Top Benefits of Upgrading Your Home's HVAC System

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"Here's something not many people know: more than half of your energy goes to cooling and heating. If you are a smart homeowner, you have to do more than invest in an HVAC installation. You also need to know when it's time to upgrade your HVAC system at home so you can save more money and enhance your comfort level. Learn common HVAC terms today to better understand your system and make informed decisions.

Upgrading your HVAC system at home has many benefits. Some of the most notable ones include:

It helps you save on cost

When you replace your old HVAC system with a higher efficiency one, you can save thousands in fuel costs. New and higher efficiency HVAC systems have an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating of more than 90 percent, making them ideal for better indoor air quality.

It allows you to enjoy better comfort

Modern HVAC systems can help produce more heat and maintain the temperature at a constant level. It can also help ensure there is consistent airflow. Moreover, you also get to enjoy superior humidity control compared to older systems.

It has a longer working capacity

New HVAC systems are designed to minimize on and off cycling. That means they can last way longer compared to older models. You can also expect better efficiency without worrying about your system malfunctioning.

It can increase your home's resale value

When assessing any property, most buyers will consider the quality of the HVAC system. Most buyers will also take into account the operating cost of HVAC systems. That said, if you want to increase your home's resale value, investing in a new and powerful HVAC system would be a smart move.

Wrap Up

The benefits above are just a few of the upsides of investing in modern HVAC systems. Considering all the benefits a new HVAC system can offer, it's easy to see it's an investment that's worth every penny.

Options for Improving Heating and Cooling in Your Home

During extreme weather conditions, heating and cooling your home becomes crucial in creating an ambient environment. However, keeping your home warm during winter and cool during summer can attract hefty energy bills. Several steps exist that show you how to improve your home's cooling and heating to reduce the overall energy cost. 

Change the Air Filters

Air filters play an indispensable role in the overall efficiency of your heating and cooling system. However, most homeowners do know the importance of regular and frequent air filters. Air filters work by blocking debris and dirt from entering your home and thus might accumulate these pollutants. As a result, the air conditioning unit will work harder to pass clean air into the house because of reduced efficiency.

Maintenance

Although some people perceive routine maintenance as costly, it reduces cost by preventing breakdowns during operations that might be more expensive. Regular maintenance has a significant impact on the efficiency of an HVAC system. Moreover, minor repairs to your air conditioner can help it last longer and prevent frequent avoidable breakdowns. You can hire technicians to clean the drain lines, calibrate the air conditioning system, and check its refrigerant levels.

Purchase a Programmable Thermostat

Devices such as a programmable thermostat allow homeowners to increase heating and cooling efficiency in their homes. Programmable thermostats are particularly helpful for individuals who cannot access their homes during specific periods or occasions throughout the week. According to Energy Star, you can save approximately $180 annually if you properly use a programmable thermostat. Various types of programmable thermostats exist, and selection relies on your schedule.

You can manually set what time of day the programmable thermostat should adjust your home's heating and cooling conditions. Conversely, new thermostats come with Wi-Fi connectivity that permits access of its settings remotely through your mobile phone. Furthermore, you can combine a thermostat with household fans to improve air circulation in your home.

Seal All Gaps

Gaps in your home can significantly reduce the efficiency of your air conditioning system. The holes allow warm air to escape during cold seasons, making it difficult for the air conditioner to maintain set temperatures. You can locate such openings around the fireplace chimney, windows, doors, and air ducts. Once you find the leakages, use caulk, weather-strips, or foam gaskets to minimize heat and air loss from your home.

Homeowners should follow the above steps to minimize their energy bills while improving heating and cooling in their homes. Many additional options exist that can help you ensure your air conditioner systems function efficiently and create a comfortable environment.

Common signs your ducted air conditioner has leaks

Leaks can occur in the ducts of an air conditioner. However, because these are hidden in the room or basement, they are challenging to inspect. There may be leaks, and you are entirely unaware of them. Repairing leaking ducts is the easy part – how do you know there are leaks? Here are some commons signs you can look out for. 

The aircon isn’t keeping you comfortable

You had an air conditioner installed to keep your house cool on hot days. So it's frustrating as a homeowner when you feel the system is running, but the temperature never reaches a comfortable level. Your aircon surely should be able to make your hot home more comfortable than it is within an hour or two, right?

If you’re not getting the relief from the heat you want, even when the aircon's been pumping for hours, it's a sign that something's not right with it. One possibility is that there is an issue with the air ducts connected to your ducted air conditioning system. When these ducts have leaks, the entire system's seal is essentially broken, and you're going to lose cold air. 

When this occurs, the air conditioning system will not be able to cool your home or warm it, with ease. You'll should call in an air conditioning technician to investigate possible leaks and repair them. 

Individual rooms never get cool enough

If you find that there are particular rooms in your home that never seem to cool off or others that are ice-cold compared to the others, you need to investigate the cause. Ideally, your A/C system should distribute cold air evenly throughout the home to cool it. Each room in your home should get cooler at a similar rate.

When rooms cool unevenly, it's a sign that there could be leaks in the air ducts. The holes or gaps prevent sufficient cool air from reaching the rooms in different parts of your home. If the rooms on the second floor are warmer, don’t be concerned as they will always be slightly warmer on the floor below. 

Your energy bills are higher

There are peak times you will use your HVAC system, and it's accepted that you will see an increase in energy usage in those months. However, if the bills suddenly skyrocket, it's worth investigating if your ducted aircon is behind it. When air ducts are leaking air, the aircon is forced to run for more extended periods to cool your home off.

Your house is getting dusty

Every home accumulates dust, but if you're noticing your surfaces are getting extra grimy, something could be up with your air ducts. Leaky air ducts can make a home dustier than usual because they allow dust to enter ductwork and travel throughout a home.

Your air conditioner keeps breaking down

As A/C system ages, more regular repairs will be needed. However, if your unit is only a few years old and you're calling technicians in all the time, it could be a sign you have leaking air ducts. Find the leaky air duct, and you'll soon discover that you no longer have to call out a team for repairs as regularly. 

When your system is aging

Air ducts aren't designed to last forever, and experts estimate they should be replaced every 15 years. By ensuring your air ducts are correctly maintained as part of your annual air condition service for your ducted air-con, you'll extend their life expectancy. The technicians will inspect, repair, and clean the air ducts during maintenance. Ignore them at your peril. Air ducts that are leaking and damaged could lead to further damage to the A/C compressor and other parts. 

Know your ducts

There are multiple types of ducts in use in the aircon business. Here are a few:

Flexible ductwork

• Made of a wire coil.

• Covered with a bendable, plastic, surrounded by insulation. 

• Tube shaped.

• Used for best tricky spaces where rigid ducts can’t be installed.

• Need to be secured correctly so there are no kinks or other issue that reduce airflow.

Rigid ductwork

• Can be cylindrical or rectangular. 

• They are often insulated.

• Hardy, enduring, and reliable. 

Sheet metal ducts 

• Usually galvanized steel and aluminum.

• Light and easy to install. 

• Have non-porous surfaces.

Fiberboard ducts

• Made from fiberglass strands compressed and bonded with a resin

• Covered with a sheet of foil laminate 

• Suitable for cooling and heating systems because well insulated. 

• It is not recommended for ventilation in humid climates because of mold and mildew buildup. 

When installing an air conditioning system, ask your contractor which is the best type of duct to use for your home or property. They will also recommend a maintenance program that will keep the ductwork in good condition and free of leaks. 

4 Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning – How To Clean Air Ducts in Home?

We partnered with a Home improvement company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

Air duct cleaning has a direct impact on your home’s internal atmosphere and your HVAC’s efficiency. As your home AC system continues to operate for many months, it traps dirt, grime, dust, and mold spores within the air ducts. Moreover, the AC units themselves collect dust and dirt over time. Because of this dirt, the air in your home begins to feel stuffy and contaminated. Moreover, if you have family members who have asthma, they’ll end up feeling nauseous, have trouble breathing or develop other severe breathing problems. Therefore, you should ensure air duct cleaning is a high priority.

4 Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning

Regular air duct cleaning brings along several benefits for your home, HVAC system, and family. Some of these benefits stem frombetter air quality, circulation, and efficient performance. Therefore, a simple cleaning job can bring a lot of positives to your home.

1. Cleaner & Fresher Air Owning to a Better Living Environment

By preventing dirt, dust, and pollen from circulating your home, you get to breathe in a cleaner, fresher air without an odor. Furthermore, with your air ducts blowing less dust around, you’ll have an easier time keeping your interior clean. Overall, with cleaner air ducts, you can improve your living environment.

2. Easier Breathing & Fewer Allergens

Removing mold, bacteria, dust, and pollen from your air ducts keeps them from circulating your home and causing issues for those with asthma or breathing problems. Furthermore, you effectively remove other irritants and toxins from the air with a thorough air duct cleaning job. Therefore, you can breathe more comfortably after a routine air duct cleaning run.

3. Improve Air Flow & HVAC Efficiency

With fewer obstructions blowing normal airflow, your HVAC system will operate more efficiently, and air circulation around your home will improve dramatically. Therefore, you’ll save up on HVAC running costs, as your AC units will run at peak efficiency.

4. Increase HVAC Lifespan

With cleaner air ducts, your HVAC system will have an easier time pushing air around your ductwork. As a result, it won’t have to overwork itself as much as it would when working with dirty air ducts. Therefore, you can essentially increase your HVAC system’s lifespan if you clean your air ducts regularly.

How to Clean Your Home Air Ducts

There are two ways you can go about cleaning your air ducts - do it yourself or leave it to the HVAC professionals. Generally, to ensure thorough cleaning and decontamination, you’ll want to leave it to your local HVAC maintenance service to clean your air ducts. Occasionally, if your air ducts are well within reach, you can do some simple cleaning as well. However, in most cases, you’ll need thorough air duct cleaning from your local HVAC maintenance services.

DIY Air Duct Cleaning

When you opt for DIY air duct cleaning, you can reduce costs and save time. If you want to take on the job of cleaning your air ducts, these are the steps you should take -

• Locate registers and vents

• Unscrew the panels to the vents you’ll be cleaning while placing cloth or paper towels over all other vents in your house. By covering up the other vents, you can ensure that no dust blows into your home while you’re cleaning your air ducts.

• Since you’ll be loosening dirt and passing it out a single vent, you need to hold your HVAC in fan mode. Therefore, adjust your thermostat to ensure it’s not in heating or cooling mode. Instead, rely on it to blow out any dirt and dust you manage to loosen.

• Once you’re ready, start cleaning out the registers and air pathways. Here, you’d want to hold a vacuum near the opening to collect all foreign contaminants coming out of the air ducts. Moreover, the HVAC fans will be pushing out any dust you loosen as well. Therefore, get ready to catch everything that comes out of your vacuum. You can use a damp cloth on a long handle to sweep up any dirt within your air ducts, but you’ll have to rinse it repeatedly as you’ll end up collecting dirt quickly.

• Once you’re satisfied with your clean up, turn your HVAC system off and make your way to the blower compartments and AC units. Here, you’ll have to clean out the machinery, especially the blower fans and motors, to prevent them from blowing dust and dirt back into your HVAC.

• After cleaning out the HVAC units, it’s finally time to replace your air filters and call it a day.

That’s everything you need to complete a DIY air duct cleaning job. Although it’s not as thorough as a professional air duct cleaning, it’s still better than letting dust and mold run rampant in your air ducts.

HVAC Professional Air Duct Cleaning Service

You can hire HVAC professionals to clean your air ducts. They follow the same procedure as you would during your DIY clean-up, but they will use tools and machinery to clean out your system thoroughly. Furthermore, after the clean-up, they’ll spray the air duct interiors with anti-bacterial solutions to decontaminate them. Finally, they’ll test to ensure your HVAC system works optimally after the clean-up.

Conclusion

Air duct cleaning is simple, easy, and drastically improves your indoor atmosphere. If you have dirty air ducts or a low-efficiency HVAC system, it’s time for a thorough air duct cleaning. And so, hire the best local HVAC contractors to get the best air duct cleaning services. Remember, with regular air duct cleaning, you’ll have a comfortable, refreshing breeze coming from your air vents and save money on excess energy bills.