Own an Older Home in Colorado? Watch for These 6 HVAC Issues
There are many benefits to buying an older home in Denver, CO, such as lower property taxes, solid construction and distinct character. However, some issues come with them, and one of these has to do with the home’s HVAC system. Below are six HVAC issues to keep an eye out for in an older home.
Airflow Problems
One issue with older homes is that you may experience airflow problems. You may notice that there are spots in the home that feel colder than others during the colder months and hotter than others during the summer. Other signs of airflow issues include stuffy air in the room and not feeling air coming from the vents.
Another sign of airflow issues is that your home experiences unequal pressure, which creates random air drafts. You may also notice your windows and doors opening or closing by themselves.
Ductwork Leaks
Proper ductwork is vital for your HVAC system. Holes, leaks and other ductwork issues account for 20% to 30% of the air lost through the ductwork system. In turn, leaky ductwork results in higher utility bills,despite homeowners searching for ways to lower the bills back to acceptable levels. Leaky ductwork also makes it difficult to keep your home comfortable.
Lack of Zoning
Older homes have a single thermostat that controls the temperature for the entire house. These days, modern HVAC designs, such as a ductless AC and heating system, allow you to choose zones and heat those zones separately.
This way, you can turn up the heat in your bedroom and not have to worry about heating the other rooms in your home that are empty during the night. Home zoning allows you to save on the amount of energy use each day, which adds up.
Older HVAC Systems
Another issue that homeowners face is that they’re working with an HVAC system that has passed its service life. The average lifespan of an HVAC system is 10 to 15 years with routine maintenance. Without regular annual maintenance, the lifespan is cut in half, and the homeowner has to replace their HVAC system far sooner than if they followed a routine maintenance schedule.
Old Thermostat
The average service life of an HVAC thermostat is 10 to 15 years. Older thermostats have pretty basic controls, especially if the thermostat is old enough to have needle indicators rather than a digital display. Older thermostats cause greater wear and tear on your unit, and they create frequent HVAC cycling and inefficient cooling and heating.
Modern thermostats allow you to access the controls on your HVAC system remotely through an app on your smartphone. A smart thermostat also learns the patterns of your household and adjusts the heating accordingly so that you’re not wasting energy heating an unoccupied home. If you have pets, you can adjust the settings on the thermostat to account for them as well.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
One issue with old HVAC systems that many homeowners don’t think about is poor indoor air quality. The EPA states that the level of indoor pollution is often two to five times higher than levels found outside. This includes pollen, pet dander, dust and other pollutants that circulate in your home’s air. Signs of poor indoor air quality include headaches, fatigue, mood changes and increased allergy and asthma symptoms.
Don’t let an outdated HVAC system in your older home affect your health or energy usage. You care about your health and the health of your loved ones, so it only makes sense to take steps to keep your family healthy. Contact Apple Aire Heating & Cooling today to learn more about how air filtration systems and air purifiers can improve your quality of life and HVAC efficiency.
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