Older homes can provide a rich history that goes back decades. On Long Island, some houses date back to the 1700s and 1800s, with some that even pre-date the nation’s founding. Most older homes are much newer than that, though, having been built between the post-WW2 era and the 1970s. Although old homes can have a unique charm and long chronicle of their own, they can also have issues with heating and cooling, particularly homes built on a slab and lack ductwork. What is the best way to keep an older home warm, comfortable, and energy-efficient this winter?
Close the Gaps
One way to keep your older home warm is to ensure that all of your potential air leaks are sealed up. Old homes can be noticeably drafty. As wood ages, it tends to warp, particularly on the weather side of a house. Modern siding tends to mitigate this, but some materials do tend to lose their shape over time. Walk around your home during full daylight and check to see any gaps in the concrete, around the doors and windows, and where materials meet, i.e., where your roof meets your siding. Not only can you prevent drafts, but by sealing up these openings, you can also prevent pests from moving into your home.
Ductless Heating Systems
Another way to keep your home warm this winter is to upgrade your older heating equipment. Older homes tend to use heating methods that aren’t as effective or efficient as modern approaches. While your home might have initially installed radiators and baseboard heating, technological innovations such as ductless heating allow for significantly more flexibility and energy-efficient heating. Ductless heat provides homeowners with zoned heating, meaning you can heat the areas you are currently using and save money by not wasting energy warming rooms that don’t get as much use. For old homes without ducts, ductless heating also offers a far more effective cooling method since ductless provides both.
Perhaps the best part about a ductless HVAC system in an older home is that the most minimal structural changes need to be made. A ductless HVAC system only requires a small hole drilled through an exterior wall to connect the interior components to the outside condenser. For homes with actual historical value and preservation requirements, this is an ideal solution.
Energy Efficient Heating for Your Home
When it’s time for you to upgrade your older home’s heating system, call the energy experts at Express C.O.D. We offer upgrade options for oil heat and gas heat systems. Our parent company, Tragar Home Services, has served Nassau County and Suffolk County residents for over 60 years with our guaranteed 5-star customer service. For information about heating system upgrades or scheduling a COD oil delivery, call Express C.O.D today at (516) 221-2559.
