What is it about older homes that intrigues us so much? Some might be quick to point out architectural details, like beautiful hardwood floors, stately trims and antique hardware. Others focus on well preserved features or craftsmanship that lasts, bemoaning the perceived lack of longevity associated with today’s structures. Yet others might say that it’s the sense of history that comes with the home that appeals to them. Established neighborhoods with mature trees serve as a frame for the stories housed inside.
Whatever the reason, many homeowners are snatching up older properties all over the country, and the Susquehanna Valley is no different. From mansions on stately streets to center city row homes, the area is rife with historic houses of all shapes and sizes.
“I think that some of the older homes are just charming. They have a unique look and feel, and people won’t compromise,” says Jeri Donadee. “But with them comes mechanical challenges, on the water side, the plumbing…”
Donadee knows all about surmounting mechanical issues. As the vice president of Harrisburg-based H.B. McClure Company (www.hbmcclure.com), he installs heating and cooling systems into older homes on a regular basis. “When these homes were built, air conditioning was the furthest thing from their minds,” he says. “A/C was opening a window.”
First Things First
An upgraded heating and cooling system is one of the main amenities that homeowners have come to expect when they purchase a property, but it’s a luxury that many older homes lack. These houses may have oil boilers or steam systems, perhaps inefficient after years of use. Additionally, they may lack proper ductwork, a major issue when it comes to installing modern heating and cooling systems in a conventional way.
Before calling contractors to make recommendations, Donadee says there are several things homeowners should consider to minimize heat loss. Minimal cost, minimal effort options, such as adding attic insulation and sealing basement perimeters, provide a big return. “Between sealing and adding insulation in the attic, it can significantly reduce heating costs and make a home easier to cool,” he says.
But when small changes won’t suffice, and historic homes remain stiflingly hot, contractors can help homeowners weigh their options.
Traditional Installation
One of the primary issues a contractor will consider is if the home has existing ductwork. If so, even with a larger, older home, crews easily can add HVAC without making many cosmetic changes. Homeowners may opt to put a small unit in the basement and another in the attic. With two thermostats, there are two set points; this allows airflow to be regulated and evened out throughout the home. “Most people don’t want to do a complete overhaul,” explains Donadee. “They’re concerned about the aesthetics getting ruined, or the cost.”
Yet in some older homes adding HVAC equipment is a challenge. Crawl space may be minimal or non-existent. Pipes and drain lines may pose a problem for installation of insulation. Some homeowners might not want to sacrifice closet space in order to regulate temperatures. Others might not be on board with the trend of exposed ductwork for fear it clashes with the style of their older home.
In these cases, experts say embracing a growing trend, a ductless cooling and heating system called a mini-split, may solve the problem.
Mini-Splits Having a Moment
While they have been used in Europe for years, mini-splits were not considered many U.S. contractors and homeowners for a long time. “It was perceived to be newfangled technology,” explains Donadee. “I remember looking at them 20 years ago and thinking of them only for additions, like sunrooms.”
However, many contractors are now viewing this ductless system in a new light: as the perfect solution for heating and cooling older homes. On a national level, the popularity of mini-splits has grown. In fact, Donadee says, for the past three years, they have been the fastest growing component of heating and cooling in the U.S.
The idea behind the mini-split system is to create individual comfort zones. A unit is installed in a room and can be regulated by a handheld remote control. Multiple mini-splits can also be hooked up to a single outdoor unit to heat and cool multiple rooms. The unit itself is customizable: it can stand on the floor, be mounted on the wall, or be built into the ceiling as a cassette-type.
“It’s a lower-cost way of doing it rather than cutting in the ductwork,” says John Michel, president of Haller Enterprises (www.hallerent.com). “And it’s efficient, so it can save you money also.”
Michel says his company did several hundred mini-split installations just last year. And while installing mini-splits in a home can financially set a homeowner back, local experts say the benefits far outweigh the costs. Mini-splits are not only energy-efficient, but also run quietly, filtering air to reduce allergens and bacteria.
Automated Home
In the age of smart phones, it comes as no surprise that homeowners want to utilize new technology to tailor the heating and cooling of their home to fit their specific needs. Mark Jahnigen, an audio-video home technician at Haller, says the latest concept to take hold is the totally “automated home”: the notion that everything in one’s home, from stereos and lighting to HVAC equipment, can be controlled from one location. “The iPhone is really responsible for some of the boom of this industry,” he explains. “Everyone wants to control everything with the iPhone.”
Tech specialists like Jahnigen install the “brain” of the network-based system in someone’s home, layering it over all devices the client wishes to include. Then, users can control various devices through their smart phone, making it a totally customizable experience. And while many homes come equipped with programmable thermostats, Jahnigen says consumers prefer controlling their HVAC equipment with the more user-friendly smart systems his company is installing.
“The easiest way to look at it is [that] the house takes on different personalities, depending on who is coming home and when,” he explains. “Systems are programmed to interact with each other. They work better when they work together.”