insights

The heating and cooling systems in a building tend to be the primary source of energy consumption, especially when other energy loads are reduced through easy upgrades like LED lighting. For this reason, it is imperative to run the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system as efficiently as possible. This not only reduces the building’s carbon footprint but also ensures the comfort and health of occupants while lowering operating costs.

Best Practices for Everyday

To keep the HVAC system running efficiently and for as long as possible, it is important to follow the best HVAC practices for day-to-day operations. It is crucial you have a basic understanding of the heating and cooling system you have.

What type is it?

What is its energy source?

What sort of maintenance does it require?

You do not necessarily have to be an HVAC expert but should have some idea about it. It is recommended to have an HVAC professional service your HVAC system periodically to ensure its efficiency and longevity.

Some of the best practices that can help you identify problems before they occur include:

Changing air filters from time to time

It’s important to replace your air filters regularly to keep your air conditioning and heating systems working efficiently. With time, air filters tend to get filled with particles of dirt, dust, and other contaminants from the air. Consequently, your HVAC system has to work harder to push air through clogged filters, which results in higher energy usage. Moreover, clogged filters can deteriorate the quality of your indoor air, causing respiratory issues such as allergies or asthma. It is recommended to follow the suggested schedule provided by the manufacturer regarding air filter replacement.

Adjusting your system’s settings

It is important to review your HVAC system settings. The majority of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems have a variety of customizable settings. Some of these settings can significantly impact the amount of energy your HVAC system utilizes, particularly scheduling settings. According to Bruce Taylor, the President and Founder of Enviro-Stewards Inc.-  a reputable environmental consulting firm in Ontario, adjusting your setback temperatures for times when the building is unoccupied is one of the most effective actions you can take without spending any money.

Additionally, it is advisable to create a gap between your heating and cooling set points to prevent both systems from running simultaneously, thereby negating each other’s effects.

Utilizing heat recovery

Consider utilizing heat recovery. HVAC systems equipped with heat recovery can harness the exhaust air from the inside to pre-cool or pre-warm fresh air from the outside. This process can greatly diminish the amount of energy consumed by your HVAC system to attain the ideal temperature and humidity level.

Monitoring energy consumption

It’s essential to continuously monitor your HVAC system’s performance to ensure its optimal functioning. Apart from getting an annual check-up by an HVAC professional, you should invest in an HVAC monitoring system to see energy consumption. By installing sensors and amp loggers, you can track energy consumption and other performance metrics of your system. An increase in energy usage could indicate an underlying problem. By monitoring your system’s performance regularly, you can identify any issues early on and take corrective action before they become more major problems and require costly repairs.

Checking insulation

It’s also vital to determine if there are any cracks where you are losing heat and energy. Leaks can develop in ductwork over time. Inefficiencies increase energy usage as the system works longer and harder to maintain the temperature.

When you perform scheduled inspections, you should tighten up connections, seal leaks, and clear drains. If you have an older infrastructure, you can invest in enhancing the insulation to improve energy efficiency including updating windows, installing smart blinds, and so on.

Since every building and system is different, it is recommended to have a consultation with an HVAC specialist and explore other avenues to reduce energy costs while improving efficiency and user comfort. Taunton Trades is a leading HVAC service provider in Durham and the GTA. Contact us for your commercial or residential HVAC needs.