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 is powered by propane or natural gas, or oil to create heat for the furnace. Meanwhile, electricity powers the cooling components in an all-electric unit.

Every 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 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 switching off and on the compressor and fan until they achieve a specific temperature, and it also switches on the air exchanger in order to bring fresh air from outside into your home while venting stale, indoor air through your ductwork.

The majority of thermostats are digital. However there are older models. Digital thermostats make use of a device called a thermistor, which has metals that change electrical resistance when changes in temperature. The thermistor is connected to a microcontroller that converts the changing resistance into a temperature reading. There are various kinds of thermostats that include smart and programmable thermostats. They let you control and alter your home’s energy consumption.

Thermostats are often placed on the walls of your home’s interior, usually in the rooms most frequently used. The location of a thermostat inside your home can affect its accuracy. For example one thermostat placed in direct sunlight might be more hot than the actual room temperature, causing your system to run excessively or not run at all. If your thermostat isn’t operating properly, you can try reset it, but if this does not solve the issue, you should call an AC technician for help.

Consider a programmable thermostat if you are replacing your current thermostat. You can reduce your energy costs. A thermostat that is programmable will automatically adjust the temperature of your home to meet your schedule, rather than having you manually alter your HVAC system on a regular basis. It is also worth checking to see if you can find an alternative that will offer you even more savings on energy, like an energy-efficient or ENERGY A STAR-certified thermostat.

Condenser

When your air conditioning isn’t performing as well as it should, one of the most common causes can be found in your condenser. The condenser is comprised of several components that 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. The most frequent issues in the condenser are broken control board or refrigerant leaks.

The refrigerant gas from the compressor is pushed into the condenser where the fan blows cool air from outside over the coils. This allows the refrigerant to get cool and transform to a liquid. The low-pressure liquid that has been cooled moves back into the evaporator to continue the cooling process. The process repeats in order to reach the desired temperature for your office or home.

To keep your condenser running correctly, you must ensure that the area around it is clean of any debris. The condenser’s fans can pull leaves, twigs and other debris into the unit, causing obstructions and hindering the cooling system from functioning properly. It’s important to keep the bushes and trees in good shape to ensure that they don’t get on the unit. This will help to minimize the risk that berries, branches, or even nuts fall on the system and cause a blockage. Keep your condenser in good condition to extend the life of your AC system by a couple of years.

Evaporator

The evaporator is the part that moves warm air into your home. It is made of a string of tubing which is u-shaped, and set into panels. Air from the blower fans is blown across these coils. This draws heat from the indoor air and transfers it to the refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant is converted into a gas and circulated throughout the cooling system to cool the indoor air.

The law of thermodynamics states that heat flows 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 gas to boil or evaporate. In this process, heat that is not measured with thermometers, also known as latent heat is transferred from the air to the refrigerant.

The coils are made with specific structures that aid in the transfer of heat. Fins are utilized to increase the surface area of the coils. Both aluminum and copper are used to build some Evaporators, each with its own advantages.

A evaporator with an accumulation of organic growth is prone to issues. This is usually caused by mildew or mold. If this happens, the bacteria can produce a foul smell that can spread throughout the home. This can cause discomfort.

It is important to select an evaporator which can be easily maintained and cleaned. It is also an ideal idea to take into consideration the working environment when selecting an evaporator. Some evaporators are built to endure harsh environments, whereas others work well in moderate conditions. Lastly, you will want to make sure your evaporator has a solid warranty that will protect your investment.

Fan

The fan in your HVAC system circulates cold or hot air through your home until you get to the temperature you want. The fan can either be set to auto or constant. We suggest keeping the fan on 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 up to 70% more energy efficient than the previous PSC motors. It is able to pay for itself over the lifetime of the unit.

If your fan only operates on high, a short circuit or a broken relay could be preventing the thermostat settings from reaching the fan.

Filter

The filter is used to circulate the air in the home before it is heated or cooling. It removes impurities and prevents dust and pet dander getting into the system and contaminating internal components. It shields the family from illnesses spread by airborne pathogens. It also ensures that the system is operating efficiently. A dirty filter can cause the system to perform more efficiently, which could cause it to overheat and eventually break down.

Homeowners should change their filters on a regular basis. The label will inform the homeowner if they should replace it every 30 days or every 90 days. A homeowner should consult a HVAC professional in case they are not sure about the kind of filter they need. A professional can help homeowners select the appropriate filter for their home, based on factors like the climate, the frequency they use their system and even personal factors, for instance, whether there are allergy 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 can be found on the wall, floor or ceiling, or even in the in the utility closet. It often contains a large metal grate that covers the filter. The filter should be easily accessible to both homeowners and technicians for easy cleaning and replacement.

Filters are rated based on their MERV rating (Minimum Effectiveness Reporting Value), which shows how well they capture different sizes of particles. A low-MERV filter 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 filter can capture various contaminants while not affecting normal airflow.