Common HVAC Problems in Older Michigan Homes

Charm & Character, but struggles with outdated heating & cooling systems, poor insulation & aging ductwork.

---

Older homes in Michigan have charm and character, but many struggle with outdated HVAC systems, poor insulation and aging ductwork. With long winters, humid summers and dramatic temperature swings, HVAC systems in older homes work hard year round.

Here are some common issues homeowners experience, what can be done to improve comfort, efficiency and energy costs.

1. Uneven Heating & Cooling

   1. One room is freezing while another is too warm, upstairs is hotter in the summer and cold spots near windows and additions. Sound familiar?

   2. The causes can be: poor duct design, undersized return air ducts, lack of insulation, older single-stage furnace systems and air leaks.

   3. Fixes include: seal and balance ductwork, add insulation in attics/walls, install a zoning system, upgrade to a variable speed HVAC unit and add return air pathways.

2. High Utility Bills

   1. Symptoms: furnace runs constantly in winter, A/C struggles in summer and energy bills keep climbing.

   2. Causes: Low-efficiency furnace or boiler, drafty windows/doors, poor attic insulation, and dirty filters/neglected maintenance.

   3. Fixes can include: Upgrade to a high-efficiency unit, install programmable thermostats/smart thermostats, improve insulation and schedule annual maintenance.

3. Lack of Air Conditioning

   1. Solutions: mini duct systems, ductless mini split units, traditional central air additions, and heat pump systems.

   2. Mini splits are popular in older homes because they avoid major duct work renovations, which are very costly due to being very labor intensive.

4. Boiler and Radiator Problems

   1. Symptoms: uneven heat, loud banging noise, leaks, and slow heat response.

   2. Causes: sediment buildup, air trapped in radiators, aging circulator pumps and corroded piping.

   3. Fixes: bleed radiators, flush boiler systems, replace pumps/valves and upgrade controls/thermostats.

5. Outdated Thermostats/Controls

   1. Symptoms: Inconsistent temperatures, manual adjustments constantly needed.

   2. Fixes: Install smart thermostats, add zoning controls and/or upgrade boiler/HVAC systems.

When it's time to replace instead of repair?

• Furnace is 15-20+ years old

• Boiler is leaking or inefficient

• Repairs are becoming frequent

• Energy bills are excessive

• Home comfort remains poor despite repairs

A properly designed HVAC system can make an older home feel dramatically more comfortable while lowering utility costs year-round.