Old houses contain a charm that’s hard for newer homes to replicate. However, as a house ages, so does its HVAC system, often developing one of a few common issues. If you’re thinking about buying an Easton, MD home, you should be aware of the following HVAC concerns found in older homes. Read on to learn about six heating & air problems commonly seen in older Easton, MD homes.
1. Noisy HVAC Equipment
With older homes often come older HVAC systems, which means that they might be nearing the end of their lifespans. As wear and tear gets to an HVAC system, its efficiency will decrease, forcing it to work harder. This hard work can translate to a system that runs more loudly than it should, which can disturb neighbors, interrupt your daily life and even lead to poor sleep quality.
2. Lack of Zoning Control
Zoning is the capacity to manage the temperatures in separate areas of your home. This function is frequently missing in old buildings, which can result in unpleasant temperatures in particular spaces.
In most homes, a single thermostat controls the temperatures of the whole property. If one space runs colder or hotter than the others, this might be an issue. After all, you don’t want to use up energy to cool your entire home down if it’s just your bedroom that retains heat.
If you’re thinking about buying an older property, inquire about the HVAC equipment’s zoning capabilities. If it lacks zoning, you should think about switching to a newer unit.
3. Thermostat Issues
Older thermostats might not run properly; for instance, they might display the wrong temperature or cause your HVAC to short cycle, which can lead to incorrect temperatures in your home. Investing in a smart thermostat can let you operate it remotely, and some units can even learn your behavior patterns to adjust your home’s temperatures appropriately.
4. Ductwork Leaks
If an older home’s ductwork hasn’t been properly maintained, it might be leaky. Temperature-controlled air can leak out from the ducts, meaning that your air conditioner will need to work harder to heat or cool your home. This doesn’t just lead to increased energy bills — it also means that your home will take longer to hit the right temperature, placing more wear and tear on your HVAC than normal.
5. Poor Air Quality
Outdoor contaminants may readily enter an older house through gaps in the windows and walls, leading to your HVAC system circulating them throughout your home. If you’re not on top of changing your filter regularly — or if you don’t have quality filters — you could see allergy and asthma flare-ups as a result.
The building standards for older homes were different from what we see today, too. Newer homes are often built with ventilation in mind, allowing for more air circulation to get rid of stale or contaminated air. Updating your HVAC to one with an air cleaner or investing in an air purifier or scrubber can help minimize the presence of allergens and contaminants in your home’s air supply.
6. Outdated HVAC Equipment
Some homeowners are unaware of how long their HVAC units should run. They anticipate that their HVAC systems will outlast their normal service lives. A conventional HVAC system has a lifespan of 10 – 15 years, but that lifespan can fall by as much as 50% if the former owner did not perform yearly HVAC maintenance.
There are various indicators that your home has an outdated HVAC system. One indicator is that you’ll have to pay for frequent repairs that will cost more than an HVAC replacement. Another indicator is if your house does not maintain a pleasant temperature or your indoor humidity levels are incorrect.
Call Griffith Energy Services, Inc. today for reliable air conditioning services in Easton, MD. Our technicians have the know-how to provide a variety of services, from heating and dryer vent cleaning to duct cleaning, ductless AC installation, HVAC maintenance and indoor air quality assessments.
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