Q: My heating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit is about five years old. I haven't had any troubles with it, but they are expensive to replace and I want to make sure it lasts as long as it should. What can I do to make sure it is working efficiently?
Have a pro check your systems equipment efficiency. There are three factors that indicate the overall health of an HVAC system. A professional HVAC company with the ability to run energy audits, can access the system and make recommendations if needed.
Air flow: It is important to ensure that the air moves efficiently through the supply ductwork and into each of the rooms of our home. Return air, going back to the main blower unit, is also important for efficient air distribution. The connection between the rate that the cooling freon moves through the coil and the speed with which the air passes through the coil need to coincide. Flow that is too fast or too slow will affect a system's efficiency.Freon charge: An HVAC unit needs a specific amount of freon charge. When the new unit arrives for installation, the amount of freon in the factory settings tend to be lighter than what may be needed. The actual freon needs are affected by the distance the line runs from the unit to the coil in the blower unit, their insulation quality and the overall efficiency of your duct work. Making sure the freon charge is adequate will help over all efficiency.Duct work: A major factor in system efficiency is duct work size. There are some simple ways to tell if there may be an issue in your home. Noise is a symptom of undersized duct work. A hissing sound means that the air flow is restricted. Another indication of an issue is uneven temperatures throughout your home. If areas of the home feel too warm or too cool, oversized duct work may be an issue. Another aspect of healthy duct work for the pros to test is how well it is sealed.The importance of pressure tests
There are two types of pressure tests, each requires the doors and windows to be sealed off.
Negative pressure test: The first type of test creates a negative pressure in the home and is used to measure the air flow around your home. Supply registers as well as return registers are fitted with a device to measure air flow. This test is used to detect air leaks in the home. Solutions can be suggested to solve the air flow issues where air leaks are found.Positive pressure test: The second test uses positive interior pressure. The results of this test will indicate if there is a leak in the air ducts. Sealing of the ducts may be a recommendation for duct work that is leaking air.Q: Are there maintenance items for the homeowner, as well?
Schedule regular filter replacement and tune ups.
Filter replacement: Regularly changing the air filters is one of the most important things you can do to keep your HVAC running well. Check and replace the filters at each of the air return registers, or right at the blower unit as per manufacturers' instructions. If the registers are easily accessible, this is a simple task of taking out the old and replacing it with a new. Check the size of the filter, (dimensions are typically in bold numerals on the cardboard filter frame), before heading out to the store to buy them. If the registers are high up on a raised ceiling, be sure you and your ladder are worthy of a climb.Tune up: Regular maintenance on your system is smart. Having your system checked annually, or at the very least every two years, can keep your HVAC from having a small problem become a big one. Whether your home has a furnace and condensing system or a heat pump system, tune ups are a good idea.Don't take short cuts: An energy audit, regular filter replacement and regular tune ups will save you money in the long run. Energy efficient homes are not just a cutting edge idea any longer. With the cost of energy rising as much as it is, the technology to make your home as efficient as possible is readily availabl An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert since 1988, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio broadcast, heard locally from 10 to 11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790). Call 1-888-767-4348 to ask your questions Tuesday through Saturday.
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