"Took some careful planning to hide vents and ducts discreetly, but now the house feels way more comfortable—and our bills dropped noticeably."
Couldn't agree more with this. I've renovated a few older homes myself, and every single time I upgraded the HVAC, it paid off big time. Sure, there's always that initial cringe when you think about messing with original plaster walls or ornate ceilings... been there, done that, got the dusty t-shirt. But honestly, the comfort and savings are hard to beat.
I remember one property I had—beautiful Victorian place with original woodwork everywhere. The HVAC was ancient, probably installed when dinosaurs roamed the earth (or at least felt like it). I was hesitant at first because of all the charm and character I didn't want to ruin. But after one particularly brutal winter (and an equally brutal heating bill), I bit the bullet and upgraded.
We got creative hiding ducts behind built-ins, in closets, under staircases—you name it. It took some patience and a good contractor who understood old homes. In the end though, not only did our energy bills drop significantly (seriously noticeable difference), but it also made the home way more attractive to renters and buyers down the line.
I get that 20 years feels like a badge of honor for your current system—honestly impressive—but realistically speaking, you're probably on borrowed time. And trust me, HVAC systems love to fail at exactly the worst moment possible (usually during a heatwave or polar vortex... ask me how I know).
Anyway, just my two cents from experience: upgrading sooner rather than later can save you headaches (and wallet-aches) down the road. Plus, your home will thank you by feeling so much cozier year-round.
Had a similar experience with a client's mid-century home—beautiful lines, but hiding ducts was a nightmare. Worth it though, comfort improved dramatically and their bills dropped. Honestly, 20 years is impressive...but I'd start budgeting for an upgrade soon.
You're definitely doing something right if you've squeezed 20 years out of it. Had a similar run with an older ranch-style reno—thought we'd never get those ducts hidden, but once we did... total game changer. Comfort went up and costs dropped noticeably. Anyway, sounds like you've already got your money's worth, so even if an upgrade is looming, you've earned some bragging rights.
Twenty years is solid, but have you noticed any dips in efficiency lately? Had a client stretch theirs to 22 years—impressive, sure—but their bills were creeping up quietly over time. Might wanna check if you're actually saving or just delaying the inevitable...
Mine hit 23 years before I finally caved and replaced it. Honestly, didn't notice how bad it had gotten until the new one kicked in—night and day difference. Have you checked your ductwork lately? Mine was leaking like crazy...
