Derek Cole explains why HVAC maintenance matters. A 1/20th inch of dirt can cut efficiency by 20 percent. Regular service reduces breakdowns, saves energy, and extends system life.
Questions this episode answers
1/20 of an inch can reduce efficiency by about 20% (the host mentions 'up to 20, 21%').
Chapters
We probably get this question more with newer systems than older systems. Do I really need maintenance? Does my system need to be clean? The simple always answer is yes, it does. Dirt is one of the leading causes of failures for heating and air you unit. So our number one job is to stop the dirt, stop that from happening. If that's the biggest cause, then we need to stop the dirt from coming in. It doesn't matter if it's 20 years old or 20 months old, dirt is the problem. Energy Star has a stat that 1/20 of an inch can affect your efficiency up to 20% or might be up to 20, 21%, but 1/20 of an inch. So think about that for, for a second. I mean you take an inch, you know, you take an inch and you slice it up 20 times and you take one of those and that little bit of dirt can affect your unit so much. It's mind boggling. It's, it's amazing that that can do it. And, and the reason it can do it is because we're trying to transfer heat right in the cooling season we're transferring heat out of the house right in the winter season we're being, we won't heat to be in the house. So we're, we're using copper, aluminum, things that are really good at transferring heat. So when they get dirt or dust on acts as an insulator. It can't get through, it has trouble getting through. It's kind of like my ms, you know, some of the signals don't go.
As fast as they should.
Same thing with their heating air. So it's not transferring heat efficiently anymore. So it's having to work harder to get the same task done. It's having to work harder. And working harder means it has to use more energy, has to use more wear and tear. And you can see what happens after that goes on and on and on. It is a great way, when you get a maintenance, it is a great way to help prevent those breakdowns because we can take those readings, we can see those amp draws, we can clean that coal, we can get the dirt out, we can get. So it's, you know, it dramatically drops, you know, the emergency breakdown because those things can be caught and you can start playing offense and not defense. That's what, that's what I call it. You play offense and not defense, meaning you're proactive, not reactive. You're trying to look at the system and see what problems you can eliminate before they become issues, before they come become situation. Because the unit is going to fail. Typically it's going to fail when it's, you know, the hottest or the coldest days of the year. It's not going to fail when It's a nice 75 degree day, sun shining, feels good outside. That's usually not when it fails. It usually fails at the worst possible time for you. That's why it's important to have that maintenance done to make sure you're on top of what you can stay on top of now. Things are still going to happen. I mean it's a machine motor could go out, a transformer, a capacitor. I mean, that can still happen. But you can see yourself sit yourself up in the best possible situation and that's going to be to perform My Minions.
Okay, I hope you enjoyed this episode of the Derek Cole Podcast. Tell some people about this episode. It's on each of us really, to spread the better ways to be healthier and more comfortable in our homes and workspaces. I'm asking you to be the dealer of positive and life changing messages in your circle of influence. Take a screenshot right now and share the screenshot and the link to this episode with three of your friends today. Share on social Media Use the hashtag Healthy Home. That's Healthy Home. We are always giving away shout outs prizes to our community. If you would like to help me personally then please rate and review on Apple Podcast. Give us some stars. Leave a review because that stuff actually does help and I read all the comments. So my last thought for today please remember you deserve better air at home and greater comfort at home. Don't settle for being uncomfortable for your heating air every single month. We are so thankful for having you here in our community and be sure to go deeper with us at simmons1hour.com.
