It’s tough to beat the heat in Northern Virginia!

Every year, right around the end of June or early July, our phone begins to ring off the hook with calls from clients who are just too toasty for comfort. We expect a lot of our central air conditioning systems here in Virginia, especially as temps tip into the 90s.

Having an AC system go down completely is certainly one thing, but what about having one that just can’t keep up? What’s hiding behind that issue?

Air Conditioning Systems in an Older Home vs. a New Home

Today’s modern home is more strategically built for energy efficiency than ever before, especially when it comes to your complete energy envelope:

• Insulation
• Wall thickness
• Windows
• Doors
• Foundation
• Air sealing

All of these factors play a role in your overall efficiency, and how well your HVAC system can maintain a comfortable temperature (both with cooling and heating). If you have an older home, you’re at a disadvantage. This can be balanced a bit, however, by systematically upgrading your insulation, windows, doors, and your cooling system as a whole (more on that below!).

The most common issue we discover in older homes is a combination of insufficient insulation and antiquated fan systems that move the cool air very ineffectively. The design of the newer systems on the market today is vastly improved, ensuring that the cold air gets to where it needs to be.

Is Your Air Conditioning System Losing Cold Air in the Duct System?

Another common issue that causes a lack of efficiency in your older system is a bit harder to detect. Deep in the ductwork, within your ceiling and other concealed spaces, ducts that are no longer complete sealed or attached as they should be can create a major loss of cold air. And, consequently, a major waste of energy and resources.

We use cutting-edge technology and techniques to pinpoint these areas, including:

• Infrared cameras that allow us to see cold and hot spots, identifying the most problematic portions of your system
• Checking the static pressure and airflow at the registers

How Can You Improve Your Home’s HVAC System?

If you’re experiencing a loss of efficiency or comfort, the best thing you can do is quickly contact your local HVAC service provider. And, if you live here in Northern Virginia, we hope you’ll reach out to us at L.R. Bennett! We can help you identify what’s causing the issue, and make the best recommendations based on our findings. In many cases it may be a relatively simple repair or upgrade that’s needed, or it could be that a new system is your best option. Many of our clients who have upgraded their older, less efficient air conditioning system are reporting back that they have never been so comfortable, and there’s a lot of value in that (both for your quality of life and long-term energy savings).

It’s also worthwhile to invest in routine maintenance and inspections. Waiting until the dog days of summer puts your own comfort at risk, and can jeopardize your cooling system right when you need it most.