If you smell gas, it could be even more serious. If a musty smell accompanies your HVAC unit turning on, this could be a sign there is mildew or mold that should be addressed. This could mean you need a part – or the entire unit – replaced. If you’re hearing clangs and bangs, something is wrong. Obviously, you can hear your HVAC unit when it kicks on and while it’s pumping air into your home.īut that should be a relatively quiet sound. Scheduling regular maintenance and frequently changing the filter can extend the life of your unit.īut if it’s older than 10 years and isn’t working as well as it once did, it’s time for an inspection. But depending on how much it’s been used and how well it’s been taken care of, you may need a new one sooner. The average unit can last 15 to 20 years. The following items are signs that it may be time to call a professional. If you’ve replaced the air filter, cleaned the unit and cleared away any debris, unclogged the pipe near the unit and made sure the thermostat is working accurately, you’ve done most of what we recommend. While there are many things you can do to make sure everything is working as efficiently as possible, the cold truth may be that it’s time to repair or replace your HVAC unit. ![]() When should you replace your HVAC unit?Īs temperatures rise in Tennessee during the spring and summer months, you may notice your HVAC unit working extra hard to keep up with a comfortable inside temperature. This will give you a good estimate of how large a unit you need to meet your needs.īy choosing the appropriate cooling capacity, whether it is for a whole house or even a window unit, you will get the best efficiency and lower your operating costs. If there is a kitchen, add another 1,200 BTUs. Add 380 BTUs per person and 1,000 per sun-face window and door. Now you need to account for all the sources of heat, like windows, doors and people. The formula is to divide the square footage by 500 then multiply this number by 12,000 BTUs. This simple formula creates a pleasant environment inside, no matter the summer heat outside.īusiness owners, on the other hand, have a harder task in front of them to ensure their AC unit is the correct size to help control their overhead costs.Ĭommercial buildings generally have higher ceilings, more traffic and different insulation from residential units. So your 1,000-square-foot house needs a 2-ton unit. One ton can remove 12,000 BTUs in an hour. So for a 1,000-square-foot house needs 25,000 BTUs. It’s the BTUs.Ī BTU is a British Thermal Unit, which is the traditional measurement used in the United States.Ī BTU is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.įor residential buildings, multiply the square footage of the area that needs to be cooled by 25 BTUs to calculate the cooling needs of your home. Knowing the size of your HVAC unit isn’t just the physical dimension. It depends on the building, residential and commercial buildings have different needs. So what size HVAC unit does a building or home need? And if the air is humid and cold, it will feel clammy. If the unit doesn’t run long enough, it won’t extract enough moisture from the air.Īs Tennesseans know, the more humid the air, the damper it feels. That means it will cycle on and off too often, which will shorten the life of the unit.Īir conditioners operate most efficiently when they run for a long period. ![]() One of the downsides of having an oversized unit is that they cool the air too quickly. You also don’t want to buy more AC for your home than needed. With an average high of near 90 degrees in July and August and the occasional 100 degree days, most homeowners don’t want their air conditioners working overtime when the high temps hit.
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