An HVAC system stands for the equipment and technology responsible for heating, ventilating, and cooling commercial or residential spaces. It helps warm up the premises during winter and cool it during summer, and it can also dehumidify the air in a room.
There are different types of HVAC systems. People choose them depending on initial cost, running cost, maintenance, effectiveness, size and age of the premises, the number of rooms to heat or cool, and energy efficiency.
The amount of energy HVAC systems consume depends on how much the owners use it, the area's climate, its size in relation to the premises, the components' efficiency, and the type of fuel it uses.
Before installing an HVAC system in a home, people have to call a professional to access the premises and determine the best HVAC system.
What Does The HVAC System Do?
An HVAC system is responsible for moving air between the outdoor and indoor spaces, which helps improve the air quality in a home and ensures that it is comfortable in all seasons. The components used for the heating function include heat pumps and furnaces. These suck air from the environment, heat it, and then distribute it around the premises.
For cooling, the most used component is the air conditioner. People can choose between a central AC and a window unit depending on the size of the room and how low they want the temperatures in the house. Window units are perfect for cooling smaller rooms because they are less powerful, but central ACs are perfect for cooling the whole house. The components that help ventilation include vents and ductwork, which help pump out warm and stuffy air from the house and bring fresh air into the house. Each HVAC system component could be separate, like window air conditioning units and radiant systems. Alternatively, people could install combined HVAC systems that utilize single blowers to circulate air through internal ducts around the premises.
HVAC Maintenance
The most common problems HVAC systems face are corrosion, leaks, and dirt. Experts recommend that people have HVAC maintenance done twice a year, especially before the hot and cold seasons when people will use the systems most. However, people can conduct more maintenance routines based on:
- The age of the HVAC system
- Location
- Size and condition of the HVAC system
- The HVAC system brand
- How often they use the HVAC system
While people may be tempted to do the maintenance themselves, calling the professionals would be best. That way, they thoroughly inspect the system and determine the perfect maintenance. Some of the maintenance tasks that professionals do include:
- Replacing the filters
- Replacing worn-out belts and pulleys
- Cleaning condensers and evaporator coils
- Lubricating moving parts
- Checking for debris, mold, and dust in the ducts
- Inspecting the blades and blowers for proper airflow
- Checking the electrical system and all connections
- Changing batteries if necessary
- Draining any stagnant water from the drain pans to prevent overflow
Regular HVAC maintenance helps lower energy bills, reduce repair costs, improve air quality, keep the family and property safe, and increase the system's lifespan.
HVAC Repair
HVAC repair helps fix problems that could later cause people to replace the whole system. Some of the common reasons why people need to call professionals for HVAC repair include:
- Damaged thermostat - This could be a result of placement issues or compromised power. If the owner has tried changing the batteries and the thermostat is still not working, the professionals will consider checking the power voltage or relocating the thermostat.
- The AC blows out hot or warm air - The main reason the AC might blow out warm or hot air is a dirty filter. It could also result from a low or leaking refrigerant or the condensate not moving water properly. The professional will assess the HVAC system, change the air filter, fix the oak in the refrigerant, or clean out the drain line.
- The furnace blows out cold air - This could happen if the filter is damaged or positioned wrongly, the blower is not working, or a problem with the pilot light.
Other problems include a weak airflow and the heat pump or furnace not shutting off. To ensure the heat pump and furnace turn off, professionals will try to fix any leaks in the vents, scrape off ice and snow from the premises, and insulate the premises.
