In this final installment of our HVAC replacement series, we’re going to focus on small-duct, high-velocity (SDHV) systems. The Unico System is the leader in this HVAC technology. However, the SDHV system is a newer technology in the HVAC industry and knowing when a unit needs to be replaced isn’t always easy.

The Unico System is here to help. Let’s get into more detail about how to tell when it’s time to swap out an SDHV system and what options you should consider replacing it with.

When is it Time to Replace an SDHV HVAC System?

SDHV systems are known to have smaller outlets that are less noisy than traditional HVAC systems. With many traditional units, hearing the fan or motor straining to operate is a textbook sign that the system needs to be replaced. With SDHV systems, the replacement signs are often more subtle. You’ll want to be on the lookout for:

• A Decline in Energy Efficiency: Small-duct, high-velocity HVAC systems have tight joints and insulated tubing for increased energy efficiency. If you notice that your home’s heating and cooling bill has increased, it could be a sign that the HVAC unit needs to be replaced. SDHV systems at the end of their life cycle are more likely to lose air velocity, making the whole unit work harder to keep rooms at an even temperature.
• The Age of Your HVAC System: Even though SDHV units are efficient and provide optimal comfort, no system can last forever. Core elements of these systems, like the heat pump, blower coil and air handler, all have shelf lives. Many of the key components have estimated life spans provided by the manufacturer. If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old, it’s time to pay close attention to how it’s operating.
• Longer Heating and Cooling Cycles: SDHV units don’t just dump air into rooms like traditional HVAC systems. The SDHV system has fairly uniform heating and cooling cycles. If you notice that these cycles have gotten longer, it’s a sign that the system isn’t running as efficiently—that the unit is struggling to keep up with the temperature set by the thermostat. If this issue persists, call a professional to inspect the system and see if you might need to replace it.

Why The Unico System is the Best Replacement Option for Small-Duct, High-Velocity HVAC Systems

Once you have the comfort and efficiency that a small-duct, high-velocity HVAC system provides, it’s hard to go back. Luckily, you won’t have that problem when choosing The Unico System as your HVAC solution. To create a draft-free environment with even temperatures, The Unico System takes advantage of a process called aspiration. The small, high-velocity ducts placed throughout each room create a gentle suction that draws air into their streams. You can expect a temperature differential no more than 2 degrees from what the thermostat is set to.

Unlike some other small-duct, high-velocity HVAC systems, Unico has a wide selection of outlet choices designed to match any décor. Unico outlets can also be painted or stained to perfectly match the interior design. Plus, the small outlets are less invasive and can be installed in ceilings, sidewalls and floors so that they’re hardly even noticeable.

Get Free Designs Services with The Unico System

When you’re replacing an existing SDHV system, Unico is here to do the hard part. When you submit plans to our Design Services team, they’ll figure out the best system configuration for your home and provide an estimated materials list. When it comes to indoor comfort, there’s no better HVAC option than The Unico System. Contact our Design Services team today to get started.

The post HVAC Replacement Series Part 3: Your Guide to Replacing a SDHV HVAC System appeared first on The Unico System.

Are you ready to learn about how to keep your duct system running in good shape? In this blog, we will look at five essential tips to help you with air duct maintenance.

1. Make Sure Duct Leaks Are Sealed
Did you know that air leaking through ducts is one of the top causes of wasted energy in homes? Over time, the joints in many air ducts can become loose or get damaged, which causes air to leak out. Every leak in your ductwork makes it harder for your home’s HVAC unit to do its job. Plus, leaking air ducts can increase your monthly energy bills, cause more temperature variation, and lead to air quality issues.

How do you make sure your air ducts are sealed? It’s recommended to get a professional HVAC technician to perform an inspection at least once a year. They’ll be able to test for air leaks and even run a camera through your ducts to check for any damage or issues.

2. Keep the Vents and Ducts Clear
If you’ve noticed that certain rooms in your house are at a different temperature, this duct maintenance tip can help. Take a close look at all the vents and/or ducts around your house. Are there any obstructions like a piece of furniture, a floor rug or décor that’s blocking the flow of air? If part of the duct is blocked, it’s putting an added strain on the blower fan within the HVAC system. This not only causes the system to be less efficient, but it increases the risk of the blower within the unit having a shorter lifespan.

The easiest fix is to move any obstruction away from the duct so that the air can flow more freely. This will sometimes require rearranging furniture and décor, but it’s worth it for the efficiency of your HVAC unit.

3. Clean Your Home’s Ducts to Get Rid of Debris
Duct maintenance plays a direct role in the indoor air quality of your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outside air. One of the main causes behind this statistic is that dust and debris often accumulate in air ducts. High levels of dust, mold, and mildew often cause damage to air ducts over time and negatively impact indoor air quality.

At least once a year, you’ll want to schedule an air duct cleaning. Professional HVAC technicians use specialized equipment that uses negative pressure to break up dust and debris so it can then be cleaned up with a powerful vacuum.

4. Wash or Replace the Air Duct Vent Covers
Whether you have your air ducts cleaned by a professional or tackle it yourself, check the vent covers. Oftentimes vent covers need to be thoroughly cleaned or replaced. One of the easiest ways to clean your vent covers is to wash them. Unscrew the vent cover and let it soak in a soapy solution. Then, take a microfiber cloth and scrub off any dust or debris. The process of cleaning your vent covers regularly will improve the indoor air quality of your home.

5. Replace Your Air Filter
Even after the air ducts inside your home are cleaned, you won’t get the full benefit unless you’re keeping up with changing the air filter. A great tip is to also make sure that you’re using the most efficient filter for the specific HVAC system in your home. One of the easiest ways to check is to look at the model number on your system. The manufacturer will have a recommended filter that works best with the system. HVAC experts also say that you should replace the air filter for your system once a month for the best performance.

Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality with The Unico System

The Unico System can keep your home comfortable, is more energy efficient than traditional HVAC systems, and improves indoor air quality. It’s a small-duct, high-velocity system that has the most effective air distribution of any HVAC system. Plus, the system can be upgraded to use UV light to disinfect the air entering your home.

Find out how The Unico System can make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Contact our Design Services team for a free system design layout today.

The post 5 Tips to Help You with Duct Maintenance appeared first on The Unico System.

The good news is that a little preparation goes a long way for the winter. Join the heating and cooling experts at Unico as we share five tips to prepare your HVAC system for the heating season.

1. Make Sure Ducts and Vents are Clean

In the summer months, the warmer temperatures often increase the amount of dust, pet hair, pollen and other debris in the air – causing possible clogs in the ducts and vents in your home. These clogs will cause your furnace to work harder, use more energy, and will prevent warm air from circulating throughout your entire home, resulting in uncomfortable cold spots.

An easy way to help prepare your HVAC system for winter is to vacuum up any debris around the vents and intake vents. To ensure there are no clogs take off the vent grate to visually inspect the duct space.

Adjusting the flow of ducts in rooms that are harder to heat can also reduce the stress on a system. Since heat rises, first floor rooms often need more warm air to maintain a comfortable temperature.

2. Replace Your Air Filter Before Heating Season

The air filter being used in your HVAC system needs to be replaced regularly. When an HVAC air filter is dirty, the system must work harder to distribute warm air throughout the home. A dirty air filter not only poses some health risks by potentially allowing more contaminants in the air, it also can raise your energy bill.

The easiest way to check if your HVAC air filter needs to be replaced is by taking it out and looking at it. A filter that has a darker gray color and is hard to see through needs to be replaced.

3. Start Running the Heat Early

Before the weather outside gets consistently cold, run the heat in your house a couple of times to help prepare the HVAC system for winter. As you’re doing these test runs, pay attention to see if there is any noise that could indicate the unit is having trouble. If there are any issues that need to be fixed, it’s better to find out before you need to rely on the heating system every day. In fact, many HVAC manufacturers have recommended warm-up cycles prior to switching from cooling to heating season. Check your owner’s manual to confirm if this is the case.

4. Seal Your Doors and Windows

One of the main reasons why your home can stay warm during the winter is because of insulation. Think of your home as a seal, it needs to keep the warm air being distributed by the HVAC unit inside. The problem is that many homes (especially older ones), have small cracks around doors and windows where air can leak through. To help your HVAC system work less during heating season, it’s important to patch any of these openings you can find. That way, your home will be able to keep a warmer, more consistent temperature.

5. Take a Close Look Around Your Furnace

When it’s time to switch from heating to cooling season, it’s a good idea to do a quick inspection of your furnace. With most furnaces, you want to make sure that there’s nothing around it for roughly three to four feet. A furnace needs room to allow a clear and consistent airflow to efficiently heat the home. If your furnace is in a hard-to-reach place, call a professional to check the area.

Keep Your Home Comfortable This Winter with The Unico System

The Unico System is a small-duct, high-velocity HVAC system that provides whisper-quiet, draft-free, even temperatures for homes. It’s a high-efficiency system that’s flexible enough to match with almost any heat source or indoor air-quality system. Plus, its small, insulated ducts help prevent warm air from escaping, saving you money on your energy bill.

Learn more about the value, comfort and efficiency The Unico System can offer your home by finding a Unico Preferred Contractor near you today!

The post 5 Tips to Prepare Your HVAC for Heating Season appeared first on The Unico System.

Join the experts at Unico as we share four tips for protecting your HVAC system from storm damage.

1. Keep Your HVAC Unit Secured

• Strong winds and even flash floods have the potential to remove an outdoor HVAC unit from its mounting plate or base. If a severe storm is forecasted for your area, go out and make sure the mounts on the unit are undamaged and properly tightened. For added protection against storms, you can use tie-down straps to create a stronger anchor.
• If your HVAC unit has moved, carefully move it back into place and inspect your supply lines for kinks, leaks or any other damage that may have occurred.
• High-speed winds will often pick up debris and throw it against your HVAC unit. The dirt, dust and debris can even penetrate the exterior of the system and damage the coils, fan and electronics inside. To help prevent this, wrap your HVAC unit with a weatherproof tarp. The key is ensuring that all sides are covered, and the tarp is secured with the right amount of tension.
• In areas where you may be expecting winter storms, it’s wise to secure a tarp around your unit to keep ice, snow and critters from damaging your system.

2. Elevate Your HVAC Unit

• Severe storms like hurricanes often open the possibility of flooding. To guard against this, you’ll first want to determine what the flood line is in your local area. Then, plan on installing your HVAC unit so that it sits above that line. By raising up the entire system, you’ll help prevent water damage in the event of flooding.
• It’s also important to note that you should reach out to a professional before moving an HVAC unit on your own. Even though lifting it a few inches seems easy, you run the risk of core components like the refrigerant lines being damaged.

3. Turn Off Your HVAC Unit

• It’s common during severe storms for nearby power transformers to short-circuit from lighting strikes or high-speed winds. Electrical surges have the potential to damage the internal electronics of an HVAC unit. When there’s a storm expected in your area, turn off your HVAC system. In the event of a power outage, it’s a good rule of thumb to wait until the other appliances in your home have regained power before turning the HVAC unit back on.
• If you’re interested in more security against power surges, you can ask an electrician to install a surge protector on your home’s main circuit breaker box. This will help ensure that any power surges that happen are weaker, lowering the risk of damage caused to the HVAC unit.

4. Clear Your Yard Ahead of a Storm

• When a severe storm is going to hit your local area, you want the yard to be empty. Every branch, stick, toy and piece of furniture has the potential to be turned into a projectile. In severe winds, all these items can be thrown into your HVAC unit and home, causing damage. Before a storm hits, go out into your yard and clear out anything on the ground.
• If larger items like furniture are difficult to move, you can secure them on the ground or a nearby tree instead.

Let Us Help Your HVAC Unit Run Smoothly
Whether it’s protecting an HVAC unit from a storm or finding the optimal comfort level for your home, the design services team at Unico is here to help. If you have an upcoming home project that needs design assistance, Unico is ready to share its expertise. Let us do the hard part when it comes to the HVAC system design layout. Get in touch with Unico’s Design Services today!

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