How to Prolong the Life of your HVAC System?

HVAC is always a costly investment, one every house owner should make only a few times in their lifetime. According to experts, a system lasts for approximately fifteen to twenty years, and there are numerous things that homeowners can do to increase the life of their HVAC.

Pre-season check-ups and cleaning

It is very important to get the HVAC checked and cleaned before the start of any season, normally once in the spring and once in fall. This routine helps in catching any issues before the season begins and ensures the system works smoothly. Plan maintenance check-ups and cleaning early to make sure you get hold of efficient and licensed technicians.

Checking air filters on a regular basis

Dirty or clogged air filters can reduce the air flow to your system, creating extra stress and making the HVAC work harder. This may cause damage to the blower motor. When you check the filters on a regular basis, you can avoid the build-up of dust or dirt, eventually causing less tension on the motor and extending the life of your system.

Inspecting the equipment

Inspecting the HVAC equipment regularly can help in catching small issues before they become big. While you will require a technician for inspecting the ducts for air leaks and for maintaining your equipment, there are several things you can do yourself.

Be vigilant about any equipment that is susceptible to excess wear and tear or corrosion. For heat pumps or central air conditioning systems, any parts that are outside the house should be checked visually for buildup of leaves, damage or debris.

Apart from this, every owner must regularly see if there are any leaks in the outside equipment. For instance, finding oily substance on surfaces can indicate towards a refrigerant leak.

Give a break to your system

For most homes, an HVAC system runs seven days a week. This can take a toll on the system. It is very important to give a break to your system to keep it from being overworked. Using an automated thermostat can help, because it will help you adjust the system’s temperature during the day and at times when you are not home. This way, when you get back, it will be less work for your system to get the house back to the correct temperature. Normally, a slight ‘break’ for the HVAC system will make a huge difference when it comes to the pressure on it in the long run, and will assist you in getting maximum savings possible.

There is no way to guarantee or predict the life of an HVAC system. However, with these handy tips you can keep your HVAC running efficiently and smoothly, increasing its life and helping you get the best out of the investment. Also, any time you feel that your system is not functioning properly, make sure you contact a HVAC maintenance expert immediately. The professional will be able to find and rectify the fault before it becomes a costly damage.

Sealing your HVAC ducts - Why it’s important and how to do it?

We all want an HVAC system that’s energy efficient. If you’ve tried everything from changing the air filters, to using a programmable thermostat, for lowering energy bills but nothing is working, then your ducts may be the issue. Leakage in ducts can affect a family’s comfort, and in a lot of cases you can easily fix the issue on your own.

What is duct leakage?

Leakage in ducts occurs when the conditioned air inside the house escapes the duct system via loosely connected ducts, holes, or incorrectly sealed duct connections. Leaky ducts lead to loss of 20 to 30 percent of the conditioned air running through the HVAC system. Duct leakage does not only decrease a house’s efficiency, but it may also release debris and dust from areas that surround the ducts into the air and increase energy bills.

Signs you have leaky ducts:

Duct leaks can slowly decrease an HVAC system’s efficiency. Here are a few telltale signs that your ductwork is leaking:

1. Your system is running, but you find some rooms cooler/ warmer than the others
2. Your energy bills have increased
3. Your rooms become dusty as you turn the unit on
4. You see peeling metal tape, sealant, or duct tape where some gaps or holes may have been taped up at an earlier time
5. The ductwork in your house is visibly tangled, crushed, or kinked

All the signs mentioned above signal towards an expensive duct leakage issue that may decrease an HVAC’s efficiency.

How to find out where the ducts are leaking?

The best place to begin your search is by analyzing the exposed ductwork. In case you have tile ceilings that are removable, remove them and look for ductwork. Are there any poorly connected joints? Do you see holes as a result of wear and tear, or tangled ductwork?

In case you don’t see any obvious leakage signs, use smoke test for locating problem areas. Turn the system to its fan setting and use incense. Pass the incense smoke over the exposed ducts. In case the smoke is pulled into or blown away from the joint, then you are experiencing leakage.

How to fix leaking ducts?

There are a few simple solutions that can help you fix the problem.

1. Seal the joints

If you see any loose connections, holes, or leaky joints, seal them with a duct mastic sealant or tape. Unlike conventional, rubber duct tape, sealants are more durable and offer better strength.

2. Inspect your vents and registers

Are the vents properly connected? If not, make sure you tighten the wall vents and seal gaps between the register connections and duct system to make sure you are not losing any valuable air. Creating tight connections can help you avoid leakage and keep the system running proficiently.

If you follow the tips mentioned above and still find your energy bills on the higher side then it is best to get in touch with a reputed HVAC expert.

How to pest-proof HVAC components?

Troublesome pests are a problem businesses and homeowner’s battle all the time. Termites can destroy the very structure of your building or house, ants persistently invade your interiors, raccoons tear into your attic, and wasps can create nests!

While the right pest control strategy can help protect areas of the house or building and keep pests at bay, one of the paths that pests can take is usually overlooked: your HVAC system. By pest proofing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system components, you can make sure the pests remain out of your house, preventing any damage to equipment, and protecting everyone from health hazards.

Prevent any kind of pest infestations by taking steps that ensure your HVAC system and its many components are well protected.

Seal the ducts

Cracks, gaps, and larger disconnections within the duct system can create access points for pests to enter the unit and your home or office building. Mice, insects, and larger vermin could enter the system, depending on how big the air leaks are.

Not only do pests inside your ducts cause destruction to the ductwork, they can also lead to serious issues with indoor air quality. Dander and excrement left behind can spread into the interiors as conditioned air flows through the duct system, causing several health hazards to residents.

Treating the problem by using pest poison is not an ideal strategy for infestation. While it can destroy the pest, they are likely die and decay in the duct system. A decaying rodent within the ductwork can cause bad odors, and locating the carcass can be a challenge. 

The best option is to lay a trap if you feel your ductwork has been infested. Live traps can easily be set within the ducts to capture larger pests such as, rats and mice, so that you can get rid of them easily. Glue traps can be utilized for catching insects. It is important to seal the ductwork professionally. Duct cleaning can help remove dead pests and the debris that has been left behind to enhance the quality of indoor air.

Installing vent or flue covers 

It is important to install vent covers on all exterior intakes, flues, and exhaust vents. The covers will help block entry points, preventing any form of infestation. These covers also have added benefits, such as keeping rain water away from the vents. However, make sure the vent covers are securely installed.

Protect the AC condenser

One of the best ways of protecting a condenser is by preventing rodents from getting near it. Make sure you keep the surrounding areas clean. Use a mild soap and warm water to scrub the unit’s exterior and the surrounding areas.

A reliable HVAC professional can assist and advise you as you work towards pest-proofing your system, and provide the required repairs, in case pests have led to damage within the HVAC unit.

Running an Air Conditioner during Thunder Storms

The humid and hot summer conditions can make you want to turn on the air conditioning. However, this season also creates conditions for thunderstorms. Keeping your air conditioner functional during a thunderstorm may cause damage, so it is always a good idea to turn it off when the weather gets bad.

Why should you turn off your A/C during a thunderstorm?

Lightning

Even though lightning strikes on a house are rare, they are certainly possible during a storm. The area where the utility lines connect to your house is an extremely vulnerable area for strikes and if lightning hits here, it may cause a power surge throughout the electrical system of the house. This surge can lead to serious damage to the air conditioner.

This damage can practically render the unit unusable. It can affect the control panel, leading to extensive repair or replacement of the whole unit. The unit’s controls to the cooling and heating system can be corrupted if a lightning strikes when the unit is on.

How can you protect your air conditioner?

Although experts recommend surge protectors, these appliances do not offer the amount of protection required against a surge that is caused due to lightning strike. Therefore, plugging your air conditioner into one will not have the advantages you expect. If you reside in an area known for high occurrence of strikes, you can secure your unit by fitting in a protection system. Use conductors, lightning rods, and ground rods to create an alternate path for lightning so that it does not travel through the electrical system of the house. These units are not 100% effective in preventing surges. Therefore, it is best to keep your A/C off when a thunderstorm pops up.

Can air conditioning be used in rain storms?

Using an air conditioner during rain storm is perfectly safe. Rain will never interrupt with the unit’s capability to function properly. In fact, utilizing your unit on rainy, warm days can keep the house more comfortable — the indoor evaporator coils remove moisture and reduce humidity levels, which helps in improving comfort levels inside the house. However, if the rain storms lead to flooding and you have water logging around your house and unit, you should turn off the system immediately and turn off power at the electrical panel of the house to prevent damage. Make sure you get your unit inspected by a HVAC expert before you start using it again after flooding.

If you are having issues with your air-conditioning after a thunderstorm, make sure you seek advice from a professional on how to get the problem fixed! 

HVAC Maintenance: How to keep the costs low?

One of the best ways to keep your service costs to a minimum is by performing regular maintenance. An HVAC system is one of those machines that you need to sustain on a regular basis to keep it in good working order, particularly during the warmer months. Here are a few tips to help you cut down on repair costs:

Installing a digital thermostat:

Digital thermostats are a great way to gauge room temperatures more accurately. These devices are a lot easier to set in comparison to conventional thermostats. You can set and program the device to turn the system on and off when you want. On the other hand, using an inefficient, old fashioned thermostat will cause the unit to work harder than required and lead to technical problems with your system over a period of time.

Keep the attic clear: 

Another way to avoid HVAC repair is to ensure your attic is properly ventilated. As the weather starts to get warmer, you must clear out any needless clutter that can keep the air from circulating properly in the attic. Too much clutter can make it difficult for the system to cool the house efficiently.

Change filters regularly:

The easiest way to avoid HVAC repair cost is to change the filters regularly. AC filters must be replaced every three months. But, if you live in a dusty climate, you will have to change them more often. It is also important to change the filter frequently if you use your HVAC unit throughout the year. A dirty filter can reduce the air quality leading to a less efficient system.

Check the Freon regularly in the unit:

Refrigerants such as Freon are needed for the system to cool the air that comes inside the house. Low quantities of Freon indicate towards a possible leak in the system, which requires immediate repair. This type of leak can also be dangerous to humans or wildlife, as the chemicals are toxic.

Use a low maintenance unit:

An old-fashioned HVAC system that requires additional maintenance or is constantly failing will drain your resources. Make sure your maintenance costs remain low by switching to newer, more durable radiators, heat pumps, and quality condensing boilers. Since the latest units use the best technology, they will need less repair and decrease the costs linked to excessive replacement or maintenance.

Be careful of the set-up:

Poorly set up HVAC systems will end up wasting energy by cooling or heating an empty building. It’s smart to create a plan for your HVAC system setup. If the house remains empty during a particular season such as summer, consider reducing the cooling requirements significantly during this time. In addition, if there are times when the house is occupied, reduce temperatures accordingly to the changes.

Performing routine maintenance on your HVAC unit is an extremely simple task. By keeping your system in good working condition, you can reduce the need for extensive A/C repair in the future. Apart from doing your own maintenance, you must also have a skilled technician to check your system once every year to perform necessary repairs that you are unable to perform on your own.