What Is Static Pressure?

When it comes to your HVAC system there are a lot of items that you as a homeowner might not understand. As a homeowner, you are likely to be keen on changing your air filters and rinsing our cleaning out the drain line. Other than that, the ins and outs of your HVAC system are usually left up to the professionals. Items like static pressure are typically things that a professional HVAC technician would understand, but not the homeowner. What is static pressure? It is the measurement of how your cooling and heating unit is performing. Too low and too high are not good.

Let’s take a look below at some more details regarding static pressure.

How Do I Measure It?

Measuring the static pressure of your HVAC unit is similar to taking your blood pressure. There are ranges that your HVAC unit should not exceed. Your local HVAC service technician will be able to test the static pressure in your HVAC unit by using a manometer inside your ductwork. The manometer will measure the static pressure of your system in the form of inches per water column. This is relative to pressure per square inch or PSI. Consequently, your system should operate at a rate of 0.5 in the water column (WC). The static pressure is stronger with a higher value of WC. Additionally, this will cause a weaker airflow.

What Does It Do To My System?

Dealing with poor static pressure could put stress on your HVAC system. Let’s take a look below at what a low or high static pressure can do to your HVAC unit.

• Creates a noisier operating unit.
• Keeps your HVAC unit running longer than it should.
• Decreases the longevity of the parts in the HVAC unit.
• Creates the potential for leaking ductwork.

What Can Cause Static Pressure Issues?

Believe it or not, there are a variety of ways your static pressure can be affected in your HVAC system. Let’s take a look below at what those ways are.

• Dirty or small coils – Small coils in your system can restrict airflow in your air ducts. Dirty coils will restrict airflow in your ductwork and the unit itself. This will cause static pressure to become elevated.
• Undersized air returns – If your home does not have the appropriate air returns for the size of your HVAC system and home, the unit will begin to malfunction. If the blower motor cannot pull the necessary volume of air to circulate back through the home then other parts will begin to break down. Additionally, if your ductwork is undersized the static pressure in your system will increase.
• Clogged air filter or restricted air filter – Failing to replace your air filters promptly will cause dirt and debris to clog your system. This creates more air resistance and your static pressure to change.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you understand what static pressure is and how it affects your HVAC system you can read up on what you should consider when replacing your HVAC system. In some cases, static pressure can cause some damage to your unit. So, it is important to learn more about it in advance of a major issue.

Next, while you are on the topic of possibly replacing your HVAC unit, this might be a good idea to read up on why your spring HVAC maintenance is important. Conducting regular maintenance on your unit will save you money and keep your unit’s lifespan lasting as long as it should.

Lastly, it is a good idea to understand how your ceiling fans work in support of your HVAC unit. Properly utilizing your ceiling fans can help save on your utility bills and keep your system working efficiently.

When Do I Call A Professional?

When dealing with your HVAC unit you will want to call a professional HVAC service technician to assist. Additionally, you can reach out to your local home inspection team to inspect your HVAC system, before calling on an HVAC service technician. Having any detailed information before hiring an HVAC service technician can save you time and money. Also, your home inspection team can recommend a reputable HVAC service technician.

Conclusion

Understanding how your HVAC system works can be a complicated task. Not every homeowner has the time or patience to deal with understanding the HVAC system. For the most part, how to turn on the HVAC and how to maintain it are the two most important parts. Unfortunately, there comes a time when your unit needs more attention. Call on your local home inspection team to get your HVAC unit inspected. Reach out to, Advantage Inspections to have an AC unit inspection conducted here in West Central, Florida.