From the grand Victorian and rustic Colonial to the California Bungalow, there’s a reason we love older homes. The connection to history and hand-crafted details are features that aren’t found in today’s mass-produced homes. Their durable structures are why you still see these homes dotting the Sacramento streets – they were built to last! But the charm in owning an old house can have a significant downside, and it can be costly. Let’s look at three hidden costs of owning an old home. 

1. The Attic 

Behind the rustic wood beams and crown moldings of your old home lurks a whole litany of problems, just in the way it was built. Your attic has a lot of hidden crawl spaces leaking air out of your home – typically 60 to 70 percent! Venting, roof conditions, air sealing, and exposed ductwork can significantly affect your energy bill. So even with that brand new Central Air system you installed, you won’t save a dime. 

2. Insulation (Or Lack Of)

Another disadvantage to an older home is the severe lack of insulation. Older homes were constructed with a natural ventilation system to release moisture. The problem with traditional insulation is that it makes your furnace and air conditioner work overtime! Not only that, but the uneven temperatures throughout the home and the risk of freezing pipes in the winter can be a costly energy expense. 

3. The Foundation

Old homes typically weren’t built on the concrete slabs found in today’s homes. Over time, erosion and other issues like tree roots from well-established trees cause the soil beneath the home’s foundation to move. Foundational issues can cause problems far beyond an uneven floor or door that won’t close. The shifts can cause slab leaks in your pipes that make them vulnerable to breakage. As water builds up, you can develop mildew, mold, and rot. Also, cracks along the windows, walls, and chimneys are an additional source of air leakage – which means more money out of your wallet! 

Your house is truly one system. Quick fixes and simple solutions will cost you more in the long run because everything in your home relies on the next thing. New windows or a new furnace won’t get you far if your foundation and attic are leaking air! To increase your home’s value, make it energy efficient, and lower your utility costs, you need to look at it as a whole. Let Next Level Performance Help. Our free whole-home test will give you the insight to make the right decisions for your home’s future. Your old house is the most charming on the block; wouldn’t it be nice to be the most energy-efficient too?