Tag: HVAC Maintenance

Boiler vs. Furnace: What’s the Difference?

Written by onestoput on July 5, 2022. Posted in Heating, HVAC, Maintenance.

Are you having trouble deciding between a furnace or boiler for your new home? If the boiler VS furnace debacle keeps you up at night, you came to the right place.

We’re here to put the entire Boiler VS Furnace debate to bed. We are breaking down all the details you need to know about both heating systems.

Hopefully, by the end of the article, you will pick up a few things, such as:

Their differences and similarities.
Their pros & cons.
The most reliable HVAC professionals for their installation, maintenance, and repairs.

Here’s everything you need to know about a furnace or boiler.

The Full Boiler VS Furnace Rundown

Nearly all homes in the United States have home heating systems. We need furnaces and boilers for hot water and warmth, especially when winter rolls around.

Heating equipment is our only defense against the cool air. Closed doors and windows can only keep so much cold air outdoors, but your home’s insulation won’t hold for long.

Boilers, furnaces, and other heating installations alter and supply air temperature according to your preferences.

Quick View: Boiler VS Furnace

Natural gas furnaces blow hot air into your home’s duct system. Forced air systems are interlinked, facilitating airflow and temperatures.
Hot water boilers heat water and distribute them throughout your home. Heat distribution is directed into radiant flooring systems and water heaters.

A furnace or boiler can effectively heat your home and water supply. Their utility and function are similar, but the main frame and inner workings vastly differ. Heat exchangers, distribution channels, and energy efficiency are some of their greatest differences.

Older furnaces and boilers are neither sustainable nor energy-efficient, ranking amongst low-efficiency heating systems. Newer furnaces and boilers are more efficient and come at higher upfront costs. If you have an older furnace or boiler, it’s best to replace them with newer systems to increase reliability and efficiency. Still, it is a tough choice between a furnace VS boiler.

Here’s how your furnace provides your home with heated air.

Furnace Heating System

A natural gas furnace is the most traditional installation across America. Gas furnaces are linked to central air conditioning systems for whole-home and multi-zone building distribution.

Millions of Americans depend on gas furnaces for faster heating using little to no electricity. A heat exchanger generating heat by burning a direct natural gas supply provides cleaner and faster output. While gas furnaces might transfer heat cleaner and faster, that only sometimes translates. Depending on your HVAC unit, environment, and upkeep, a gas furnace may be an unsustainable installation.

Pros & Cons: Furnace System

A furnace system benefits smaller structures with more limited access to electricity. Unlike electric furnaces, natural gas options are a dependable system to have around during power outages. However, its rudimentary systems raise questions about energy efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

Natural gas Furnaces Heat Air to Produce: Warm Air

A furnace heats air by gathering various resources through pipes and supply lines. An intake pipe collects air to facilitate natural gas flow in and out of a heat exchanger. The burner assembly includes a standing pilot light that ignites the fuel supply in the combustion chamber.

Energy efficiency & Safety

Older furnaces are less energy-efficient, producing insufficient heating, using more resources, and having higher fuel costs. High-efficiency heating systems have a second heat exchanger to process residual resources and waste heat produced by the primary exchanger. Recycling resources allow your furnace to use less fuel and power to produce your home with more hot air. While more efficient systems can lessen carbon dioxide emissions, they do not eradicate them.

A natural gas furnace with a continuous pilot light isn’t the safest installation. A clogged furnace filter can lead to various buildup and contamination, such as particles, debris, and pressure. Air pressure in your combustion chamber can crack the heat exchanger and lead to carbon monoxide leaks. Your furnace emitting nearly all the fuel in its storage can generate enough carbon buildup and lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Gas furnaces are dependable and independent from the rest of your systems. They are seldom affected by external factors. However, installation and maintenance are costly, and extensive damage warrants higher repair costs.

How do steam boilers sound?

Boiler Heating System

Air heating using boiler systems sounds complex. We assure you, it is. Boiler installations are hot water systems connected to baseboard radiators, cast iron radiators, or steam systems. A boiler heats water by injecting heat particles into a stored water supply before distributing them to different fixtures. Water is a better thermal conductor than air, retaining temperatures for longer periods.

However, boilers require a constant power supply to function. Even high-efficiency boilers use electricity to generate, store and distribute heat.

Pros & Cons: Boiler System

Steam boilers operate better in moderate climates and function slower than a furnace. Hot water heat allows fewer risks of heat or energy loss during travel and poses no threat to your air quality. Without channels for air distribution, boilers also don’t have air filters that need routine maintenance.

Boilers heat water to Produce Heat

A natural gas boiler works a lot like a gas furnace. A natural gas furnace or boiler has a burner assembly that uses gas to ignite a flame and generate heat. Hot water is transferred to the necessary fixtures to produce output, such as hot water storage for showers and baseboard radiators. Thanks to hydrogen particles, steam boiler heat are more easily distributed, effectively providing even heating throughout structures.

Boiler systems may be more efficient with fewer risks for heat loss, using radiant floor systems instead of air handlers. The channels of distribution are better than those of a forced air system. However, you may have more erratic heating and cooling without a reliable energy source.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Boiler heat is quicker to distribute, and its retention is more dependable than air handling alternatives. Without an air filter, there are fewer contamination risks due to negligent maintenance. However, you might burn wood pellets for warmth during winter without a backup generator.

Which Heating System Reigns Supreme?

Each heating system comes with its unique risks and benefits. The furnace VS boiler debate all boils (no pun intended) down to your needs and environment. Your furnace or boiler depends on two types of fuel supply. The resources they burn directly to generate heat and the fossil fuels the electricity consumes to power their mechanisms. Due to the erratic inflation of fuel prices, you should opt for heating that relies on less fuel consumption.

Choosing between a furnace or boiler is complicated. Before committing to one that suits your needs best, check their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency Rating (AFUE). A furnace or boiler with an 80% AFUE rating is standard; anything below guarantees less efficiency, and anything above is considered more efficient.

If you are looking for energy efficiency, neither heater stands head and shoulders above the other. Still, other options are on the market for more efficient and reliable heating.

What are Heat Pumps?

Other heating installations, such as heat pumps, are also forced air installations. However, a heat pump is arguably the most innovative forced air system geared toward energy efficiency. Still, they have yet to become a household name in America. While these integrations have gained prominence in Asia and Europe, they only recently gained popularity in the West.

A heat pump is an HVAC system that distributes heat through airflow. However, unlike a furnace or boiler, a heat pump doesn’t generate heat through ignition. Pumps gather surrounding air and alter temperatures using coils and refrigerant. They also don’t produce the same hazardous fumes or waste gases as combustion heating methods. They have higher upfront costs but are easier to install without any ductwork. These versatile installations can also alter air temperatures to fit your needs through colder or warmer months.

Like furnaces and boilers, these HVAC equipment require routine maintenance and tune-ups. Any mechanism benefits from regular tune-ups, such as cleaning a vent connection pipe or replacing an air filter.

Routine Maintenance & Tune-Ups

Anything that works with volatile compounds and fire isn’t best left alone. Systems with combustion components require routine inspection by reliable professionals. There are more risks with things that produce hazardous emissions harmful to your health and the environment.

Dust, dirt, soot, and residue may all result in corrosion and clogs. If your heating equipment doesn’t undergo routine inspections, you risk its stability along with your health and safety.

REMEMBER: Yearly boiler or furnace tune-ups is the key to long-lasting stability and efficiency for all heating systems.

One Stop Heating & Air Conditioning

Call Utah’s finest if you hear, smell, or observe any irregularities in your HVAC systems! Our team of top-rated experts will help maintain your systems or help you upgrade your current ones.

One Stop Heating & Air Conditioning offers furnace repair, maintenance, and installation. Please don’t hesitate to call us anytime.

Call (801) 355-9500 For Emergency Heating Repair

Gas vs Electric Furnaces: Which is Right for You?

Written by onestoput on June 6, 2022. Posted in Heating, HVAC, Maintenance.

Wondering which makes a better integration to your home heating system?

If you settled on the idea of furnaces, you are most likely choosing between gas furnaces and electric furnaces. Both heating systems are suitable options. However, gas and electric furnaces are not the most energy-efficient or environmentally friendly choices.

More sustainable solutions may fit your heating needs. Still, if you already have a furnace installation in your home, we can help you figure out which one you have. We can also show you more efficient alternatives that may help you understand the different types of heating systems available.

Read on, and you might find another heating system you like in contrast to your current installation.

Types of Furnace System

Before we discuss the different heaters, let’s talk about the different types of furnaces that provide your home with warmth to fight against cold climates or freezing temperatures outside.

Unlike other home heating devices, all kinds of furnaces generate heat through combustion. A gas or electric furnace does not work by altering the surrounding air’s temperatures by absorbing ambient heat. A furnace instead creates its own heat by burning natural gases or coal, distributing heat as its byproduct.

Currently, there are four types of furnaces:

Natural Gas Furnace
Oil Furnace
Electric Furnace
Propane Furnace

In America, more than half the infrastructures, be it residential homes or commercial establishments, feature varying furnaces.

However, in states like Utah, temperatures remain mild to moderately hot. A furnace might only come in handy during colder weather like the fall or winter months.

Furnace VS Air Conditioning

An air conditioner might make a more sensible choice for homes in Utah. While air conditioning systems only cool air and don’t produce or facilitate heat independently, they are typically linked to a furnace or come with heat pumps built into their system.

If you can’t live without a heating system, a heat pump might make a good choice for your home.

Furnace VS Heat Pump

A furnace and a heat pump are almost always compared, with heat pumps coming out on top based on efficiency. Heat pumps make excellent choices for versatile thermal management. By using a heat exchanger, a heat pump can absorb natural heat particles or generate heat energy to facilitate higher temperatures in and out of enclosed spaces.

Heat pumps may come at higher initial costs, and there are high-efficiency furnaces you can opt for if you don’t need optional cooling features.

Gas VS Electric Furnace: Which Is Right for You?

Now that we have discussed your options let’s talk about the two most common heating installations in America. A gas furnace is the country’s most common home heating installation, with the electric furnace trailing behind a considerable margin.

You might wonder, does having a gas or electric furnace make that much difference? The answer is yes. Whether on initial or monthly costs, their differences are evident.

What’s the Difference Between a Gas or Electric Furnace?

The short answer:

A gas furnace costs more initially, but its more basic process increases your energy cost savings later.
An electric furnace’s more affordable initial costs make it seem more cost-effective, but perpetually increasing electrical prices will cost you more.

Are you surprised? Well, so were most of us. The bottom line lies within your priorities. An electric furnace leaves less carbon footprint but isn’t always the most cost-effective. A gas furnace is arguably the least sustainable of any heating and cooling system but proves more effective and affordable these days.

Additionally, if we look at the bigger picture, doesn’t electricity burn fossil fuels that are more harmful to the environment than natural gases?

Gas Furnace

A natural gas furnace is a more classical installation of furnaces. Its older counterparts burn through gas faster and produce less heating output, making them much less efficient.

However, newer natural gas furnaces have achieved a 98% conversion rate. To date, gas furnaces are the most popular choice in America, with a vast majority of households nationwide utilizing one.

Gas Furnaces: PROS

Affordable utility costs
Space-saving indoor handler installations
Cleaner burning fuel
Less harmful byproducts
Quick heating process

Gas Furnaces: CONS

Costly installations
Carbon dioxide emissions
Ducted systems
Potential air and energy loss

Electric Furnace

Electric furnaces cost cheaper to procure and install. However, after a few months of utility bills, users begin to see the price they are paying for more efficient and sustainable cooling. Electric furnaces work without a gas unit to power their heating process. The energy efficiency of an electric furnace is thanks to an electric ignition that triggers its electric systems, lessening environmental impact and carbon monoxide poisoning risks while efficiently fighting against cold winters. It makes more sense to think an electric furnace is a more energy-efficient model than a traditional furnace. Let’s not forget that electricity burns fossil fuel to achieve your home’s desired temperature, which impacts the environment greatly.

Electric furnaces might make more sensible options for your home if electricity doesn’t come at as high a cost. The high efficiency can cost users, but it makes for an easier integration than other HVAC equipment. The right furnace also won’t raise your bills as high during harsh winters.

Electric Furnaces: PROS

Less expensive installations
Longer lifespan
More user-friendly
Easier to clean and maintain

Electric Furnaces: CONS

More expensive operational costs
Dryer ambient heat
Power outages affect your home’s heating and cooling

Electric Furnace VS Gas Furnace: Energy Efficiency

When it comes to energy-efficient gas and electric furnaces, the general rule of thumb is the newer the model, the more efficient it may be. Gas units may not be the most energy-efficient models, but some come with a heat exchanger that uses less fuel and energy to produce warmth. Gas systems with nearly 100% conversion rates are considered as efficient as any form of electric heating.

Electric heaters are always considered energy efficient, with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 100%. This perfect rating is based on the fact no electric furnace directly burns various fuels, but the bigger picture remains. All electric appliances run on gas or fuel, and an electric furnace is no exception.

Additionally, carbon monoxide emissions come from both gas and electric furnaces. While gas furnaces emit more natural gases, carbon monoxide escapes through the exhaust pipe. It is hazardous for a gas furnace to suffer from a gas leak due to more components linked to combustion. Even a small flame is enough to set off a leak in your gas line. Don’t worry. All furnaces (either electric or gas furnaces) with natural gas lines or exhausts typically come with a carbon monoxide detector that not only alerts you of excessive harmful emissions but may also indicate a leak in the system. Gas furnaces give off an artificial smell that manufacturers add to the gas to help users know when there’s a leak. Electric furnaces don’t typically deal with gas but feature gas lines and pipes for emissions, and you will also be able to tell whether there’s a leak or not.

Maintaining your heating and cooling systems is essential for both safety and practicality.

Energy efficiency may be moot when things aren’t well-maintained. Even if you had an Energy Star-rated air handler perfect for a warmer climate, your new furnace might have less efficient systems over time.

Suppose we could put our two cents in and weigh on the great debate ourselves. We want to offer you the thought of upgrading your systems to more innovative and efficient solutions. It would help to look into electric heat pumps before opting for another furnace. They make more efficient purchases by leaps and bounds. While they also feature a gas line for minimal emissions, each comes with its own carbon monoxide detectors to ensure your safety.

Heating System Performance Factor (HSPF)

If you want to know how efficient your furnace is, ask about its Heating System Performance Factor (HSPF) when you buy it. HSPF ratings indicate how efficiently heaters produce hot air against lower temperatures. A new unit with excellent HSPF ratings may be working correctly for now. However, units that aren’t regularly cleaned can deteriorate much faster, and their fall from grace won’t come cheap. Replacing a flickering pilot light is one thing, but servicing major components like internal heat exchanger remediation will cost you. You won’t want to put it off either, as major malfunctioning parts lead to energy loss causing higher energy costs. Malfunctions will cost you more the longer they are left untreated. Call an HVAC professional immediately.

Regular Maintenance and Repairs for Your Furnace System

It would be best if you didn’t hesitate, considering how much regular maintenance and cleaning will cost. Regularly cleaning and tuning up your heaters will cost you less in the long run.

Reliable Heaters and Air Conditioning Service

You don’t have to search high and low when things get heated. There are prominent and reliable professionals you can reach in Utah.

One Stop Heating and Air Conditioning

Call One Stop Heating and Air Conditioning for your furnace repair and furnace maintenance needs. We’ve got the stuff if you want to hire reliable contractors for a newer heating system installation!

Don’t forget to book an appointment online for hassle-free inspections and estimates.

Call our hotline to ensure your systems are working properly or for any immediate concerns.

Call (801) 355-9500

What is the difference between Heat Pump and an AC Unit?

Written by onestoput on June 1, 2022. Posted in Heating, HVAC, Maintenance.

If you are currently caught up with the heat pump vs. AC debate, we can help shed light on their differences and similarities. Both heat pumps and air conditioners make reliable and sustainable HVAC systems against freezing temperatures and the summer heat. Still, they don’t go through the same process for heating or cooling, and one might fit your needs better.

After reading through our article, you might be able to tell which heating and cooling system is a cut above the rest.

What Is The Difference Between a Heat Pump and an AC Unit?

An air conditioner cannot facilitate heat in and out of your home without the help of a built-in heat pump or furnace attachment. Unlike an air conditioning system, heat pump systems work independently of any other HVAC system.

Air conditioners depend on other systems to manage your home’s indoor air temperature. Still, both a heat pump and an air conditioner rely on outdoor air to function, unlike a furnace that generates its own heat.

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

A heat pump works by absorbing naturally occurring heat energy from the different elements. It is an efficient heating system that simply converts outside air into quality breathable air at your desired temperature. You can set indoor temperatures for your heat pumps to achieve with naturally-sourced heat.

You might have had the impression that air conditioners blow cold air inside your home, but they don’t do that. However, a heat pump can produce cold air. While it does not directly convert hot air into colder air, its indoor air handler has coils that extract heat from your home to dispose of outdoors. Heat extraction is an effective technique for producing quality cooling output in enclosed spaces, making refrigeration easier for cooling systems.

Parts of a Heat Pump

There are different kinds of heat pumps, but they all share three major components:

Compressor (Outdoor Unit)
Air Handler (Indoor Unit)
Thermostat (Temperature Manager)

Inside its outdoor unit, you will find vital heat pump heating components, including the condenser coils, outdoor fans and motors, and connecting valves.

Linking the compressor to the indoor air handler is the reversing valve. Reversing valves allows for inverse heating which is essential for cooling mode.

Indoor air handlers contain evaporator coils, heat exchangers, and air filters. An evaporator coil absorbs ambient heat inside and transfers it to the corresponding coil outdoors for disposal.

Air Source Heat Pump

Air source heat pumps use outdoor air to provide various types of heating. While outdoor temperatures influence it, it holds up against cold and moderate climates just fine. An air source heat pump provides your home with sufficient ambient heating. Its outdoor unit absorbs heat energy from the air and transmits it to a transfer liquid, usually refrigerant, for compression before it is transferred to air handlers for distribution.

Air-to-air source heat pumps are typically the type of pump built into air conditioning systems. Some air conditioners don’t come with a heat pump configuration and instead depend on a furnace attachment for temperature management.

Water Source Heat Pump

Water source heat pumps work with external pipelines as part of their outdoor units. Both heat pumps (i.e., air source and water source) provide ambient heating, but water source heat pumps absorb heat from bodies of water instead of outdoor air.

A water source heat pump collects heat input from a more reliable resource. Climate and weather changes can make air source heat pumps more erratic, consuming more power against cooler temperatures. The heat collectors of water source heat pumps don’t rely as heavily on outdoor temperatures. Natural bodies of water remain at more constant temperatures than other elements and take longer to absorb the surrounding hot or cool air.

Ground Source Heat Pump

Its heat pump efficiency is the gold standard because of one special step in its heating mode. During colder months, heat is harder to come by. While most modern heat pumps come with supplementary heating, your home heating system might overcompensate by doubling down on energy consumption to produce higher temperatures indoors when outdoor temperatures drop.

Unless it has some other kind of auxiliary electric heater to aid in its heating process, a heat pump may overcompensate and cause your utility bills to surge. This energy-efficient heating system recycles resources by storing any surplus heat it collects in the summer for later use, which helps you save on energy costs.

How Do Air Conditioners Work?

Air conditioners cool enclosed spaces…or so we thought. An air conditioner also relies on outside air. Still, it can’t facilitate temperature changes without relying on other heating systems, whether built-in or external.

An air conditioner with a heat pump facilitating temperatures is the most common eco-friendly type of home heating system you will find in the country today. It is sustainable and affordable. Its heating or cooling mode also maintains great indoor air quality the best. There are more layers of filters against contaminants and pollutants, beginning with heat absorption by the heat pump to the transmission into the corresponding indoor unit.

Parts of an Air Conditioner

An air conditioner works by adjusting temperatures and implementing filtration systems to produce quality breathing air indoors. There are different kinds of air conditioners, but they all share three major components:

Condenser (Outdoor Unit)
Air Handlers (Indoor Unit)
Thermostat Panel/Controller (Temperature Manager)

An air conditioner also features an evaporator coil, which is great news for Utahns suffering under the sweltering heat. An evaporator coil is a heat exchanger within the heat pump system that helps transfer heat indoors to the outside.

If your air conditioning system isn’t built with an integrated heat pump, it may be attached to a natural gas furnace for heat management. A furnace attachment is more typical for a traditional central AC system. But more energy-efficient air conditioners feature integrated heat pump systems. What’s the difference? Let’s find out.

Ducted Central Air Conditioner

A centralized air conditioner might not be right for you if we discuss energy efficiency. A central air conditioner doesn’t only have a higher installation cost, but its extensive ductwork is harder to integrate into existing structures. Some structures opt for exposed ducting to save on renovation costs, but not everyone appreciates its aesthetic. A new air conditioner with ducted systems may not be appealing, and its risks for energy loss are just as unappealing.

The greater the distance your air travels, from the source to the destination (outdoor handler to indoor handler), the more air is lost along the way. It delays the process of your HVAC system, and you might end up paying more for less. However, central air conditioning has withstood the test of time, and they are still the most prominent air conditioner nationwide.

We think ductless systems are the future. They are not only more energy-efficient but make more accessible add-ons to existing indoor structures.

Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner

If you have ever seen a smaller air conditioning unit attached to the inner wall of a home or establishment, chances are you are looking at a ductless mini-split air conditioner.

Don’t mistake them for a window unit air conditioner because mini-splits are longer and more rectangular than box-type air conditioners. A ductless mini-split air conditioner also has higher energy efficiency ratings than most other HVAC systems. Air is transmitted through copper coils instead of ducts or pipes, and its single-zoning area of responsibility keeps energy consumption more focused. Unlike a central AC that maintains one constant temperature for an entire structure, ductless mini-splits have independent thermal controls.

It means your air conditioner doesn’t have to use more energy to provide and sustain even heating or cooling for the entire house.

Heat Pump VS Air Conditioner: Energy Efficiency

In the heat pump vs. air conditioner argument, energy efficiency is one of the biggest criteria up for debate.

Most of us like to look at the bigger picture before we make an electronic purchase. We look at how much an appliance will cost us in the long run and how much we get from it in return. The former might have the upper hand in overall efficiency, sustainability, and utility between heat pumps and air conditioners. The versatility of the right size heat pump in providing your home with cool or warm air is next to nothing. However, heat pumps have higher upfront costs. Still, they last longer, endure better and are more cost-reliable.

While nearly all modern air conditioners come with heat pump installations, they can cost at least twice as much. You can opt for an air conditioner with a furnace attachment instead if you aren’t keen on spending too much overall. However, if you want energy efficiency, we think air conditioners with built-in heat pumps are the way to go!

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)

Here’s one way to tell if your heat pumps and air conditioners are energy-efficient. Look for their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). You might see it indicated on its stickers or the box your heat pump or air conditioner comes in, saying HIGH SEER UNIT or Energy Star-certified. The higher their SEER ratings, the more overall efficiency they possess.

Preventive Maintenance for Your HVAC System

Regular tune-up and maintenance are important for your home heating and cooling system. Even the most efficient heat pump system can deteriorate over time. If you don’t want to be startled by next month’s utility bills, don’t forget to check your system for leaks and other damages regularly. Don’t worry about spending a little on preventive maintenance. They might save you from costly repairs in the future.

One Stop Heating and Air Conditioning

It would be best if you didn’t settle for unreliable contractors; luckily, you don’t have to. Reach out to Utah’s most trusted HVAC specialists! One Stop Heating and Air Conditioning technicians help Utahns with all their furnace repair, furnace maintenance, and heating system installation needs.

Don’t hesitate to call our team for any emergency assistance 24/7!

Call (801) 355-9500

How to Get Your Air Conditioner Ready for Summer?

Written by onestoput on May 2, 2022. Posted in Air Conditioning, Air Quality, HVAC.

If things are heating up, brace yourself, summer is coming.

Utah is one of the hotter states in the U.S., and its dryer climate doesn’t help.

You should ensure your cooling equipment, such as air condition systems, is kept in tip-top shape.

Air conditioners require more care and attention in areas like Utah, where summers get really hot and the rest of the year is hardly any different.

Its semi-arid desert climate can be too much to bear and might be enough to overwhelm your HVAC system during the peak of summertime.

When was the last time you had your air conditioner checked?

Standard maintenance checks suggest a yearly inspection. However, a pre-season tune-up is advisable for hotter states.

Remember, don’t put off an air conditioning repair to avoid additional costs.

If you know your air conditioning systems require repairs, act on them immediately to prevent causing further damage and ensure they don’t falter when you need them the most.

Below you will find some helpful tips to ensure your HVAC systems are in fighting shape for a Utahn summer.

How Your Air Conditioning Unit Can Keep You Cool for the Summer

Depending on the configuration of your home, you might have one, two, or more outdoor and indoor units.

Indoor units are called Indoor Air Handlers, and outdoor units are called Outdoor Condensers.

They serve different purposes, providing your home with comfortable Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

Indoor Air Quality isn’t something you should take for granted; it must be something you know by now.

However, before discussing the major components of air conditioning systems, let’s clarify what it is.

What is Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor Air Quality or IAQ refers to the quality of breathable air within and around enclosed spaces.

The higher IAQ ratings your home has, the better quality of the air you are breathing, which means lesser risks of contamination and heat exposure.

Regardless of its importance, most Americans still know less about it than they should.

If you have an allergy you can’t explain, it might be due to poor indoor air quality.

How Does My Air Conditioner Affect My Indoor Air Quality?

An overflowing air filter may leave your air conditioning systems a breeding ground for impurities. Pollutants, germs, bacteria, mold, and mildew may be hiding in your AC unit.

Neglecting to keep up with routine maintenance check-ups and tune-ups may prevent you from figuring that out and leave you breathing in harmful contaminants.

On top of servicing your AC units, professional HVAC technicians can further perform indoor air quality checks to ensure your health and safety.

Remember, both your air handlers and condensers play a major role in your IAQ, and routinely maintaining them will help keep things up to standard.

Typically, indoor air handlers house your air conditioner’s air filters, refrigerant coils, and other components that require routine maintenance and, if neglected, shall deliver hazardous effects to your home.

Indoor Air Handler

For central air conditioning systems, air handlers look like miniature square-shaped or rectangular vents. They are often plastered on walls and ceilings.

A central cooling system releases cold air from centralized ductwork that’s linked to the outdoor unit. They also have return ducts that extract the ambient heat from your home.

Only one or two air handlers are attached to the same condenser in cooling systems like window types and ductless mini-split systems. This allows for more energy efficiency to be observed and helps you save money on electric bills.

Its air handlers, however, are larger and appear more prominently on your walls. Still, their more modern aesthetic isn’t hard to look at, especially when placed in strategic placements such as the side or middle panels.

Air handlers of any cooling system facilitate airflow in and out of your home. As such, they are more likely to gather particles and store high-pressure air.

Left unchecked, it may malfunction. While they are inside your home, we don’t advise you to go tinkering about its interior.

Electrical issues aren’t for an electrician to deal with, especially for inexperienced users who want to save a few bucks.

If you hear unusual noises, encounter leaks, or have other problems with air handlers, you should call a licensed HVAC technician.

Outdoor Condenser

All air handlers are attached to outdoor counterparts and play an equally large role in maintaining your family’s health and comfort.

Condensers house various wires, coils, blowers, and motors.

They are the first line of defense against unconditioned air penetrating your home. If one component inside your condenser malfunctions or performs poorly, it can throw entire air conditioning systems off.

To ward off a recurring AC repair, you should keep them away from direct sunlight or cover them with anti-UV and anti-heat exposure outdoor covers.

It would be best if you didn’t place them near fixtures that may hinder airflows, such as up against walls, curtains, and other blockages.

Water heaters, heat pumps, and other heating air conditioning components belong inside condensers. While they facilitate heat, we shouldn’t add to its burdens by exposing it to more than it needs to condition. An AC unit can succumb to overwhelming heat and hinder its abilities to manage heat.

Heating air is a huge undertaking, but heating and cooling systems are equipped to deliver. During winter, you can count on your well-maintained air conditioner to warm your indoor environment.

Remember, “water heaters” deal with humidity and added moisture in your systems. Your air conditioner requires just as much attention pre-winter as it does pre-summer.

Banging noises are users’ most commonly reported issue, and dislodged parts may cause them. It is an issue that may cause extensive damage to your air conditioning system.

Any problems with your condenser are easily distinguishable to experienced technicians, who should check your outdoor and indoor units during every inspection.

Disclaimer

For a cost-efficient AC repair, reach out to a reliable HVAC technician. An extremely professional technician can help you cut costs by replacing cogs instead of fundamental components. Don’t be fooled by electricians who fear-monger homeowners into coughing up more money to remedy HVAC issues.

Yes, it happens. Fear-mongering among unlicensed technicians and users is a real threat. They may mess around with your HVAC system and charge for many services, and the damages they cause won’t help you save money.

Remember, an excellent service agency means offering great service at affordable prices. A reliable HVAC specialist that offers AC repairs and other services prioritizes customer care and transparency.

Prominent or established HVAC companies can organize a maintenance check, pre-season tune-up, and routine cleaning every day. You can even add on a new air conditioner installation or upgrade in one day’s work.

Efficiency and transparency are the most distinguishable traits of a reliable HVAC business. If the company you employ designates one job daily, they may be less reliable. Unless you have an entire industrial factory that requires an overhaul HVAC service, professional services for a residential cooling system shouldn’t last longer than one business day.

How to Properly Maintain Your Air Conditioner?

A yearly check-up and tune-up should be on your list of priorities.

However, pre-season maintenance should also be in order as hot as it gets in Utah.

Users report many issues with their air conditioners during peak hot days, but ask them when they last had a refrigerant or air filter replacement, and their answer might not come as a surprise.

Poorly maintained heating and cooling systems face more risks and can harm you and your family.

How Do You Know if an Air Conditioner is Poorly Maintained?

Modern air conditioners have built-in functions that warn users of impending breakdowns and various issues.

However, with more traditional systems, you will have to wait for warning signals to know if your air conditioner is dealing with an issue.

Air Conditioners and Warning Signals

There are various signs users should look out for, like unusual sounds and other unusual behaviors.

Of course, these are warning signals you might never encounter if you kept up with their maintenance.

If you are looking for these signs, maybe you missed your last inspection or tune-up.

Here are things you should look out for:

Unusual Sounds

Buzzing
Banging
Bubbling

Buzzing, banging, and bubbling are the most commonly reported strange noises from an air conditioning unit.

If they become overbearing or become an often recurrence, it would make more sense to call a professional sooner than later.

Air Conditioner Automatically Cycling Off?

A leak in refrigerant tubes may freeze refrigerant coils and trick your cooling system into thinking your indoor environment has reached optimal levels. It is a domino effect that can cause your AC unit to shut down.

Who to Call for Reliable Installations, Repairs, and Maintenance

If you encounter any of these issues, don’t hesitate to call a reliable technician.

Reach out to established companies in your area to help remedy any issues you’re having with your air conditioning.

We can help you with that!

One Stop Heating and Air Conditioning

One Stop Heating and Air Conditioning has helped keep homes safe and comfortable from Sandy to South Jordan and all over Utah.

Whether your house needs HVAC equipment installation, repair, upgrade, maintenance, and replacement, we can help keep the stress away!

Call (801) 355-9500

Should I Cover My Outdoor Unit During Colder Months?

Written by onestoput on December 17, 2020. Posted in HVAC.

As winter sets in, it’s very likely you’re getting worried about your air conditioner. Like most people, you may be wondering whether you should cover the outdoor unit or leave it exposed. You only need to search online to find a number of different types of covers to keep air conditioners from getting damaged by snow and debris.

Nonetheless, it’s not necessary to cover your air conditioner during the off-season. Keep reading to find out why covering your air conditioner can make it worse, and why you shouldn’t worry about the harsh weather damaging your outdoor unit.

Your Air Conditioner Was Built to Withstand Harsh Weather

Your AC’s evaporator coil and blower are located inside your house while the compressor and condenser are located outside. Although the condenser and compressor are important parts of your unit, they were designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions.

When a manufacturer creates something that is going to be exposed to the elements for as long as it exists, the company has to put in place measures to protect the unit from inclement weather. For instance, your outdoor unit’s electrical components are sealed to keep out moisture. If you examine it closely, you will see corrosion-proof materials, such as aluminum, copper and plastic that keep your unit’s internal components from rusting.

Covering Your Unit Can Invite Pests

When the weather becomes extremely harsh, rodents and other small animals start looking for shelter to protect themselves. When you cover your air conditioner, you create the perfect hideout for them. When they inhabit the unit, they may start nibbling on things like the wires and uninsulated refrigerant lines. In addition to the electrical problems this damage can cause in the unit, punctured lines may let out the refrigerant and make your unit less efficient.

Covering Your Unit Can Invite Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew love moisture. When you cover your unit, you trap moisture inside the unit and encourage it to grow fast on the evaporator coils. Your outdoor unit was made to be open to outdoor air and stay free from fungi. Although mold may not damage your health directly when it grows inside your outdoor unit, it can prevent air from flowing properly through the coils, thus lowering the efficiency of your unit.

Moisture Will Still Infiltrate Your Outdoor Unit Even When Covered

The main reason why people cover their outdoor units is to keep water from getting in and damaging the internal components. However, during the cold season, the air is usually humid. The moisture can enter the unit naturally with or without the strong winds that are usually present during winter. Similarly, moisture can find its way into the unit from the ground as it evaporates.

When the unit is open, air can flow and help the water to evaporate on sunny days. When the unit is covered, the moisture is trapped inside; it condenses into water over time, leading to small pools of water on the floor of the unit. This water may freeze on the condenser coils and damage them.

How About the Debris?

Another reason why people cover their outdoor AC units is to prevent the accumulation of debris inside the unit. They also do it to prevent leaves and branches from falling on the unit and damaging it in the fall and winter. However, these are issues you can control in other ways. If there is a tree near your outdoor unit, you can prune the branches to prevent them from falling unexpectedly and damaging the unit.

As a part of a scheduled tune-up, a professional will clean your outdoor unit to remove any debris before it becomes problematic.

Maintain Your Unit Instead

If you want to keep your unit safe and sound throughout the cold season, you should partner with a professional HVAC technician to maintain your unit on an annual basis. Besides removing any accumulated debris, a technician will check all the internal components to ensure they are working properly.

If you want to schedule your AC maintenance today, One Stop Heating and Air Conditioning is all you need. We repair, maintain and install heating and cooling systems. We offer expert HVAC services to residents of Sandy, UT, to keep them comfortable and stress-free. To learn more about our services, call us today!