Older homes have their own history, style and significance that attracts
people. But older homes come with several HVAC problems too. In this article,
we will talk about some of those HVAC problems in older homes.
4 HVAC Problems in Older Homes
1. Inefficient HVAC
Unit
Older homes usually come with old HVAC units. If the previous
owner hadn’t performed annual maintenance checkup regularly, chances are you’ll
have to face problems with your HVAC system like inefficient heating or
problem, unusual noise, zoning, poor indoor air quality, and so on.
Generally, heating and cooling units last about ten to fifteen
years. After that, they start to perform poorly. Besides, after this period, no
matter how frequently you do HVAC maintenance checkup, your AC or heat pump
unit won’t perform the same. That’s why before moving to an older home, ask the
previous owner about the routine maintenance checkup and the age of the HVAC
unit.
If the previous owner didn’t perform regular maintenance
checkups or the unit is old, you’ll have to replace the whole unit. Again, when
you know that the house has an older HVAC unit, you can bargain the price while
buying the home.
2. Leaks in Air
Ducts
Air ducts transport the air from the HVAC unit
and keep the space comfortable. But over time, if the air conditioner or
heating unit isn’t properly maintained, air ducts may have leaks, and produced
air will leak through them. Eventually, your comfort will be hampered.
Again, due to lack of HVAC maintenance, molds and insects can
start to form inside the air ducts.
When there are molds in the air duct, the indoor air quality
will be reduced and make everyone in your homesick. That’s why if you are
planning to live in an older home, you’ll have to ensure that the air ducts of
your heating and cooling unit are in good condition, and if it has leaks,
you’ll have to repair or replace them as soon as possible.
3. Outdated &
Manual Thermostat
When your old home has an old HVAC system, chances are it has an
outdated thermostat as well.
An outdated/manual thermostat can perform only basic functions
and causes problems like frequent cycling, hot and cold zone, inadequate
cooling, wear and tear in the heating and cooling unit, etc.
But when your HVAC unit has a smart thermostat, you won’t have
to face such problems. Besides, a modern thermostat comes with some unique
features such as Wi-Fi or remote control, scheduling the temperature, automatic
human detection, and so on.
With these features, you can enhance the overall comfort and
reduce the monthly heating and cooling bill at the same time. However, to
install an advanced programmable thermostat in your heating and cooling unit,
you may have to replace the whole HVAC unit. That’s why it’s recommended to
consult with a nearby HVAC professional before installing the advanced thermostat
in your old HVAC unit.
4. Bad Air
Quality & Insulation
Older homes usually have a lot of trees and flowers near the
building. These trees and flowers make our day more refreshing. However, these plants
produce pollen, which can enter your home and cause irritation. Again, if you
have a family member who has respiratory health problems, you should be more concerned
about this.
Unfortunately, most older homes are unable to stop these pollens
and dust from entering your home. Besides, these homes lack proper insulation.
As a result, produced hot and cold air easily leaks through them and makes your
air conditioner or heat pump operate longer.
However, I have good news for you. You can still insulate your
older home properly by taking few measures. For example, you’ll have to
look for holes in your older homes. Besides, check the broken windows and doors
of your house. Often times, air leak through these holes and make your AC unit
or heat pump system run longer. As soon as you find leaks and holes in your
home, you’ll have to call a technician and repair them quickly.
Conclusion
The best way to do all these repairs and maintenance is by
calling a nearby HVAC professional. If you ‘re a Dallas resident, you can call
Green Leaf Air. We have some of the best HVAC technicians in the USA and we
have years of experience in dealing with HVAC systems.
See the summary of this content here in an infographic – 4
HVAC Problems in Older Homes [Infographic]
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