While you don’t need to be an expert on HVAC technology as a homeowner, knowing some HVAC basic information can be a big help in managing the heating and cooling in your home, and doing simple things to keep the equipment running efficiently. Following are some important HVAC basics:
The most common type of HVAC system is a central, forced-air system that uses a combustion furnace (usually natural gas) for heating and a split-system air conditioner for cooling. A split system A/C or heat pump has an indoor unit with a blower/air handler and heat-exchange coil and an outdoor unit with a compressor, condensing coil and fan. Often, in northern areas like where we live, the furnace blower serves as the fan for the air conditioner.
In addition to the aforementioned equipment, a forced-air HVAC system employs a network of ducts and registers to deliver heated or cooled air to rooms in the home, and return spent air back to the equipment.
Steps you can take to enhance comfort and energy efficiency in your home’s HVAC equipment include:
Regular air filter inspection and replacement. In a forced-air system, the filter plays an essential role, keeping dust and grime out of sensitive components, and helping to clean the air your breathe. However, if the filter gets dirty, the equipment will struggle to operate as intended, and airflow will be restricted, forcing your equipment to work unnecessarily hard.
Lowering your home’s heating and cooling load. Take steps to make your A/C and furnace’s jobs easier. Seal air leaks in the outer envelope of the home and around doors and windows and upgrade insulation, especially in the attic.
Use ceiling fans. In the summer, ceiling fans provide a cooling effect that alllows you to turn down the A/C. In the summer, they help circulate warm air that otherwise accumulates near the ceiling.
Install a programmable thermostat. This allows you to program energy-saving temperature setbacks when nobody’s home.
For more HVAC basic information to enhance the comfort and energy savings in your Lorain area home, please contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC basics and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area