Heating ventilation and air conditioning is one of the most important aspect of the house. However, majority of people have limited knowledge about their HVAC system and a technician has to be called whenever there is an issue. In this article, seven most essential HVAC tips that every homeowners needs to know are discussed.
Tip number 1: Never set your temperature below 55 degrees during winter
The cost of heating your living space during winter is not insignificant. It is assumed that the heating bill can be reduced by turning the heat off, especially when no one is in the house. However, turning the heat off might freeze the plumbing piping, which are not insulated, resulting in bursting plumbing piping. Likewise, if you have a gas furnace heating system, condensation might form in the primary heat exchanger, which affects the performance of the furnace significantly. The repair cost for both the damages is remarkably higher than the heating bill. Therefore, never set your temperature below 55 degrees in the winter.
Tip Number 2: Always use the same type of filter that was originally installed with the furnace, or the fan coil unit.
One of the effects of COVID on the HVAC system is the desire for higher-efficiency filters. The newer higher-efficiency filters are designed to match the older furnace or fan coil units and homeowners are replacing the older filters with these filter types. However, the residential HVAC system is mostly designed and installed for MERV 8 and MERV 11 filters. As the ratings of the filters are increased the filters become more efficient in removing airborne particles (See this article for more about filters). The higher-efficiency filters are close to MERV 17 ratings so they are very effective in filtering airborne particles. However, as the efficiency of the filter increases, the pressure drops across the filter increases significantly. For example, MERV 8 filter has a pressure loss of around 0.15” of the water column in comparison to 1” of the water column for HEPA filters. The furnace and fan coil units have limited pressure capacity and the ducting is installed in such a way that the allowable pressure is enough to supply treated air for all the rooms. However, the increase in pressure across the HEPA filters does not allow the furnace to throw air into the rooms properly. Furthermore, the fan has to operate at maximum capacity most of the time which will decrease the life of the heating system. As a result, do not use high-efficiency filters with your older furnace or FCU.
Tip Number 3: Change your air filters within the furnace or fan coil units quarterly
The fan of the FCU operates most of the time even when cooling or heating is not required. As a result, dirt, and dust covers the air filter relatively quickly. The dirty filter does not perform the task of supplying fresh air to the conditioned space. Furthermore, the pressure drop across the dirty filter is relatively higher which will impact the performance of the furnace or FCU as mentioned above. Most of the filters have a life cycle period of three months, therefore, it is essential to replace them quarterly.
Tip Number 4: Do not cover your outdoor unit
The outdoor units are designed to be installed outside. Moreover, they are recommended by the manufacturer to maintain an open space to provide adequate cooling or heating. For example, Mitsubishi recommends, maintaining 12” at the back and side and 60” on the front for their 2-ton cooling, 24,000 heating heat pump system. The heat pump system that operates in both seasons should never be covered and allowed enough space around them. If the outdoor unit only operates in the summer, you may be tempted to cover the unit to protect it from the snow. However, this is not necessary, the units can withstand the snow conditions. In fact, during the winter they still put off a little bit of heat as they heat the oil in the compressor. When you cover the unit, you trap that heat inside of the unit and it creates a nice cozy home for mice. Consequently, the mice may damage the wiring which requires repair. Therefore, the outdoor unit should not be covered.
Tip Number 5: Protect your outdoor unit from pets
The heat exchanger is an important component of a heating or cooling system and it is made up of copper because of its high thermal conductivity, resistance to atmospheric and water corrosion, sealing and joining by soldering, and mechanical strength. However, copper can be easily corroded by ammonia and water. Since urine contains ammonia and water, it can easily corrode the heat exchanger. Therefore, the outdoor units should be protected from urine or any other ammonia solution.
Tip Number 6: Schedule preventative maintenance regularly
The typical furnace, boilers, heat pumps, and air conditioners for residential buildings have a lifespan of around 15 years. For equipment that is less than 8 years old, it is recommended to schedule preventative maintenance every other year. For the older equipment, yearly preventative maintenance would be suggested. The scheduled maintenance helps to confirm the equipment is operating safely. The electrical parts will be checked along with refrigerant gas leaks in the system. Also, condenser coils will be cleaned which improves the energy efficiency of the system. Likewise, with the furnace, the preventative maintenance will clean the condensate drains, and flame sensor and will check the ignitor. All of these activities prevent common failures in the future.
Tip Number 7: Avoid using HVAC companies that pay commissions to their technicians
Last but not least, try to find an HVAC company that pays hourly to their technicians. As with other industries, the commissioned technician might make up problems to sell more. The best way to find a good technician is to talk with your neighbors and friends.