AC Now’s Weblog

Heat Exchangers April 13, 2008

Posted by acnow in Uncategorized.
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You have probably heard of heat exchangers and may be wondering what they do and how they work.  Today, I will talk a bit about them and how you can keep them in good working order.

A heat exchanger is a device built for effective heat transfer from one medium to another, whether a solid wall separates the media so that they never mix, or the media are in direct contact. Antifreeze is one common example of a heat exchanger in a car. It transfers heat to air flowing through the radiator. Heat exchangers are widely used in space heating, refrigeration, air conditioning, power plants, chemical plants, petrochemical plants, petroleum refineries, and natural gas processing.

 

How is it done? 

A heat transfer appliance takes the role of a heat exchanger to save energy by recovering wasted heat and making it useful again. When there is a waste of energy or a heat stream that is not recovered, a heat exchanger can convert that heat stream into something that can be used.

Advertisers will tell you that heat exchangers will vastly improve the quality of your indoor air, but is it truly worth the time, trouble and expense? Here I’ll address both the rights and wrongs associated with heat exchangers.

Most furnace manufacturers recommend you have your furnace serviced and cleaned annually, to maintain peak efficiency and to ensure that your furnace operates safely. The reality is, that forgetting to clean and or service furnace until a problem occurs is very widespread.

By now you may be aware of the concerns regarding indoor air pollution. In an attempt to improve indoor air quality many companies are marketing products and services for cleaning heat exchangers.

Air duct cleaning services often cost from $100 to $1,000 per heat exchanger system depending on the type and size of the system to be cleaned, the climactic region, the level of contamination and the level of a heat exchanger service is offered.

Heat exchangers generally refer to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the hot and cold air supply and return air ducts and registers, heating and cooling coils, drip pans, fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.

Dust particles, pollen or other allergens may still contaminate the workings of an HVAC system, even though it has been properly installed, maintained, and operated. According to the EPA, if moisture is present, the potential for mold and spores is increased from such growth and may be released into the home’s living space. The EPA goes on to say that some of these contaminants, when people are exposed to them, may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms.

When choosing a company to clean your heat exchangers, it is important to understand what components will actually be cleaned and at what price. While one house might not have an air conditioning system, the next home might not have an air exchanger.