At Griffith Energy Services, we have more than a century of experience serving the many historic homes throughout Berlin, MD. We understand these properties’ unique challenges and have the expertise to solve even the toughest HVAC problems they present.
Poor Airflow or Indoor Air Quality
While furnaces and air conditioners are nothing new, modern HVAC systems didn’t become widely popular until the mid-20th century. Consequently, most vintage homes simply weren’t designed with central heating and cooling in mind. With little space for air ducts, this often results in ductwork that’s poorly routed and prone to sagging. Leaks are common, resulting in unbalanced airflow and wasted energy. Many older homes also have issues with dust, which can enter through leaky ductwork and negatively impact indoor air quality.
Ductwork problems can be difficult to identify, but common signs include excessive dust, weak or uneven airflow, and unusually high energy bills. Minor HVAC repairs can usually fix isolated sections of damaged or leaky ductwork. Aeroseal duct sealing is a simple and cost-effective solution for more widespread leaks.
The Aeroseal process can eliminate leaks throughout your system, sealing out pollutants and significantly improving comfort and efficiency. Since dust and debris tend to accumulate more quickly in historic homes, periodic air duct cleaning is also essential. Keeping your ductwork clean helps to promote smoother airflow and can even reduce wear and tear on your HVAC system.
Damaged or Worn-Out HVAC Equipment
If you own an older home, there’s a good chance you may also own an older climate control system. While this may not sound like a big deal, it can lead to serious — and seriously costly — consequences. As HVAC systems age, many of their components wear down and become less reliable.
Furnace burners foul up, air conditioners develop refrigerant leaks, and electrical connections corrode or work loose. In some vintage homes, rodents and other pests can even cause problems by leaving droppings and chewing through wires.
The good news is that most of these problems are covered by basic HVAC repairs. If you have aging or poorly maintained equipment, however, that may just be delaying the inevitable. A typical climate control system can be expected to last around 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance. Beyond that, the odds of more frequent and severe equipment malfunctions begin to increase considerably.
Also, older systems generally become less efficient and more expensive to operate. As such, it’s best to speak with a trusted HVAC professional to evaluate whether installing a replacement system makes sense for your home.
Obsolete Thermostat Controls
Over the last several decades, both HVAC technology and our understanding of indoor climate control have come a long way. These advances are particularly apparent when it comes to the way we control and interact with our HVAC systems.
Unfortunately, many area homes still use a dial thermostat that offers little control and relatively poor precision. This makes it very difficult to maintain consistent temperatures, especially since older homes often have layouts that inhibit air distribution. Moreover, many such thermostats are installed in the wrong locations, resulting in inaccurate and inconsistent readings.
If your thermostat isn’t working properly, a seasoned service technician can easily repair or relocate it to a more suitable location. Alternatively, consider upgrading to a smart thermostat with HVAC zone controls. Smart thermostats automatically adjust your temperature settings based on your schedule and can be remotely accessed via Wi-Fi.
When paired with a zoned HVAC system, you can even heat and cool different areas of your home independently. This gives you incredible control and makes it easy to eliminate the hot and cold spots that plague many older homes.
If your vintage home is having heating and cooling problems, trust the experts at Griffith Energy Services. From drooping air ducts to rodent-damaged electrical connections, we offer top-notch HVAC repairs and state-of-the-art solutions for all your comfort needs.
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