Common Heating Issues Faced by Older Homes in Chicago and How to Solve Them

Common Heating Issues Faced by Older Homes in Chicago and How to Solve Them

Winters in Chicago are challenging, but there are also no guarantees on how cold or unseasonably warm it might get. Average winter temperatures in Chicago range from the coldest average lows of 18ºF in January to the colder highs of 35ºF in February according to the National Weather Service. 

The cold, blustery winters pose issues in some of Chicago’s older homes. Snowfall ranging from 7 inches in December to 11 inches in January adds to the impact on Illinois heating systems.

Find out what the most common issues are when it comes to heating your older home. Our tips will help you get through another winter and better understand how to prioritize home improvements to ensure your home is ready for another winter.

Aging Heating Systems Often Lack Efficiency

Each year, the efficiency of HVAC equipment increases. Your older system may not be able to meet modern efficiency goals. That doesn’t mean your system must be replaced. Something as simple as a duct cleaning can improve efficiency. An expert HVAC technician is the best way to determine if there are steps you can take to make your system work better to heat your home. 

Thermostats are an important part of an HVAC system, and they’re prone to failure over time. If your home is set at 68ºF, the heating system should be turning on to maintain the temperature near that setting. If it’s 58ºF and your system isn’t turning on, there’s a problem. Your thermostat could be failing to signal the need to turn on. Getting that fixed may be all you need to have a warmer home.

A new smart thermostat is energy efficient and learns your habits. It can adjust temperatures to match your needs. It will cool down your bedroom while you sleep and warm it up again before you wake up. You could have your home cooler when you’re on vacation and warm and toasty for your return.

If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old, it’s worth talking to a Chicago HVAC professional. You’ll have expert insight into the best system for your habits, lifestyle, and home design. With energy tax credits and rebates from some electric companies, you might find a new system saves enough money each month that it pays itself off in just a few years.

Century and Multi-Decade Old Homes Are Drafty

Old homes are drafty. They weren’t built with modern double-pane or triple-pane Low-E windows. They didn’t always have insulated doors, and the gaps around the edges let in plenty of cold Chicago air. Updating those homes isn’t always easy as there are thick brick walls and historic features that can’t be changed without following strict rules that respect the architectural characteristics and the building’s history.

In most cases, you don’t need a building permit to install a new furnace or HVAC system, but historic buildings don’t always follow those general guidelines. Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development’s Historic Preservation Division makes permitting decisions in those circumstances.

The best step to take to improve the climate within your home is to seal up drafty areas with weatherstripping and caulk. Add new weatherstripping to old doors, put in a new door sweep to block out drafts at the bottom of doors, and increase insulation in the attic if you can. Insulation projects also offer tax credits, so you can recover some of the cost.

Older Brick Homes Increase the Difficulty of HVAC System Upgrades

Permits are only part of the issue. Older Chicago homes may have asbestos or lead in the building materials. That has to be carefully addressed if any ducts are going through walls or floors that have hazardous materials. In this case, the Chicago Department of Public Health must be involved in plans. 

Brick homes also have thick walls that can make it hard to install modern heating equipment like a mini-split heat pump. That environmentally friendly, efficient heating option is great for older homes, but it’s not the easiest system to install in some situations.

Ask for a free assessment of your home and what the best heating options are available. Get estimates and find out how much lower your heating bills could be this winter.

Weather Patterns Are Changing

One more thing to consider is that weather patterns are changing. The winter of 2013 and 2014 had the third-highest snow total in history with 82 inches of snow that season. In 2021 and 2022, Chicago received 32.8 inches. All of this snow builds up over time.

You must keep any vents and outdoor components clear of snow. If the vents or equipment gets covered in snow, it can make it harder for the system to work. It also increases the risk of carbon monoxide within your home.

Winds and gusts are another factor. Go back to December 18, 2023, when wind guests were at 45 mph. Average winds were at 30 mph. Though the temperature was above freezing, those strong winds made for very drafty homes, which made it harder to heat an older home effectively.

Last winter, snowfall was minimal, but the month of January saw strong winds with the average daily wind at almost 10 mph and gusts of up to 40 mph. In what’s typically the coldest month, the winds didn’t make the average temperature of 32ºF feel very warm. In a drafty home, heating systems got a workout.

Make Sure You Keep Your System Maintained Properly

Regular maintenance is just as important as the other tips. When your system isn’t cleaned and inspected regularly, its efficiency drops. Plus, you put your health at risk. If a gas-fired heating system cannot vent properly, carbon monoxide is possible.

Are you changing your air filter regularly? Any furnace has an air filter in the ducts that captures particles like dust, pollen, pet dander, hair, and fur. This keeps the air you breathe clean and odor-free. If you notice your home smells musty or gross, you could have an issue with your ducts that needs immediate attention.

Yearly HVAC inspections can also catch issues before they damage your system. It’s better to pay to have a minor repair like a frozen line thawed properly than to have it expand and create a costly leak. It’s always better to fix something now and avoid a catastrophic failure.

An old home doesn’t have to be cold and drafty. Discuss your issues with Air Blue Heating & Cooling to explore the different ways to solve your heating system’s deficiencies and have a warm, toasty home. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.