Older homes in Jensen Beach, FL, are charming and have unique features that are hard to replicate in newer homes. But these homes have HVAC issues that you might have to deal with, which can be frustrating and costly. Here are a few HVAC problems you might encounter if you live in an older home or plan to purchase one:
Leaking Duct System
Houses usually shift because of natural ground movement or weather, explaining why floors crack in old homes. The occurrences can also affect the duct system because they’re prone to leaks when they become warped over the years. Leaking ducts make older homes lose large amounts of cooling, forcing air conditioners to work harder to cool indoor air.
Obsolete Thermostats
Older homes face the challenge of outdated thermostats. Old thermostats often have fewer controls, and they become obsolete over time, preventing them from meeting your heating and cooling needs. An obsolete thermostat can cause frequent cycling, wear and tear on an HVAC system as well as inefficient operation.
Programmable and smart thermostats have more controls, allowing for optimal HVAC performance. You need an HVAC professional to recommend appropriate controls and thermostats if you live in an older house. A newer thermostat can also help to maximize energy efficiency, saving on energy costs.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
The quality of indoor air can affect your home’s comfort levels. Poor indoor air quality consists of pollutants and contaminants like pollen, chemicals in household cleaners, dust and pet dander. If you live in an older house, you will likely encounter poor indoor air quality issues.
An older home often has gaps that allow dirt particles into the house, polluting indoor air. You can fix this issue by properly sealing the house or implementing proper air quality management solutions. You can also talk to a professional about indoor air quality solutions for your older home.
Insufficient Airflow
Older homes often have smaller windows, poor ventilation and less airflow than a new house. It makes it harder for your air conditioner to cool the house during the hot months, causing high energy bills and uncomfortable temperatures. An old and outdated HVAC system may not circulate enough air throughout your home to properly cool or heat it.
Uneven Cooling and Heating
Inconsistent heating or cooling can be frustrating, and it’s a common HVAC problem in older homes. HVAC systems should evenly provide enough cool or warm air for the whole house. It might be challenging to understand the exact cause of uneven cooling in old homes because it’s often a combination of several aspects.
Poor Energy Efficiency
Older HVAC systems aren’t as energy efficient as the newer models because of their low SEER rating. A high-efficient HVAC system enhances cooling capabilities and reduces energy costs. Older homes have an old and obsolete heating and cooling system that uses much electricity to cool or heat your home because of low-efficiency levels.
HVAC systems constitute a huge percentage of a home’s energy consumption. It’s best to consider replacing an old heating and cooling system with a newer one with higher energy-efficiency levels.
Lack of Zoning
Zoning entails enabling you to control temperatures in different rooms of your house. Older homes don’t have zoning features, leading to uncomfortable temperatures in some parts of the house. An old house often has a single thermostat to regulate temperatures in the entire house.
It can be disastrous when one room is colder or hotter than other rooms. If the HVAC system of an older home doesn’t have zoning capabilities, it’s wise to upgrade to a newer system. Other HVAC problems common in older homes are a noisy system and continuous cycles, usually due to postponing annual tuneups.
If you experience any of these issues with your HVAC system, it’s best to hire a service technician for replacements or repairs. We have a team of certified HVAC service technicians to answer all your questions and provide professional assistance. Call Grimes Heating & Air Conditioning for free estimates and to schedule affordable and professional HVAC installation, maintenance or repairs.
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