Having an energy-efficient unit is a must-have if you want to save some money regarding energy consumption. Yet there are times when you are not even aware of efficiency levels dipping below the acceptable point. That can lead to a lot of problems, some very visible and others not so apparent. Nevertheless, as an owner, you should have enough information about your HVAC unit’s efficiency.
Here are some ways you can check your HVAC unit’s energy efficiency.
Tackle The Technical Terms:
There are a lot of technical terms that are associated with the efficiency of HVAC systems. But when it comes to rating, there are only two that come to mind.
- SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). Used for measuring the efficiency of air conditioners and heat pumps. Higher the number, the better the efficiency. (
- AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). This rating is used to measure the efficiency of the gas furnace. As a general rule, the higher the percentage, the better the heating furnace. (
14.5 SEER should be the minimum acceptable rating, but go for 16 or 18. It would downgrade to 15 or 14 with time so a higher rating would be better. As for AFUE, 90% is acceptable. 95% is truly a sign of an efficient furnace.
Here are some more details on the efficiency ratings of the HVAC system.
Keep An Eye Out On Energy Bills:
Your energy bills will tell you a lot about your energy spending habits. But that is not the only information you can get from them. The gradual or rapid increase in your energy costs is a clear indication that something has gone wrong with the HVAC system. Now there can be many reasons behind that; some fault in the units, leakage, or even a breakdown. But gradual increase always means one thing: your HVAC systems are consuming more energy than the produced output.
Monitor The Thermostat:
The thermostat is a device used to regulate the temperature in your home or building. It performs its job by sensing the temperature and signaling the AC or heating systems to do their job. If the thermostat can’t do its job correctly, the HVAC system will also lose its efficiency. Thus, if you receive a low power warning on the thermostat, replace the batteries ASAP. Clean it frequently, as built-up dust and grime will also affect the performance.
The placement of the thermostat can also cause problems, especially when it is placed near sunlight. Please keep it away from the sources of heat and cold, and your HVAC unit’s efficiency will not suffer.
Inspect Evaporator Coils:
Evaporator coils are one of the most critical components of the HVAC system. Simultaneously, they are also the hardest to clean. See, even a tiny amount of dust layering the coils can lower the efficiency of HVAC units. The coils will become clogged with the passage of time, which would reduce their ability to absorb a sufficient amount of heat. As a result, the unit would not be able to keep up the required temperature for a long, leading to additional energy consumption.
Any moisture on the evaporator coils is equally dangerous because it would freeze on them, stopping the AC from working altogether. All in all, dirty evaporator coils equal decreased efficiency of your HVAC systems, so this is a checkpoint you always want to mark off your list.
Examine The Blower:
If you are familiar with the blower motor, there is not much we need to explain. However, for those who do not know, the blower is supposed to blow air to and from the vents, aiding the airflow in the ventilation system and other HVAC units. Of course, a faulty blower will cause the efficiency of HVAC units to decrease drastically; all you need to do is to check if the fan is moving or not. If there is movement, the blower is functional. If not, then you need to call a repairer immediately.
Checking Temperature In The Entire Building:
HVAC units are supposed to supply heating and cooling in equal amounts to all the rooms it is supposed to be connected to. The unequal temperature in different areas would be an obvious sign that something is wrong with heating units and air conditioners. Maybe a leakage may have occurred, or something else. But in any case, the unequal temperature in different areas is a definite sign of the declining efficiency of HVAC units.
If the temperature is the same in all the rooms, you have nothing to worry about.
Inspect The Air Flow:
Well, that would be a bit hard to do, so let’s do something easier; checking filters. Clogged filters filled with dirt would obviously hinder the airflow, leading the air conditioner to work harder to compensate for the flack, consuming more energy. Filters should be changed regularly, usually every three months. However, that time period would shorten immensely if: 1) you have a furry pet (or pets), 2) you live in a climate where sand storms are a part of the routine, and 3) you live in a sandy place. In any case, check the filters regularly to avoid lowering the efficiency of the HVAC units.
Hire A Professional:
Well, you can’t do anything on your own, right? Moreover, HVAC units do require maintenance over a period of time. So hiring a professional inspector is not that hard of a decision to make. Then there is also the fact that you can’t check everything and don’t know how to check everything.
Thus, hire a professional inspector or a maintenance crew. They would go over the entire system, paying attention to all the correct details. And finally, they will report to you in detail about their findings and give advice on what you should do. In any case, having an experienced expert to carry out the job is always the better choice, no matter what you are doing.
Contact SuperAir Today!
Whether it’s HVAC components or ventilation accessories, you can find it all on SuperAir. Our business provides the best HVAC supplies and accessories at affordable rates. Visit our website now to buy your desired items.
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