When it comes to caring for their property, people who own historic homes tend to focus on solutions that preserve the building’s original details. Unfortunately, furnaces can’t usually be preserved this long and deliver the climate control you need to live comfortably. If you need to add a new heating system to your historic home, here are a few factors you’ll want to consider when finding the best furnace for your older house.

4 Factors to Consider When Adding a New Furnace to Your Historical Home

1. Ductwork Requirements

If the property previously had a centralized system, there’s likely already a series of ducts and registers that will direct warm air throughout the home. In these cases, you may be able to keep or upgrade the existing ductwork. When there is no ventilation, you’ll need to determine what the ductwork requirements will be for the new furnace. If duct installation would compromise the historic qualities of the home too much, you might consider a less invasive option—such as a ductless heat pump or mini-duct heating system.

2. Venting Needs

Not all furnaces have the same venting requirements. If you choose a model that requires a vent, make sure a new flue pipe can be installed in your home without disrupting historic qualities. You might also be able to retrofit an existing chimney to act as an exhaust vent.

3. Efficiency

Due to aging materials and large floorplans, historic homes can be highly vulnerable to energy loss. To keep your heating bills affordable, you’ll need to choose a furnace that offers an acceptable efficiency rating. Typically, older homes pair well with mid-efficiency models that provide 80 to 90% energy-efficiency. Other ways to improve efficiency may include installing a programmable thermostat and upgrading insulation.

4. Fuel Accessibility

Although many modern furnaces rely on electricity or natural gas, historic homes may not always have reliable access to these power sources. In these situations, you may need equipment that can use non-municipal fuel sources—such as heating oil or propane.

If you need furnace installation in the Loveland, OH area, turn to Rick Ogden Heating & Air Conditioning for specialized care. Backed with more than four decades of experience, these technicians are familiar with all types of heating systems—including those designed for retrofits. They are also qualified to service and repair older furnaces—such as those that rely on heating oil. To learn more about their capabilities, visit this heating and cooling contractor online or call (513) 683-3714.