Exploring Your Plenum Box and HVAC System
The HVAC is a staple of the modern home and the center of many home improvement projects. The system expels cold or warm air from its blower fan and maintains optimal temperatures. But, the appliance requires an essential component called a plenum to work correctly. Let's closely examine this critical device:
What is a plenum?
In residential systems, HVAC plenums are also known as plenum boxes. They are integral to the ductwork of any air distribution system.
Generating cold or hot air is just one function of the AC, heat pump, or furnace. Once the machine heats or cools the air, it must move it through ductwork and circulate it through the house. After the circulation, it returns to the unit and is drawn in for more cooling or heating. Plenums are generally located on either side of the heat exchanger or fan, and their job is to bring in, distribute, and remove air.
In other words, plenum boxes are the first stop for air after cooling or heating. They're also the last stop before returning to the furnace, heat pump, or AC.
How does it work?
Most units come with two plenums: the supply unit and the return unit. The former is connected to the system's supply outlet. It receives cool or heated air from the appliance and distributes it to the ducts for circulation throughout the house.
On the other hand, return plenums receive air from return vents and circulate it to the HVAC system for additional cooling or heating. The air must go through a filter before reaching the return plenum to ensure it's cleaned before reentering the system.
For this reason, the filters must be cleaned or replaced regularly. If they're too dirty, the cool or warm air may only reach the supply plenum without going any further. Consequently, not much air emerges from the vents, reducing the comfort level in the area.
Furthermore, any blockage from the AC unit can freeze the plenum's interior. Other components can shut down, too, which can damage the HVAC and the external cooling fan.
Even though they may seem like simple devices, they can bring about severe issues for the HVAC equipment if installed incorrectly. If it's mounted poorly and prevents smooth airflow, it can result in frozen expansion coils, failed compressors and heat exchangers, and tripped furnace limits. All this can impair the unit's efficiency and rack up your energy bill.
Keep your HVAC system in excellent condition
All in all, plenum boxes play a crucial role in preserving the HVAC system's functionality, and it's vital to keep it in good condition. To avoid problems that could lead to a total breakdown, hire licensed HVAC technicians to perform regular inspections. They can detect any problem before it turns into a significant problem and save you a lot of money on costly repairs.
Fix My Air DFW of Fort Worth specializes in residential and commercial HVAC services including routine maintenance, installation, and repair. All makes/models. Call us at (817) 439-9811.
