Many of the contemporary conveniences that we now take for granted were simply not available when your historic home was constructed and built. This includes HVAC systems that are complete and totally automated, as found in more modern residences. Fortunately, improving your interior air comfort and energy efficiency does not need destroying your home’s historic charm. Here are a few pointers to get you started. Remember that you can contact Econo West at (661) 269-0308 for help.

Original features should be restored

To begin, think about repairing and employing the amenities that your home’s original residents employed to remain cool in the hot summers of southern California. These characteristics include:

• Exterior walls should be painted in light colors to reflect solar heat
• Ceilings that are high enough to enable air to ascend through the rooms
• Between-room transom windows to enable hot air to escape
• Shutters are used to shield windows that receive a lot of sunlight
• Shade is provided by deep balconies, porches, roof overhangs, and awnings

To keep your home cool like previous generations, open the windows on the shady side of the house, as well as an attic window or vent, to allow a cooling draft to circulate through the house. If you don’t have attic ventilation, you may also open the top sash of a window on the other side of the home.

Improved Insulation

Builders in the past were known to be rather inventive when it came to insulation. Newspapers, corncobs, and rags have all been discovered inside historic walls. You may considerably improve your home’s capacity to keep warm or cooled air by replacing your insulation to a contemporary product.

Window repair and weatherization

Beautiful solid-wood window frames support single panes of glass in many older homes. While contemporary double pane windows are far more energy efficient, if you’re not careful, they might distract from your home’s historic charm.

Installing storm windows on the inside or outside of the existing window may be a preferable alternative for adding greater protection without sacrificing the historic window’s appearance. To keep drafts at bay, make sure your ancient wood windows are properly sealed with weatherstripping.

Consider ductless air conditioning.

By concealing ducting under a drop ceiling, many old homes have been converted to central air. Unfortunately, this ruins the high-ceilinged rooms’ original aspect and feel. It’s also possible that you’ll wind up hiding elements like hand-carved moldings.

Many individuals are unaware that there is an alternative to cluttering their windows with air conditioners. To offer more inconspicuous cooling, ductless air conditioners may be put in walls or ceilings.

Examine your building’s seal

Finally, keep an eye out for leaks in your building seal. Econo West‘s Air Balancing test may be very useful in determining how much heated or cooled air is being lost via holes in the building seal.