HVAC Upkeep

When the air is very hot and humid, our mind usually drifts to things that could keep us cool and sane. We explore ways on how to better regulate the coolness or hotness of our homes to maintain indoor comfort and reduce the workload of our HVAC system. Keeping your heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit turned on for a very long time will definitely affect your utility bills and you won’t like it.

It is why it’s important to check the weather outside to know whether you need to turn on your AC or not. Often times your HVAC system breaks down because you use it for hours on end, so you end up hiring an HVAC expert to check it for you and fix whatever problems you may have that could have been easily prevented with proper upkeep.

Messy ductwork, chemical discharges, dysfunctional ventilation unit, and broken fans may indicate that your HVAC system is working double-time to keep you cool despite the heat. These things may trap the air circulation in the system and cause it to run even if it is not needed. If your ventilation and cooling system is not the right size for your home, it might run continually and struggle to maintain the temperature to some extent.

A vehicle’s engine-cooling system serves not just to keep the engine cool, but to also keep its temperature warm enough to ensure efficient, clean operation. System components include a radiator to dissipate heat, a fan or fans to ensure adequate airflow for radiator cooling, a thermostat valve that opens when the desired operating temperature is reached and a water pump (or coolant pump) to circulate coolant through the engine, hoses and other components. Most vehicles now employ an expansion tank that allows the coolant to expand, and exit, the cooling circuit when hot, and to return when the car is turned off and the engine cools.

The cooling system also incorporates elements of the cabin’s ventilation system, because engine heat is used to warm the car’s interior.

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You may feel a lot of discomforts if your HVAC system isn’t up to par with the outside conditions. You can either clean your house frequently or let some fresh air come inside by opening the windows to reduce your AC’s workload and help you save energy and money too. Indoor air purifiers may also be installed in the home so conditions may improve and you won’t feel as uncomfortable as before.

Filter Efficiency

Air filters should have a dust-spot rating between 35% and 80% or a Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV) of between 8 and 13. The higher the rating, the better the protection for the equipment and the occupants. It has been estimated that a 30% increase in static pressure across a coil results in a $200 per 10,000 cfm of air movement (at 7 cents per KWH). This does not include the added cost of cleaning dirty heating or cooling oils, drain pans, or air ducts. Designers should consider specifying a low efficiency (~10%) pre-filter upstream of the main filters. The pre-filters are generally easy and inexpensive to change and will capture a significant amount of the particulate mass in the air thereby extending the useful life of the more expensive main filters.

Check out full article at EPA.

The air temperature actually plays a big role in indoor comfort. A unit that has never been maintained can cause high electric bills. It can also be an issue if the outdoor unit is placed near high grasses or the trash.

Make an effort to keep your HVAC unit optimized by maintaining it properly and having it regularly checked by an expert. Proper regulation of the air circulation and maintenance of the cooling system will make your unit last longer and save you from any spikes in your utility bill among other things.

Check out this video to learn more about bad indoor air quality: