Cooperative Living July 2024 - 21

ENERGY SENSE
The best solution for your home
might be a different type of equipment.
This high-efficiency, dual-fuel heat
pump system heats and cools.
The lifespan of a heating and cooling system ranges from 15 to 20 years.
Proper maintenance and lower use can increase the life of the equipment.
Dialing It Down
Signs your HVAC system might be in trouble
by Miranda Boutelle, Contributing Columnist
Q:
How do I know if my HVAC
system is malfunctioning?
* The air conditioning is not as cool
as usual. The equipment has an issue
if the air from your air conditioner
is warm or not as cool as it usually
feels. It could be a problem with the
compressor or a refrigerant leak.
Contact a professional to get the
issue checked. Many refrigerants,
especially the ones used in older
systems, harm the environment. Fix
leaks before adding more refrigerant.
Special certifications are required
for handling refrigerants, so hire a
professional to ensure the work is
done correctly.
* Low airflow. If you aren't getting
good airflow, it could be an easy fix,
such as filter replacement or opening
closed dampers. If you've made these
fixes and airflow is not at normal
levels, contact a professional. There
could be a bigger problem with a
motor, fan or something else.
* Bad odors. Heating and cooling
systems sometimes smell when you
co-opliving.com
A:
There are a few warning signs to watch out for if your heating
and cooling system needs to be repaired or replaced:
start them up for the season. Those
smells should be minor and dissipate
quickly. Any serious smells - such
as burning metal, melting plastic or
noxious odors - indicate your system
is in trouble. If you smell those odors,
turn your system off immediately and
contact a professional.
* Strange noises. There is typically
noise associated with the fans and
motors in heating and cooling
systems. Take note of any excessive
or new noises. If your system is
making any clunking, clanging or
whistling noises, turn it off and
check the filter. If that doesn't solve
it, reach out to a professional.
* Running frequently. Your system
needs to run more to keep up on
extreme weather days, but there
might be an issue if it runs too often.
Short cycling is when a system cycles
on and off before completing the
heating or cooling process. Contact
a professional to diagnose this issue.
FIX OR REPLACE?
Several factors come into play when
deciding to fix existing equipment or
invest in new equipment. Consider
the severity of the issue, repair costs,
the likelihood of additional repairs,
equipment lifespan and your budget.
The efficiency of your existing
system is also a consideration. Heating
and cooling technology improvements
have come a long way in the last 20
years. Lower operation costs can offset
the cost of a new system over time.
Consider your options before you
are in desperate need. I recommend
getting estimates from at least three
contractors. Ask the contractor, " If this
was your home, what type of system
would you install and why? " The best
solution for your home might be a
different type of equipment.
*
Miranda Boutelle writes on energyefficiency
topics for the National Rural
Electric Cooperative Association.
July 2024 * Cooperative Living * 19
PHOTO COURTESY MIDWEST ENERGY EFFICIENCY ALLIANCE
http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living July 2024

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