Living in an older home in Asheville, NC, can mean owning a piece of history, but that doesn’t mean it comes without challenges. In most aged homes, repairs and maintenance are necessary, especially with HVAC systems. Technicians can repair some of the most common HVAC problems discussed below, but you might need to invest in replacement equipment in some situations.
1. Leaking Ducts
When your HVAC is running, the air is passed through a series of ducts within the walls of your home. If these haven’t been maintained or replaced in many years, the joints and elbows will likely cause air leaks. The leaks can result in hot or cold air pushing through behind walls or on the ceiling rather than in the rooms where it’s needed.
2. Frequent Repairs
Frequent repairs are one of the most common complaints from homeowners of older homes. Unfortunately, older heating and cooling systems will need more attention, especially if neglected for many years. This is why, in some situations, a complete replacement can be a better financial choice.
3. Bad Indoor Air Quality
Older homes are likely to have aging ducts that need repairing or replacement with new materials. They’re also likely to have dirty ones that haven’t been cleaned for many years. A buildup of contaminants in the system can lead to poor indoor air quality that gets worse over time.
4. Lack of Energy Efficiency
Newer HVAC systems have upgraded equipment that dramatically improves energy efficiency for small and large homes. If you’re in an older home, your HVAC could be using much more energy than it needs. In this situation, it’s worthwhile to consider an HVAC replacement for yearly energy savings.
5. Old Thermostat
An older thermostat, even if it turns on and seems to work, will have inferior technology that only allows you to control some of what you need for efficient heating and cooling. You also may be unable to program an older thermostat, so it effectively responds to various temperature changes within your home.
Additionally, larger homes may not have the necessary number of thermostats to handle different zones of the house, which can make it difficult to heat and cool each room evenly.
6. Discomfort During Unexpected Temperature Changes
Leaking ducts, old parts, and dirty filters can make it difficult for air to push through the vents located throughout your home. During times when temperatures are inconsistent, this can mean being uncomfortable in your home despite the HVAC running. The result could be increased energy bills as well as frustration when the thermostat never reaches the desired temperature.
7. Deteriorating Parts and Loud Noises
When an HVAC system has been running for one or two decades, it will inevitably show signs of wear and tear. Without maintenance and part replacements each year, the worn-down parts will only continue to get worse. This can lead to random leaks, fans not working, electrical issues, and many other problems that lead to the system being inefficient overall.
As the parts of your heating and cooling system get older, they begin to wear down and stop working as well as they did in the beginning. While they may still run, the parts can begin to make loud noises that can be heard inside and outside the house. Repairs may help in some situations, although a complete replacement may also be necessary if your system is reaching the end of its life.
Your older home can be dramatically more comfortable and energy efficient with HVAC maintenance or a replacement. Even if you’re not sure how old your system is, it’s essential to have a professional look, so it doesn’t break down at an inconvenient time. Contact Gentry Service Group for a variety of heating and cooling services. Since 1963, we’ve continued to “Do the right thing even if it hurts.” That right thing could be replacing your HVAC.
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