Is Your Home Causing Problems For Your HVAC System? Helpful Information For Homeowners

With the memories of high heating bills from last winter still painfully vivid, homeowners must now turn their attention to keeping their home cool and comfortable in hot summer weather. For some homeowners, the cost for this cooling can also be uncomfortably high and they may blame that problem on their air conditioning components. But this may not be the case. Instead, the problem of higher cooling and heating bills may be directly attributed to their home or conditions found within it. 

Is the design of your home at odds with air flow needs? 

Homeowners who are have made changes to the interior design of their home and noted higher than normal heating and cooling bills afterward may have inadvertently created an air flow issue. In order to work efficiently for both heating and cooling, home HVAC systems must be able to both condition the air and effectively push it through the ducts to all parts of the living space. 

Making interior changes such as adding a divider wall, installing doors to enclose previously open areas or adding a wall of windows that allows sunlight to heat up the home can drastically affect the efficiency of the entire HVAC system. Even temporary changes, such as placing furnishings where they block HVAC vents or redirect air flow can negatively affect the cost of heating and cooling your home. 

Is the humidity level in your home high? 

Homes with higher humidity issues are a particular challenge to the efficiency of central air conditioning systems. In order to cool the air inside a home, the HVAC system must first remove humidity from the air. To help lower problem humidity and allow your air conditioning system to work more efficiently homeowners should find and cure any venting or plumbing issues that are creating excess humidity. In addition, it can be helpful to have an air conditioning contractor install a dehumidifying component on the HVAC system. 

Is the HVAC system located in an area where dust is a problem? 

Dust can is an evil enemy to the home heating and cooling system. In addition to quickly clogging filters and vents and impacting efficiency and air flow, dust can cause excessive wear to electrical connections, fans, and the mechanical parts your system needs to do its job. If your home's HVAC components are located in an area that is especially dusty or dirty, or where dusty activities, such as woodworking are often done, opting for more frequent cleaning and filter changes can be helpful. 

Homeowners who are struggling with inefficient heating and cooling issues should consider scheduling a time when a reputable air conditioning maintenance contractor can assess their system and make suggestions for solving any issues found. 


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