One of the best ways to ensure you’re not paying more than you need to for energy is to have your HVAC system optimized by a qualified heating and air conditioning contractor. Optimizing your system will result in lower heating bills during the winter as well as lower air conditioning costs when the weather gets warm. In a city like Toronto, HVAC systems are in near-constant use and if they’re not in prime condition they could be burning through 10-20% more fuel than is necessary.
The HVAC Contractor Optimization Checklist
Once on site, the Toronto HVAC contractor will do a methodical check of your entire system to identify problem areas and institute remedial action. Even if your system is relatively new it will likely benefit from this procedure especially if your home has recently undergone a renovation of some sort. The five most important things the technician will focus on are:
Ductwork – Identifying leaks in the ductwork is one of the major areas of focus for an HVAC contractor when it comes to optimizing your system. Older ducts become loose over time and it’s common for leaks to appear at section joints. Also, because ducts are exposed in the basement before making their way into the walls and up to the occupied floors, they’re sometimes struck and damaged when things are moved about in the basement. Even small leaks created this way can lead to major inefficiencies.
The Blower – The filter’s job is to stop dirt, dust, and other airborne pollutants from entering the furnace and being distributed throughout the house. It doesn’t catch everything though and much of the missed dirt winds up on the blower blades. If the blower blades are dirty the blower will have to work harder to move air effectively. Cleaning the blower blades is essential to making sure your system is running at optimal efficiency and avoiding future furnace repairs.
Dampers – On occasion, someone will close a zone damper and forget to reset it when they’ve finished whatever they were doing. This can lead to major inefficiencies in the way the house is being heated. The HVAC contractor will make sure all zone dampers are set to their correct position. In addition, the technician will inspect the fire damper and make sure this important piece of fire containment equipment is properly set and in good working order.
Insulation – The technician will make sure the insulation around your ductwork is properly set and in good condition so that heat isn’t bleeding away. It’s not uncommon in a home that has recently undergone renovation for this insulation to be damaged by plumbers, electricians, drywall contractors, and others during the performance of their jobs. As a result, your system beings consuming more energy post-renovation and you’re left to wonder why.
Air filter – Making sure the air filter is clean and properly seated is one of the basic tasks of any HVAC optimization program. If your air filter is clogged with dirt and debris your system has to work substantially harder to draw enough air to do its job and you wind up paying the price when the bill comes.
If you think your heating and air conditioning system is not running as efficiently as it could, or if it’s been some years since you had your system inspected by a qualified HVAC contractor, call Toronto Heating and Air Conditioning Company and schedule one of our technicians to pay a visit and optimize your system for you. You’ll not only save on energy but you’ll stave off expensive emergency air-conditioning repairs in the future and help ensure a long, effective life for your entire system.
