Installing a new air conditioning system takes careful planning and plenty of care; and when you’re working on a Queen Village rowhome, it’s even more challenging.
That's why these homeowners in this historic Philadelphia neighborhood called us to install their new high velocity air conditioning system.
The job involved cranes, trees, electric wires, and narrow entrance ways, but that's no problem for ECI!
Air Conditioning in an Old Philadelphia Neighborhood
Queen Village is one of Philadelphia’s oldest residential neighborhoods. Bordering Society Hill, it’s known for narrow, tree-lined streets and lots of rowhomes. Many of these houses are historic, while some, like this one, were built in the sixties. Unfortunately, they weren’t made with central air conditioning in mind.
The homes are close together and many don’t have air conditioning or ductwork, which makes it challenging to keep them comfortable -- especially as our summers seem to be getting hotter and more humid.
Luckily, this home had a high velocity air conditioning system. High velocity systems use thin, flexible supply tubes that are less than three inches in diameter. They fit into small spaces behind walls without taking up too much room. However, the 20-year-old system was shot.
Our homeowners first called us because the system wasn’t working; but when we got there, we discovered the blower motor needed replacement. So, they decided that since the system was so old, it was time to replace it rather than fix one costly part.
Once we helped them decide on a new system, it was time to to get everything set up!
Replacing an Air Conditioner in Queen Village
An air conditioner installation like this is not for the faint of heart. We needed a crane to get the unit onto a platform from the second story, in the narrow space between the backs of two rowhomes -- all on a crowded Queen Village street in the middle of the day.
To do this, we coordinated with PECO to temporarily take down some wires. This way, we could operate the crane safely.
Disruption was also a concern for us, as we didn’t want to disturb the neighbors too much! But, we also had be as safe as possible, so we made sure to use the best and most experienced crane operators we had.
In fact, this is one of the reasons our homeowners chose ECI. We have an excellent reputation for safe, efficient installations. They were confident we’d have everything running like clockwork...and they were right! We moved the unit up as fast as we could while still maintaining safety.
Benefits of High-Velocity Air Conditioning in a Rowhome
So, why go through all this trouble? Well, these systems have some features that are especially beneficial to rowhomes. Compared to conventional central AC, Unico high velocity air conditioning is much quieter, fits into smaller spaces, and circulates the air better.
Whisper-quiet
The smaller the space, the more apparent it is when your air conditioner is running. Anyone who’s used window units in a rowhome knows how loud it can get! But high-velocity systems are specially made to be whisper-quiet. They use special noise-dampening insulation that works like a gun suppressor.
At most, you’ll hear a very soft “whoosh” if the room is silent and you’re near one of the tiny vents.
Small and concealable vents
Which brings us to the next advantage: a tiny footprint. Like the supply tubes, the vents are only around three inches wide. So we can place them flush against doors and walls.
They also come in a variety of colors to match them to the wall or flooring material.
Better air circulation
Finally, Unico systems circulate the air much more efficiently than other setups, allowing us to put those vents in out-of-the-way places.
Here’s what the air would look like if you could see it coming from a conventional AC:
And here’s the high-velocity circulation:
As a result, those vents can go in corners and behind doors while still getting the job done.
Peace of Mind
On average, an air conditioner lasts at least ten years. They usually don’t make it as long as indoor heaters since they’re exposed to the elements. Luckily, we only work with the best, most reliable brands and models, and we also keep up on yearly maintenance to make sure the unit is running efficiently.
Between the lifetime warranty and regular maintenance, it will be a long, long time before we have to bring a crane down the street for them again!
Are you tired of ugly, noisy window air conditioning units in your rowhome, but don’t have the room for traditional ductwork? If so, give ECI a call! Unico high velocity might be the perfect long-term solution to your needs. We specialize in designing the ideal solution for your home .
Click the button below to schedule a free high-velocity consultation or give us a call at 215-245-3200.
