4 HVAC Problems Common in Older Wilmington, NC Homes

Older homes in Wilmington, NC have their own unique style and charm. However, owning an older home also presents its own unique challenges, especially in terms of keeping it adequately heated or cooled. To help overcome these issues, here is a list of some of the most common HVAC problems you’ll need to be aware of.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

All homes can suffer from poor indoor air quality, but this issue can be especially troublesome for older homes. Modern building practices ensure that new homes are well sealed to help prevent allergens and pollutants from getting inside. However, older homes tend to have many more gaps and thus a much higher concentration of airborne particles.

This higher concentration means that your HVAC system won’t be able to filter the air inside your home as efficiently. Poor indoor air quality can also make it more difficult to breathe and potentially lead to health issues. This can be especially troublesome for anyone who has allergies or suffers from asthma or other respiratory problems.

Excessive humidity, pollen and spores are just a few of the common issues seen in many Wilmington, NC homes. One of the easiest ways to overcome these problems is to upgrade your HVAC system with a whole-home air purifier, whole-home dehumidifier or other indoor air quality solution.

Damaged or Leaky Ductwork

Your ductwork is an essential part of your home’s HVAC system, but many older homes suffer from issues with damaged or leaking ductwork. These leaks make it much more difficult to properly circulate heated or cooled air throughout the home, which can result in inadequate or uneven heating and cooling.

Leaky ductwork can also contribute to poor indoor air quality by making it easier for dust, allergens and pollutants to get inside your HVAC system. When these pollutants build up inside your system, it can drastically reduce airflow. Any leaks can also force your furnace or air conditioner to work much harder, which can increase the need for repairs and potentially shorten the lifespan of your heating and cooling systems.

The easiest way to overcome all of these issues is to have your ductwork inspected and repaired or sealed as needed. You may also want to consider having your ductwork professionally cleaned every few years to help improve air quality.

Outdated Thermostat

Many older homes also have old thermostats that are nowhere nearly as efficient as new models. This can directly contribute to energy waste and force you to spend much more to heat or cool your home. An inefficient thermostat can also cause your furnace or AC unit to experience problems with frequent cycling and generally increase the wear and tear on the unit.

Modern programmable thermostats and smart thermostats can easily solve these issues and give you far greater control over your HVAC system. Not only that, but many of these thermostats can automatically adjust your heating and cooling settings based on your behavior. In this way, they can help prevent damage to your system and help to lower your energy costs.

Inadequate Airflow

Inadequate airflow is another common problem in many older homes. Dirty, damaged or improperly installed ducts are just one of the factors that can contribute to this problem.

Aging HVAC equipment is also a major contributing factor in many cases. As your furnace or air conditioner gets older, it will generally become much more difficult for it to properly heat or cool the air and circulate it throughout the home. Therefore, if your furnace or AC unit is more than 15 years old, it might be time to consider having it replaced.

If you’re experiencing any of these problems in your Wilmington, NC home, our team of heating and cooling experts is here to help. We specialize in HVAC maintenance as well as air conditioning and heating repairs and installations. To learn more about our HVAC services or to schedule an appointment, contact Airmax Heating & Cooling today.

Image provided by iStock