Why is Important to maintanance your heater and air conditioner each year

Posted on December 11, 2017December 11, 2017 by pulleye

Why is Important to maintanance your heater and air conditioner each year

When thinking of your furnace and air conditioning unit, refer to the care you take for your car. Fresh, oil changes, new spark plugs, and a fresh battery help the car to run more efficiently. Your furnace and air conditioner work in the same way. With proper maintenance, these units will work correctly and efficiently and will last many years.

It is recommended that each unit be serviced once a year. To beat the rush, schedule the service of your air conditioner unit in the spring and your furnace in the fall. This routine check-up will prolong the life of your units and ensure proper operation. Either unit should last 12-15 years.

At the yearly AC unit inspection, the professional will check thermostat settings to ensure their accuracy, tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage, lubricate all moving parts, inspect the condensate drain, and check all of the controls of the system. The technician will also clean the evaporator and condenser coils, check the refrigerant level, and clean and adjust blower components.

At the yearly inspection for the furnace, the professional HVAC technician will perform many of the same checks that were completed on the air conditioning unit. In addition, he or she will check all of the gas/oil connections, gas pressure, burner combustion, and heat exchanger. Here are a few suggested maintenance tips that the homeowner can regularly complete for the furnace.

1.) Test the heater before the first frost. If you do not feel warm air from the vents, call a professional HVAC technician.

2.) If your unit is powered by natural gas, verify that the pilot light is on. The flame on the pilot light should always be blue.

3.) Change your filters often (once a month is typical in the winter months). The furnace has to work much harder to push air through a dirty filter.

4.) Make sure the vents are not blocked by furniture, window coverings, or plants.

Below are additional maintenance tips and suggestions for the AC unit that the homeowner can complete.

1) Make sure your unit is not leaking or storing too much water. Your air conditioner will not work properly if it is too dry or too wet. Check hose connections for leaks and cracks. Verify that the condensate tube is draining freely.

2.) Change the filter frequently and regularly (every 4-6 weeks).

3.) Clean off the outside air compressor with the hose.

4.) Keep compressor free from clutter. Anything stacked around the unit can impede air flow.

5.) Schedule a duct cleaning every 3 or 4 years. Dust accumulating in the ducts can reduce the air flow and create more dust in the household.

What are the basic elements of an HVAC system?

Posted on December 6, 2017December 11, 2017 by pulleye

Heat, ventilation and air conditioning system or HVAC system is something that almost every home in Florida has. This is a very complex system that has many components which allow the system to manage the temperature in any space. In order to understand how the HVAC system works and in order to fix some smaller issues it is crucial to learn more about the basic elements of an HVAC system. Of course, it is always a good idea to ask for help from a professional AC repair service whenever you experience problems with the HVAC.

Heat Exchanger

This element is the main element in the furnace unit. When the thermostat triggers the furnace, air is sucked in the heat exchanger from a special duct that extracts cold air from all the areas in your home. AC professionals call this procedure cold air return chase. Once the cold air gets inside the heat exchanger it is forced out and heated through the ducts and spread all over your home.

Furnace

The furnace is typically the biggest part of this system and requires special space in the home. In most cases this AC unit is installed in the closet or attic. This part is here to push cold or hot air in the ducts that work in each of the rooms in the home. Inside the ducts, we can find small vents that direct the warm and cold air and allow its circulation in the areas around the house and regulate the temperature there.

Condensation unit

This is one the only basic element of the HVAC system that is installed outside of the home. This where the refrigerant gas is cooled with the help of outside air and heat and the refrigerant is turned into liquid and directed through a solid metal tube which is linked to the coil used for evaporation. After that, the liquid is returned to a gas condition and the system drives the heat in which leads to rapid decrease in temperature. The same process takes place when we want to create cool airflow. This is a complex procedure and even a slightest problem can result in malfunctioning. If something like this happens call AC specialists.

Evaporator coil

These coils are placed in a metal enclosure located above the furnace. These coils work when you need cool air. So, the evaporator coil is here to provide cold airflow which is drawn with the help of a furnace blower and redirected to the ducts and eventually out of the vents.

Thermostat

You can easily locate the thermostat because it usually leads to the furnace. It comes with user controls and sophisticated technology. In most cases the thermostat is positioned in a place where we can check and adjust the temperature easily. Thermostats are very easy to use and even your children can set the thermostat to a desired temperature.

Remember that these are not the only HVAC system elements, but they are surely the most important ones.

How Can We Extend the Life of the AC Unit?

Posted on December 4, 2017December 11, 2017 by pulleye

Air conditioning units are created to have a pretty long life, but sometimes they do not last as long as we expect them to last. Most of the quality air conditioners have a life span of about 15 to 20 years, but the life span depends on different factors. Just because the warranty covers the AC unit for some time, it does not necessarily mean that it will last that long. Replacements of AC units can be quite expensive, so you need to take some measures in order to extend the life of your AC. Here are some things that you can take in order to extend the life of the AC unit.

Clean your air conditioner regularly. If you do not know who to clean the unit, check out the instructions that come together with the unit. Standard way of cleaning is to use a brush and a hose for cleaning the debris, dirt and leaves that are stuck inside the system. AC coils can also sustain some damage, so be cautious when you clean around them. Also, always turn off the air conditioner before you start cleaning it.
Keep the AC cool at all times. It is advisable to plant small plants or bushes between your AC unit and the sun. That way you will redirect the sunlight from the unit, which in turn will reduce its work and increase its efficiency.
Cooling vents should be away from your things. Objects like furniture should be kept away from the unit. That way there will be clear path for the air to enter and to circulate around the room. AC unit saves energy if there are no obstacles nearby.
Change the AC filters Once per month is the standard time for changing the filters, but how often you change your filters largely depends on how often you use your air conditioner.
Condenser of the AC should be kept clean at all times. The condenser is located outside, and it is the cooling part of the unit. Shrubs must be trimmed always, because sometimes lots of debris like grass clippings can enter into the condenser. If you keep the debris out of the condenser, then your AC unit will be way more efficient and you will prolong the AC life.
Use additional methods for cooling of your home. You can lower the temperature inside your home if you install shades, blinds or drapes on the windows. Installation of ceiling fans is also advisable, because that way you will improve the circulation of the air inside the room.
Annual tune-ups of the air conditioner will also extend its life. These tune-ups should be done by professionals, and it is suggested to be done before the start of the summer season. These annual tune-ups are very helpful, because the professionals can quickly detect any possible problems and point out to solutions. That way your air conditioner will run smoothly and efficiently when you need it the most.

Is It Necessary to Clean the Air Conditioner?

Posted on December 2, 2017December 11, 2017 by pulleye

As soon as the summer arrives, we all start thinking about how to cool off. Air conditioners are always the best choice, but good air conditioning requires constant maintenance of the AC unit. If you have some worries about your air conditioner, you will be calmer if you take some time to clean it before the summer season. That way you will extend its life, and the air conditioner will run smoothly throughout the whole summer.

Cleaning your air conditioner not only will extend the life of the unit, but it will also ensure that your unit will be more efficient, functional and with constant airflow. You electric bill will also lower down, so there are lots of benefits of regular cleaning of the AC.

There are several methods of cleaning the air conditioning system. The first step is cleaning the unit which is located outdoors. The outdoor unit is always exposed to weather conditions, so it also gets dirty quite more often. Outdoor units take a lot of dust, dirt and different debris, so that is why it is always a better idea to start cleaning from the outside. Duct cleaning is also important because it increases the efficiency of the air conditioner.

You do not have to call a service to clean up your air conditioner, and by following some steps you can easily clean it up by yourself. That way you will also save some money, and you will learn some techniques of cleaning the unit. Before you start the process of cleaning the air conditioner, you need to get some items that will help you in the cleaning process. You need a damp cloth for cleaning, gardening or work gloves, screwdrivers, vacuum machine with an attached brush, and a spray hose.

The first thing to do when starting to clean the outdoor unit of the AC is to turn the power off. The power switch is usually located close to the machine in a small box. Next step is to remove all other debris, leaves, dust, branches, etc. that got stuck inside the condenser fins. With the vacuum cleaner go over the fins, but be very cautious not to bend or damage any of the fins.

Next phase is to unscrew the top grille of the unit. Once again, use the vacuum cleaner to remove the debris and dust around the motor of the air conditioner. After you are done with that, use the hose to directly wash the interior side. However, since this is an electric machine, be extremely cautious and avoid spraying on the electrical parts. Also watch out not to bend the fins. Last step is to wipe out and clean the fan blades by using the soft cloth. After you are done with that, reattach the top grille.

Always remember that your air conditioner requires constant check-ups and cleaning. If you maintain your air conditioner in a proper shape, you would avoid any unnecessary AC repairs of the unit.