Most people give little thought to the ins and outs of the HVAC system in their Asheboro, North Carolina, home. It’s important to know and understand how your HVAC system works in case you start to experience issues with it.
Main Unit
The furnace, heat pump or air conditioner is the main unit of your HVAC system. These units operate to heat or cool your home with the help of a lot of internal mechanics and outside facilitators. The most traditional system is typically an air conditioner or a furnace.
A heat pump is a single-unit system that does both the work of the furnace and the air conditioner. Ductless systems are also gaining popularity. These systems attach to your wall and blow warm or cold air directly into your home without the need of ducts or air vents.
Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger is the most important part of your heater or furnace, because it’s the tool that heats the air. Typical, furnaces pull air in from the outside. The heat exchanger heats the air quickly, and the air is blown into your home. The heat exchanger is either powered by electric coils or gas burners, depending on the type of furnace in your home.
Air Filter
The air filter in your furnace or air conditioner protects your home against airborne pollutants. When you have recycled air circulating in your home, dust, dirt and bacteria all circulate through your HVAC system. The air filter works to trap everything except the clean air.
When your filters get clogged, it can negatively affect your indoor air quality. It also makes your HVAC system work harder to push the air through smaller holes. When your HVAC system has to work in overdrive, you risk wearing it down faster and driving up your utility bills.
Ductwork
Ductwork typically looks like metal tubes running inside your ceiling or walls. Its role is to deliver the air from your HVAC system through the vents and into your house. Your ductwork plays a big role in the heating and cooling of your home.
If your ductwork is not sealed correctly, the air will leak out and your HVAC system will struggle to properly heat or cool your home. You also want to make sure that dust and dirt don’t build up in your ductwork over time, since that will affect your indoor air quality as well.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the piece of the HVAC system that allows you to control the temperature. You can set your thermostat to run around the clock, to cycle on and off, and to increase or decrease the temperature as needed.
The technology in thermostats has come a long way. It’s rare to see a traditional thermostat, anymore since many have been replaced with programmable or digital thermostats. Smart thermostats are becoming increasingly popular, allowing you to control your thermostat from your smartphone.
Vents
The vent is the other visible part of your HVAC system in your home. The vents connect to your ducts and allow the air to flow into your home. Although your vents work well without any interference, every once in a while you should check to make sure they’re all open and not covered by furniture.
You should also check to make sure that there isn’t dust or dirt collecting on the vents. That dirt and dust could be a sign that your ducts are dirty and need cleaning.
If you have questions about your HVAC system or are interested in upgrading your system, we’re here to help. Contact Charlie’s Heating and Cooling at (336) 629-5453 to schedule an appointment today or learn more about our services.
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