3 Things Your HVAC Technician Wants You to Know

When it comes to your heating and cooling system, you might not think about it all that much until it breaks down but knowing how to maintain your HVAC system can help reduce repair expenses and your utility bill. Here are three facts about HVAC systems that can make maintaining it a breeze.

1. There Are Actually Different Kinds of Heating Systems

Each kind of heating system has very different properties. Natural gas and electric heating systems are the most common types. Electric systems can be found in more rural areas, as well as condos and apartments. Electric heating systems can be pretty stable and more expensive to run than natural gas. On the other hand, natural gas systems can fluctuate, and they often get more expensive in the winter and in the fall.

Solar energy is another type of heating system, and it is highly efficient. It is a source of renewable energy. It can cost a bit to install, but it can often pay off in the long run as it is about 50 percent less expensive to run than natural gas or electric heating.

Another option is a geothermal system. This kind of system uses the natural heat from the earth to heat your home during the coldest months of the year. And during the summer, it is a natural heat sink, drawing heat out of your home. It is another highly renewable type of cooling and heating method, however, it can also cost more to install. It’s a good option to consider if you plan to stay in that  home for a long time.

2. How Many BTUs It Takes to Cool Your Home

It is a good idea for you to understand how your air conditioning works. Many people assume that the AC works by cooling the air that comes into your home or by sucking the warm air in from the outside and making it cold. However, the AC works by taking the hot air out of your home. It recycles some of that air and brings it back into your home. The recycled air goes through a filter, getting out the lint, dust, and dander. This filter needs to be replaced every now and then.

BTU stands for British Thermal Units. This refers to the amount of energy that is needed to cool or heat a pound of water by a degree. This has applications for your home and is important to know. Good HVAC professionals can look at a room and say how many BTUs are needed to keep the room at a more comfortable temperature during the warmest months.

They will look at the insulation, amount of sunlight in the room, square footage, and if there is heating from other rooms, like a kitchen. That will go into determining the amount of power that is needed for the air conditioning unit. That way, you can avoid installing an overly expensive or large unit. Plus, it can prevent you from installing a unit that will not be powerful enough.

3. How to Maintain Your Heat Pump

“Heat pump” can be a deceiving name. This makes it sound like it pumps in heat to the area. But what it actually does is move heat in or out of your home. Your HVAC professional has the knowledge needed to know just how important the device is and can help you maintain it well. Proper maintenance will help it work more effectively and efficiently, which can lower your monthly heating bill.

Closing Thoughts

Knowing more about your HVAC system can help you to take better care of it. When you know more about how it works, you can keep your home more comfortable. Keeping your heat pump serviced and changing the filter each month can both help. But if it’s still not working, considering contacting the HVAC experts at ARS – Rescue Rooter.