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 to create heat for the furnace. Meanwhile, electricity powers the cooling elements in an all-electric unit.
Each room has vents (or registers). They are located on the ceiling or walls, or on floors. You should keep them open as much as you can to ensure the proper circulation of air throughout your home.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an essential part of your HVAC system. It regulates the temperature in your home by turning on and shutting off the fan and compressor to achieve a set temperature. It also activates the exchanger to pull fresh air from outside your home, and to vent old air through your ductwork.
The majority of thermostats are digital. However, older models do exist. Digital thermostats make use of the thermistor device, which has metals that alter electrical resistance with changes in temperature. The thermistor, connected to a control unit, converts the resistance change into temperature. There are various kinds of thermostats that include smart and programable thermostats. They let you monitor and alter your home’s energy consumption.
Thermostats are installed on the interior walls of your home, usually in rooms where they are used most often. The place of your thermostat will affect its accuracy. For instance the thermostat that is located in direct sunlight may appear hotter than the actual temperature of the room which can cause your system to run excessively or not even run at all. If your thermostat doesn’t work correctly, try resetting the device. If this doesn’t work contact an AC technician.
If you’re considering replacing your thermostat, check out the various options available to you and consider a thermostat that is programmable to help save money on your energy bills. A thermostat that is programmable will automatically adjust the temperature of your home according to your schedule, rather than having you manually adjust your HVAC system on a regular basis. You should also determine if there’s an efficient model, such as one that’s ENERGY Energy Star certified or energy efficient.
Condenser
Condensers are usually the cause when your air conditioner isn’t performing properly. The condenser is comprised of several parts that must be in sync to make the unit function. The entire system could be affected in the event that any of these parts are damaged or worn out. Problems with the condenser include a malfunctioning control board for the condenser, or leaks of refrigerant.
The refrigerant gas that is produced by the compressor is pushed into the condenser, where the fan blows cool air from outside over the coils. This helps the refrigerant to cool down and convert back to a liquid. The low-pressure liquid that has been cooled moves back into the evaporator to continue the cooling process. The cycle is repeated until the temperature you want in your business or home is reached.
To ensure that your condenser is operating efficiently, make sure 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 clogs and preventing the cooling system from operating properly. It is also a good idea to keep trees and bushes trimmed to ensure that they don’t get on the unit. This will help to minimize the possibility that branches, berries, or even nuts 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 moves warm air in your home. It is comprised of a series u-shaped tubes, which are then set into panels. Air from the blower fan is blown across these coils. This transfers heat from the indoor air to the refrigerant. The refrigerant’s liquid becomes an air-borne gas that is circulated through the cooling system to cool your air.
The law of thermodynamics states that heat moves from warmer to colder objects. When the evaporator is operating correctly, this heat energy moves from the warm air to the colder refrigerant. This causes the refrigerant gas to evaporate or boil. In this process, heat that cannot be measured using thermometers, also known as latent heat is transferred from the air to the refrigerant.
These coils are constructed with specialized structures that improve the transfer of heat. These are known as fins, and increase the surface area to aid in the transfer of heat. Copper and aluminum are both used to build some evaporators, each with distinct advantages.
A evaporator with an accumulation of organic growth can be prone to problems. This can be caused by mold or mildew. If this happens, the bacteria will produce a smell that will spread throughout the house. This can cause discomfort.
To avoid these problems, it is important to choose an evaporator that can be easily cleaned and maintained. When choosing an evaporator, it is essential to think about the working environment. Some evaporators are built to withstand harsh environments, while others can be used in moderate environments. It is also important to make sure that your evaporator is covered by a warranty that will protect you and 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 set is attained. The fan can be set to automatic or constant. We recommend that you keep the fan running on a constant basis to maximize efficiency and save money on your electric bills. We can replace the fan motor in the event that it is continuously running. The new ECM motor is up to 70 percent more energy efficient than the old PSC motors. It is able to pay for itself over the lifespan of the unit.
If your fan is running on the high setting, a damaged relay switch or short circuit may be blocking the settings you set on the thermostat from reaching your fan.
Filter
Air passes through the filter before it is heated or cooled before being circulated around the house. It removes impurities and keeps dust and pet dander from entering the system and contaminating the internal components. It also shields family members from diseases spread by tiny pathogens that float in the air. It also ensures that the system is functioning properly. A dirty filter can make the system work harder and may cause it to overheat or even breakdown.
The homeowner should change their filters frequently – every 30 days or 90 days, based on the instructions on the label. If a homeowner isn’t certain what kind of filter they should use they should talk to an HVAC professional. A professional can assist them in selecting the best filter for their home based on climate and how often they use their system, and personal factors such as the presence of allergy sufferers or smokers in the house.
The filter is situated in the return air duct, or in some cases the blower compartment, of the furnace. The return air duct can be located on the wall, floor, ceiling, or storage closets, and it usually has a large, metal grate which covers the filter. The filter is accessible to homeowners and service technicians in order to facilitate cleaning and replacement.
Filters are rated according to their MERV rating (Minimum Effectiveness Reporting Value) which indicates how well they capture different sizes of particles. A filter with a low MERV rating is able to catch larger contaminants like dust mites and pet dander but isn’t very effective at catching fine allergens or germs. High-MERV filters, on contrary, can capture various contaminants without restricting normal airflow.