The 6 Most Important Parts of Your Heating and AC System | Plano, TX
Photo By fstop123 at istock
HVAC systems keep our homes warm or cold interchangeably. That’s why the only way to keep your heating and AC system running optimally in Plano, TX, is by understanding the crucial parts of these essential units. It makes it easier to know when you need the services of a professional and it will help to keep your unit in tip-top conditions. Furthermore, it helps you avoid the inconvenience of expensive breakdowns. In this regard, we will examine 6 parts of your HVAC system.
Heat Exchanger
This is the part that houses your furnace. It facilitates the absorption of heat and plays a crucial role in warming your indoor air when the thermostat activates the furnace. A heat exchanger is a crucial part of every furnace and integrates electrical units. These components of heating and AC systems are made of temperature resistant stainless steel. The temperature resistant alloys are made in such a way that they stop the heat exchanger from cracking under extreme temperatures. In some recent heating and AC models they integrate special ducts, which allow cool air to enter the heat exchanger faster boosting comfort in your house.
It is imperative to know that leaks in your heat exchanger are very dangerous. This is because they emit carbon monoxide into your living spaces. This compound causes nausea, headache, and even worse death. Sadly, the gas is normally colorless and odorless and it is very hard to detect. That is why you should have a technician install detectors in your bedrooms and kitchen. The life of you and your loved ones is very important. Have a specialist to periodically inspect your heating and AC system. At One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth we are more than ready to help.
Here are some signs that your heat exchanger has cracks and might be leaking.
-
Strange Smells
Are you experiencing some strong smell resembling formaldehyde in your Plano, TX, home? There is a great likelihood that your heating and AC system is leaking? These odors are associated with other human physical symptoms such as nausea and headaches. If you experience this sign don’t hesitate to call a technician to come and troubleshoot your furnace. Remember, not only your life is at stake, but also of your loved ones—not the nicest fact to know.
-
Soot
Basically, black soot is a result of carbon buildup. Soot occurs due to incomplete combustion. This means your heating and AC system may not be burning the fuel effectively. Regularly check the internal of your furnace to determine if there is the presence of soot. If so, it is time to contact your Plano, TX, heating and AC technician to fix the problem.
-
Corrosion and Cracks
With time, every mechanical component begins to wear and tear. Your furnace is no different and its internal components will begin to undergo the latter processes. Constant expansion and contraction cause stress cracks. This heating and cooling significantly affect the components of your heat exchanger. Another thing that causes corrosion on the components is the fumes emitted by the furnace. It is always prudent to have a heating and AC technician inspect your heat exchanger regularly for cracks and signs of corrosion and fix them. At One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth we are more than ready to help.
-
Change in Appearance of the Flame
A blue flame is an indication of a furnace that is functioning optimally. A blue flame that shifts to a yellow moving flame indicates a cracked furnace or a dirty heat exchanger. This problem might be very hard to diagnose on your own. That’s why you need an HVAC professional to help you with the undertaking.
Blow Motor
After the furnace heats the air to a preset temperature, it is the work of the blow motor to force it via the home’s ductwork registers and eventually to your rooms in your home. The combustion process should always end before the motor stops working. This is to allow all the warm air to reach your rooms.
More importantly, motor speed changes to control airflow in the house. In clogged and dirty air ducts, the motor works harder consuming more energy to compensate for the problem. Blow motors of your heating and AC system are not as noisy when pumping warm air as compared to when they are cooling the house. It is imperative to realize that homes reach ideal temperature before the motor reaches full speed and it helps to save energy.
Additionally, blow motors are susceptible to breakdowns. Some of the signs that indicate a faulty motor in your heating and AC system includes:
-
Weak Airflow
This is the most common problem in many heating and AC systems. If you realize that you have weak airflow, then you have a blow motor problem. It means that the component is having a hard time to push enough air. This may be caused by several factors such as dirty ductwork, aging motor, and a Bad capacitor. The good news about these problems is that they can be fixed by a professional. However, for old motors, you should replace them with more energy-efficient ones. Just contact a Plano, TX, HVAC technician and rest assured that your blow motor problems are long behind you.
-
No Airflow at All
You don’t have to be a genius to know that if there is no air coming from your vent then your blow motor is faulty. In most heating and AC systems, it may be as a result of complete failure of the component. If so, it is always wise to have a technician replace the motor with a new one instead of trying to diagnose the problem yourself. Remember absence of airflow can be also caused by other problems such as fan control problem, battery, and faulty thermostat. The only way to determine the problem is by contacting a professional Plano, TX, HVAC technician.
-
Elevated Energy Bills
If your heating and AC system motor is faulty it tends to overwork to compensate for airflow. A dirty, over aging, and problematic motor consumes a lot of electricity. This will have a significant effect on your electricity bills. If you realize a spike in your power bills, it is prudent to contact a professional to inspect your blower motor. Sometimes they may advise on fixing while other times they may replace the whole motor. By keeping a well-maintained motor, you can save quite a lot in the long-run.
-
Weird Noises
It is not unusual for your heating and AC system to produce sound while working. However, if you start detect weird noises from your blow motor it is a clear indication that the component is faulty or on the process of failing. Screeching and squealing noise indicate bearing problems or damaged belts and can easily be fixed by lubricating or replacing the belt. Clanking and banging noise is an indication of broken or loose parts. This scenario calls for a complete motor replacement. If you hear these noises, contact a professional to help you diagnose the problem and advise you on the appropriate action.
-
Overheating
The main reason that causes blower motors to overheat includes the buildup of dirt over time. Grime and dirt accumulate in the motor blocking its venting. This problem can be solved easily by having your Plano, TX, heating, and AC technician service the motor. Another reason for overheating is the age of the motor. The only solution to old motors is replacing them.
Combustion Chamber
Scientifically, oxygen must be present for full combustion to occur. In our heating and AC units, the combustion chamber is where the furnace adds fuel and it is also called the burner. The heating cycle in the furnace initiates with small amounts of air and the gas mixture entering the combustion chamber. Then by use of a pilot light or glow stick the mixture of fuel and gas is ignited. The process of burning always occurs in a controlled environment as more air and gas enters the burner.
Probably, you may be wondering what is the difference between a glow stick and pilot light. The latter is a tiny tube that constantly releases small amounts of gas as fuel for flame while the former integrates an electronic ignition system. The advantages glow stick is that it ignites automatically while with pilot light homeowners have to keep relighting them. Currently, only old furnaces use pilot light and it is a kind of obsolete technology.
At One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth, we implore you to replace the old HVAC in your home as they are energy inefficient. You may be surprised by the new model of HVAC that recaptures unburnt fuel and carbon monoxides and reignites them again making them very efficient and safe to use. Furthermore, they help to mitigate the problem of soot forming inside the furnace. Others have light-emitting diodes in an integrated circuit that lights up when there is a problem prompting you to call an HVAC technician.
Compressor
It is also called condenser coil and it is part of the heat pump in AC. It is usually located outside the house. It helps cool indoor by releasing heat outdoor. The compressors condense the refrigerant in the heating and AC unit helping it release heat. The heat pump as a fan that blows air over the condenser coil dispersing heat and allowing the refrigerant to cool fast. The best way to ensure the component work efficiently is by keeping debris, dead leaves, and other contaminants away from your compressor. It helps to save energy and prevent future problems.
After the refrigerant is cooled then its sent via aluminum foils to the evaporator coil. Remember, any problem with the condenser coil should be addressed by a qualified HVAC technician.
Evaporator Coil
It is the indoor air handler in your AC and part of the heat pump. This component moves the refrigerant through a series of nozzles to facilitate it to turn into gas faster. This process helps to absorb the heat into your house, thereby, lowering the overall temperature of your home.
Your heating and AC fans facilitate cooling by blowing warm air out of your house and over the evaporator coils which facilitate further cooling. After the process, the refrigerant is forced back to the compressor where the cycle starts all over again.
Moreover, the evaporator coils help to eliminate the humidity in your house. When warm air comes into contact with cold evaporator coils it condenses. This significantly lowers humidity in your house, which helps to save energy during summer.
Always remember, these parts are susceptible to damage. Sometimes there might be refrigerant leaks amongst many other problems. It is prudent to have an HVAC technician inspect the component regularly to ensure it is working in optimum conditions.
Thermostat
This component has a sensor that automatically that turns on or off your heater and AC system. It integrates special wires in its connection to the HVAC. It is mostly located at the center of the house. Remember, to have it installed away from drafts and stuffy areas.
There are HVAC systems that have more than one thermostat. This technique allows them to save energy by cooling or heating only the areas occupied in the house.
The latest trend in HVAC is the use of programmable thermostats. A homeowner can set this component to change the temperature automatically according to their routing. They are more energy-efficient than traditional ones.
Get Professional HVAC Services
Are you in Plano, TX, and looking for professional HVAC services? Look no more because One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth is a one-stop-shop for all your HVAC needs. Our hand-picked technicians possess excellent craftsmanship for every HVAC-related task. We specialize in HVAC repair, maintenance, and installation. We have a quick response team and a 24/7 customer desk to help you with emergency repairs. Our reputation is remarkable and we have many years of experience in offering these services.
At One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth, efficiency is our middle name.