Ways to Maintain Your HVAC System
Air conditioning systems do more than just cool the air: they lower humidity, and also eliminate dust and dirt by moving the air through filters. The best and often the most efficient routine maintenance is to regularly, change or clean your air filter, which is found inside the systems heating system, air handler or affixed ductwork. When these filters come to be obstructed with dirt, the system needs to work harder to do its job. This squanders energy and can easily make utility costs rise. Depending on the quantity of dust in the air, filters can easily become stopped up in just a month or two of operation. Many residential systems have disposable filters. These should be examined every two months once a month throughout peak usage and replaced when necessary. Permanent filters should be cleaned in accordance with the manufacturers directions. Under no circumstances should you operate your system without filters. To do so could result in a need for more frequent cleaning of the heat exchangers.
One of the easiest perks to document is how HVAC upkeep influences energy efficiency. Facilities where proper HVAC routine maintenance is completed will make use of at least 15 to 20 percent less energy than those where systems are allowed to degrade. For instance, take into consideration the operation of a central building chiller. Building chillers usually are the single largest user of electrical power in a facility. To keep them operating as successfully as possible, routine maintenance jobs must be performed on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis. Let them lapse, and efficiency will decrease, increasing energy usage. Begin with the chiller operating log. Work with the chiller manufacturer or a service company to convert the log data into an operating efficiency curve for the chiller.
Develop a comparable curve for what the efficiency of the chiller would be if all upkeep were performed at the recommended intervals. The difference between the two operating efficiencies can be converted into energy and cost savings. Due to the high energy use of the equipment, even little rises in efficiency will result in large cost savings. While the energy saving estimates for chillers, central heating boilers, and many other HVAC systems is straightforward, other estimates might not be. Think of outside air dampers. Air dampers require regular upkeep to respond properly to the temperature control systems demand for air flow. If the damper linkage is out of adjustment, or if it sticks open, more air flow will be introduced than necessary, requiring the system to make use of more heating or cooling energy to condition that air.
Contrary to public opinion, air conditioners do not consume refrigerant, like a car consumes oil AC Repairs Phoenix . Under optimal conditions, you will never need to add or change the refrigerant in your air conditioning system. If you do find that your refrigerant levels are low, this indicates a leak in your system which should be fixed before you add refrigerant. While most brand-new system hookups are welded to minimize leaks, several older units 8 years or older were connected with mechanical flared fittings which can easily vibrate loose over the years, creating leaks.