Tips for Buying a New Furnace for Your Historic Home

 

Historic homes are a gorgeous investment. These homes are part of the local history and have unique architecture and designs that are hard to find elsewhere. In addition, they are worth purchasing because of the financial benefits they often bring.

However, maintaining a historic property can be difficult and stressful. There are always repairs, and it is necessary to update appliances and infrastructures. Heating system repairs are one of the most frequent fixes homeowners of historical homes need.

Why replace an old furnace?

Old furnaces are often inefficient and can't heat the entire house, primarily because of old age or simply because they were designed to heat only a few rooms. Replacing your furnace may be necessary due to the high repair and maintenance costs or scarcity of parts.

When renovating a historic house, keeping the original style and look intact while meeting modern needs is essential to preserve the historical value.

Considerations when replacing a furnace in a historic house

When choosing a furnace, consider options that are true to the home and improve its efficiency. These are some things you should consider when buying a furnace.

Furnace Types

There are three types of furnaces, each categorized by the fuel used and their size.

• High-efficiency furnaces are energy efficient and can be used in large commercial buildings and homes.

• Medium efficiency furnaces offer 80-90% energy efficiency. They are also easy to fit in any home, even a historic house because they allow for flexibility in design.

• Conventional furnaces often include a chimney and offer 75-80% efficiency. These furnaces are great for homes with low energy requirements and small spaces.

Maintenance cost will also play a role in the type of furnace you buy. Ask your HVAC professional how much it will cost to maintain a furnace before you buy one.

Infrastructure

Unless the furnace has been recently renovated or replaced, the ductwork in your historic home is likely outdated. Although you may be tempted to replace an old furnace by leaving the ductwork alone, eventually, it will have issues like leaking, which defeats the purpose of a new furnace. 

Consult a heating and cooling expert before replacing your ductwork. They will inspect the infrastructure and determine whether a new furnace is compatible with your existing ductwork or if you need to replace it immediately. You may only need to make minor repairs to your old ductwork to fit a new furnace.

Efficiency

Older furnaces tend to be inefficient, converting only 60% of the fuel into heat. Not only are they expensive to operate, but they don't your home effectively during the colder months. For better efficiency, replace your old furnace with one that has at least an 80% efficiency rating.

In historic homes, chimneys were used to vent the furnace. To save money and increase efficiency, consider removing the chimney.

Fuel

Your fuel choice affects the type of furnace you install in your historic home. For example, if you replace it with a renovated antique furnace, choose one that uses oil. 

With modern furnaces, your fuel choices are natural gas or electricity. Choose a cost-efficient furnace for fuel consumption or a green furnace that uses eco-friendly fuel.

Rules and regulations

It is important to remember that historic homes are treasures and that government agencies have rules protecting them. To renovate or replace any part of your home, you must seek permission from the appropriate authorities.

Old furnaces are not compliant with modern safety standards. Experts can help you install a modern furnace to meet all regulations and keep your home current. In addition, you may be eligible for tax incentives if you choose to renovate your historic property to preserve its structural integrity.

Trust Total Comfort

Total Comfort has been Madison County's best and largest HVAC company since 1987. From residential work to emergency ventilation for healthcare facilities, we pride ourselves on quality service at reasonable prices. We have grown into Madison County's best and largest heating and air conditioning company. We make sure you stay comfortable, no matter what the weather. Call us at 859-624-0903 or visit our website to learn more.

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Sources:
https://architecturesideas.com/tips-for-buying-new-furnace-for-your-historic-home/ 

https://www.baeumlerapproved.ca/blog/tips-for-buying-a-new-furnace-for-your-historic-home/ 

https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/efficient-heating-in-your-historic-home/