Category: HVAC

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Preventing HVAC Repair Situations in Your Home

A heating, ventilation and air conditioning system installed in the house is very important for our comfort, as well as for the quality of the air that we breathe. When HVAC systems have maximum performance, they will also reduce energy costs and save money throughout the year.

There are a few simple steps to keep your system in good shape and prevent repair situations in your home.

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Cleaning and/or replacing filters regularly

One of the simplest and most important things you can do for your HVAC system is to change the filters. This task is often overlooked, although it is quite simple to perform.

When the unit is running, it will draw air from the entire house and push it into the filter, which will catch dust and air pollutants. After a while, the filter will get clogged, and the air will not be able to pass through so easily anymore. Filter must be changed on a periodic basis.

There are several different types of filters to choose from. Some are more expensive than others, but the more expensive ones will capture more pollutants and odors than standard filters.

Cooling coil inspection

Check the cooling coil is another important maintenance operation. This is the component of the unit that cools the air. The first thing is to make sure there are no leaks. Over time, pollutants that pass through the unit filter may remain trapped between the coil blades; they must be cleaned so that the proper amount of air can be transferred to the coils.

Checking the HVAC system pipes

Check each part of the pipeline network. Look for any loose insulation that may have appeared in recent months and replace it. You will need to inspect the pipes for improper connections or cracks; these must be repaired promptly, otherwise the air entering the house will not be as cool as it should be. Sealing the cracks will also prevent hot air from reaching the attic.

Cleaning the condensate drain line

HVAC systems produce moisture, and this is why there is a condensate drain system attached to them. In most cases, this is a PVC pipe coming out of the unit, which will drain moisture and condensation from the unit to the outside of your home.

Over time, there will be an accumulation of viscous substance and sludge inside the drain pipe, so it needs to be cleaned to remove any buildup to avoid needed hvac repair.

In the case of HVAC systems, it has been found that it is much cheaper to maintain them properly during the warranty and post-warranty period, than to fix issues that occur due to improper – or lack of – maintenance. You can considerably increase (by about 50%) the period of operation of a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system if it benefits from periodic checkups performed by specialists.

Without regular maintenance, you increase the risk of major damage and even a complete breakdown of the equipment on which your comfort depends. When the equipment operates at less than maximum efficiency, the power consumption will also be higher than it should be.

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What Does HVAC Mean?

The acronym HVAC stands for “heating, ventilation and air conditioning” and it is used to denote any equipment used for heating and cooling residential and commercial buildings as well as for exchanging air within a space or between indoor spaces and the outdoor environment in order to maintain the freshness of interior air. HVAC systems are everywhere these days, from small apartments and large family homes to food service facilities and from public buildings, stores, shops and factories to office buildings. Here are some things to know about HVAC systems in general.

How Do HVAC Systems Work?

HVAC systems can vary widely in terms of size and complexity, but they all serve the purpose of ensuring thermal stability and air quality in buildings and they all rely on the same major components for operation:

  • The heating system – this part of a HVAC appliance consists of a heat generating component, usually a furnace or a boiler attached to a pipe or duct system that circulates the agent that carries the heat throughout the building;
  • The cooling system – this part works by sucking in the warm air from the room, removing the heat from it, then blowing the cool air back into the room. The heat is usually dissipated outside the building;
  • The ventilation component – this subsystem is responsible for purifying air and for maintaining air humidity at healthy levels. It can rely on natural processes or it can use a forced system.

HVAC systems do not necessarily comprise all three components – you can have a heating system without a cooling or ventilation component or you can have a separate air conditioner that is not linked to your heating. While many heating systems are comprised of elements that are all installed indoors, the systems that have a cooling and a ventilation component, too, usually have units that need to be installed outdoors.

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How to Choose Your HVAC System

HVAC Littleton technicians substantiate that when choosing your HVAC, the first thing to make up your mind about is the roles that you want your system to fulfil, in other words, you will need to decide whether you need only heating, only cooling or both. In the next phase, you will need to assess and measure your spaces to determine the size and the capacity of the equipment to be installed. Bear in mind that capacity calculations can be complicated and an undersized system will not be able to deliver the expected performance, so the best way to ensure that your calculations are correct is to turn to specialized HVAC company for help and advice. Looking for a good and reliable HVAC Littleton technician in this early phase is the best way to go because you will need a HVAC company to design and to install your system anyway. The next important thing to make up your mind about is the type of fuel that you want to use – while most air conditioners work with electricity, heating systems can use a variety of fuels, including electricity, gas, wood, coal and pellets.