One of the most common questions we get at Cogburn’s Heating and Air Conditioning is “How can I find greater savings on the costs of operating my A/C unit?” One option is to conduct an HVAC audit. During an audit technicians test the heating ventilation air conditioning unit (HVAC) for poor performance by checking the system for duct leakage, duct conduction, refrigerant charge, low airflow, room-to-room airflows, unit efficiency, and oversizing issues. This is an overview of these common problems found in HVAC systems with a checklist designed to create solutions for energy inefficiency.
Testing HVAC Systems
When testing the heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) system, the Cogburn’s technician can conduct a full system audit to provide complete information about any malfunction. There are three levels of the A/C energy audit used by technicians in testing that will help a homeowner to benefit from U.S. federal ENERGY STAR credits.
The 4 Levels of HVAC Audit
1. Cost Savings
The audit of a HVAC system will look for low cost measures to enhance energy efficiency through optimizing appliances and equipment. This part of the audit focuses on operational functions. If equipment is older, a retrofit may be necessarily to bring a system up-to-date.
2. Utility ROI
The second level of the energy audit compares cost of equipment to long-term value. If lower energy bills correspond to lower energy consumption then economic efficiency has been achieved.
3. System Audit
The most comprehensive audit used by our technicians is the system audit. The system audit addresses system-wide challenges and will in some cases offer recommendations for equipment replacement. Equipment that will bring dramatic reductions in utility bills because of new technology is more efficient.
4. Utility Bill Analysis
Finally a review of energy consumption over a 12-month period is key to understanding the audit. Changes in a utility bill, including energy usage, may provide clues as to when the system began to perform poorly. If there is a radical fluctuation in use or cost, it is a signal that repairs or replacement may be warranted.
Summary HVAC Audit Checklist
The Cogburn’s HVAC audit focuses on maintenance issues, or poor performance of a system. The main objective of the audit is to optimize a system for reduced energy consumption and to lower utility bills. At Cogburn’s Heating and Air Conditioning our goal is to keep you comfortable all year long by assuring that your system is running at peak performance. Our team works to bring comfort to you, your family and your bank account. Be sure to ask about our exclusive Club Membership program. Call us toll free today at 1-866-523-8762.