What is the difference between HVAC and AC
While AC is short for air conditioning, HVAC is short for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. These Two acronyms tend to be used interchangeably to describe any air conditioning or heating device, whether it’s a window unit or a central system.
What is HVAC and how does it work?
What is the purpose of an HVAC system? The system works by removing contaminates in the air and conditions it by drawing in outside air or circulating inside air, then ventilating that air, by either cooling it or heating it (or removing heat and moisture from it) and then distributing that air back into the house to provide comfort.
Signs of poorly installed Air Ducts | How to identify bad Ductwork
Every time you turn on the heating or air conditioning system, air flows in through supply ducts and out through return ducts. If your HVAC unit is the heart, supply ducts are the arteries (carrying blood to the heart) and return ducts are the veins (carrying blood back to the heart).
The air ducts running through your home are a vital component of your HVAC system. Unfortunately, you may be surprised to find out how many HVAC and ductwork systems are improperly installed.
According to Energy Star, “more than half of new systems in U.S. homes do not perform to their rated efficiency as a result of improper installation.” Improper HVAC sizing and installation causes high energy bills, reduced performance, worse indoor air quality, and poor air distribution.
If your ductwork has a bunch of air leaks and poorly designed duct systems, you will definitely have worse indoor air quality and higher energy bills than those with sealed and insulated ducts.
Signs of a Bad Duct Installation
Below are some commons signs of poorly installed ductwork. Contact a qualified HVAC company to fix any of the following duct problems.
Air Duct Leaks
According to Energy Star, “about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts.” Ductwork leaks cause your HVAC system to work harder. In addition to losing conditioned air, if the ducts aren’t tight enough, negative air pressure can suck in dirty air. Air duct leaks are especially problematic in basements, crawlspaces, garages, and attics.
Look for cracks, gaps, and poor connections around all of your air duct seams. Consider scheduling professional air duct sealing if you suspect leaky ducts.
If you are suffering from allergies and other problems associated with an excessive amount of dust, you may have ductwork with considerable leaks. The leaks in your ductwork not only release conditioned air, they also allow air, dust, and debris in.
Signs of leaky air ducts include:
- High energy bills
- Rooms are difficult to heat or cool
- Rooms seems stuffy and uncomfortable
- Ductwork runs through basements, attics, crawlspaces, or garages
- You notice tangled, loose, collapsed, or damaged ducts
Duct Maintenance
To help prevent duct and ventilation problems in your HVAC system, regular HVAC maintenance is crucial. Early spring is the perfect time for a professional air conditioning tune-up. So, give Hochstatter Electric, Heating, and Air a call today!