Your heating and cooling systems affect much more than how comfortable your home stays throughout each season. They also affect your monthly energy costs and indoor air quality. Keep reading to learn some surprising facts that are worth knowing, so you can keep your HVAC running reliably year-round.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
You may think a bigger setup will deliver faster, better comfort, but this isn’t true for all homes. If the unit is too big, it will heat and cool the house too fast, causing it to turn off before it completes a full cycle. The constant cycling that occurs puts unnecessary wear on the equipment and prevents the air conditioner from dehumidifying the air correctly, which is why some rooms may feel especially muggy. Having the HVAC properly sized by a licensed technician is the best way to ensure it’s the correct size for your home, comfort and energy goals.
Dirty Filters Affect More Than Air Quality
Your air conditioner and furnace typically have an air filter that needs to be changed regularly to protect indoor air quality. For most homes, this means replacing the air filter every 30 to 90 days. If you don’t take care of this vital maintenance task, it’ll do much more than increase airborne pollutants throughout the home. Clogged filters restrict airflow, making the HVAC work harder and use more energy. This means the parts wear out faster, shortening the unit’s overall lifespan. It also risks higher utility bills. If you’re using a ductless mini split for heating and cooling, you’ll need to clean the filters every two to four weeks.
Landscaping Matters
When you’re designing the landscaping for your property, you should carefully think about the placement of the outdoor part of the HVAC. You don’t want to plant trees or shrubs too close because it can block airflow around the unit. Experts recommend keeping a clearance of 2 ft to 3 ft at all times. You’ll also want to think about the shade that the trees create around the home. If you place them on the west and southwest sides of the house, this can make it easier to cool the home because it blocks some of the intense afternoon sunlight.
The Refrigerant Should Never Run Low
Some people mistakenly believe that it’s normal for an AC to run low on refrigerant. They think as long as you have the system recharged, everything is OK. The truth is that the refrigerant should never run low. If it does, this means there’s a leak somewhere that needs immediate attention. If you don’t get the leak fixed, the refrigerant will continue to spill out.
Having your HVAC installed, repaired and maintained by a licensed HVAC technician is the best way to protect its lifespan and performance. This person will be happy to answer any questions you have about landscaping, filter changes, and other factors that affect the system’s efficiency and reliability. If you live in Phoenix, AZ or Tucson, AZ and need HVAC systems services, make your first call to Alaskan AC.