If you live in a Tallahassee historic home, heating and cooling were undoubtedly a significant challenge for its original owners. Homes built before the 1900s did not incorporate heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and any HVAC systems put into homes in the first half of the 20th Century were rudimentary at best.
Even non-historic Tallahassee homes built 50 or more years ago had subpar HVAC configurations compared to today’s HVAC efficiency. Of course, if you live in an older home, its original HVAC system has undoubtedly been replaced at least once, as HVAC lifespans rarely top 25 years. And if your HVAC system is nearing the end of its lifespan, simply replacing it will improve your home’s cooling and heating efficiency. However, you might wonder whether there are any other HVAC upgrades that enhance indoor air comfort and boost energy efficiency for old houses.
Indeed, there are, and the expert service technicians at Tallahassee’s Air Control Heating and Cooling are here to highlight them for you. Here, then, are the top five HVAC upgrades for older Homes in Tallahassee:
1. Ductwork Inspection and Sealing
If your older home’s HVAC system relies on ductwork, it’s likely leaking air, especially if the ductwork was installed during the home build. Older ductwork is often uninsulated, poorly sealed, and may have suffered damage over the years. Leaky ducts can lose up to 30% of conditioned air, inhibiting conditioned air flows and forcing your HVAC system to work harder.
An inspection can uncover ductwork air flow issues, and subsequent duct sealing with mastic or aerosol-based sealants can significantly boost efficiency. If your home is uninsulated, you can further boost HVAC efficiency by adding insulation, especially in attics and crawlspaces.
2. Upgrade with a High-Efficiency Heat Pump System
Despite the name, heat pumps cool as well as heat indoor air, and represent a fantastic HVAC efficiency upgrade option for older Tallahassee homes. Heat pumps operate as both a heating system and an air conditioner by using the principles of heat transference instead of generating heat from scratch. For heating purposes, it uses the same heat transference principle used in air conditioning to cool the air, though in reverse. In addition to heating and cooling, heat pumps are highly effective at managing humidity and are much quieter than standard air conditioning and furnace systems.
When choosing a heat pump, consider variable-speed or inverter-driven models to optimize efficiency and ensure that it is “Energy Star” certified to take advantage of federal, state, and Tallahassee rebates and tax incentives.
3. Consider a Ductless Mini-Split System
If your older home lacks ductwork or its existing ducts need replacing, you should consider a ductless mini-split system, also known as a ductless heat pump. Ductless mini-splits use the same heat transference principle as the heat pump to cool or heat indoor air. Rather than ductwork, an outdoor unit connects to indoor air handlers that allow for zoned heating or cooling for additional efficiency. As with heat pumps, government rebates and tax incentives are available for homeowners who upgrade with this system.
4. Install a Smart Thermostat
If your existing HVAC system isn’t nearing the end of its lifespan, installing a smart thermostat is an economical way of optimizing your system’s efficiency. Poor insulation and room configurations in older homes often cause uneven heating and cooling. However, smart thermostats with zone control capabilities can help your HVAC system direct airflows more effectively. Smart thermostats can also learn the occupant’s schedules to adjust temperatures automatically, allowing for remote monitoring and control via smartphone to maintain the best in efficiency.
5. Indoor Air Quality Upgrades
Many older homes in Tallahassee are poorly ventilated, which gives rise to staler air and higher humidity than experienced in newer homes and encourages the spread of mold and allergens. Adding a whole-house humidifier to an existing HVAC system can help enhance its efficiency, boost indoor air quality, and discourage the spread of mold and allergens. UV air purifiers can also impede mold growth and control airborne bacteria. Combined, these upgrades can be especially helpful in protecting the health of anyone in the home struggling with allergies or respiratory issues.
Upgrade Your HVAC System in Tallahassee with Air Control
To learn more about upgrading your older home’s HVAC system in Tallahassee, consult the NATE-certified Air Control Heating and Cooling experts. Our skilled technicians are indoor air specialists who can configure optimal HVAC efficiency upgrades to meet your needs and budget. And to ensure peak operational efficiency throughout the year, consider joining our Air Control Club maintenance plan, which provides an 18-point inspection, any needed servicing, and additional benefits.
For the best in HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services in Tallahassee, Havana, Quincy, Monticello, and Crawfordville, contact us at (850) 562-1234.