With heat waves causing health emergencies and even deaths around the world, it’s more important than ever to cool your home responsibly. Air conditioning systems are complex machines that use a special chemical called refrigerant to remove heat from the air.
Air conditioners use the same refrigeration cycle as industrial freezers. They pull warm air from indoor spaces and blow it over cold evaporator coils filled with refrigerant, which changes from liquid to gas and absorbs the heat. Contact Ausco Air Heating & Air Conditioning for professional assistance.
Furnaces are the heart and lungs of a home’s HVAC system, heating in the winter and cooling during the summer. They are especially important in northern climates, where temperatures can drop very cold and remain below freezing for long periods of time.
The thermostat sends a signal to the furnace when it is time to start producing heat. The igniter in the furnace will then fire up, burning fossil fuel and creating heat that is pushed out through the flue or vent pipe and into the outdoor environment. The blower fan in the HVAC system will then draw air from outside through return ducts and into the heat exchanger, which will warm it up for circulation throughout the house via the home’s ductwork.
Furnaces can be powered by natural gas, propane, oil or electricity. Each type of furnace has varying cost, maintenance and energy efficiency characteristics. A good rule of thumb is to select a model with an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating of at least 90%. The higher the AFUE rating, the more heat is produced for every dollar of fossil fuel consumed by the unit.
Some models of furnaces also come equipped with air quality features to improve indoor air quality. These include dehumidifiers to prevent dry indoor air in the winter and air filters that reduce dust, pollen and other allergens.
When a furnace is properly sized, it will perform efficiently for years to come. A model that is too small will not heat a home adequately, and one that is too large can cause energy bills to skyrocket and add excessive wear and tear to the unit. A professional can conduct a heat-load calculation to determine the ideal size for your home’s heating needs.
A well-maintained furnace connected to a correctly sized duct system will evenly warm the entire home. This is a great advantage over other types of heaters, which tend to leave certain rooms warmer than others. Furnaces can be inspected and maintained by a qualified professional to make sure the system is functioning properly and at peak efficiency.
Air Conditioner
Air conditioners cool a space by extracting heat from the air and transferring it to the outside. This helps maintain comfortable indoor temperatures while also reducing humidity. Air conditioners come in a variety of forms including window units, split systems and central air conditioning. Each type has its own advantages and applications based on the size of the space and its specific cooling needs.
The main air conditioning components include the compressor, condenser coil and evaporator coil. These components work together using a special chemical called refrigerant. Refrigerants have a pretty cool superpower – they can easily switch between liquid and gas. When liquid refrigerant evaporates in the evaporator coil it absorbs the heat and then turns back into a gas. The high-pressure gas then moves to the condenser coil where it releases the heat. The cooled refrigerant then returns to the evaporator coil and repeats the cycle.
Aside from lowering indoor air temperature, air conditioners can improve indoor air quality by reducing allergens like dust particles, pet hair/dander and mold spores. They can also dehumidify the air, which can prevent excess moisture from causing problems like musty odors and wood damage.
Most air conditioning systems are designed with an economizer mode to help save energy. During this mode the control system will open (fully or partially) the outdoor air damper and close (fully or partially) the return air damper. This will pull in cool outdoor air and reduce the load on the air conditioner.
Aside from reducing peak energy demand, this strategy also has the added benefit of reducing fossil fuel consumption. Some older air conditioners can use up to 6% of the country’s electricity each year, but the good news is that newer models are significantly more efficient. To further reduce your home’s energy consumption, consider upgrading to an ENERGY STAR® rated air conditioner.
Ductwork
Ducts are the life force that connects your furnace and air conditioner to your indoor spaces. They allow you to cool your home or office to your exact specification during a sweltering summer day.
When a duct is leaky or damaged, it can cause your HVAC system to work harder than normal. It can also reduce energy efficiency and lead to uneven temperatures throughout a space.
A duct’s design plays a key role in its function and performance. If a duct has an irregular shape or is poorly designed, it can restrict airflow and create a draft. This can increase operating costs and reduce the lifespan of your system.
A well-designed ductwork system allows your HVAC unit to run efficiently while keeping your indoor spaces comfortable. It’s essential to get a professional to assess your ductwork and perform Manual J and D calculations to ensure that it’s optimally designed and installed.
The main duct that delivers air to various areas of your home or workplace is known as the trunk line or supply duct. The air ducts that branch off the trunk line are known as subsidiary ducts. The movement of conditioned air between the mother duct and the subsidiary ducts is aided by fittings called take-offs. These are usually stationed into circular or rectangular holes drilled into each subsidiary duct.
Some types of air ducts include galvanized steel, aluminum, and flexible ducts. Metal ducts are the most durable and least likely to harbor mold, especially when galvanized steel is coated with zinc. They are a popular choice for both residential and commercial buildings. Aluminum ducts are lightweight, offer good thermal efficiency, and can be made to look like galvanized steel.
Flexible ducts are comprised of a polymer (bendable plastic) with round wire coils wrapped inside. They are inexpensive, easy to install, and can fit in tricky spaces that more rigid ducts cannot. However, if you use a flexible duct that has been improperly installed, it can become saggy and lose its ability to deliver conditioned air. Moreover, it’s more prone to punctures and kinks than other duct materials.
Filters
The unsung heroes of your HVAC system are your filters. Similar to how a coffee filter keeps the grounds from clouding up your morning cup of Joe, air filters keep all the gunk out of your ductwork and home’s air. Typically made of spun fiberglass or pleated paper surrounded by cardboard, filters are inserted into a specific place within the air conditioning system and act as a barrier between contaminants and sensitive parts of the system. Filters are designed to capture the likes of dust, lint, mold, animal fur, bacteria, pollen, smoke, and other airborne pollutants.
Depending on the MERV rating of your filter, it can also capture microscopic airborne particles that impact your health. Some of these include the viruses and bacteria that cause sickness, as well as allergens such as pet dander and plant pollen.
Your filter should be changed regularly to ensure optimal performance of your system. A dirty filter causes the system to strain to create airflow, and it prevents warm or cool air from getting to all areas of your home.
It can also affect your energy bills. When your system has to work so hard, it short-cycles on and off more frequently than necessary, which means that it’s using a lot of energy. It can also wear down your system, leading to expensive repairs down the road.
In extreme cases, a super-clogged filter can lead to overheating during a heating cycle. This can damage the system and even start a fire in your home.
Changing your filter regularly and scheduling annual maintenance with a local professional are the best ways to protect your system. An HVAC company can check your filter regularly and change it if needed, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting about it. This will help your system last longer and keep it working properly. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!