Heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, helps to maintain good indoor air quality with appropriate ventilation and thermal comfort. Understanding how an HVAC contractor applies his expertise to your heating and cooling system can ensure that you stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Adjusting the thermostat, from the homeowner perspective, is a little akin to magic, but it sets an entire system into motion. The air conditioner and furnace play a significant role in creating the right temperature in your home, but the HVAC ducts work as the unsung heroes for your temperature control system. They are built into the house to be transparent, but you will not get the efficiency that you pay for when they are ignored and not functioning correctly. They should be analyzed to make sure they are carrying the proper load, with the proper efficiency, so your energy bills stay in check.
Getting a residential cooling expert to look at your HVAC system can help you pinpoint issues, as well as opportunities for greater efficiency and fewer allergens in your home. When the ducts are blocked, clogged or leaking, you are essentially paying to air condition or heat the outside of your home. Performing an annual HVAC maintenance can help you avoid these money sucking situations, especially when you consider that 45 percent of your home energy costs go to heating and cooling.
The return air paths, the vents where the air gets pulled back into the system, can also affect operational efficiency and air quality. If you have low return air or under performing return ducts, you could tack on an increase of 20 to 30 percent to your normal energy costs. The heating and cooling systems also filter allergens and reduce humidity as a part of their operation, but improper duct work can introduce an increase of allergens to your home.
For most homeowners, the little issues in an HVAC system can contribute to higher operating costs and inefficiencies, but getting a detailed diagnosis can help you optimize it for the perfect indoor environment.
