Heating and Cooling Frequently Asked Questions (2023)

FAQs

What are the most common HVAC problems? ›

Remember, while the average HVAC system lifespan is anywhere between 10–25 years—based on your climate and what type of heating and cooling system you have. But your HVAC system may last less time than that if it has been overworked by insufficient insulation and unwanted airflow (due to unsealed air leaks).

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal heat pumps are the number one most energy efficient, eco-friendly, and inexpensive heating and cooling systems in existence.

Furnace & Air Conditioner

This traditional combination is the most common way to heat and cool a home in the US. It works by drawing in air from the interior, heating or cooling it, and distributing the conditioned air to each room via ductwork.

Duct Design Mistake #1: Undersized Ductwork

If your ducts are too small, they won't be able to deliver adequate heating and cooling for your home, no matter how powerful your furnace and air conditioner are. It takes a well-trained professional to determine the right size for your ductwork.

According to Angi, the contractor-search site, the average cost of a new HVAC system nationally runs about $7,500 but can range anywhere from $5,000 to $12,000, reflecting the system's size, style and brand, along with your home's size and layout.

Should I replace my 20 year old HVAC? ›

Furnaces 20 years old or older become increasingly inefficient over time and can crack and leak, putting you and your family in danger. If your furnace is between 16 and 20 years old and constantly breaking down, then you should strongly consider having it replaced.

Radiant heating system

This heating system provides the most comfortable and natural feeling heat of any heating system. Radiant heating systems come in a variety of forms, from pot-bellied stoves to in-floor hot water tubing to radiant ceiling panels, and transfer heat from a hot to a cold surface.

Oil: Oil furnaces run on oil to heat a home. These systems are the least energy-efficient, and oil delivery bills can run high during cold winter months.

So, after looking at the different types of electric heaters available, due to its lower power-output, halogen heaters are the cheapest electric heaters to run.

Safer refrigerants are now being phased in, but we are guided by “the Three Rs” established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They're Recovery, Recycle and Reclaim. Recovery pertains to opening an air condition unit for maintenance, service, repair, or even disposal.

The most common commercial building electric service in North America is 120/208 volt wye, which is used to power 120 volt plug loads, lighting, and smaller HVAC systems. In larger facilities the voltage is 277/480 volt and used to power larger HVAC loads.

Dirty Condenser Coils

Soil, dust, leaves, and grass clippings that have collected on the condenser coils are a common source of AC decline and failure.

Don't turn your system on and off – during a heatwave, it's better to run your AC / Heat Pump at 78 degrees while you out running errands or at work and let it maintain this temperature instead of turning it off while you are gone and then turning it back on again when the home interior exceeds 80+ degrees.

What is the most efficient thermostat setting for cooling? ›

To stay comfortable and save money this summer, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78F (26C) when you are home. Setting your air conditioner to this level will allow you to stay cool and avoid an unusually high electricity bill.

A water condenser collects and carries heat away from the IT space and rejects it to the outside through the cooling tower. The cooling tower will reject heat from the IT room to the outdoor environment by applying warm condenser water onto top of the tower, allowing it to evaporate as it flows to the bottom.

Inadequate Cooling

An AC unit that blows out warm air can be caused by many factors, including an improperly set thermostat, refrigerant leaks, frozen parts, blown breakers, and broken compressors.

Factors affecting thermal comfort include air temperature, radiant temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity.

Heating a home tends to cost more than twice as much as cooling a home.

Each type of HVAC system falls into one of two categories: ducted or ductless. In a ducted system, the main unit pushes air through a series of air ducts to cool or heat a building. Ductless systems, on the other hand, lack air ducts and use alternative methods to distribute treated air throughout a space.

Electric heat is the most expensive type of heating. To get cheaper heat using electricity you need to use a heat pump. The very cheap natural gas prices in the US mean gas heating is much cheaper, explaining its dominance for central heating.

Temperature fluctuations, high humidity, and vibrations due to air circulation cause the wear and tear. Over time, the seals can deteriorate, the duct material can corrode, and the duct joints can disengage. Pests that find their way into the duct system can also cause damage.

Flexible ductwork is the best type of ductwork to use in tight or awkward spaces where rigid ductwork would be too difficult to install. Because these air ducts are flexible, they can bend around fixed structures to work in almost any space.

Should HVAC vents be in ceiling or floor? ›

Ceiling vents do a better job cooling and floor vents do a better job heating. If your priority is cooling, put your HVAC in the attic and ducting and vents in the ceiling. If you prioritize heating, put the HVAC and vents in (or below) the floor. This principle works for return vents as well.

HVAC Pricing Increases Continue in 2023

Last year pressures were placed upon the consumer due to super-high inflation, as well as labor and supply shortages. The story has not changed much throughout 2022. We continue to see inflation reaching 7-8%, but it feels a lot worse than that for the consumer.

Is It Cheaper to Replace a Furnace and AC Together? Simply put, yes. If you decide it's worthwhile for you to replace both the furnace and AC, you will save money replacing both at once. You will likely get a prorated price on the combined unit when you purchase it.

Although replacing ductwork can be done as a DIY project, it is a delicate and extensive project that requires some prior knowledge of how the construction of HVAC systems works.

Never. You shouldn't have to add refrigerant to a central air conditioner because it doesn't use up the refrigerant. The only reason you would ever need to recharge (that is, add refrigerant to) your A/C is if you have a leak.

An HVAC system is considered “old” if it's ten years or older. Appraisers will note if the system is more than 13 years old. If the potential buyers know they have to eventually replace the unit, especially within a few years, they're likely to come back with a much lower offer.

The long-term effect of not changing your HVAC filter is the eventual breakdown of your unit. However, before that happens, your system will get clogged by dirt and dust from outside. A dirty air conditioning unit is inefficient because it uses a lot of power and energy to run.

Heat pumps are the newest home heating system technology. They use a system similar to an air conditioner by extracting heat from the air and delivering it to the home through an indoor air handler. A popular heat pump system is known as the mini-split or ductless heating system.

The ideal thermostat temperature in the winter is 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home. Energy.gov suggests that 68 degrees is a good room temperature while you're awake at home but recommends lowering it while you're asleep or away.

#1: Electric Heat

Electric furnaces, baseboard heaters, and other heating methods that use electricity are among the most efficient and safe heating methods.

What is the cheapest heat source for a house? ›

Natural gas is likely to prove the cheapest way to heat a home if you have this heating option available to you where you live. Although prices have risen, natural gas is the least costly form of space heating. This is followed by electricity, propane, and heating oil, from the next cheapest to the most expensive.

If you notice your air conditioner making a squealing, grinding, or grating noise, it may be time for a unit replacement. Strange sounds indicate something wrong inside the unit itself, and failing to contact a technician for repairs could result in costlier service on down the road.

Residential HVAC systems have different wiring systems, making problems more difficult to detect. Three common problems wires can encounter are fraying, corrosion and disconnection. These issues can occur when there's a disruption in the flow of electricity.

If your existing furnace and your new air conditioner are compatible, you don't necessarily need to replace both systems. This is usually the case when you replace your air conditioner with a similar model. A new furnace could boost your system's efficiency.

Turn your HVAC system on and return to the areas where ductwork is accessible. Check the connections between each section of duct, placing your hand over the metal. If you feel air against your hand, the connection is loose and there is an air leak. A common place for leaks is the duct joints.

Two of the most common reasons your home central heating isn't working are a dirty flame sensor and a dirty air filter. Clean the flame sensor with a steel wool pad and replace the air filter every 1-2 months. This will help prevent future problems.

Most air conditioning units are equipped with a reset button. These buttons tend to be red and quite small. If you're having a tough time finding it, consult your owner's manual.

What should I look for when replacing HVAC? ›

So how much does a new HVAC system add to the value of a house? Installing a new HVAC system could increase your home's value by as much as $2,500-$3,000 or approximately 5-10% of the total value of your home. The typical cost of installing a new heating and cooling system is about $10,000.

To check if this is the case, locate the A/C circuit breaker on your circuit breaker panel; it's the main power distribution panel that can be located inside or outside of your house. It's usually marked as “A/C,” “HVAC,” or “air-conditioner”.