Everything You Need To Know About an HVAC System

Keeping your home’s HVAC system in good condition is essential. An HVAC system can help ensure that your home stays at a comfortable temperature. It also has other benefits like reducing energy costs and helping reduce allergens. It’s important to learn about how an HVAC system works and how you can maintain it for years of enjoyment.

What is an HVAC System? 

The acronym HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

HVAC systems provide heating and cooling to a building or vehicle. The three components of an HVAC system are:

Heating  

Air is heated in the furnace and then blown into the rooms by ductwork.

The Heat component of your HVAC System has three primary functions. The first is to provide you with clean air to breathe. Another is to provide an internal heat source for your home. The third is to help regulate the cool temperature in your home and keep occupants comfortable.

Cooling 

The heat generated by people or equipment is removed via air conditioning units that circulate cooled air through ducts. 

Your HVAC System’s cooling component is made up of an evaporator coil and refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant circulates through the system to absorb heat. It then returns to the compressor where it is condensed into a gas. As the warm air passes by the evaporator, the gas turns back into a liquid and then flows back to the compressor to make more cold air.

Ventilation 

Fresh air is brought into a building (or vehicle) via supply ducts. Stale indoor air is forced out through return ducts. Fresh outdoor air can replace it in the living space. The ventilation component is the most important part of the HVAC system. It works by pulling air through the vents so that your home is comfortable and well-ventilated. If a clog or blockage occurs in this part of your furnace or air conditioner, it may cause your system to malfunction or break down completely.

You should replace your HVAC system every 10-15 years

It’s important to know when it’s time to replace your HVAC system.

When you have an older system, it’s more likely that you’ll have problems with it in the future. Your HVAC system may have been installed 15 years ago and is now showing signs of wear and tear.

Replacing the unit is always a better option than trying to repair an old or broken-down unit. It will save you money on energy costs over time. As well as provide longer-lasting results for your home comfort needs.

If you’re looking to save money, consider replacing your HVAC system during the summer months when it’s not in use. The cost of installation will be significantly lower than if you wait until winter and try to install a new system while dealing with frigid temperatures outside.

The estimated cost of replacing an HVAC system is roughly $5,000 to $10,000

The cost of installing a new HVAC system depends on the size of your home. Also how many zones do you want to cool or heat? The price can vary depending on the type of HVAC system you choose. Generally speaking, however, a new system will cost between $5,000 and $10,000.

The size and type of HVAC unit you choose will also affect the cost. For example, a mini-split system—which can cool or heat one room—will be cheaper than installing central air conditioning. If your home has multiple zones, it may make sense to install a multi-zone system that allows each zone to have its own thermostat.

Filters should be replaced once a month

Changing your filters on a regular basis is one of the best ways to help keep your HVAC system running smoothly. Filters should be replaced once a month. But if you have pets or allergies in the house, they should be changed every three months. If you live with someone who smokes, then it’s recommended that you replace filters every six months.

The air filters are one of the most important components of your HVAC system. They keep dirt and other particles from entering your home, ensuring that you stay healthy.

You might not need to replace this monthly if you can regularly clean your filters. This might be considered a hack but this hack will take more effort than replacing the filters. You can try vacuuming and washing the filters to rid them of accumulated dust. Be careful when doing this because filters are very thin and you could damage them. This is also only recommended for people who know how to handle them. 

A furnace and air conditioner have an average lifespan of 15-20 years

The average lifespan of a furnace is 15-20 years and an air conditioner is 10-15 years. The main reason for this discrepancy is that it’s more expensive to replace an air conditioner than it is to replace a furnace. However, you should replace both at the same time so that your overall cost isn’t too high. It’s also important to note that furnaces are more likely to fail than air conditioners; so if one or the other fails unexpectedly after being replaced, it could be due in part to age/wear on either component.

Inadequate insulation can increase heating and cooling costs by up to 25 percent

One of the most important parts of an HVAC system is insulation. Insulation helps you retain heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. It also keeps your home comfortable year-round, reduces noise from outside, and improves energy efficiency. There are many different types of insulation available for buildings, including fiberglass batts or rolls; rigid foam board; blown-in cellulose or mineral wool; spray foam; reflective foil backing material (such as bubble wrap); and more.

The type of insulation you choose depends on where it will go as well as how much money you want to spend on it — but no matter which option you choose, if there is any kind of space between the framing around a window or other opening then something needs to fill that gap so that drafts cannot get through!

Ductless models are split into two components 

The ductless model is split into two components – indoor and outdoor. The indoor unit is placed in the home, while an outdoor unit is placed outside. A refrigerant line connects these two components, allowing cool air to be distributed to multiple rooms via separate vents throughout your home. The indoor unit typically sits near the floor, which makes it quiet to operate. The outdoor units can be located on a roof or other location that’s convenient for you and your HVAC technician as long as it has access to power and water supply lines.

During warmer months, ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise 

This is to help create a wind chill effect. They should move clockwise in the winter to help push warm air down from the ceiling level in a room.

Ceiling fans should be set to rotate counterclockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter. This helps circulate air in a room, effectively cooling you down. They also make a great decorative piece for your home! The best part is that you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on air conditioning units; all you need is a ceiling fan and its remote control!

There are a variety of ceiling fans on the market, ranging from modern and sleek to rustic and traditional. You can find them in many different styles, colors, sizes, and materials. Ceiling fans are also easy to install; they come with step-by-step instructions that will guide you through the process.

A leaky ductwork can result in a loss of up to 20% of the air that moves through the system

A leaky ductwork can result in a loss of up to 20% of the air that moves through the system. You should be able to detect leaks by observing your furnace or air conditioner and looking for black dust on the walls around vents or registers. 

If you locate a leaky area, first use a rag to wipe away any dust and/or dirt from around vents and registers as well as any filters that might be present. Next, check for any gaps in between seams where two sections of pipe connect together (usually on bottom flanges), which are usually caused by corrosion or bending over time due to normal wear-and-tear conditions within your home. 

If these gaskets are missing entirely then this could potentially cause an opening large enough where warm/cool air will escape through gaps created by improper installation techniques employed during its initial construction process. However more often than not these gaps occur due to corrosion along surfaces exposed inside wall cavities where water enters without warning after being splashed onto them while cleaning floors nearby.

It’s important to maintain your HVAC system on a regular basis

When you come home after work, you want to be able to relax and unwind. You don’t want to have to worry about the condition of your heating system or whether it will be able to deliver the right amount of heat when needed.

It’s important that any HVAC system be maintained on a regular basis, especially if it is older than 10 years. Checking the filter once a week is essential because it affects how well your system performs. If the filter becomes dirty over time, this can cause damage not just for your heating system but also for other parts of your home. Parts like insulation or ducts may become damaged due to poor air quality caused by insufficient cleaning of filters during use (which are designed specifically for this purpose).

Call the professionals for regular maintenance and checkups

Your HVAC system is responsible for keeping your home comfortable all year. It’s important to know that it’s working properly at all times. That said, you may not be trained to recognize some of the signs that your HVAC system isn’t working properly. There are certain warning signs that every homeowner should keep an eye out for when it comes to their air conditioning unit or heating system. Here are some signs that you need to have your HVAC serviced.

You have an unusual increase in your electricity bill

If you are noticing an unusual amount of energy consumed in your home recently, it could be caused by excessive usage of your HVAC system. Having your heating and cooling systems inspected is crucial for proper maintenance and performance.

There are unusual sounds 

If you have strange sounds coming from your heating and cooling system, it could mean that the unit is in need of a professional tune-up. Not only can our repair professionals check for problems within your HVAC system, but they can also make sure that it is working properly and not using too much energy.

There’s an unusual smell

You need to have your HVAC checked if there are unusual smells. The smell could be from a dirty filter, broken fan or motor, or a full tank of gas is needed. It’s also important to check the outdoor unit for rust and corrosion, especially in humid climates.

It could possibly have an electrical smell as well which could lead to a fire hazard. It could be an indication of a serious problem with your HVAC system. You need to have it checked out by a professional as soon as possible.

It’s not cooling or heating well

Having an efficient and reliable HVAC system is an important part of daily life. If you notice that it’s not cooling or heating well, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your heating HVAC professional in order to keep your home comfortable all year round.

This might also lead to a spike in your electricity bill so better call the experts right away.

It’s unusually humid

If you notice humidity issues in your home, it may be time to have your HVAC checked. A professional inspection of your HVAC system can identify issues like inefficient ductwork. As well as other problems that can cause excessive moisture in your home. These issues are easily fixed with minor repairs and adjustments that allow your HVAC system to work properly.

GO Heating, Air & Plumbing

We hope that you’ve learned something new! If you’re looking for more information on HVAC systems, feel free to visit our website or call us. We can provide you with more information on our services and answer any questions you may have.

At GO Heating, Air & Plumbing, we are committed to providing our customers with the highest level of customer service and excellent value in their HVAC installation or repair. Our technicians have the skill and expertise to complete any size of the project. Whether it’s a brand new air conditioning system or heating repair that you need. Call us or visit our website.