Does your heater or air conditioner make strange sounds in the night? Do you have a room in your home that's always hotter or cooler than the others? How often does the filter or air vent need to be cleaned or replaced? Questions like these and others are not uncommon concerns for homeowners.
After all, as one of the largest systems in our homes, understanding and maintaining the HVAC system can be a bit intimidating.
Fortunately, there are many specialists who know how to keep your home's comfort system in working order.
Of course, there are often actions you can take to avoid having any major problems.
Here are some commonly asked questions regarding use and maintenance of your HVAC system.
1.
What to do if the central air condition blows cooler but not cold air and always seems to be on? Chances are the condenser unit is dirty.
You can check this by going outside and cleaning up any debris that may be on or around the unit.
Then turn off the electricity and use a garden hose with a high pressure nozzle to spray the coils from the inside to the outside.
It is a good idea to do this at least once or twice a year.
You may also want to check the ducts to see if there is any airflow; if there isn't you likely have a leak or disconnection along the duct passageway.
If you find a disconnection, reconnect it with sheet metal screws and mastic for metal ducts or zip-ties and butyl-backed taped for flexible ducts.
If neither of these help, call an HVAC professional and schedule an appointment as it may be something related to the coolant, the interior of the unit or the coil's pressure.
2.
What is the best way to stop drafts? Use caulking around chimneys, water faucets, and electrical outlets.
For any larger cracks (more than ¼") fill the gap with insulation then caulk over it.
3.
Some rooms are either too hot or too cold.
What can be done to correct this? This is often caused by bad air ducts or poor insulation.
These problems lead to inadequate air flow and waste energy, raising your costs.
Check to see if the ducts need cleaned or whether you can add more insulation.
If not sure which would be more efficient, you may wish to call in a professional.
4.
In heating an older home which is better to do-insulate or replace the furnace? In most cases, it is better to add insulation; however, if the furnace is over 20 years old, it will be more cost effective to purchase a new heater and then add more insulation during installation of the heater.
5.
What are some common HVAC mistakes people make when trying to save money? Standard mistakes are: Having a system that is the wrong size for the home, not checking for leakage when installing a new system and not using a ceiling or portable fan to increase air circulation.