Your older home in California, MD, has a lot of character and history that makes it unique to the area. However, with the historical details of an older home comes the headache of an outdated HVAC system that cannot keep the house comfortable, along with failing thermostats and ductwork. HVAC systems become susceptible to malfunctions as they age; here are some problems to watch out for in an older home.
1. Poor Indoor Air Quality
An old HVAC system is not as effective as a new system at filtering out particles, such as pollen and dust, that get into your home from the outdoor air. If you live in an older home, you are more likely to experience musty smells and allergic reactions because of poor indoor air quality since an older HVAC cannot effectively filter indoor air contaminants. It’s important to change your HVAC filter regularly, but if that isn’t enough, it may be time to hire an HVAC technician to replace your aging HVAC system to help improve indoor air quality.
Older homes are also prone to strangled airflow from the accumulation of dust and dirt over the years in the ductwork. Besides causing allergic reactions, dirty ducts affect the HVAC system’s ability to circulate treated air inside your home. If you notice a sudden increase in energy bills and more dirt and dust in your indoor air, call a professional for duct cleaning to eliminate debris that could be causing a blockage.
2. Continuously Cycles
HVAC systems can last between 15 to 25 years with proper maintenance. Continuous cycles are a common problem in older HVAC systems because they lose their efficiency over the years, especially if they are near their end of life. You will notice that the HVAC system cycles more often than usual to maintain your home at the ideal comfort levels.
3. High Energy Bills
Old HVAC systems have obsolete technology, which affects their energy efficiency. If you haven’t updated your HVAC system in the last two decades, you will likely pay higher than average energy bills due to the system’s inefficiency. Advancing to a newer HVAC model with a high rating increases its efficiency, enhances cooling capabilities, and reduces energy costs.
Older homes often have thin insulation layers in the attic and walls, so they have a tough time keeping warm air in during the cold months and cool air during the summer months. Insufficient insulation causes an increase in high energy bills because the HVAC system is unable to operate efficiently. Newer homes have the proper amount of insulation, which reduces the strain on your HVAC system and lowers utility bills. IF it has been years since you’ve added insulation to your home, it may be worthwhile to explore that option.
4. Obsolete Thermostat
Old thermostats have obsolete technology because they only have the basic controls and can contribute to your HVAC’s wear and tear and inefficient heating and cooling. If you have an older home, it’s best to upgrade to modern thermostat technology like a programmable thermostat that allows you to enjoy several features to control the HVAC system settings. The correct HVAC settings will enable you to optimize the system’s energy efficiency and extend its lifespan.
5. Leaking Duct System
The duct system is responsible for moving cooled and heated air into and from your home. The sealing of the elbows and joints of an old duct system loses its effectiveness so that you may notice air leaks along with the ductwork. It’s advisable to hire a professional or inspect the leaky ductwork and replace or fix it to ensure that all the conditioned air gets to your house and avoids energy wastage.
6. Lack of Zoning
Besides having an obsolete thermostat, older homes have a single thermostat responsible for controlling the temperatures of all the rooms and parts of your home. You would benefit from updating that allows for zoning where you designate zones in your home with a separate control. That will enable you to cool or heat your bedrooms while sleeping without heating or cooling empty rooms like the kitchen.
Hire an HVAC professional to solve these problems in your older home. The good news is that you can solve these HVAC problems with timely updates. Call Hancock Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, the leading air conditioning and heating service provider, to schedule an appointment today.
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