The charm and uniqueness of historic homes often come at the price of being difficult to properly heat and cool. As a result, they may be more susceptible to certain HVAC problems. The following are six of the most common HVAC issues plaguing historic homes in Lake Forest, IL.
1. Inadequate Insulation
Historic homes were usually built with insulation materials that aren’t as good as their modern counterparts. If you’re looking to upgrade the insulation, one option is to have a professional take out the old and put in the new. They can also put it where it should be but may be missing, such as in the walls, attic or crawlspaces.
2. Inefficient Thermostats
Newer thermostats give you many more ways to operate your HVAC system beyond simply moving the temperature up or down. They can also allow you to operate your unit remotely, giving you the luxury of changing the settings whether you’re at work, out running errands or on your way home.
The old thermostat may not even be in the best location to regulate temperatures. An HVAC technician can evaluate its placement and go over new options with you for a smart thermostat.
3. Air Leaks
If you notice air leaks are causing problems with temperature regulation in your historic home, hire a professional who can make the proper repairs, such as by installing weatherstripping. You can also call a qualified HVAC expert to seal up any leaks in ductwork or strengthen weak spots that could cause potential future issues.
4. Old HVAC Equipment
Older HVAC systems are often less efficient than newer equipment. This means it uses more energy to heat or cool the home, leading to higher energy bills.
If you have old HVAC equipment in your historic home, consider replacing it with newer, more efficient equipment. This can help you save money on your energy bills. You’ll also have a system that’s likely to cause you fewer problems and allow you to better regulate your home’s temperature.
Consult a reputable HVAC technician about which system would be best for your home. They can help you choose the option that’s ideal for the size of your space and your specific needs.
5. Old Ductwork
Over time, the ductwork can become clogged with dirt, dust, insects and debris. This reduces the efficiency of the HVAC system and makes it challenging to keep the home’s temperature at a comfortable level.
A professional can clean out the ductwork of much (or all) of the debris. They can also do an inspection to determine if the ductwork needs replacing or if it still has some good years left and all it needed was a cleaning.
6. Old Windows
As beautiful as old windows are in a historic home, they can often come with their own set of challenges beyond potentially having gaps around them. Some may have even deteriorated to the point where they can’t open anymore, resulting in ventilation issues, especially if a room has multiple windows that won’t open.
Another issue is that gaps not only lead to air leaks, but they can also let in dirt, insects and allergens, all the things you certainly don’t want in your home if you want to have good indoor air quality (IAQ). Weather stripping can help with this issue and with air leaks.
The good news is that you don’t have to replace and discard the windows of your historic home. To retain their charm and character, consider having the old windows restored by a professional who can maintain their integrity while giving them a beautiful (and energy-efficient) upgrade.
Just because you love your gorgeous historic home doesn’t mean you need to put up with poor ventilation, inconsistent temperatures and a host of other issues. Contact Ireland Heating & Air Conditioning Co. for help with improving IAQ and other problems that are causing the comfort level in your house to be less than ideal.
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