When it comes to most people’s heating and cooling systems the units are out of sight and therefore out of mind. We all always assume that the unit is running properly which means efficiently. However as units age they will become less efficient and will cost you more money on your monthly energy bills. This may not seem like a big deal however keep in mind that according to Natural Resources Canada’s article regarding “Heating Equipment for Residential Use” on average 61.1% of energy consumption is from heating your space. This means that the increase in your energy bill can add up fast if your heating if performing less efficiently. Here are some signs that your HVAC system is not fuctioning at its best
Temperatures are Different in Each Room
Things such as the design, size and routine maintenance of your unit as well as the ductwork are all crucial for ensuring you have even temperatures in your home and maintaining a stable level of comfort. If your unit is not properly installed you will esperience cold spots and hot spots in your home. Also neglecting annual maintenance of your unit will result in build ups in your HVAC system and your unit will start to run at a reduced capacity resulting in some rooms being warmer and other areas being colder. Ensure that you are having routine maintenance performed to keep the unit clean and running at it’s best. Also have checks done periodically on your ductwork to ensure that there are no build ups of dirt that need to be cleaned out.
Your House is Humid When Your A/C is on
If you are finding that you feel clammy when you are sitting in your air conditioned house then your humidity is high. A well maintained and properly installed a/c should be able to maintain temperature and humidity at the same time. If you are finding this is an issue you might have a loss of refrigerant or a maintenance issue. Ensuring that you have the correct refrigerant charge and the coils are clean in important to maintain the performance and efficiency of your air conditioner.
Your System Runs Constantly
If your HVAC system is too small for your space the system will work overtime to try to meet the demand on the unit to keep your space comfortable. This unit will not only fail at maintaining a steady level of comfort it will also create a high level of wasted energy causing your utility bills to be much higher than needed. Your system might be too small if you have insufficient power in the system to meet the demand of the climate you live in, or if you have renovated and added onto your home without updating your unit to adjust for the new larger footprint. If you are finding that your unit is running constantly and is having a hard time keeping up with the demands on the system then you should consult a HVAc technician to come and take a look at the unit. If you unit is determined to be too small for the home then you will want to seriously consider upgrading your system.
Utility Bills Have Suddenly Increased
So unless your utility company has increased your energy rates, or you have installed a new appliance that uses a lot of energy your monthly costs should remain around the same each year. If you unit is older then you might have a slight increase which is expected as mentioned earlier in this article age will affect the efficiency of your system. Check your billing history, if your bill has gone up a larger amount and you have no explanation then it could mean your HVAC system is wasting energy. If this is happening it is a good time to make a call to you HVAC technician to have them come and check out your unit.
You’re Calling for Repairs Often
All HVAC unit require annual maintenance to stay running properly. Even with maintenance it is expected that the system will need the occasional repair. If you are finding that you are calling all the time for repairs then there might be something larger going on or that you system is wearing out. If you are at the point where you system is needing major repairs regularly then you should start to consider replacement.
Your HVAC System is Over 10 Years Old
Knowing the age of your heating and air conditioning system is important because as the unit ages it will become less efficient. Newer units have more stringent SEER requirements which means that replacing a 10 year old HVAC system will result in immediate savings on your energy bills and better overall performance.
If you are in The Greater Sudbury area and are finding that your HVAC system is wasting energy and money contact Northern Climate today so we can help you save money on your energy bills and keep you and your family comfortable all year round.
