Heating and cooling are essential aspects of everyday life. They turn raw food into cooked meals, change the state of matter from solid to liquid or gas, and control indoor air temperature. Home heating systems can use natural gas, fuel oil, or electricity.
HVAC systems are used in buildings, apartments, and other residential structures; in offices and vehicles; and in laboratories and other scientific facilities. Regular TAP Heating and Cooling maintenance can help keep these systems running properly and efficiently.
Check the Thermostat
The thermostat is the command center of your HVAC system, regulating when it turns on and off and how long it runs to maintain your home’s temperature. It is also a key component of your energy bills, so it’s important to choose the right one for your home.
The most common issue with thermostats is that they are not set to the correct temperature or they aren’t running long enough to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. The first step in solving this problem is to check that the thermostat itself is working properly.
Typically, a mechanical thermostat works by using an internal metal strip to regulate heat. When the strip expands, it opens a circuit that switches on the heating system. When it contracts again, the system turns off. A good way to see whether your thermostat is still functioning correctly is by raising the demand for more heat. If it reacts quickly, it is working as intended.
When you’re considering where to place your thermostat, keep in mind that it should be located in a central area of the house, such as the living room or kitchen. This will give the device an accurate reading of the house’s average temperature and reduce the need for frequent system adjustments. Avoid placing it near a heat source, such as a fireplace or a sunlit window, as this could trick the sensor into thinking the room is hotter than it actually is.
A faulty thermostat might be the result of a simple power outage or even an old model that is not compatible with your current HVAC system. A faulty thermostat can result in poor performance and higher energy costs, and you should always consider your options carefully when choosing an appliance like this.
Before calling a technician to diagnose a thermostat problem, try using a multimeter to check the voltage running to the unit. You can find a multimeter at hardware stores or online retailers, and it’s relatively inexpensive. After ensuring that the multimeter is turned off, touch the red probe to the R terminal on the thermostat and the black probe to the C terminal. A normal reading should be around 24 volts. If you receive a lower reading, contact a professional.
Check the Furnace
Furnaces are a unique type of HVAC system. They circulate warm air throughout your home using ductwork, but unlike air conditioners, furnaces only operate during the winter months. Therefore, there are some issues specific to furnaces that you should be aware of.
Check the thermostat settings and batteries. Incorrect or low settings can cause the furnace to turn on and off frequently, leading to high energy bills. If your furnace isn’t turning on at all, make sure that the power switch and circuit breaker are both switched to “on.” The furnace power switch looks like a light switch and is located near the furnace. Look for a label that indicates which breaker is responsible for powering the furnace. If the switch isn’t on, you can easily reset it.
If your furnace is cycling on and off frequently, the issue may be due to a dirty or clogged filter. A dirty filter forces your furnace to work harder, causing it to overheat and shut off. A clogged filter also causes the furnace to distribute less heat. Change the filters regularly and keep the intake and exhaust vents clean to ensure that your furnace is working properly.
In addition, if your ductwork is improperly sealed or the ducts are the wrong size, you can expect to pay more in energy bills. Leaky ducts allow conditioned air to leak into unconditioned spaces, leading to wasted energy. If you suspect that your ductwork is leaking, contact a professional to inspect and seal it.
The brand of furnace you choose can impact long-term reliability, efficiency, warranty coverage, and ease of service. While some budget brands offer lower upfront costs, premium brands can deliver higher efficiency and durability at an affordable price. In addition, choosing a well-known brand can make it easier to find replacement parts and technicians in your area. The best furnace companies consider installation as only the beginning of a long-term relationship. They will offer comprehensive maintenance plans that include routine tune-ups, priority emergency service, and discounted repair rates. They will also employ technicians who have earned the Technician Excellence (NATE) certification, considered the gold standard in HVAC technology and repair.
Check the Ductwork
It’s estimated that between 30% and 80% of heated and cooled air is lost in the ductwork before reaching rooms to be conditioned. This is due to leaking, poorly sealed, or disconnected ducts, as well as loose or detached sections of ductwork.
Dirty ducts can cause airflow problems and reduce energy efficiency, as well as distribute biological contaminants, such as mildew and mold, throughout the home. A professional should visually inspect all accessible ducts to look for damaged insulation, leaky joints and seams, wet spots, and signs of biological growth.
A visual inspection will also reveal whether the ductwork is properly sized for each room, as well as determine its overall condition. A duct system that is not properly sized will put undue strain on the furnace and can result in higher repair bills, shorter equipment life, and high utility costs.
Leaks in the ductwork can be caused by a variety of issues, including gaps between fitted pieces, missing or degraded fasteners, broken or fallen sections of ductwork, and holes in the ductwork itself. These leaks can also compromise the effectiveness of your air filters by allowing unconditioned air to bypass them and cross-contaminate with conditioned air entering supply vents.
The most common ductwork modification is to install a larger return air drop, which connects back to the furnace and allows for proper circulation. However, there are a variety of other ductwork modifications that can be made to increase efficiency or improve comfort. These include a plenum seal, replacing old sections of ductwork, installing dampers to help control air flow, and more.
Before hiring a company to clean your ducts, ask for a written estimate of the cost and expected duration of the job. Also, ask about the procedures used and what materials will be cleaned. For example, some companies may use a biocide that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the home. If you have concerns about the environmental impact of this product, request that a different method be used.
Before the cleaning begins, check with the service provider to verify that they will not remove or disturb asbestos-containing materials. They must follow the appropriate safety guidelines when working with these materials, which require specialized handling and disposal procedures.
Check the Filters
Running a furnace, central air, or heat pump takes up a big chunk of your utility bill. A small, often inexpensive part of that system is the filter, which improves indoor air quality by snagging dust and pollen. Filters come in a variety of thicknesses, and you should be aware of the size your system needs. A qualified technician can take a quick measurement in a couple of minutes while doing other work on your system, like a tune-up, and advise you on choosing filters that will work well with your setup. For example, a MERV 8 pleated filter will allow plenty of airflow while snagging the debris that would otherwise damage your system.
