If your home is more than 40 years old, heating installation may require extensive planning. Many older properties use outdated boilers and gas or wood stoves, and these appliances may be decades past their life expectancies. The guide below will help you decide how to upgrade the equipment.

How to Choose a New Furnace for a Historic Home

1. Incentives

If your home is designated as a historic site by the local government, you may be able to take advantage of grants that cover renovations. There may also be regulations you must follow to preserve the character of the property. Speak to a realtor, real estate attorney, or title search company to determine if your home is protected.

Whether or not the property is historic, you may be able to get tax incentives when you choose energy-efficient heating systems.

2. Aesthetics

In some homes, especially modern ones, heating systems are tucked out of sight. Older properties often have visible radiators, stoves, and fireplaces for heating.

Hidden equipment is easier to replace without affecting the vintage appearance of the house. If you have visible appliances, you might simply leave them in place without using them, or incorporate them into the new system. For example, a professional can fit a wood-burning fireplace with gas fixtures for cleaner, more convenient enjoyment.

3. Physical Requirements

There should be enough floor support and no nearby fire hazards in the area where you install the heater. Also, consider whether the home can support central heating. Ductwork usually requires clearance between the floors and ceilings beneath them, so builders might have to lower the ceiling several inches to create extra space.

It can be helpful to schedule heating installation during a larger remodel so you can rebuild the home around the system. To avoid large-scale projects, choose individual ductless units for the rooms you want to heat.

For heating installation that takes your home’s age and quirks into account, choose Brandon Heating & Air Conditioning. Based in Stow, OH, this HVAC contractor has over 25 years of experience serving Summit County. Their technicians are certified by the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) group and offer high-quality gas furnaces and appliances from Carrier®. Their work comes with a 30-day guarantee on service and a 12-month satisfaction guarantee on equipment. Call (330) 686-9828 to schedule a free estimate, or visit their website to learn more about heaters.