Large, old houses are known for being expensive to heat. After years of use, an old house’s heating system no longer runs efficiently. When the costs of heating your old home outweigh the preventative methods’ heat savings, you need to find the most efficient heating system for an old house.
Depending on your home’s size and layout, you may consider several different options. Hartford HVAC contractors can help you find the best heating system for your old house and install it accurately. Read on to discover the most efficient heating system for old houses.
Causes of Heating Inefficiency in Old Houses
The biggest inconvenience of heating an old house is the cost. In best cases, you may run your heating system for hours and achieve uneven heating throughout the rooms. In worst cases, your improper sealing issues may be too extensive to keep heat indoors.
Causes of heating challenges in old houses include:
- Old windows and disintegrating insulation
- An old heating system
- Structural damage
Old Windows and Insulation
While old windows aren’t the leading cause of drafts in old homes, they may contribute to low indoor temperatures. If your window sills have damage from mold or old age, they may have a poor seal. Resealing your windows with weatherstripping will resolve this.
Old insulation is a bigger problem than damaged window seals. Without proper insulation, heat rises and escapes from your walls and roof. Some old homes may lack enough insulation, use poorly-insulating materials, or may not have any insulation at all.
Ineffective Heating System
After your heating system is around 20 years old, it no longer runs efficiently. Between damaged piping, water leaks, and corroded mechanical parts, the main challenge may be replacing your heating system.
Old heating systems like gas or electric boilers make little difference in your indoor temperatures, especially in a large, old house. Now, there are many modern heating options compatible with old homes.
Structural Issues
Old homes often have minor structural damage such as crevices and gaps after years of sustaining physical activity, water damage, harsh weather, and more. Despite their smaller size, these structural issues add up. Even a home in the best condition may still have virtually invisible damage.
Frigid air gets indoors through holes and gaps in your roof, attic, basement which we got concrete finish for crawl spaces here, walls, doors, and windows. Your heating system does little to combat the extensive structural damage. Old homes with untreated fireplaces and chimneys will also consistently draw cold air.
Without repairing these damaged areas in your home, your heating bill will stay high. Your chimney will suck out any hot air and replace it with cold air, while any remaining heating can escape through walls and improper seals.
The Most Efficient Heating Systems for an Old House
After implementing structural repairs and getting proper insulation, your old house still may have heating issues. The most efficient heating system for an old house will warm it quickly and evenly. A professional HVAC installer will:
- Inspect your home and current heating system
- Calculate heat and energy needs for your home’s size
- Discuss the energy demands with you
- Help you select an energy-efficient heating system
- Remove the old unit
- Install the new heating system
Heat Pump
Heat pumps are some of the most efficient units for heating an old home for their energy-saving properties. Heat pumps transfer existing heat instead of creating it. While they are a costly investment upfront, you’ll save money that more than makes up for the installation costs.
Heat pumps transfer heat from outside to indoors through geothermal or air source heat transfers. A heat pump also allows you to eliminate your old air conditioner. In the summer, a heat pump transfers hot air to the outdoors and brings cool air indoors.
Technological advancements mean your old home can have dedicated heating settings for each room. Additionally, your air will stay much cleaner.
Radiant Subfloor Heating
A radiant subfloor heating system has been popular for many years. They are easy to install and perfect for old homes that need flooring updates. For heating needs, subfloor heating provides gentle, even heating with water or electricity.
Modern advancements in radiant floor heating systems use special tubing to bring hot water throughout the floor. One tube can span several rooms, making it incredibly efficient for large, old homes.
Electric radiant heat uses underlayment pads with a heating cable to heat small rooms and are compatible with tile, wood, and other flooring materials. Unfortunately, you’ll need a separate air conditioning system, as radiant heating systems have no cooling abilities.
Furnace
A furnace or central forced-air heating system effectively heats and ventilates old homes. As the most popular choice for several decades, furnaces are a trusted indoor heat source. Standard fuels include electricity and gas.
Intake fans draw in cool air, and the furnace heats it before blowing it through the ducts. Furnaces allow you to leave the temperature set and activate again when the temperature drops. Their insulated air ducts keep heat in and spread it evenly throughout your home.
Because air ducts are difficult to install in an old home, they can cause storage inconveniences. Relying on original air vents may be possible by connecting systems between floors.
Heating System Installation
When you need a heating system installation for your old house, rely on an HVAC installation expert at SM Mechanical Services, LLC. Our team provides precise heating installations and replacements. We also carry popular brands of heating systems with high-efficiency ratings.
Consider us for all your heating and cooling needs. Whether you have a faulty gas furnace, a heat pump that needs replacing, or a dirty air conditioner, we can implement the proper repairs, replace your unrepairable unit, and schedule routine maintenance to prevent future problems.
At SM Mechanical Services, LLC, in Glastonbury, we take your heating concerns seriously. Our experts will determine the most efficient heating system for your old house. Call us for a new furnace installation at 860-296-5100.