We’re going to have an intensely hot summer this year—and certainly next year as well. Homeowners need to rely heavily on their central air conditioning systems in order to get through the heat in both comfort and safety.
Older homes face different challenges when it comes to air conditioning systems. Today we’re going to examine some of the common issues that vintage homes have to deal with, along with tips for AC upgrades and AC repair in Bergen, NY that will help you ensure that your older home stays both cool and energy efficient when the outside temperature rises into the red.
Asses Your Existing System
Before you consider having your AC repaired, you need to have a good idea of your current HVAC system. For example, it’s common for older homes to have damaged ductwork or an out-of-date AC. We don’t recommend trying to repair an AC that’s more than 15 years old, and poor performance is a good reason to have technicians examine and test the ductwork. The technicians can also check on the compatibility of your electrical system with the newest technology: you may need electrical upgrades to handle the newest line of energy-efficient air conditioning systems.
Duct Repairs
These are common HVAC repairs in older homes. Even the best installed ductwork will eventually start to suffer from gapping and air leaks that will seriously impede the ACs performance, creating poor airflow, uneven cooling, and high electric bills. In some cases, you may need to have the ductwork replaced entirely with material like flexible ducts.
Replace Outdated Components
If your AC unit is outdated or no longer reliable, then a replacement may be your best choice. Older cooling systems are often energy gobblers with cooling that often fluctuates. When you upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioner with a higher SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) you’ll not only have less costly cooling, you’ll have better cooling as well.
Consider Zoning
Here’s a way you can significantly enhance the cooling in an older home—especially if you often have problems with parts of the house not getting cool enough when the AC is on. Zoning allows you to divide your home into different climate “zones” (from as few as two to as many as you have rooms) with separate temperature controls. Not only will you only need to cool areas that need it, saving energy, but you can program the zoning so that it spreads cooling evenly through the house, channeling cooling power to where it’s most needed.
Upgrading Your Thermostat
This is a simple step, but it can make a huge difference for an older home when it comes to cooling. If your home still has a manual thermostat that runs on sliders and dials, changing to a programmable thermostat, or even better, a Wi-Fi smart thermostat, will make an enormous difference in cooling ability, convenience, and energy savings. You’ll need professionals to help you find and install the thermostat to ensure its compatibility with your HVAC system.
Triple-O Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing Is Your One-stop Shop for HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical. No matter the age of your home, trust us for your AC repair needs.