Older homes have a unique charm and appeal, but those vintage touches and structures usually don’t come with the most advanced appliances. Many old houses have outdated or poorly installed HVAC systems that drive up utility costs and leave you hot in the summer and chilly in the winter. Below are some of the most common reasons you might need an HVAC contractor if you have an older house.

5 Common HVAC Problems in Old Houses

1. Aging Equipment

Older furnaces and air conditioners are far less efficient than today’s models and much more likely to break down. Unless the house was recently updated, your Craftsman bungalow or mid-century ranch might feature equipment that was installed decades ago. A skilled HVAC contractor can upgrade your equipment, bringing modern comfort to your classic house.

2. Poor Installation

Installing an HVAC system in an older home often means retrofitting equipment for houses that weren’t designed for ducts. Unfortunately, contractors in decades past often improvised to make components fit, which often led to air leaks and other issues. If your property didn’t always feature heating and AC, it might be worthwhile to have the entire duct system inspected.

3. Inadequate Insulation

Older houses often have outdated insulation, much of which was added later. Depending on the age of your house, you might have some walls without insulation at all. A poorly insulated house will have dramatic hot and cold spots, with rooms that are warm in the summer, even with the AC working overtime. You can consider loose-fill insulation, batts, rolls, or spray foam. 

4. High Energy Bills

All of these factors combined result in an extremely inefficient system, which usually translates to high utility bills that always seem to rise. Maximizing the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems could save you thousands of dollars every year. You can consider a zoned HVAC system, which can control the temperatures in certain areas of the home to maximize efficiency and decrease system use. 

5. Poor Air Quality

Drafty windows let pollen and other pollutants into your house, where they may get trapped in outdated and poorly designed HVAC ducts and filters. These are just some of the reasons older homes often suffer from poor indoor air quality and mold growth, which can trigger allergic reactions and trap stale, musty odors.

For nearly 20 years, Charcool Heating & Cooling, Inc. in Milledgeville, GA, has been serving homes and businesses throughout Georgia’s Lake Country. They proudly combine reliable customer service with the most advanced equipment on the market, with trained HVAC contractors who will design the perfect heating and cooling solution for your home. Visit their website for more on their broad range of services, call (478) 452-9554 to schedule an inspection, and follow their Facebook for more expert tips and insight.