Key Components of Your HVAC System that Sometimes Need Replacements
HVAC systems can be found in many homes all across Canada and for good reason; they are a very efficient and very convenient way to heat and cool a home or business. They are also known as being a product that usually requires very few repairs over the course of its useful life if routine maintenance is performed on them every so often. Unfortunately, sometimes they do need repairs as is the case with every type of appliance; they will need things such as a thermostat replacement and AC fan motor changes done from time to time. Here is a list of some of they key components of an HVAC system that need to be repaired or replaced every so often.
1. AC Fan Motor Replacement
We have already mentioned that AC fan motors need to be replaced from time to time. They are a part that sits under only an open screen at the top of the air conditioning unit and they are exposed to all types of weather and also run quite often; it's no wonder they have to be replaced at some time during an HVAC unit's useful life.
2. Control PCB Board Replacement
The circuit boards on any piece of equipment that use them are very sensitive devices; it is no different for the ones in the control system of an HVAC unit. They react badly to getting even small amounts of moisture on them and they also are sensitive to dust and other debris that gets on them These can be repaired but its usually cheaper and faster to just get the board replaced when they go bad.
3. Thermostat Replacement
Thermostats play a very important role in the operation of an HVAC unit; they tell it when to come on and off by sensing the air temperature of the room the controls are placed in. It is a pretty good bet that a thermostat replacement will need to be done on an HVAC system at some point in its useful life. Sometimes these thermostats are built right into the PC board itself and the whole board needs to be replaced in that situation; if this is the case it will drive up the cost of the thermostat replacement.
4. Burner Tray Repair or Replacement
The burner tray gets a big workout in the colder months when an HVAC system is constantly running. During these times the unit will tend to get some carbon and soot build up on it and these can greatly impact the functioning of this apparatus. A burner tray that is not operating properly can really increase the amount of natural gas or oil you use in your HVAC system; that is why these need to be cleaned every once in a while and need to be repaired or replaced quickly if it starts to malfunction. It's a pretty safe bet that your HVAC system will need a thermostat replacement or one of these other repairs in its lifetime.
Sizing your Home’s Air Conditioner
Sizing an air conditioner does not always have to refer to the dimensions of the unit. When referring to sizing, it means knowing the capacity of the unit to produce cold air. So when you purchase an air conditioner, knowing how big the unit is, is not the same with knowing its capacity to cool the air. It is more important to know the latter.
British Thermal Units or BTU is the measurement of the unit's ability to generate cold air. It measures heat output in tons and per hour which means one BTU is also the amount of energy that the unit needs to increase the temperature of a pound of water but only by one degree Fahrenheit. With that being said, 12,000 BTUs per hour is equal to a ton, or it's the amount of energy it consumes to melt a ton of ice in one day.
Note that bigger is not always better when it comes to air conditioners. First, if the capacity is larger, it will definitely cost more. With air conditioners, the output is related to the cost.
Since we mentioned that size for air conditioners does not refer to dimensions, it is necessary that when you pick an air conditioner that will be used in your house, your air conditioner should have the correct capacity to cool your rooms. If the air conditioner is too small, it won’t be able to cool your rooms enough especially on a very hot day. This causes the unit to cycle more often to keep up with your home’s demand for cold air; thus, adding stress to the air conditioner and eventually decreasing its lifespan. If it’s the other way around, the large unit will cycle on and off, dehumidifying the air poorly, which won’t be comfortable.Air flowing inside and outside the rooms should be balanced for better and more efficient performance.Truth be told, it’s better to undersize your unit than oversize it.
You would also need to consider the climate in your location and how your house is insulated. Although it is still best to have a qualified contractor check and determine the best air conditioner for you, this additional information will definitely help you with having an idea on what to buy: every 400 sq. ft. will require a ton of capacity.So if your house is 1600 sq. ft., you will need to have a 4-ton air conditioner.This is applicable to a lightly insulated house. If your home is newer and well insulated, a smaller unit will serve just as good.
Tips to Lessen Air Conditioner’s Load and Lessen Energy Bills
Summer has a draining effect on everyone so when staying at home, we keep our air conditioners on and keep it running for as long as we can to make us feel more comfortable inside our homes. Although the comfort is satisfying, the bills won’t be.
Here are some tips that you can follow so you can lessen your expenses and at the same time lower the load of your air conditioning unit.
• If you can, minimize the temperature. The unit won't have to work double time which means less energy to use and less on your utility bill.
• Maintenance. Regularly check the filters. Dirty filters will cause air flow restriction making it harder for the unit to produce cold air which will again cause the unit to work double time.
• Make your house well-insulated. Windows can be covered with shades or coverings so the rooms will not gain too much heat.
• Avoid adding to the humidity by doing activities such as washing your clothes during the day. Too much humidity will cause the unit to work harder.
Air conditioning units aren't as complicated as we think they are, but if there are things you are uncertain about, feel to contact your trusted contractor for your unit.
Learn the Basics of Residential HVAC Systems
Condenser –this part is the heart of any cooling system.This equipment has improved heat transfer as well as a compressor technology with multi-stages allowing it to reject the buildup of heat from within your home effectively.
Evaporator Coil –this part is situated on your furnace’s supply air side. It takes the heat from within your home and transfers it to the condenser on the outside through the system’s refrigerant lines.
Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) –HRV’s can work as an independent system or can also be connected to an existing system’s ductwork. The ventilator takes in the fresh air from outside and gets rid of the stale air circulating indoors. State-of-the-art technology only permits just the bare minimum cooling or heating loss during this specific process.
Humidifier –this part is situated in either the return air or supply ductwork if you have a whole-house residential HVAC system and provides just the right moisture within your home. Modern automatic advancements let the humidifier regulate your home environment depending on the temperature outside and furnish the right amount of humidity automatically.
Air Cleaner –this one is now available in electronic, multimedia and HEPA technology. Air cleaners are made to trap, dust, pollen, animal dander, and even mold spores.Furthermore, aside from improving the indoor air quality (IAQ) or the air quality in your home, it also ensures that your equipment is clean all the time.
Zoning –you can find numerous thermostat control dampers inside your home’s duct system. These dampers control the airflow according to the specific cooling or heating needs of the thermostat’s location.
Telescoping and Transitional Plenums –these are the adjustable duct systems placed on a furnace’s return and discharge side. It links a furnace to its supply and return air systems.
Return Air Duct System –this is the line of the duct system inside a house that returns the air to the furnaces either for air recirculation or conditioning.
Supply Air Ductwork –this is the line of duct system that furnishes cooled or recirculated air in your home.
UV Light –found in the duct system, this light utilizes ultraviolet technology to minimize or totally wipe out airborne pollutants circulating within your home.
Thermostat –often found in a living space, thermostats detect a cooling or heating requirement and issue an electronic signal to commence the operation of your HVAC equipment. Modern technology enables such gadgets or a residential HVAC system to be operated remotely either through the internet or the telephone.
The components laid out here is according to the specifications of a forced-air furnace. Boilers and heat pumps are likewise highly efficient equipment.Moreover, feel free to check the websites of prominent equipment manufacturers for further details on the various residential HVAC systems available on the market today.
There are various HVAC units out there. It depends on your needs. Some are designed to cool, heat or improve ventilation. Among the most famous and sought after HVAC units are air conditioners. Air conditioners are fashioned to cool spaces. It works by removing the humidity and heat from a home’s interior. So in case you are on the lookout for your home’s next air conditioner, check out the succeeding suggestions and significant considerations prior to buying.Kinds of Air Conditioners
Windows Units
Portable Units
Through-the-wall units
Whole-home or central units
Through-the-wall units are bigger and bulkier than average window units. Instead of letting it sit in a window, through-the-wall units are positioned on a weight-supporting AC sleeve located on an outside wall. There is also a need to review electric circuitry especially if you live in an older house since they often need a bigger voltage and amperage.Portable air conditioners have a versatile design and are perfect for spaces that do not have windows in place. Its exhaust is via a temporary ducting that you can transfer from one room to another.Whole-home or central units can generate cool air that is delivered all over your home. It is often paired up with a heating system for complete HVAC units. The downside though is that they are the most costly of all and needs an expert to install it.AN AC’s Cooling CapacityThe capacity to cool of an AC is measured in BTU units or British Thermal Units. A tiny window AC can provide 3,000 BTUs, through-the-wall ACs can go over 20,000 BTUs. The size of the room is a major consideration when you determine the correct size of AC your home needs, but you must also consider these:
How many windows in a room?
A room’s exposure to sunlight.
The quality of insulation in the room.
Other appliances used.
How many people are in the room?
You can use a BTU calculator to determine the exact BTU amount your AC must have to maintain the coolness of your home.EfficiencyThe Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) rating is used to measure an AC’s energy efficiency. It is the ratio of BTUs per hour cooling capacity to the power source in watts {a more energy-efficient AC has high EER rating). Older unit ACs are also pricier to operate. You must select a unit that is the right size for your home since a small unit cannot meet your cooling demands, and a very big one will frequently cycle on and off making it more expensive to run. Moreover, the humidity will not be properly controlled too.As you ponder what unit to buy, you must first determine the kind of unit that can sufficiently cool your home and proceed in buying a particular model from that group that has the lowest BTU capacity but with the highest EER rating.When should you buy and how?ACs are in-demand during summer, which is its peak usage. Hence, it also indicates the supply is short because of the high demand. As a result, they will likely be more expensive. You can enjoy big savings if you buy your unit during its off-peak season because that is the time when AC manufacturers constantly offer rebates.Furthermore, certain localities and utility companies also offer rebates when you buy units that have low EER ratings. And in case you go for a central air unit, you also qualify for a tax incentive to offset the price you have to pay when you bought an energy-efficient central AC system.Lastly, it is better to buy one just before summer. Don’t forget to check its warranty as well and enjoy an additional HVAC unit that can make your life more comfortable.
The Importance of Air Conditioning Filters
Many modern homes now have an air conditioner. One important part of every air conditioner is the air filter. Air filters are vital to every air conditioner as they keep the dust and dirt out and help produce air that’s cool and clean. It also keeps the air conditioning coils free from any dust that may affect the entire air conditioner’s performance. Without filters, the air conditioner would not be able to produce quality air.If air filters are not cleaned or replaced for a long time, it will cause the unit to provide low quality air and may cause you and your family to get asthma or allergies. It’s also a waste of money and energy if the unit keeps running and air filters are dirty. Here are some helpful information that will help you understand why it is necessary to clean your air conditioner filters and some tips on how to clean them.
Environment. Leaving the air filters dirty or clogged reduces the energy efficiency of the air conditioner. Not only does the wasted energy contribute to the pollution, it also adds to the greenhouse gas emission; thus, more global warming problems.
Furthermore, dirty air filter will only cause the unit to work double time, using more energy; yet it still won’t be able to cool properly. This also affects the overall environment. It is recommended that the air filter be cleaned once a month for better performance and energy saving.
More savings. As mentioned, clean air filters make the unit function better and will be more efficient. If filters are constantly being kept clean then that would mean that there would be no energy wasted so your money will also be saved. Now health-wise, if filters are dirty and gives you asthma and allergies then that is a sure expense on medical bills. Keep it clean and keep your family safe for a thicker wallet.
Less expense, effort, and time consumption. Cleaning filters is not as time-consuming as you think it is. It hardly even takes 10 minutes of your time. There are some air conditioner filters that are disposable. If you plan on using this type then it would be best for you to purchase them in bulk to save cost, time and effort. You can then easily replace them on a monthly basis. There are also permanent filters. These filters are the ones that need cleaning. You can simply wash this and put it back in the air conditioner. This, as much as the disposable filter, also saves you cost, effort and time. Savings and health benefits only by cleaning.
The proper way of cleaning your air conditioning filter. It is imperative that you are able to determine the type of air conditioning system that you have. If what you have is a furnace type, then the filter is attached to the unit itself. But if you have a forced air type, then the filter is found over a vent. You will then need to prepare a vacuum or a broom and a hose connected to a water tap. Be sure to turn the system off before doing any cleaning. Then start cleaning the area where the filter is located using the broom or the vacuum. Next, slide or pop the panel door open so you can remove the filter. Simply wash your filter with the hose that is connected to the water tap and wash the dust and dirt off thoroughly. If again your filter is disposable, simply take the old filter and get the replacement in place. As always, you can also reach out to your HVAC contractor if cleaning or changing your air conditioner filter proves to be a real challenge for you.
Just by cleaning, you can save your money, your time, your effort, you family’s health, and yes, even the environment. There are many things that you can save when you start spending 10 minutes of your time cleaning your air conditioner filter. If you haven’t cleaned your filter yet, now is a great time.