Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems help maintain temperature settings in living spaces while managing humidity. HVAC equipment operates on a variety of energy sources, depending on the climate in which you live.
The thermostat signals the other HVAC units in your house to produce warm or cool air, depending on the season. They then deliver that air to your living space through a series of tubes or vents. Find out more at hvac Coquitlam.
Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is one component of the HVAC system that changes a home’s temperature and humidity level. Other components include a furnace, boiler, heat pump, and ductwork that transports treated air throughout the house.
All air conditioners work roughly the same by blowing indoor air over coils full of refrigerant. This cools the air, which is then blown back out through a blower fan and transported through ductwork.
Ductwork design and cleaning play an important role in a home’s HVAC efficiency. For example, a leaky or poorly insulated duct system can restrict airflow and reduce energy efficiency. Ducts that are too small can cause a cooling unit to work harder than necessary. A dirty filter and clogged condenser coils can also reduce performance. Fortunately, these issues can often be corrected with the help of an experienced HVAC technician.
Furnace
A furnace is designed to heat your home during winter. It does this by combining air with fuel in a combustion chamber and circulating the warm air through ducts. The resulting flue gases are vented through vent piping that is installed during installation. A furnace can work alone or alongside an HVAC system, but it cannot cool your home during summer.
Most HVAC systems also include zoning capabilities, which allow homeowners to divide their building into different zones with their own temperature settings. Having the ability to control heating and cooling in this way can help with energy savings and enhance comfort by not heating or cooling unoccupied spaces. Furnaces can also exacerbate indoor air quality problems by releasing combustion by-products into the atmosphere through the flue.
Ductwork
The duct system plays a vital role in your HVAC setup. Much like veins and arteries distribute blood throughout the body, ductwork circulates conditioned and unconditioned air to every corner of a home or business. Properly sized and installed ductwork maximizes performance and comfort.
Leaky ducts waste energy by allowing conditioned air to escape into walls, attics, and other unconditioned spaces. A professional can help you locate and seal these leaks.
A faulty duct system can cause problems such as: Excessive dust collection; musty odors; increased allergies, coughing, or sneezing; unexplained high energy bills. A professional should install new ducts to ensure they are properly sized, sealed, and insulated. Ducts should also be checked for physical obstructions and leaks on a regular basis. A professional can handle this task, as well as provide an assessment of your duct system using Manual J and Manual D load calculations.
Air Exchanger
The air exchanger constantly exhausts stale indoor air outside, venting it from your home and replacing it with fresh outdoor air. It also transfers heat from the outgoing air into incoming fresh air, reducing your energy bills. It balances humidity levels, removing allergens and other contaminants that pollute your indoor air.
All indoor activities — cooking, showering, washing clothes and breathing — create moisture. An air exchanger balances this by removing it and pushing it outdoors through the air filter, making your home an allergen-free zone.
There are a variety of air exchanger options depending on your needs. The Blue Ox team is available to consult and help you choose the best solution for your home. They can also help you with other HVAC services like duct cleaning.
Condenser
A condenser is the outdoor component of an HVAC system. It’s the part that removes heat from your indoor air and brings natural warmth from outside into your home. It’s a set of coils that are covered in low-pressure refrigerant and connected to the indoor evaporator with tubing.
The fan blows over the coil to trigger heat transfer and the compressor compresses the refrigerant to convert it back to a liquid state. The refrigerant travels through the rest of your HVAC system to cool your house.
The best way to keep a condenser working well is to keep it free from debris, pests and grass clippings. It’s also important to trim bushes and other vegetation away from the unit to ensure it has a clear path to blowing air.