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 in an all-electric HVAC unit runs on propane or oil, or natural gas as fuel to heat the furnace.

Vents (or registers) are found in the ceiling or wall of each room. You should keep them open to allow that air circulation is maintained throughout your home.

Thermostat

A thermostat is among the most important parts of your HVAC system. It regulates your home’s temperature by turning on and off the fan and compressor until they attain a certain temperature, and also turns on the air exchanger in order to pull fresh, outside air into your home while venting stale, indoor air through your ductwork.

The majority of thermostats are digital. However older models are available. Digital thermostats are controlled by a thermistor. The device contains metals that change resistance as temperature changes. The thermistor is connected to a microcontroller that converts the changing resistance into the temperature reading. Thermostats are available in a variety of options, including programmable and smart thermostats that let you monitor your home energy consumption and adjust it accordingly.

Thermostats are installed on the interior walls of your home, usually in rooms that are most frequently used. The location of your thermostat can affect its accuracy. For instance, a thermostat located in direct sunlight may be more hot than the actual room temperature and cause your system to run too much or not run at all. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, try resetting the device. If this doesn’t help contact an AC technician.

You should consider a programmable thermostat if you are replacing your current thermostat. You can save money on energy bills. A thermostat that is programmable will automatically adjust the temperature of your home to suit your needs, rather than having you manually alter your HVAC system on a daily basis. It is also worth checking to see if you can find a better model that can provide you with even greater energy savings, like an energy-efficient or ENERGY certified thermostat.

Condenser

When your air conditioning isn’t performing as well as it is supposed to one of the most common causes can be found in your condenser. The condenser is comprised of several parts that must be in sync to ensure that the unit functions. If any of these parts are damaged or worn out, then the entire system could be affected. Condenser issues can include a damaged condenser control board or leaks of refrigerant.

The refrigerant gas produced by the compressor is pumped into the condenser where a fan blows cool air from outside over the coils. This allows the refrigerant to get cool and transform to a liquid. This liquid at low pressure is chilled and then transferred back into the evaporator to continue cooling. The cycle is repeated until the temperature you want in your home or business is reached.

To ensure that your condenser runs correctly, you must ensure that the area surrounding it is clean of any debris. Leaves, twigs and flowers grass, and other debris can be sucked into the unit by the condenser fan and cause clogs that prevent proper operation of the cooling system. It is important to keep the bushes and trees cut back so that they don’t encroach on the unit. This will decrease the chances that nuts, berries or branches will enter the system and block it. Keep your condenser in good condition to prolong the life of your AC system by a minimum of 1-2 years.

Evaporator

The evaporator is the thing that circulates warm air inside your home. It is comprised of a set of tubing which is u-shaped, and formed into panels. Air from the blower fan is blown over these coils. This is a way of transferring heat from the indoor air to the refrigerant. The refrigerant liquid turns into an air-borne gas that is circulated through the cooling system to cool your air.

The law of thermodynamics states heat travels from warmer to colder objects. When the evaporator operates correctly, the heat energy is transferred from the warm refrigerant to the cool air. This causes the refrigerant to boil or evaporate into gas. During this process, the latent heat (which cannot be measured using a thermometer) is transferred from the air to the refrigerant.

The coils are made with specialized structures that improve the transfer of heat. They are referred to as fins, and increase the surface area to help in the transfer of heat. Certain evaporators are constructed with copper, while others are made of aluminum, each offering its own set of advantages.

One of the most frequent problems with an evaporator is an accumulation of organic growth. This can be the result of mildew or mold. If this occurs, the bacterium will produce a smell that will spread throughout the home. This can cause discomfort.

To avoid these issues, it is essential to select an evaporator that can be easily cleaned and maintained. It is also recommended to consider the environment in which you work when choosing an evaporator. Some evaporators can endure harsh environments, whereas others can be used in moderate ones. You will also want to make sure that your evaporator is covered by a warranty that will protect you and your investment.

Fan

The fan in your HVAC system circulates hot or cold air through your home until you reach the temperature setting. The fan can be on auto or continuous. We recommend keeping the fan running at all times for maximum efficiency and to save money on electricity bills. We can replace the fan motor if it is constantly running. The new ECM motor is up to 70 percent more energy efficient than the previous PSC motors. It pays for itself over the life of the unit.

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

Filter

Air flows through the filter before being warmed or cooled and circulated around the home. It filters out impurities and stops dust and pet dander from entering the system and contaminating internal components. It also protects family members from the spread of diseases by tiny pathogens floating in the air. It also ensures that the system functions efficiently. A dirty filter makes the system work harder and may cause it to overheat or breakdown.

homeowners should change their filters on a regular basis. The label will tell them if they should do it every 30 days or every 90 days. A homeowner should seek advice from an HVAC professional if they are unsure about the kind of filter they need. A professional can help homeowners choose the right filter for their home in light of factors like temperature, how often they use their system, and even personal factors like whether there are allergy sufferers living in the home.

The filter is situated in the return air duct, or in certain cases, the blower compartment, of the furnace. The return air duct may be found on the floor, wall or ceiling, or in a storage closets, and it often contains a large metal grate that covers the filter. Ideally, the filter should be easily accessible for homeowners and service technicians to aid in cleaning and replacement.

Filters are rated by the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating, which indicates how effective they are in collecting different sizes of particles. A filter with a low MERV rating can be used to remove larger particles such as dust mites and pet dander however it’s not as efficient in catching small allergens or germs. High-MERV filters can snag a variety of contaminants while not affecting normal airflow.