Adding central AC to historic loft building

yeah that was "hypothetical stage" not state: not an ontological comment.

A friend had a cooler unit, not too large, rather like one of those space heaters & it had a flexible hose like a dryer vent which went out the window. I don't know how well this contraption might work. Maybe with one at each window & some ceiling fans ..... I agree with you that an air conditioner in the window is far from ideal. I also see ads that say that if you have steam heat with the old coiled iron radiators they can install central air but since you're in a building & not a private home that at least complicates the situation. There is also through-the-wall installation, I don't know what this might cost but it seems like the ideal solution & you don't have to sacrifice closet space. I'm eager to hear what anyone else knows about this. Aesthetics go out the window when it feels like 110 degrees in your apartment. Good luck!

we are contemplating installing central air in a prewar apartment for the same reason (to preserve the view). There are 2 pieces of machinery: the air handler is stored inside the apartment. We may have any option of dropping a ceiling in a bathroom (rather than take up closet space) to store the air handler. The condenser is a trickier issue. This must have exterior access. We are considered building the condenser into a lower pane of window in one room, so that it is flush with the window (on the outside it doesn't stick out). That seems to be our only viable option, as the building is not likely to approve a request to put the condenser on the roof (we're actually on the top floor so that option would be ideal).

We also looked into mini split air conditioners -- these are used all over europe and asia, but these also have a exterior component. This latter type system avoid duct work however. I recommend reading about this.. there's lots of info on line.

LG is the primary maker of the split air conditioners, I think.

I have done this in an old loft building in NoHo. Can you do it? Yes. Do you need board approval if it's a coop? Yes. The cost for a loft of approximately 2000 s.f. would be around $50,000.

Ouch! - ONLY $50,000.

check out mrslim.com for mini split
you need access to the outside compressor for maintenance so you can't just hang it off the exterior - you will need a walkway for maint person to get to all sides

#6 here again - #8 makesan important point - ACCESS! Be very careful when they shoehorn in the condensor and blower units thatthe trap door are oriented so that you canEASILY access the entire unit(s) from all sides to do routine maitenance, change the belts, etc. Too often I've seen these units put in, and then the GC drywall the units in without thinking about adaquate access panels.

As for #7's comment - yes, if it done really well, it's about $30K - $50K. But it probably adds OVER $50K in value (depending on the location and finish of the rest of the loft, of course). It's one of the few investments, that if done properly and aesthetically, really adds value to your space

Also try http://www.lge.com/

#1 here again: thanks for these comments; they are very helpful. I've looked at the Mr. Slim online. How robust are these things? I.e. can they really cool down a large space? #6: it is a condo not a coop, and I know that at least one other unit in the building has done it (although I don't know how or what type), so it seems possible. When you did it, did you put in a split system? Where did you put your compressor? This seems to be the key logistical problem. If it has to be accessed for service, then I'm stuck because there's nowhere to put it. If I can't hang it on the back of the building (unless it is small enough to be pulled in or on a swivelling platform or something but that would be complicated) then I would have to mount it in a window. How low profile can you get? I have seen one in an historic loft where about half of a window (lower half) was taken up by the condensor; the window looked onto an airwell / facing building wall, so the view wasn't an issue. They had then installed a nice looking shallow depth bookshelf in *front* of the condensor to camouflage it, complete with a front door face that closed over the shelf, and this entire shelf component could be pulled out in order to service the unit.

#6 here:

We had a 2000 square foot loft, sort of 'L' shaped. The compressor was over the bathroom (we dropped the ceiling in that room) at the far end of the 'L' which had a window (we knocked out the wall to the outside in the dropped space above the bathroom ceiling so that the unit could have outside access - we were able to do this because this bathroom window faced the back of the building), allowing water to drain outside. There was an additional blower/compressor over our second bathroom located at the inside corner of the 'L' which did not require outside access.

It ABSOLUTELY must be accesible for service. The belts need to be checked and changed, and more importantly, the filters have to be changed regularly. Plus, if you go ahead and do this, you should really have a maintenance contract with a reliable outfit who will come in and inspect your unit before you shut it down for the winter, and check it out again before the hot weather comes as part of an annual maintenance 'package.' They will need access whenever they visit. Plus, of course, heaven forbid the unit has mechanical problems!

I live in a 2000 sq. ft. loft with central air and would like to have it serviced (filters changed, belts checked). As described in posts above, access seems to be behind several panels in the wall and ceiling in the master bath and master bedroom. I have never removed any of the panels; one is quite large: 2 ft. by 5 ft. and is high on the wall. Is there anyone on this site who has had a positive experience with a firm that services this type of unit? Thanks for your help.

I installed a split AC system in my place. I went with Daikin vs Mr. Slim as I believe it to be superior. The cost was 11K (4 indoor unit system) and would have been a tiny bit less for Mr. Slim. A 6 unit system would have been 5K more. They built the condenser into the window opening with the box around it on the inside and we ordered a smaller window to go above so we still get some light and ventilation from that window. Daikin allows for variable BTU units. The one in our living/dining room area is larger unit and actually cools the entire 1400 square feet apartment. Also the Living/Dining Room unit is concealed in a soffit so with the split AC one can achieve the same built-in look of the central system without duct work. The split AC system is much more efficient to operate also as there is no loss of heat/cool air in the ducts and every room can have its own temperature setting. This is one renovation expense that I don't regret making.

Is ductless possible? Had a 10K btu ductless on the top floor of a duplex brownstone, roof deck above. Cooled the top floor, easily could have done the entire unit, minimal invasion to the unit on the roof which was the size of an old hard type Samonsite suitcase.

My coop says I can install a ductless on the outside on brackets in the back of the building in relatively non-visible spot. I see ductless condensers mounted on facades on high floors all over Asia and Europe but not in NY. Does anyone know if they actually do mount these things on facades in NY and what's the maximum size/weight of the unit? I'm on the 11th floor. Thanks