Old houses often have sturdy bones that can last for several more years without much issue. However, they may not be updated to handle newer climate conditions. If the vents or heating system haven’t been modernized over time, an old house can often become an uncomfortably cold one.
Proper heating can be the difference between life and death in some cases; that’s not an exaggeration. High-quality HVAC in Tallahassee, FL, should not be underestimated. If you or someone you know is having these common heating problems in their house, make a service call today.
Health Issues Associated With Poor Heating
Florida isn’t known to get really cold, but with weather conditions changing, cold shocks happen more frequently in southern states. Manufacturers built Florida’s older homes for balmy weather year-round. They have thinner walls to dispel heat, the exact opposite of what you want during a cold shock.
Your mental and physical health may depend on well-rounded heating systems. Longer periods stuck in suboptimal temperatures can lead to various health issues:
- Heart strain
- Hypothermia risk
- Respiratory distress
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Reduced immune system response
The longer you are exposed to cold conditions, the more serious the symptoms can get. The increased stress that comes with extended cold exposure can also exacerbate preexisting physical and mental conditions.
Resolve any poor heating problems your property has before winter to fend off the worst of cold weather. You could save money on wintertime doctor visits and over-the-counter remedies as well.
Four Older Home Heating Problems
Here, we list a few heating problems in older houses and potential solutions. To receive a thorough diagnosis for your specific situation, call Cooper’s Plumbing & Air today.
Poor Air Quality
Have you noticed musty odors, dusty air, or excessive dryness or dampness? Poor air quality can make living in your own home unhealthy. Your HVAC system should reduce air quality issues rather than contribute to them.
Older homes tend to deal with these situations more since they often have older units and vents. Be sure to schedule annual maintenance checks to review your system’s condition and address problems that can contribute to poor air quality.
For example, dust and grime can build up in your heating unit, burning and causing a smoky smell. It can also cause the heater to not turn on if the furnace sensors become covered in muck. You can help clean up your indoor air:
- Use a dehumidifier
- Upgrade your thermostat and its sensors
- Replace clogged air filters every few months
- Keep the areas around your return vents clean
- Sweep dusty areas and vacuum carpets and rugs regularly
You may also need to clean more frequently if you have children or pets in the household.
Insufficient Heat Output
Let’s say you do get some heat, but what if you’re still too cold? Maybe your heater turns on frequently, but it never seems to get your room to the right temperature.
Short-cycling most often occurs when an HVAC system is either too large or too small for your property.
If the heating unit is too small, it may never turn off, constantly running and struggling to provide heat. If the unit is too large, it may heat the room too quickly, but the heat doesn’t stay long enough. It then has to turn on soon after to heat the room again.
Both cases wreak havoc on your energy bill, since short-cycling pulls much harsher on electrical needs than usual heating cycles. The only way to resolve this problem is to replace your outdated HVAC system. A new purchase may cost a lot upfront, but the long-term energy and resource savings are often worth it.
Uneven Heating
You may also experience uneven heating problems in an older house. Uneven heating can appear as one room being warm, with the room right next to it being several degrees cooler or hotter. The rooms in your house should generally have similar temperatures unless they have different amounts of insulation, e.g., a bedroom versus a garage.
Uneven heating between similar rooms could be from a thermostat issue. For instance, the sensors could misinterpret the temperatures in each room, leading the thermostat to believe all rooms are at the desired temperature. An internal wiring problem could also make the thermostat malfunction.
An HVAC specialist can evaluate your home to see if the uneven temperatures are from vent placement, thermostat issues, or something else. Sometimes, the heating problem can disappear with a simple thermostat reset.
Furnace Not Turning On
Fireplaces were popular in the early 1900s, even in Florida. When newer air control systems were developed, fireplaces were eventually replaced with furnaces. Newer Florida homes use heat pumps to utilize the state’s radiant heat, but many older houses still have furnaces.
If you have heating problems in an older house, you’re likely dealing with a gas furnace. Gas furnaces rely on lines that run through the ground, connecting to a local gas system. Thankfully, most furnace issues are with the unit itself, not the gas line.
A furnace that won’t turn on may be malfunctioning in several ways, either due to age or poor installation and maintenance:
- Pilot light issues
- Worn-down ignitor
- Damaged limit switch
- Incorrect ignitor installed
- Cracked hot surface ignitor element
Because gas can be hazardous and flammable, we suggest calling an expert to handle delicate furnace problems. If you have even the slightest question, give us a call.
Eliminate Poor Heating in Florida
Heating usually isn’t a problem in the state, but with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns on the rise, it’s better to be safe than sorry. You don’t want you or someone you love to be caught in a cold shock without proper heat.
Cooper’s Plumbing & Air has provided 24/7 HVAC solutions since 1997. We’ve expanded our network into Tallahassee, FL, and nearby areas so you can experience high-quality coverage at reasonable prices. If you or someone you know has heating problems in an older house, call 866-464-7132 today.
We can also repair water heater leaks and restore your water heater in one appointment; learn more here.