Your HVAC system is the highest source of energy usage in your home, so making sure it runs efficiently is extremely important to keep your monthly bill in check. In order to do this, you must have an understanding of what can reduce HVAC efficiency. Learn more in this overview of four common causes of HVAC efficiency loss.
1. Poor Maintenance
Like any appliance, your furnace and air conditioner will not be able to operate at full capacity if they are neglected. Performing simple routine maintenance will help you avoid problems like airflow blockages and component wear that put extra strain on your system. This includes cleaning or replacing your furnace filter every month and keeping the outdoor condenser clean and the space around it clear.
In addition to regular home maintenance, your HVAC system benefits greatly from an annual professional inspection. HVAC technicians can detect and repair worn components that could reduce your system’s efficiency without you knowing it. During a maintenance call, your technician will also ensure that your refrigerant is fully charged and perform a deep clean on your coils and condenser.
2. Duct Leaks
Your HVAC system’s efficiency will lessen immensely if conditioned air doesn’t go where it needs to. If you have leaks in your ductwork, all of the air that escapes into your walls is money wasted for heating and cooling your home. The effect can be severe, too: the Department of Energy reports that the typical home loses 20 to 30 percent of the air in its ducts through leakage.
When sealing leaks in your ducts, a professional duct inspection is the best way to ensure they are as airtight as possible. During a duct inspection, your technician can perform sophisticated testing on the air balance in your ductwork. This allows them to locate and repair leaks hidden behind walls that would be impossible for the homeowner to repair.
3. Outdated Equipment
All HVAC equipment naturally loses efficiency as it ages, but this isn’t the only way that outdated equipment could cost you. With the continuous advances in the efficiency of furnaces and air conditioners, upgrading to a more modern system will often pay for itself in the first few years of use. This is not to mention the savings on repair costs you could see by replacing an outdated HVAC system.
The age of your thermostat could be just as important as the age of your furnace and AC with efficiency. If you still use a manual thermostat, upgrade to a programmable thermostat to allow yourself to schedule your furnace and AC to run at certain times in the day. This helps to reduce operating costs at night and when you are away from home.
4. Incorrect Sizing
If your HVAC system was already installed when you moved into your home, it may be sized incorrectly without you realizing it. When your furnace or air conditioner is too small, it will have to run much longer to get your home to the desired temperature. On the other hand, HVAC equipment that is too large for your home will cycle on and off too frequently and use more energy than necessary.
An HVAC technician will use factors such as the square footage, layout, and insulation quality of your home to determine the perfect furnace and air conditioner sizes in BTU. If your HVAC system cycles are too long or too short or your home doesn’t stay uniformly comfortable, contact a technician to determine if replacing your system with one of a different size is recommended.
HVAC efficiency loss is a problem that most homeowners will deal with at some point, so knowing the causes and symptoms is a great way to avoid paying extra to keep your home comfortable. Keep these tips in mind, and contact us for all of your HVAC service needs!
