great cross-ventilation in the house, so we'll go without using it for quite a while into the late spring, early summer.

It's also a lot quieter in the house, since all of the mechanical parts are outside or in the basement/attic, etc.

You also don't have to run from one cool room to the other, since the whole house is the same temp. We used to have window units in the bedrooms and the LR. At night, we dreaded having to go to the bathroom, since we went from the comfortable BR into the bathroom.

Re: Central Air

Thanks for your advice! I think we are going for it. I have a feeling we will regret it if we don't do it now.