Are you thinking about upgrading your home’s heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system? HVAC systems don’t last forever. Both air conditioning systems and furnaces have an average lifespan of about 15 to 20 years. Maybe your current HVAC system no longer turns on, or perhaps it consumes an excessive amount of energy.
A new HVAC system can be a smart investment. Rather than continuing to use your old HVAC system, you can upgrade it to a new HVAC system. When an HVAC technician installs the new HVAC system, however, they should commission it. Commissioning is an essential process for new installations.
The Basics of HVAC Commissioning
HVAC commissioning is the process of testing a new HVAC system to ensure it performs as expected. It typically comes immediately after installation. The HVAC technician who installed your new HVAC system will perform a series of tests. A process known as commissioning, these tests will verify its performance.
While different HVAC technicians perform different tests when commissioning new HVAC systems, they’ll typically check the following:
· Whole-house air leakage
· Ductwork air leakage
· Refrigerant pressure
· Static pressure
· Temperature change
Why HVAC Commissioning Is Important
Installing a new HVAC system is a complicated job. A complete HVAC system, of course, consists of a central heating system and a central air conditioning system. If any of the equipment is improperly installed – or if it contains manufacturing defects – the HVAC system may fail to perform as expected.
Commissioning will ensure that your new HVAC system was properly installed and isn’t suffering from any manufacturing defects. During this process, the HVAC technician will test your new HVAC system’s equipment.
If the HVAC technician discovers a problem during the commissioning process, he or she can fix it. The HVAC technician may, in fact, be able to fix it immediately. You won’t have to call and schedule another appointment. HVAC technicians can fix many common problems discovered during the commissioning process. Maybe there’s a torn seam in the ductwork that’s causing air to leak out, or perhaps the static pressure is wrong. Regardless, the HVAC technician may be able to fix it on the spot.
In Conclusion
When shopping for a new HVAC system, you should inquire about whether the installation comes with commissioning. Commissioning is an important process for new HVAC installations. It consists of a series of tests that will verify the performance and functionality of a new HVAC system.