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 all-electric HVAC unit uses propane, oil, or natural gas as fuel to heat the furnace.

Vents (or registers) are found in the ceiling or on the floor of each room. If possible you can keep them open to ensure that air circulation is properly distributed throughout your home.

Thermostat

The thermostat is a crucial element of your HVAC system. It regulates the temperature of your home by turning off and on the fan and compressor to achieve a set temperature. It also turns on the exchanger in order to draw fresh air from outside your home and vent stale air through your ductwork.

The majority of thermostats are digital. However, older models do exist. Digital thermostats are controlled by the thermosistor. This device has metals that alter resistance as temperatures change. The thermistor is connected an microcontroller that converts changing resistance into a temperature reading. There are a variety of thermostats including smart and programmed thermostats. These allow you to monitor and adjust your home’s power consumption.

Thermostats are installed on the interior walls of your home, usually in rooms that are used most often. The location of a thermostat inside your home may affect its accuracy. A thermostat that is placed in direct sunlight, for instance it could display more heat than the actual temperature of the room. This could cause your system to operate more or less. If your thermostat isn’t operating correctly, you can try reset it however if this does not resolve the issue, you should call an AC technician for help.

You should consider a programmable thermostat if you are replacing your existing thermostat. You’ll reduce your energy costs. A thermostat that is programmable will automatically adjust the temperature of your home to suit your needs, rather than having you manually adjust your HVAC system on a daily basis. It’s also worth a look to determine if you can locate an alternative that will offer you even more savings on energy, like an energy-efficient or ENERGY STAR-certified thermostat.

Condenser

When your air conditioning isn’t functioning as efficiently as it is supposed to one of the most frequent causes can be found in your condenser. The condenser unit is comprised of a variety of parts that need to be working in sync for the unit to function. The entire system may be affected if any of these components are damaged or worn out. The most common problems found in the condenser include a malfunctioning control board or refrigerant leaks.

The refrigerant gas that is produced by the compressor is pushed into the condenser where a 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 where it continues the cooling process. The process is repeated until the desired temperature in your home or business is achieved.

To ensure that your condenser runs properly, you should ensure that the area surrounding it is free of debris. Leaves, twigs and flowers grass and other debris could be taken into the unit by the condenser’s fan and result in clogs that can hinder the operation of the cooling system. It’s also a good idea to keep the trees and shrubs cut back so that they don’t touch the unit. This can reduce the possibility that branches, berries, or even nuts fall and block the system. Cleaning your condenser of debris can add two or three years to the lifespan of your AC system.

Evaporator

The evaporator is the part that circulates warm air into your home. It is constructed of a series of tubes that are arranged into panels. The coils are blown by air from the blower. This transfers heat from the indoor environment to the refrigerant. The refrigerant liquid turns into a gas that circulates through the cooling system to cool your air.

The law of thermodynamics states that heat is transferred from colder to warmer objects. If the evaporator operates properly, the heat energy moves from the warm air to the refrigerant that is colder. This causes the refrigerant to heat up or evaporate into a gas. During this process, the heat that cannot be measured with thermometers, also known as latent heat is transferred from the air to the refrigerant.

These coils have been created with special shapes that aid in heat transfer. Fins are utilized to increase the surface area of coils. Aluminum and copper are both used to make evaporators, each having distinct advantages.

A evaporator with a buildup of organic growth can be prone to issues. This can be the result of mold or mildew. If this is the case, the unpleasant smells that the bacteria produce can be absorbed by the house and may cause discomfort.

To avoid these problems, it is important to choose an evaporator which can be easily cleaned and maintained. It is also recommended to consider the environment you will be working in when choosing an evaporator. Some are built to withstand harsh environments, whereas others are suited to moderate conditions. You will also want to ensure that your evaporator is protected by a warranty that will safeguard you and your investment.

Fan

Your HVAC system’s blower fan works to circulate hot or cold air throughout your home until the thermostat setting you set is attained. The fan can be set to auto or continuous. We suggest keeping the fan on at all times for maximum efficiency and to save money on electric bills. We can replace the fan motor in the event that it is continuously running. The new ECM motor is up to 70% more energy efficient than the old PSC motors. It will pay for itself over the life of the unit.

If your fan only runs on high, the short circuit or malfunctioning relay could be preventing your thermostat from adjusting to your fan.

Filter

Air flows through the filter before it is warmed or cooled, and then circulated around the house. It filters out impurities and stops dust and pet dander out of the system and contaminating internal components. It shields the family from illness spread by airborne pathogens. It also ensures that the system functions efficiently. A dirty filter makes the system work harder and could cause it to overheat or even break down.

Homeowners should replace their filters frequently – every 30 days or 90 days, depending on the directions on the label. A homeowner should seek advice from an HVAC professional when they aren’t sure about the kind of filter they need. A professional can help them select the best filter for their home based on the climate and the amount of time they use their system, as well as personal factors like the presence of smokers or allergies within the home.

The filter is situated in the return air duct, or in some cases the blower compartment of the furnace. The return air duct is typically located on the ceiling, wall, floor or utility closet. It usually is covered by a large metal grille that covers the filters. The filter should be easily accessible for homeowners and service technicians to facilitate cleaning and replacement.

Filters are rated based on their MERV rating (Minimum Effectiveness Reporting Value) which reveals how well they can capture various sizes of particles. A low-MERV is able take on larger contaminants like pet dander or dust mites but not fine allergens and germs. High-MERV filters are able to capture various contaminants, but it doesn’t affect the normal flow of air.