While older homes have their unique history and charm, they’re also likely to have plumbing and HVAC issues. Sometimes it’s harder to cool or heat rooms, but often there are problems you don’t see, like leaky ductwork, poor indoor air quality or poor airflow. Here are five HVAC issues that plague older homes, even ones in Lenoir City, TN.
1. Leaks in Ductwork
With HVAC systems that rely on ductwork to move cooled or heated air throughout the home, there are sometimes leaks or creaks in the ductwork. If there are leaks, the energy used to create the heated or cooled air escapes through these leaks, reducing the effectiveness. When this happens, you’ll notice a spike in your utility bills, and you may have difficulty cooling or heating your home.
Nobody wants to waste energy that they’re not using. While one solution is having your air ducts sealed, another option is to switch to a ductless AC system.
2. Older HVAC System
Some homeowners don’t understand how long an HVAC system operates. They expect their HVAC system to last longer than the average service life. The lifespan of a standard HVAC system is 10 to 15 years, half that if the previous owner didn’t keep up with the annual maintenance needs.
There are several signs that you have an older HVAC system. One sign is that you’re facing repairs that cost more than a newer HVAC system. Another sign is that your home doesn’t stay at a comfortable temperature or the indoor humidity range isn’t right.
3. Outdated Thermostats
The thermostat is the brain of your HVAC system. It controls when your system turns on, how long it runs and when it should turn off. Thermostats have a service life of 10 years before they’re considered outdated. Older thermostats, especially those with needles to indicate temperature settings, have basic controls that don’t adapt to external temperature conditions.
Some signs of an outdated thermostat include an inaccurate thermostat display, no information on the thermostat display or issues with short cycling. You may also experience temperature shifts that don’t occur with a properly functioning thermostat.
In addition, your thermostat doesn’t respond when you change the settings. Updating to a smart thermostat not only means you can control your thermostat remotely, but it learns your behavior patterns and adapts to temperature conditions.
4. Poor Airflow
When your HVAC ductwork has leaks, you won’t experience the best airflow that a newer HVAC system offers. You’ll experience warm or cold spots in areas of your home, or you’ll notice that the air coming out of the vents isn’t as strong as some other areas of the house. You may also experience a pressure imbalance, noticeable only when doors close by themselves, open by themselves, or slam shut by themselves.
You may wonder if there’s a ghostly presence in your older home. The cause may have something to do with the age of the home and the system in the home. There are many causes of HVAC airflow problems, such as dirty coils, clogged filters or refrigerant leaks. If you notice a refrigerant leak, call an expert for your AC repair needs.
5. Poor Indoor Air Quality
Older homes are prone to having poor indoor air quality for a variety of reasons. While older homes might not have vent fans for proper ventilation, older HVAC systems also have difficulty filtering allergens and pollutants. A newer HVAC system with a whole-home air purifier traps up to 95% of allergens and VOCs that impact your health in ways you may not notice.
Melton Heating and Air Conditioning has been serving Lenoir City, TN and the surrounding areas since 1978. We offer affordable and flat-rate pricing so that you know what to expect.
Contact Melton Heating and Air Conditioning for questions about your home’s indoor air quality. We’re happy to discuss our indoor air quality solutions. They will enhance your health and comfort.
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