Some HVAC Problems Common in Older Homes in Sacramento, CA

Many old homes suffer from improper maintenance, resulting in the depreciation and malfunctioning of appliances. Here are typical HVAC problems in older homes and possible remedies homeowners can consider in Sacramento, CA.

1. Leaking Ductwork

Homeowners may experience high energy bills due to leaky ducts from the HVAC system. If the ductwork fails to seal appropriately, some air may escape, creating inefficiencies like increased energy bills in the long run.

The leaky ductwork can also cause dust to enter the HVAC, causing some clogging in the system. The clogs on the ducts can overload the system, resulting in energy wastage and a significant spike in energy bills. You can contact a professional to inspect your HVAC system to avoid additional costs on your electricity consumption from the leakages.

2. Noisy HVAC Systems

Homeowners of old houses may experience noise pollution from the HVAC system. An outdated HVAC unit can be much noisier than a newer unit. Dust and dirt can accumulate over the years in the filter, causing the HVAC system to produce loud and unpleasant noises as it struggles to run.

Noise pollution can deprive you of quality sleep and cost you lots of money if a proper maintenance routine is not adopted to address the issues.

3. Poor Zoning

Zoning is the ability to control the temperature in different areas of your home. Older homes lack the zoning feature in their HVAC system, making the rooms around the house uncomfortable. Lack of zoning may cause some rooms to feel colder or hotter than others, creating a lot of discomfort for the residents.

Most older houses function on a single thermostat that can fail to regulate the temperature of the entire house. A system upgrade may be an ideal solution for better zoning capabilities of the HVAC systems in older homes.

4. Thermostat Underperformance

Older homes with outdated HVAC systems can have underperforming thermostats that fail to maintain a comfortable temperature. In your home, you may try to set the temperature but discover that it does not even work. An underperforming thermostat can cause inadequate cooling or heating, leading to poor air quality in the room.

On the other hand, modern thermostats can control your home’s climate based on your internal and external needs. Therefore, getting a thermostat upgrade can be an ideal solution to an underperforming thermostat in your older home.

5. Continuous Cycling

Over the years, as an HVAC unit in an older home begins to age, it has to cycle on and off more frequently to heat and cool the air in the home. An outdated HVAC can experience years of wear and tear, which lowers its functionality in the long run.

Homeowners in older homes should conduct an annual checkup on their HVAC to increase its efficiency in providing the comfort they need.

6. Blown Fuses

In older homes, the fuses in the HVAC system may blow due to the accumulation of dirt and debris in the air filter. The dust in the system causes the blower to work harder to force air through the clogged air filter. System overwork leads to an increase in the energy consumption of the blower.

An energy overload may, in turn, cause the circuit breaker to trip, hence causing a malfunction of the system. To remedy this problem, swap out your air filter every three months or so to avoid clogging, or hire a professional technician to help service your HVAC air filter as needed.

7. HVAC Water Leakages

HVACs in older homes can experience water leakages due to clogged drain lines, malfunctioning condensate pumps, low refrigerant levels or leaky drain pans. Issues with your condensate pipe can cause the water to build up and eventually leak from your HVAC. This condition is usually prevalent when warm weather arrives, especially during spring.

It is always good to shut down your HVAC at the thermostat if you notice any water leakages.

The professional HVAC technicians at Elk Grove Plumbing & Drain can inspect your HVAC unit and install a new one for you. Call us today to learn more.

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