Just Hit 20 Years With The Same HVAC—Am I Just Lucky?
I hear you on the “museum caretaker” thing. Sometimes I feel like I need to wear white gloves just to change a filter. But hey, 20 years with the same HVAC? That’s either some serious luck or you’ve been doing something right (or both).
If you’re thinking about sneaking in upgrades, here’s my go-to method:
1. Find the least-trafficked closet or pantry—nobody’s poking around in there.
2. Run your ductwork or wiring through that space, then patch up with a little paint.
3. If you’re worried about “historical integrity,” just keep the original grates or vents. Most folks can’t tell what’s behind them anyway.
I get the hesitation about changing things, but honestly, comfort matters. My old place had radiators that sounded like a haunted submarine, but I finally caved and added a mini-split. Best decision ever, and nobody even noticed except my dog (who now refuses to leave the living room).
Sometimes you gotta bend the “museum rules” just to make the place livable.
Sometimes I feel like I need to wear white gloves just to change a filter.
That’s the truth. I swear, every time I open up the return vent, I half expect to find a note from the original builder telling me not to touch anything.
Twenty years is impressive, but honestly, with regular maintenance and a little luck, those old systems can keep chugging along. I’m still running a 1999 Trane—just replaced the capacitor last year and it’s back to humming quietly (well, mostly quietly).
I get the urge to keep things “period correct,” but after sweating through one too many July nights, I caved and put in a ductless unit in my office. Kept the old registers for show—nobody’s noticed except my cat, who now camps out under it like it’s her personal spa.
I do agree about using closets and pantries for upgrades. Did that with some new wiring last winter. As long as you’re careful with patching and paint, nobody’s the wiser. Sometimes you gotta pick comfort over strict authenticity... or at least find a way to fake it convincingly.
Sometimes you gotta pick comfort over strict authenticity... or at least find a way to fake it convincingly.
I hear you on that. I used to be a stickler for keeping everything original, but after my third summer sweating through “historic charm,” I started prioritizing upgrades. One trick I learned: if you’re adding mini-splits or new wiring, run everything through closets or pantries first. Patch and paint, and it’s like nothing ever happened. Makes a huge difference for tenants, too—comfort sells, even if the vents are just for show.
Title: Just hit 20 years with the same HVAC—am I just lucky?
if you’re adding mini-splits or new wiring, run everything through closets or pantries first. Patch and paint, and it’s like nothing ever happened.
That’s a classic move. I’ve had clients swear they’d never touch the original plaster, but after living with window units for a couple of sticky summers, they changed their tune fast. Sometimes I’ll even suggest running ductwork along the tops of cabinets or behind built-ins—nobody notices if you’re clever with trim. “Historic charm” is great until you’re sweating through your sheets every night... At some point, comfort wins out.
Twenty years is impressive—definitely not the norm, but hey, some systems just keep chugging along. I wouldn’t call it pure luck though. Have you kept up with regular maintenance, or is it just a stubborn old unit that refuses to quit? Either way, enjoy the streak while it lasts... I’ve replaced mine twice in that time.
