Older homes contribute incredible history and beauty to their neighborhoods. The saying “beauty comes at a price” might not always ring true, but for older homes, it does. We love the exquisite detail and glances into the past these homes offer; however, the HVAC technology is usually just as dated. Unlike unique features like large wrap-around porches and staccato roofs, old-fashioned air conditioners only make household members more uncomfortable. We’ll walk you through what we mean.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
Air quality was barely a thing back when some 20th century and older homes were built. Today, air quality is a fundamental benefit of HVAC systems. For instance, modern air conditioners reduce the level of humidity in homes, but if left unchecked, humidity can exacerbate allergy and asthma issues as well as create mold spores.
Plus, outdated filtration systems can’t reduce pollutants in the air nearly as well as the air filters and blower systems in homes today.
Leaking Duct System
If we see this issue in modern homes, you can bet we encounter leaking ducts in older homes fairly often. It’s standard for houses to shift with weather or natural ground movement, which is why you hear creaking floors and doors in old homes.
These occurrences also indicate the ductwork has likely shifted with age too. When ducts become warped with age, they are more prone to leaks.
Older homes lose extensive amounts of cool air through leaking ducts, making AC systems work harder to cool your spaces.
Obsolete Thermostat
While some forms of technology drive a hole in your wallet, most advancements with HVAC systems will ensure you save money. One example is a new thermostat. With a new thermostat, you can:
manage indoor climates from your phone;
reduce the amount your system runs when you don’t need it;
set scheduled cooling periods for ultimate efficiency.
Plus, updating your thermostat includes proper placement. In contrast, thermostats in older homes could be placed in warm or cold spots, causing frequent cycles and temperature errors. In addition to improper cooling, this process leads to extreme wear and tear of your system.
High Energy Bills
Outdated air conditioners aren’t nearly as efficient as the latest Energy Star models. Most systems last about 15 to 20 years, so if your home hasn’t had an upgrade beyond that time, you’re likely paying the price.
Central units should have a SEER rating of at least 15. Increased efficiency improves cooling capabilities when it’s needed most and cuts down on excess energy costs.
The good news is most of the issues we see in old homes can be resolved with timely updates. After all, air conditioners need to be replaced eventually, and if you haven’t replaced yours in the last 20 years of the house being built, we know just the team to help.
A Bacon expert will help you understand the essential aspects to consider when replacing your air conditioning unit, such as the brand, type of cooling system, size of the AC unit, and price. Call today to start saving!
