Retrofitting the Old HVAC System or Replacing it
SkyWalker HVAC Co-owner Ryan Walker
Hello, it's Ryan from SkyWalker HVAC. Today, I’m going to discuss when it is a good idea to update an existing HVAC system by retrofitting outdated parts with new replacements. In certain situations, retrofitting an HVAC system can be cost-effective and the best practice. We will also look at the challenges of HVAC in historic old homes in Southern New Hampshire.
At SkyWalker HVAC, we understand the unique architectural aspects that old homes in New England pose for heating and cooling. Each building needs a customized approach, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach for maintaining historic integrity and bringing in modern HVAC technology. It takes a scientific approach of using heat load calculations and factoring in the uniqueness of how old buildings are built.
What does it mean to Retrofit an HVAC System, and how can it help your old heating system
An old HVAC system doesn’t always need to be completely replaced. At times, it is best to retrofit the system with new parts. These upgrades help save energy, increase efficiency, and provide greater comfort. These modernizations can help extend the original HVAC system and cost much less than a complete redo.
A new furnace retrofit is often the best solution for a building. It involves replacing components and parts with new updated technology to improve the performance and reliability of the HVAC system. You can benefit from new technology while utilizing existing sections of the HVAC system.
Retrofitting Benefits for Southern New Hampshire:
Saving Money on Installation
Most of the time, retrofitting the current HVAC system is a cost savings as opposed to a complete HVAC replacement. Each situation is unique, though, so the building should be calculated and analyzed to see what option is best for the homeowner.
Increasing Energy Efficiency
When upgrading old systems, we reduce energy usage with optimized technology that utilizes fuel consumption better than older designs and mechanics.
Environmental Impact
With combustion technology improving, the new parts help reduce the emissions that negatively affect the environment. Help reduce your carbon footprint by retrofitting and complying with recommended energy efficiency standards.
Increase the Building’s Value
When selling a home, the property value is based on many factors, but any upgrades to an HVAC system will always increase the value of the building. Demand for optimized HVAC systems is a leading factor when buyers are looking for the right building.
System Reliability and HVAC Lifespan
A retrofit can extend the life of the HVAC system, and the new components help improve reliability.
Improve Air Quality and Comfort
With advancements in filtration and humidity control, a retrofit can improve indoor air quality and even help people with allergies. When someone has respiratory issues, having the indoor air optimized for both filtering airborne particulates and humidity levels can improve comfort.
Does your HVAC system need retrofitting?
If your furnace or boiler is over 10 years old, it is a good time to see if it could benefit from retrofitting. A licensed, certified technician can assess the best path. Energy efficiency is one of the major reasons to retrofit and make modifications. This solution is often cheaper than a complete HVAC replacement.
Call us at Skywalker HVAC, and we will inspect your system. We check for compatibility of a retrofit and see what ventilation, insulation, and air loss issues might be hindering the current HVAC system.
New ENERGY-STAR-rated furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and components come with advanced features like variable speed blowers and modulating burners. These upgrades in technology provide better temperature regulation and energy usage.
What are the challenges of retrofitting an HVAC system?
There are some great reasons to retrofit an HVAC system, but challenges need to be addressed to determine if it is the best solution for the building.
Specification Issues
Modern furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps require ductwork that meets certain specifications. Adjustments, replacements, and/or repairs may be needed for the ductwork to meet the new standards. We will consider whether this is cost-effective in retrofitting the HVAC system.
New Venting Regulations
Modern boilers, furnaces, and heat pumps require ventilation, so we may need to update the ventilation. We will need to address specific recommendations for the ventilation of the retrofitted equipment.
Utilities Adjustments
New equipment often has new standards for electrical wiring approval. We may need to modify the electrical system to meet the requirements. If using gas, we may also need to make some changes in the components to ensure compliance with the new equipment's updated specifications. This is another factor we will consider when deciding whether retrofitting is the best option.
Other Compatibility Issues
Depending on how old or what equipment was used in the existing HVAC system, it may not be possible to integrate new modern equipment without installing an entire new HVAC system. Many new models of boilers, furnaces, and heat pumps need compatibility that the old system just can’t provide. We will provide a detailed report on what options are available and how to meet your goals in heating and cooling your building.
Southern New Hampshire’s Old Homes and the challenges of HVAC
At SkyWalker HVAC, we have seen many challenging spaces and homes that need heating and cooling. The historic homes of the New England area pose a real difficulty. The old homes were not held accountable to modern building codes, and often don’t allow space for many of the new HVAC units to fit.
That said, though, we have taken on the mission to provide the best solutions possible in helping old homes increase their comfort, energy usage, and value. Mixing the modern with the old is a real art form, as each space must be treated as a custom design with subtle tweaks to reach the goal.
The basements and crawl spaces often don’t allow enough room to house a modern furnace or boiler. The house was built upon an area that was never intended for today’s HVAC units. Attics have a similar issue with limited space to accommodate necessary equipment.
Ductwork: The ductwork is often outdated and sized improperly for a new heating and cooling system. The old ductwork may have leaks and be missing the required insulation values. In these cases, new ductwork is the best path to match the specifications of new modern equipment.
Insulation: One of the often overlooked issues that HVAC companies miss in old homes is understanding how well the building is insulated. Even if you do heat calculations, there is a factor in how much insulation is helping to keep the treated air inside the building. If the insulation is an issue, we will recommend addressing the problem before investing in a system.
Checking for air leaks around windows and doors is another way to improve the new retrofitted systems' capabilities. Weatherstripping is a neglected area that is easy to fix but often overlooked. We will take an extensive look at your windows and doors for possible air leaks. Anytime we improve overall insulation, we immediately improve the HVAC systems' functioning and efficiency.
Architectural Preservation: When considering an HVAC retrofit in an old building in New England, we must be mindful of how to approach the installation. With so much historical integrity in these old structures, we at SkyWalker HVAC are careful in planning a design around important aesthetics that have stood the test of time. It is a balance between modern comfort and a heritage we must preserve.
Your Old Historic Home Benefits From HVAC Improvements
Safety: Advanced safety features reduce the risk of carbon monoxide leaks, electrical malfunctions, and air quality issues.
High Efficiency: While there are no furnaces, boilers, or heat pumps designed just for old homes, there are compact units that can work well. High-efficiency boilers, furnaces, and heat pumps come with new features. Variable speed blowers, modulating burners, and heat pumps are ideal for the older homes of Southern New Hampshire. These modern units provide consistent heating while consuming less energy, helping to offset the inefficiencies of outdated ductwork or poor insulation.
Alternative Approaches: If space is an issue or historical preservation makes traditional furnace and boiler installation difficult, consider ductless mini-split systems. These options are becoming increasingly more popular and often require less work on the inner walls of the building. With no ducts required, only a small hole needs to penetrate the building, and the outdoor unit houses all the mechanical components. All that goes inside the home is a wall unit to bring the heating and cooling. Learn more here about ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps.
Why a Larger Furnace or Boiler is not always better in an HVAC System
There is a common misconception that a bigger furnace or boiler will be more efficient and heat the home better. This myth that performance improves as you go up in size is really not true. It is all about designing the right-sized unit for the space. If the oversized furnace or boiler is used, it can cause a few problems.
That is why each space must have heat load calculations to determine what size unit will be best. We can’t just throw the biggest unit in that will fit and think you will get the right fit for your space. The bigger units that are oversized can actually cost more to run and even improperly heat the space.
So, before you decide on a particular furnace or boiler model, let us come by and calculate the space. We will account for square footage, insulation, and air flow concerns. Beware of any HVAC company trying to upsell you on a unit that is too large for the space.
Cycling On and Off
When you install a furnace that is too large, it actually turns on and off too frequently. This constant on and off, which we call running in short cycles, is bad for the unit. The system's ongoing cycling causes inconsistent temperatures and overworks the furnace. Each time the furnace cycles on and off, the components have more wear and tear. The short cycling eventually leads to a reduced life span of the furnace.
When the furnace is too large for the space, it quickly heats up the space and then cycles off, causing a temperature fluctuation across the building because some areas will be hot and others cool. The furnace is designed to run smoothly and to be on for longer cycles to heat the building efficiently.
There is a perfect spot where we want a furnace to cycle on and off, and this sweet spot treats the ideal optimization for the furnace. By doing a specific heat load calculation for your building, we will know exactly the right size unit to install.
Inefficient Heating
When you make a mistake and put too large a furnace in it, it will work so quickly that it will fail at providing a steady, consistent flow of heat. Heat distribution needs to be in a regulated flow that allows for the rooms to slowly come to an ambient temperature that allows all things in the room to heat up, not just the air, but the objects in the room. As the steady heat brings the room up to temperature, it allows for a longer time when the room is in that desired temperature range.
Air circulation is vital in maintaining the right temperature, which is achieved by a steady flow of warm air. The furnace needs to provide consistent heat for the best comfort levels.
More Energy Usage
Again, it surprises most people, but when a furnace is too large for the building's needs, it actually uses more energy. The rapid cycling on and off requires more energy than if it is steadier in its cycling. With more energy usage, the utility bills go up, and so does the carbon footprint of your HVAC system.
Reduced Comfort
We can talk all we want about HVAC systems, but the number one issue for most people is comfort. An oversized furnace has a harder time getting the building to stay in the desired temperature zone, reducing comfort levels. Some rooms will be too hot, and others too cool. The inconsistent temperatures are frustrating because you expect the thermostat to maintain its programmed temperature, but an oversized furnace will struggle.
The ideal furnace and boiler size is a critical factor in achieving proper comfort. Make sure whoever does your HVAC work is doing the heat load calculations and is informing you of what size units to install and why. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. There should be a reason and explanation as to why each piece of equipment is used. Bigger is not always better. It is about the right fit for the right space.
Please feel free to contact us today for your Southern New Hampshire HVAC needs. We offer extensive services, from maintenance to retrofitting and full-scale new HVAC systems. We can give your building a proper assessment with certified licensed full-scale heat load calculations to show you what would be best for your needs.
