5 Ways Professional HVAC Maintenance Can Protect Your Health

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5 Ways Professional  HVAC Maintenance Can Protect Your Health

HVAC system stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. HVAC is a system whose function is to provide good air quality inside the house, as well as provide warmth when it’s needed.  The HVAC system is an important component of properties, especially residential buildings such as homes, offices, hotels and so on. They are also commonly used in large buildings, such as in skyscrapers, ships, submarines and so on, to keep a steady and comfortable air quality and temperature. The heating and air system also functions to eliminate other things such as smoke, dust, airborne microorganisms, toxic gases and so on. It keeps the air flowing and promptly refreshes the air in the building. Ventilation provides the exchange of air between outside and inside the building.

What are the Benefits of Using a New HVAC System?

The HVAC system is the ideal heating and ventilation system for homes and companies, this is because of its many benefits. Below are some of the advantages of using the HVAC system;

  1. It’s cost-effective: Upgrading from an older HVAC system to a new one can save the owner of the property a huge ton of money. This is because of the reduced costs of running the new HVAC system. The new HVAC system provides AFUE ratings that are above 90%, as compared to the old system that struggles an AFUE rating of about 65%. This clearly shows the importance of the maintenance and upgrading of the ventilation and heating system. The new HVAC system cost less to run, primarily due to the low amount of fuel needed in running it.
  2. It’s easy to control: The new HVAC system is easy to control, and it also offers feature, where different parts of the home or building can have different set temperatures. The temperature of the different zones of the house can be preset. This is important especially when a part of the house probably needs to be colder than some other places, or if a zone of the house needs more warmth than others. This can be easily set on the programmable thermostat of the HVAC system.
  3. Better air flow: The new HVAC system offers a faster and more efficient speed motors that provide a regular flow of air throughout the building. The speed of the air released not only ensures a better flow across the house, but it also results in a more controlled temperature. It also assists in eliminating air impurities such as dust. In addition, they also prevent the growth of mold, considering that molds grow when the environment is moist and suitable for them (mostly at temperatures below 20 degrees centigrade)
  4. The HVAC system does not make noise: The new HVAC system has a good sound absorbing technology that drastically reduces the noise produced. The noise produced by the new HVAC system is relatively little to that of the older HVAC system. This HVAC system can barely be heard when it’s working, because of the low sound it produces.
  5. Durability: The new HVAC system is more durable than the old system, and requires less repair, as compared to the old version. The new HVAC system can last for a very long time if well maintained.
  6. They are environmentally friendly: The new HVAC system uses less fuel. As compared to the older versions, it requires a lesser amount of fuel, but it’s still more efficient than the older systems. In fact, it uses about one-third of the fuel the older versions use. The little amount of fuel it uses translates to a cleaner air and environment.
  7. It raises the value of your property: Installing the new HVAC system in your property increases the value of your home. This is important if you decide to sell the property. Prospective buyers would be willing to pay more money because of the kind of HVAC system in the house.

Gas Leaks

The HVAC system works by exchanging the air inside with the air outside. It is one of the most important appliances in the house, and life can be unbearable when it isn’t working. This is why the HVAC system needs regular maintenance for it to achieve its full functionality. Any odor that smells like a rotten egg, is mostly a gas leak. In addition, any strange smell that isn’t coming from the vents of the HVAC system might also be due to a gas leak. It’s important to evacuate the building immediately and call for an HVAC technician.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous chemical compound and can kill within a very short period of time. This poisoning can occur in a home, especially when they burn lots of fossil fuels, or use petrol generators. It’s important to install a carbon monoxide detector in the living area of the house. This detector would immediately notify you of any changes in the amount of carbon monoxide in the house. The HVAC would likely not protect you from the effects of this gas. This is why it’s important to install these detectors. Carbon monoxide poisoning is an emergency. You should immediately call the ambulance should you notice any symptoms of this condition. Some of the symptoms are;

  1. Vomiting
  2. Fatigue
  3. Impaired vision
  4. Pain in the chest
  5. Headache
  6. Loss of consciousness

Freon Exposure

Freon is a gas commonly used as a refrigerant in cool units. They are often used in the manufacture of the HVAC system. However, occupants of the building could get exposed to Freon gases, due to leakages. Freon gases are not carcinogenic and do not cause any damage to the body. They could only cause some slight irritation, although they could lead to suffocation if inhaled in large quantity.

Fire Hazards

Wrong electrical connections, leaking pipes could all lead to fire hazards. Endeavour to evacuate the building and call the fire department immediately.

Avoid Heat Exhaustion

It’s important to constantly regulate your HVAC system, to avoid heat exhaustion. Check the HVAC system for any problems if it’s getting overheated and not cooling the house enough. Endeavor to call a technician to come examine the system, if it’s not functioning well.

References

Chang, Y. and Kim, M. (2007). Modeling and Performance Simulation of a Gas Cooler for a CO2 Heat Pump System. HVAC&R Research, 13(3), pp.445-456.

Chen, J. and Kruse, H. (1997). Concentration Shift Simulation for the Mixed Refrigerants R-404A, R-32/134a, and R-407C in an Air Conditioning System. HVAC&R Research, 3(2), pp.149-157.

Elsarrag, E., Ali, E. and Jain, S. (2005). Design Guidelines and Performance Study on a Structured Packed Liquid Desiccant Air-Conditioning System. HVAC&R Research, 11(2), pp.319-337.

Fasolo, P. and Seborg, D. (1995). Monitoring and Fault Detection for an HVAC Control System. HVAC&R Research, 1(3), pp.177-193.

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