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 uses propane or natural gas, or oil to generate heat for the furnace while electricity powers the cooling components in an all-electric system.

Each room is equipped with vents (or registers). They are situated on the ceiling, walls or floors. It is recommended to keep them open to allow that air circulation is maintained throughout your home.

Thermostat

A thermostat is among the most vital components of your HVAC system. It regulates your home’s temperature by switching off and on the compressor and fan to achieve a specific temperature, and also turns on the air exchanger in order to bring fresh air from outside into your home, while venting old, indoor air out through your ductwork.

Most thermostats are digital, although some older models still exist. Digital thermostats are controlled by a thermistor. The device contains metals that change resistance as temperature changes. The thermistor, which is connected to a control unit, converts the resistance change into a temperature. There are a variety of thermostats including smart and programable thermostats. These allow you to control and alter your home’s energy consumption.

Thermostats are installed on the interior walls of your home, usually in rooms that are most frequently used. The location of a thermostat inside your home can affect its accuracy. For instance one thermostat placed in direct sunlight might read hotter than the actual temperature of the room which can cause your system to run excessively or not run at all. If your thermostat isn’t functioning correctly, try resetting the device. If this doesn’t help, call an AC technician.

Consider a programmable thermostat if you are replacing your current thermostat. You will save money on your energy bills. A thermostat that can be programmed will automatically adjust the temperature of your home according to your schedule rather than requiring you to manually manipulate your HVAC system on a daily basis. It is also worth checking to determine if you can locate a better model that can give you more energy savings, like an energy-efficient or ENERGY certified thermostat.

Condenser

If your air conditioner isn’t performing as well as it is supposed to, one of the most frequent causes is your condenser. The condenser unit is comprised of a variety of parts that all need to be working in sync for the unit to work. If any of these components are damaged or worn out, the whole system can be impacted. Condenser problems include a broken control board for the condenser or leaks of refrigerant.

The refrigerant gas produced by the compressor is pushed into the condenser where fans blow cool air from outside over the coils. This helps the refrigerant to cool down and convert back to a liquid state. The low-pressure liquid is cooled and moved back into the evaporator to continue the cooling process. The cycle is repeated until the desired temperature for your business or home is reached.

To keep your condenser running properly, you should ensure that the area around it is clean of any debris. The condenser’s fan could pull leaves, twigs and other debris into the unit, causing blockages and hindering the cooling system from working efficiently. It’s recommended to keep trees and bushes in good shape so that they don’t encroach on the unit. This can reduce the chance that branches, berries or even nuts fall and clog the system. Keep your condenser clean to extend the life of your AC by 1-2 years.

Evaporator

The evaporator is the component that circulates warm air into your home. It is made of a set of tubing which is u-shaped, and formed into panels. The coils are being blown by the air of the blower. This is a way of transferring heat from the indoor environment to the refrigerant. The refrigerant’s liquid is converted into a gas, then circulated throughout the cooling system in order to cool the indoor air.

The law of thermodynamics states that heat travels from colder objects to warmer ones. When the evaporator is operating correctly, this heat energy passes from the warm air to the refrigerant that is colder. This causes the refrigerant to vaporize or boil. During this process, the heat that is not measured with thermometers, also known as latent heat is transferred from air to the refrigerant.

These coils have been created with specific shapes that improve heat transfer. They are referred to as fins, and expand the surface area to help in the transfer of heat. Copper and aluminum are both used to build some Evaporators, each with their own advantages.

One of the most frequent problems with evaporators is the accumulation of organic growth. This is usually caused by mold or mildew. If this happens, the bacteria can produce a foul smell that will spread throughout the home. This can cause discomfort.

It is crucial to choose an evaporator which can be easily cleaned and maintained. When choosing an evaporator, it is crucial to think about the working environment. Certain evaporators are designed to endure harsh environments, whereas others work well in moderate ones. In the end, you’ll want to make sure your evaporator has a solid warranty to ensure your investment.

Fan

Your HVAC system’s blower fan functions to circulate the cold or hot air throughout your home until the thermostat setting you set is attained. The fan can be on auto or constant. We suggest keeping the fan running continuously to maximize efficiency and reduce your electricity bill. We can replace the fan motor in the event that it is continuously running. The new ECM motor is up to 70 percent more efficient than the older PSC motors. It is able to pay for itself over the life of the unit.

If your fan is operating at the highest setting, a damaged relay switch or short circuit could be blocking the settings you set on the thermostat from reaching your fan.

Filter

Air passes through the filter before being warmed or cooled, and then circulated around the house. It removes impurities and keeps dust and pet dander from getting into the system and contaminating internal components. It also shields family members from the spread of diseases by tiny pathogens that float in the air. It also ensures that the system works efficiently. A dirty filter makes the system work harder and could cause it to overheat or to fail.

Homeowners should change their filters on a regular basis. The label will tell the homeowner if they should replace it every 30 days or every 90 days. The homeowner should consult an HVAC professional in case they are not sure of the type of filter they need. A professional can help them select the best filter for their home based on climate and how often they use their system, and other personal factors such as the presence of allergies or smokers within the home.

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 situated on the wall, ceiling, floor or in the utility closet. It often has a large metal grille that covers the filters. The filter should be accessible to both technicians and homeowners to make it easy to clean and replace.

Filters are assessed based on the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating, which reveals how efficient they are at taking in different sizes of particles. A low-MERV filter is able to remove larger particles such as pet dander and dust mites however it’s not as effective in capturing fine allergens or germs. High-MERV filters are able to capture a variety of contaminants, but it doesn’t affect the flow of air.