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

Vents (or registers) are located in the ceiling or wall of every room. They should be kept open to allow proper air flow throughout your home.

Thermostat

A thermostat is one of 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 it also activates the air exchanger to bring fresh air from outside into your home while venting old, indoor air through your ductwork.

The majority of thermostats are digital. However older models are available. Digital thermostats utilize a device called a thermistor, which has metals that alter the electrical resistance with changes in temperature. The thermistor is connected a microcontroller that converts the changing resistance into the temperature reading. There are various kinds of thermostats, including smart and programmable thermostats. These allow you to control and adjust your home’s power consumption.

Thermostats are often placed on the walls of your home’s interior. They are usually in the rooms most often used. The location of a thermostat inside your home can affect its accuracy. For instance, a thermostat located in direct sunlight may be more hot than the actual temperature of the room, causing your system to run too much or not run at all. If your thermostat isn’t operating correctly, try resetting it but if that does not solve the issue, you should call an AC technician for assistance.

Consider a programmable thermostat if you are replacing your existing thermostat. You can save money on energy bills. A programmable model will automatically adjust the temperature of your home to your schedule rather than needing you to manually operate your HVAC system every day. It’s also worth a look to determine if you can locate a better model that can offer you even more energy savings, like an energy-efficient or ENERGY certified thermostat.

Condenser

Condensers are typically the culprit when your air conditioner isn’t functioning properly. The condenser is comprised of several components that cooperate to function. The entire system can be affected if any of these components are damaged or worn out. The most common issues found in the condenser are broken control board or refrigerant leaks.

The refrigerant gas that is produced by the compressor is pumped into the condenser, where a fan blows cool outside air over the coils. This allows the refrigerant gas cooling and to return to liquid form. The low-pressure liquid is removed and cooled before being returned to the evaporator to continue the cooling process. The process is repeated to achieve the temperature you desire for your home or office.

To ensure that your condenser is operating properly, you should ensure that the area around it is free of debris. Leaves, twigs and flowers grass and other debris could be carried into the unit by the condenser fan and create clogs that hinder the operation of the cooling system. It’s also a good idea to keep trees and shrubs well-trimmed so that they don’t get in the way of the unit. This will reduce the chance that berries, nuts, or branches can get into the system and block it. Keep your condenser clean to extend the life of your AC by 1-2 years.

Evaporator

The evaporator is the thing that moves warm air in your home. It is made of a series of u-shaped tubes, which are then set into panels. The coils are blown by air from the blower. This draws heat from indoor air and transfers it to the refrigerant. The refrigerant liquid is transformed into a gas and circulated throughout the cooling system to cool your indoor air.

The thermodynamics law states that heat moves from colder to hot objects. If the evaporator is operating properly, the energy is transferred from the refrigerant that is warm to the cold air. The refrigerant gas causes to boil or evaporate. In this process, the latent heat (which cannot be measured using a thermometer) is transferred from the air to the refrigerant.

These coils have been created with special shapes that aid in heat transfer. They are referred to as fins and expand the surface area to facilitate the transfer of heat. Some evaporators are built using copper while others use aluminum, each providing its own set advantages.

A evaporator with a buildup of organic growth can be prone to issues. This is usually caused by mold or mildew. If this happens, the bacterium can produce a foul smell that can spread throughout the house. This could cause discomfort.

To avoid these issues, it is essential to select an evaporator that is easily cleaned and maintained. When selecting an evaporator it is essential to think about the working environment. Some are built to withstand harsh conditions, while others can work well in moderate conditions. Lastly, you will be sure that your evaporator has a solid warranty that will protect your investment.

Fan

Your HVAC system’s blower fan functions to circulate the cool or hot air through your home until the thermostat you have set is reached. The fan can be on automatic or constant. We suggest keeping the fan on at all times for maximum efficiency and to cut down on electric bills. If your system’s fan is constantly running we can replace it with an ECM blower motor that is up to 70 percent more efficient than older PSC motors and pays for itself in savings over the duration of the unit.

If your fan is only operating at the highest setting, a broken relay switch or short circuit could be preventing the settings you enter on the thermostat from reaching your fan.

Filter

Air passes through the filter before being warmed or cooled and circulated around the home. It removes impurities, and stops dust and pet dander getting into the system and contaminating internal components. It also protects family members from illnesses 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 may cause it overheat or break down.

Homeowners need to change their filters regularly. The label will inform the homeowner if they should replace it every 30 days or every 90 days. A homeowner should seek advice from an HVAC professional in case they are not sure of the type of filter they require. A professional can assist them in choosing the best filter for their home based on climate and how often they use their system, and personal factors like the presence of allergies or smokers in the house.

The filter is located in the return air duct or in certain cases, the blower compartment of the furnace. The return air duct could be located on the floor, wall or ceiling, or in a storage closets, and it typically has a large metal grate that is covered by the filter. The filter should be easily accessible for homeowners and service technicians in order to facilitate cleaning and replacement.

Filters are rated by 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 take on larger contaminants like pet dander or dust mites but not fine allergens or germs. High-MERV filters are able to capture many kinds of contaminants while not affecting normal airflow.