Ausco Air Heating & Air Conditioning regulates indoor temperatures and humidity levels in homes and commercial spaces. The system comprises forced air heating units, ventilation systems, ductwork and air conditioners.
Air conditioning has become an essential feature of modern living, enabling productivity and comfort in homes and workplaces. Providing relief in hot and humid conditions, it also aids patient recovery in healthcare facilities.
Central systems use a cooling compressor that pulls in cool air through ductwork. It then passes it over a coil filled with refrigerant gas, chilling it, before being circulated to each room in your home via the air ducts. In addition to cooling, central air conditioning systems can also heat your house in the winter with a furnace attached to the air conditioner’s condenser unit.
Ducted air conditioning systems are one of the most popular types of aircon in the UK, with its discreet and efficient climate control solutions for a wide range of different homes and businesses. During the summer, a home can quickly become overheated with open windows and doors not providing enough relief, making a ducted air conditioning system the ideal solution.
While it is possible to use window units or mini-splits to provide the cooling you need, they are unable to offer heating capabilities. For this reason, central air conditioners are a better choice for most people, as they can heat your entire home in the winter while cooling it in the summer.
When evaluating the type of air conditioning you need for your home, consider its size and layout. You will also need to take into account your lifestyle and energy usage. If you’re interested in reducing your energy consumption, look for a model with an SEER rating of 16 or higher.
To reduce your energy consumption even further, look for a model with a variable speed motor. This technology allows you to set your desired temperature, then the unit adjusts its speed according to the weather and time of day, ensuring that your air conditioner is always running at maximum efficiency.
Regular maintenance is also vital to preserving the performance and longevity of your air conditioning. It’s a good idea to clean or change the filter regularly and have it serviced twice a year to ensure that all electrical components are working correctly and the refrigerant levels are where they should be.
Furnace or Heat Pump
If you have a traditional furnace, you’ll want to consider upgrading to a heat pump for better operating efficiency and reduced energy costs. However, which type of heating system is best for your home will depend on a variety of factors, including your local climate and the specific layout and insulation in your house. A Trane comfort specialist can help you make the right decision by performing a thorough inspection of your home.
Forced air systems rely on a central furnace or heat pump to produce and distribute warm air throughout the home using a network of ductwork and vents. The thermostat controls the system and allows homeowners to set the desired temperature. The system is powered by gas, electricity or oil, which are burned to generate heat that’s then pushed through the heat exchanger into the home’s ductwork and distributed via vents in each room.
The cost to install a new furnace depends on several factors, including the size and style of your home, the existing ductwork, the layout of the space and its insulation level, and the location and availability of natural gas. It also depends on the brand and model of furnace you select, and whether your region offers local rebates or incentive programs that can reduce the upfront cost.
Furnaces require regular maintenance to maintain their optimal operation. Changing the air filter every one to three months and vacuuming the ductwork once a year keeps the system clean and efficient. It’s also a good idea to schedule professional tune-ups every year, which helps prevent the wear and tear that leads to breakdowns.
A heat pump works differently than a furnace, and operates as an air conditioner in the summer. During the warmer seasons, the heat pump pulls heat from the air or ground and transfers it to the interior of your home. Its dual functionality also makes it more effective in a wide range of temperatures.
A heat pump has fewer moving parts than a gas furnace, so it’s less likely to break down or need repair. It also has lower initial costs than a gas furnace and may be more affordable to run in areas with higher electricity rates than natural gas prices.
Ductwork
Air ducts, made of metal, fiberglass or flexible plastic, are the delivery system that makes your HVAC system work. They transport the conditioned warm and cool air from your furnace or air conditioner to the rooms in your home. The network of ducts also transports expended air back to the HVAC system to be filtered, reconditioned and redistributed. Ducts are usually hidden in the attic, crawl space and behind walls. They are arranged in a series of circular, rectangular or square shapes and are connected to each other by couplings or connectors. They are attached to each other with mastic sealants or metal tape and are supported by brackets to prevent them from sagging.
The size of the duct and register leading to a room determines the amount of air that will flow into that room. If the duct or register is too small, it will create a major imbalance in your system that can result in hot or cold spots in your home.
Forced air heating is a popular type of heating that uses a furnace or heat pump to generate and distribute warm air through a network of ducts and vents. This type of heating provides many benefits, including fast heating, energy efficiency and easy installation. However, it can cause some problems, including noisy operation and a higher upfront investment than radiant distribution systems like boilers.
A forced-air system’s ductwork and vents are essential to distributing the heated or cooled air throughout your house, and they must be properly maintained for your system to work at its best. This includes a periodic survey of the entire ductwork system to look for cracks and other damage, as well as having the ducts professionally cleaned on a regular basis.
There are four primary kinds of ducts: metal, galvanized steel, fiberglass and flexible tubing (FTU). The most common kind is metal, which is a durable and cost-effective material. Other types of ducts include fiberglass, which is typically used in attics and crawl spaces, or FTU, which is a flexible tube that is often used in remodeled homes and commercial buildings.
Filters
Air filters help prevent dust, dirt and other contaminants from entering the ductwork. When these particles get into the ductwork and circulate throughout the house, they interfere with optimal air flow and cause a host of problems including premature system wear and tear. Air filters trap the contaminates and prevent them from reaching the inside of the HVAC unit or vents, where they would damage the system and create unhealthy indoor air quality conditions.
Filters come in a variety of materials, styles and sizes. They are rated according to their MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating, with higher MERV ratings indicating better filtering performance. The type of filter you choose depends on your budget, the size of your home and your preferred level of indoor air quality.
Flat filters, made of fiberglass or polyester mesh, are inexpensive and typically disposable. They are effective at capturing large particles like lint and dust, but their MERV rating of one to four is lower than that of more advanced filters. They provide basic air filtration and should be replaced every 30 days during the cooling season.
The next step up is a pleated filter, usually made of cotton or a synthetic blend. These filters are thicker and have more surface area, allowing them to capture more small contaminants. They are also available in a wide range of MERV ratings, from five to 16. The most advanced filters use potassium permanganate, a powerful oxidising agent that eliminates odors, VOCs and other impurities.
Regardless of the type of filter you use, it’s important to make sure that your filters are the right size for your home and that they are in good condition. If they are not, your system may operate less efficiently and your energy bills will increase. It is also possible for dirt and debris to clog the filter, which can lead to costly repairs or early system failure.
The MERV (minimum efficiency reporting values) rating is an industry standard that indicates how well an air filter removes particulate matter from the air in your home. Different factors influence how clean or dirty your home is, and homeowners who live with pets, for example, need a stronger air filter than those without pets.
