Whether you have an air conditioner or a heat pump, airflow and refrigerant charge require regular maintenance in order for your system to deliver optimal home comfort at maximum energy efficiency.

Basics of heat exchange

For cooling, HVAC systems remove heat from your home until the thermostat set point is reached. Unhindered airflow and correct refrigerant charge are needed for this process to go smoothly. The natural properties of refrigerant allow it to extract heat from your home at the evaporator as the blower pulls air across it.

The blower serves a dual purpose of circulating the cool conditioned air through your home via ductwork, while pulling the return air — or unconditioned air from your living space — through the return duct and across the evaporator, which instigates the refrigerant to extract heat from the air. And the cycle repeats.

Planned preventive maintenance 

Heat pumps and A/C units are true workhorses that can repeat this cycle season after season and year after year as long as they are well maintained. Refrigerant charge must be at manufacturer specification for optimal heat extraction and release. Specific components must be clean and free of blockages to permit unhindered airflow. These components are the evaporator, condenser, blower assembly and the air filter. Air supply and air return must be balanced through your home’s living space to maintain an efficient heat-exchange cycle.

All HVAC-system components are engineered and connected to promote optimal heat exchange. Planned preventive maintenance by an HVAC professional keeps all these components in optimal condition. In addition to maintaining refrigerant and airflow, the electrical and drainage systems are inspected and serviced by the technician. Faulty electrical contacts can stress the HVAC system, which lends to ice accumulation on the evaporator, resulting in airflow blockage. The additional water and debris may contribute to condensate line clogging, which could also result in water damage to your home.

For more information, a free estimate or to schedule planned maintenance, contact Powers Heating & Air. Our technicians are experts in service, repair and installation of HVAC systems.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about airflow and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Powers Heating & Air serves Peachtree, GA and the surrounding areas.  Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Image courtesy of Shutterstock