Central air for an older Buffalo house

Why this comes up so much here

59% of homes in the city of Buffalo were built before 1940, and 34% of the city's housing units are in two-unit buildings (Census ACS 2020-2024). Across the 35 ZIP codes we cover, 31% of 382,691 homes predate 1940. Plenty of those houses were built with hot water or steam radiators and never had ducts. Others had a gravity furnace with big ducts that a modern blower doesn't suit.

Option 1: small-duct high-velocity

A compact air handler, usually in the attic or basement, pushes air at high speed through flexible ducts about two inches across. Those can be fished through closets and wall cavities with far less demolition than standard ducts. Each room gets a small round outlet in the ceiling or floor. The system moves less air per outlet, so it often needs more outlets per room, and it makes a soft rushing sound some people notice.

Option 2: ductless heads

One or more wall-mounted heads per floor, each with its own controls. No ducts at all, and usually the least disruption inside. You give up some wall space and look at the heads every day. Ductless mini splits.

Option 3: attic air handler with standard ducts

If there is a usable attic, an air handler up there can feed ceiling vents on the second floor, and sometimes a few runs down through closets to the first floor. Heat rises, so cooling from the top works well. Attic ducts need to be sealed and insulated, or much of the cooling is lost before it reaches a room.

Questions to ask on the walk-through

1. Where will the air handler or outdoor unit go, and how will the lines get there?
2. How many outlets or heads per room, and why?
3. What has to be opened up, and who patches the plaster?
4. Is the electrical service big enough, or does the job need panel work?
5. Is this a heat pump? If so, does it qualify for NYS Clean Heat incentives through a participating contractor?
6. What permits does the job need, and who pulls them?

Get at least two approaches priced. The lowest quote up front is not always the lowest total once the patching and electrical work are counted.

Lead paint

In a house built before 1978, any work that disturbs painted plaster or trim can stir up lead dust. Firms doing that work for pay in pre-1978 homes are required to be EPA lead-safe certified. Ask about it if walls or ceilings will be opened.