Since HVAC systems (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) came into existence, there have been claims that regular maintenance actually cuts down on energy consumption. Is there any truth to this? Keeping in mind that the maintenance routine is not an easy one, is it really worth the trouble?
Regular maintenance will also be expensive because labor and spare parts will be needed. Will the energy savings be enough to cover the replacement and the labor costs? Hop in to find out!
Cleaning The Tubes
When tubes are not cleaned, valves, microbes and iron accumulate on the tube pathways. This builds up strain on the entire system which causes the whole system to run on more electric energy. To reduce this strain, tube cleaning is usually the number one task when it comes to HVAC system maintenance.
According to the figure released from a recent study, it's estimated that eliminating microbes from the tube pathways can save up to 16% on energy costs. If iron deposits are present and are removed, there will be an additional 15% save on energy costs. So, if your HVAC system is suffering from an intense case of microbes and iron deposits, correcting the situation by maintenance can save you up to 35% on energy costs or even more.
Unclogging the Valves, Line Strainers, and the Nozzles
With time, debris and dust accumulate in the condenser and air pathways leading to blockages. Without a doubt, clogged nozzles, line strainers, and valves interfere with air and water vapor flow inside the system. This causes strain and overheating in the HVAC system meaning that it will run on more energy.
Experts recommend that valves, line strainers, and nozzles should be inspected regularly for any blockages. When there is good airflow, there will be a 20% energy consumption reduction in the condenser. It's estimated that there will also be a 5% energy consumption decrease in the chillers.
Correcting the Refrigerant Charge
The refrigerant charge should always be maintained at the level recommended by the manufacturer. Failure to ensure that it is optimal (should not be too little or too much either) interferes with the efficiency of the chillers thus leading to more energy consumption.
Removing the Oil Contamination in the Components
To be specific, oil accumulates in the refrigerant over time, and yes, this leads to more energy consumption because of oil blocks some of the system’s pathways. According to a recent study, there is usually a 5% increase in energy consumption in less extreme cases and a 15% increase in energy consumption in serious cases.
As part of maintenance, a purging system is usually installed to prevent oil from accumulating here. A refrigerant charge reclamation procedure can also be carried out regularly to correct the energy-consuming defect.
Correcting Leaks in the Compressors
Leaks in the compressor reduce airflow across the entire unit. Testing and correcting leaks in the compressor can save you up to 8% on energy costs.
Cleaning the Furnace Filters
Often forgotten, the filters need to be changed periodically. Click here to know more.
