Why Your HVAC System Isn’t Working As Well As It Should
Your HVAC system sends temperature-regulated air through ductwork into different areas of your home. Its blower makes use of propane, oil or natural gas to generate heat for the furnace. Meanwhile, electricity powers the cooling components in an all-electric unit.
Vents (or registers) are found in the ceiling or on the floor of every room. You should keep them open if possible to ensure that air circulation is maintained throughout your home.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an essential part of your HVAC system. It regulates the temperature in your home by turning off and on the compressor and fan until they reach a set temperature. It also turns on the air exchanger to help bring fresh air from outside into your home while exchanging stale indoor air out through your ductwork.
The majority of thermostats are digital. However there are older models. Digital thermostats are controlled by the thermosistor. The device contains metals that change resistance when the temperature changes. The thermistor, which is connected to a controller, converts the resistance change into a temperature. There are a variety of thermostats, including smart and programmed thermostats. They let you control and adjust your home’s power consumption.
Thermostats can be positioned on the walls of your home’s interior, typically in rooms that are most often used. The position of your thermostat could affect its accuracy. A thermostat placed in direct sunlight, for instance it could display a higher temperature than the actual temperature of the room. This can cause your system to operate more or less. If your thermostat isn’t operating properly, you can try setting it again, but if this doesn’t fix the problem, you should call an AC technician for help.
You should consider a programmable thermostat if you are replacing your current thermostat. You’ll save money on energy bills. A programmable model will automatically adjust the temperature of your home according to your preferences, rather than having to manually adjust your HVAC system on a daily basis. It is also worth checking to see if you can find an alternative that will provide you with even greater savings on energy, like an energy-efficient or ENERGY certified thermostat.
Condenser
When your air conditioning isn’t functioning as efficiently as it ought to one of the most frequent causes can be found in your condenser. The condenser unit is comprised of a variety of parts that need to be functioning in harmony for the unit to function. If any of these components are damaged or worn out, then the entire system could be affected. The most common issues found in the condenser are broken control board or leaks of refrigerant.
The refrigerant gas produced by the compressor is pumped into the condenser where a fan blows cool outside air over the coils. This allows the refrigerant gas to cool, and return to a liquid state. This cooled low-pressure liquid then is redirected back to the evaporator, where it continues the cooling process. The process continues until the temperature you want in your home or business is reached.
To ensure that your condenser runs properly, you should ensure that the area around it is clean of any debris. Leaves, twigs, flowers grass and other debris could be taken into the unit by the condenser fan and cause clogs that prevent proper operation of the cooling system. It is recommended to keep the bushes and trees in good shape to ensure that they don’t get on the unit. This will reduce the chance that berries, nuts, or branches fall into the system and cause clogging. Keeping your condenser free from debris can add two or three years to the lifespan of your AC system.
Evaporator
The evaporator is used to move warm air around your home. It is comprised of a series u-shaped tubes that are set into panels. Air from the blower fan is blown through these coils. This is a way of transferring heat from the indoor environment to the refrigerant. The refrigerant’s liquid is converted into a gas and circulated throughout the cooling system to cool your indoor air.
The thermodynamic law states that heat is transferred from colder to warmer objects. When the evaporator operates correctly, the energy of heat is transferred from the refrigerant that is warm to the cool air. This causes the refrigerant to heat up or evaporate into gas. During this process, the latent heat (which is not measurable with a thermometer) is transferred from air to refrigerant.
These coils are constructed with specialized structures that improve the transfer of heat. Fins are utilized to increase the surface area of coils. Both aluminum and copper are used to build some evaporators, each having distinct advantages.
One of the most common problems with an evaporator is the accumulation of organic growth. This could be the result of mold or mildew. If this occurs, the bacterium can produce a foul smell that will spread throughout the house. This may cause discomfort.
It is important to select an evaporator that can be easily maintained and cleaned. When selecting an evaporator it is crucial to consider the working environment. Some evaporators can stand up to harsh conditions, while others can be used in moderate environments. In the end, you’ll want to make sure your evaporator has a solid guarantee that will safeguard your investment.
Fan
Your HVAC system’s blower fan works to circulate the hot or cold air throughout your home until the thermostat setting you have set is attained. The fan can be turned on auto or continuous. We recommend keeping the fan running continuous to maximize efficiency and to save money on electric bills. We can replace the motor of the fan in the event that it is continuously running. The new ECM motor is 70 percent more efficient than the old PSC motors. It pays for itself over the life of the unit.
If your fan is operating at the highest setting, a damaged relay switch or short circuit may be hindering the settings you input on the thermostat from reaching your fan.
Filter
The filter is used to circulate the air around the house before it is heated or cooled. It removes impurities, and also stops dust and pet dander getting into the system, causing contamination to internal components. It protects the family from illnesses spread by airborne pathogens. It also ensures that the system is operating efficiently. A dirty filter makes the system work harder and may cause it overheat or break down.
homeowners should replace their filters regularly. The label will tell them if they should do it every 30 days or every 90 days. If a homeowner isn’t sure which kind of filter they should use, they should consult an HVAC professional. A professional can assist homeowners select the best filter for their home, in light of factors like temperature, how often they use their system, and even personal factors, such as whether there are allergy or smokers sufferers in the house.
The filter is located in the return air duct or in some cases, the blower compartment, of the furnace. The return air duct is normally located on the wall, ceiling or floor, or in the in the utility closet. It often is covered by a large metal grille that protects the filters. The filter should be accessible to homeowners and technicians to make it easy to clean and replace.
Filters are evaluated based on the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating, which shows how effective they are in collecting different sizes of particles. A filter with a low MERV will be able to capture larger contaminants such as dust mites and pet dander but not fine allergens or germs. High-MERV filters, on contrary, are able to capture many different contaminants without restricting normal airflow.