HVAC refers to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. It’s a system that modulates and moves cooled or heated air across all parts of a residential or commercial building. Even though there are lots of options when it comes to choosing an HVAC system, they all follow the same principle—they absorb the fresh air and use a mechanical ventilation system to cool or heat it before passing it around the home. This system helps to keep your home at the required temperature during all seasons. HVAC systems can also enhance air quality by using air cleaners that catch virus-sized particles, spores, and bacteria. They can also control humidity levels.
Importantly, before going ahead to install an HVAC system, it is always best to invite experienced HVAC Services in California | HVAC San Diego King. They’ll evaluate your home to determine which option is best for you.
How HVAC Systems Work
HVAC systems generally consist of three major elements, which include a cooling unit, a heating unit, and a duct for moving the air. An HVAC system begins with ventilation, which conveys fresh air into your home. Naturally, ventilation takes air from doors, cracks, and open windows. Sometimes, it also utilizes pressure differences.
Best Practices For Maintaining An HVAC System
Change Your Filters
Disposable filters help to remove dust and other tiny particles from your indoor air and keep your HVAC system clean. Over time, these particles will add up and make the filter ineffective. So to avoid any problems with the filter, you need to change them every one to three months. It’s even better to replace them more often if you own pets or it’s allergy season.
Clean Your Condensing Unit
Most air conditioners are made of outdoor condensing units whose metal fins often get clogged with pollen, dirt, or grime. After each season, it’s recommended to clean your condensing unit by spraying water on it with a hose. Avoid using a pressure washer because it’ll damage it permanently.
Visually Examine Around Your Outdoor Unit
You need to visually examine your outdoor unit and remove any overgrown vegetation around it so they don’t mess with the air. When you trim nearby trees or bushes, your unit will have plenty of clearance. It’s even more important when you have trees that produce excessive collagen because they’re known for clogging condensing units.
Check Your Evaporator Coil’s Drainpipe and Drain Pan
Another important HVAC maintenance tip is to inspect your HVAC system’s drain pipe and remove blockages of mold building up there. A clogged drain line is one of the commonest HVAC issues. It’s best to use a wet-dry vacuum as it can help suction out plugged-up areas.
Call A Professional For Regular Maintenance
It’s highly recommended that you invite a licensed HVAC technician to your home for HVAC preventative maintenance at least twice a year. They can help inspect your drain pan and drainage system, flush the coils, vacuum the blower compartments, evaluate furnace operation and carry out other necessary maintenance procedures.
What Are The Different Parts Of An HVAC System?
Thermostat
The thermostat is one of the key parts of an HVAC system. It has temperature sensors that turn on or off the AC and Heater based on a preset temperature range. It’s directly connected to your HVAC system with special wires. It controls how hot or cool your room temperature will be.
Heat Exchanger
A heat exchanger is part of your furnace system that separates the combustion process from your breathing air. It absorbs heat after your thermostat activates your furnace, and the heat from combustion increases. This crucial HVAC component has strong stainless steel and temperature-resistant alloys, which protects it against cracks and other forms of damage.
Blower Motor
This part plays a key role in air circulation.
Once the air inside your heat exchanger gets to a preset temperature, a fan powered by an electric blower motor pushes this air through the air register into your home’s ductwork. From there, it circulates all over the room.
Condenser Coil or Compressor
This part is usually installed outside the home. It is the part responsible for moving heat or hot air from the home into the outdoor air. It does this by compressing and condensing refrigerant into a cold liquid from a warm gas.
During this process, a fan also blows air on the compressor so it can distribute the heat and also cool the refrigerant quickly.
Knowing how an HVAC system works, its important parts, and how to maintain it can help to ensure it lasts long.