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. The blower of an electric HVAC unit runs on propane or oil as well as natural gas as fuel to heat the furnace.
Each room is equipped with vents (or registers). They are situated on the ceiling or walls, or on floors. It is recommended to keep them open to allow proper air flow throughout your home.
Thermostat
The thermostat is a crucial element of your HVAC system. It regulates the temperature in your home by turning off and on the compressor and fan to attain a certain temperature, and also turns on the air exchanger to help pull fresh, outside air into your home while exchanging stale indoor air through your ductwork.
The majority of thermostats are digital although some older models still exist. Digital thermostats utilize a device called a thermistor, which has metals that change electrical resistance when temperature fluctuations. The thermistor, which is connected to a control unit, converts the resistance change into a temperature. Thermostats are available in a range of models, including programmable and smart thermostats that allow you to monitor your home’s energy consumption and make adjustments.
Thermostats are placed on the interior walls of your home, usually in rooms that are used most often. The location of a thermostat in your home could affect its accuracy. A thermostat located 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 working correctly, try reset it, but if this does not solve the issue then you should contact an AC technician for help.
Consider a programmable thermostat when you are replacing your current thermostat. You will save money on energy bills. A programmable thermostat will automatically adjust your home’s temperature to meet your schedule instead of having you manually adjust 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 savings on energy, like an energy-efficient or ENERGY certified thermostat.
Condenser
If your air conditioner isn’t functioning as efficiently as it is supposed to one of the most frequent causes is your condenser. The condenser unit is made up of many different parts that all need to be functioning in harmony for the unit to function. The entire system could be affected if any of these components are damaged or worn out. Condenser issues can include a damaged control board for the condenser, or leaks of refrigerant.
The refrigerant gas that is produced by the compressor is pumped into the condenser where a fan blows cool air from outside over the coils. This allows the refrigerant gas to cool and return to a liquid form. This low-pressure liquid is then removed and cooled before being moved back into the evaporator to continue the cooling process. The cycle is repeated until the temperature you want in your home or business is achieved.
The most important thing you can do to keep your condenser running effectively is to ensure that the area around it stays free of debris. Leaves, twigs and flowers grass and other debris could be sucked into the unit by the condenser fan. This can result in clogs that can hinder the operation of the cooling system. It is a good idea to keep trees and shrubs well-trimmed so that they don’t touch the unit. This will help to minimize the chance that branches, berries or nuts will fall on the system and cause a blockage. Cleaning your condenser of debris can add two or three years to the life of your AC system.
Evaporator
The evaporator is the thing that is used to move warm air around your home. It is comprised of a string of tubing which is shaped like a U and then formed into panels. The coils are blowing by air from the blower. This draws heat from indoor air and then transfers it to the refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant is converted into a gas and circulated throughout the cooling system in order to cool the indoor air.
The law of thermodynamics states that heat is transferred from colder objects to warmer ones. When the evaporator functions properly, the energy is transferred from the warm refrigerant to the cold air. This causes the refrigerant’s water to boil or evaporate into a gas. During this process the latent heat (which is not measurable with a thermometer) is transferred from air to refrigerant.
These coils have been designed with special shapes that aid in heat transfer. They are referred to as fins, and they increase the surface area to facilitate the transfer of heat. Certain evaporators are constructed with copper while others use aluminum, each providing its own set advantages.
A evaporator with a buildup of organic growth can be prone to problems. This can be caused by mildew or even mold. If this occurs, the bacterium may produce a sour smell that spreads throughout the house. This can cause discomfort.
It is important to select an evaporator which can be easily cleaned and maintained. It is also recommended to consider the environment in which you work when choosing an evaporator. Certain evaporators are designed to stand up to harsh conditions, while others can be used in moderate environments. It is also important to make sure that the evaporator you choose to purchase is protected by a warranty which will protect you and your investment.
Fan
Your HVAC system’s blower fan functions to circulate hot or cold air throughout your home until the thermostat setting you have set is attained. The fan can be on automatic or constant. We suggest keeping the fan on at all times for maximum efficiency and to save money on electricity bills. We could replace the fan motor in the event that it is continuously running. The new ECM motor is 70% more energy efficient than the old PSC motors. It will pay for itself over the lifetime of the unit.
If your fan is only operating at the highest setting, a broken relay switch or short circuit may be hindering the settings you input on the thermostat from reaching the fan.
Filter
Air passes through the filter, before being warmed or cooled, and then circulated around the home. It removes impurities, and prevents dust and pet dander from getting into the system to contaminate internal components. It also protects family members from diseases spread 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 even breakdown.
The homeowner should change their filters on a regular basis at least every 30 or 90 days, based on the label instructions. If a homeowner isn’t certain which kind of filter they need and should seek advice from an HVAC professional. A professional can assist homeowners select the appropriate 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 smokers or allergy sufferers living in the home.
The filter is typically located in the return air duct or, in certain cases, in the blower compartment of the furnace. The return air duct is usually located on the ceiling, wall or floor of the in the utility closet. It usually has a large metal grille that protects the filters. The filter should be accessible to both technicians and homeowners to make it easy to clean and replace.
Filters are rated by the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating, which reveals how effective they are in taking in different sizes of particles. A filter with a low MERV rating is able to catch larger contaminants like dust mites and pet dander, but it’s not very effective at catching fine allergens or germs. High-MERV filter can capture many kinds of contaminants without affecting the flow of air.
