Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips For Homeowners

During the long hot dog days of summer, one appliance a household cannot live without is the air conditioner. There are a few things that a person needs to do to keep it running well. There are some tips for air conditioner maintenance that are easy and not expensive.

To keep the air conditioner running in top form, one must do a few things. One such item is to schedule a preventative maintenance check. If a house is running with a heat pump, it will control the heat and air conditioning. If the system runs both, then it needs to have a check in the spring and fall. Remember to have a licensed air conditioning company do the check. If the company is licensed then you can feel confident that any issues can be found before the residence is sitting without air conditioning in the summer or heat in the winter.

An annual check should be completed on a unit if it runs both air conditioning and a heating system. If it best to have the checks completed prior to the season when they are utilized most.

An important tip to help run the air conditioner more efficiently is to make sure to change the filter. It should be checked every thirty days. If the unit is run on a heat pump then the system’s filter should be changed monthly. If the unit just heats or cools then it is recommended that a filter be changed during the months of operation.

Filters vary is shape, type and size. Some filters can be thrown out after using. Filters are inexpensive and easy to change. Consulting the operation guide is a good way to learn how to change the filter for the system. To change the filter, the homeowner needs to turn the system to off. Running the system without a filter will only cause it to clog and be inefficient. A dirty system will definitely cause an extremely high electricity bill.

A filter that can be disposed of after use is not hard to change. First the correct filter size needs to be bought. The homeowner should document on their calendar which date that they are changing the filter. An idea to make this easier is to wait until the filters are on sale and purchase twelve. The homeowner can store them and therefore make it easier to just swap them out with the used one.

If the filter is not disposable and made of fiberglass, the best way is to clean it outside. Shake it off or vacuum the filter first. Once the dust and dirt is shaken off, the filter should be washed and left outside to dry completely. Do not reinstall the filter until it is dried completely.

Every homeowner wants a residence that operates without any problems. That is not always possible and it is best to do some preventative measures to keep systems running well. The air conditioning system is one that can be maintained easily. A preventative check can foresee any upcoming problems and changing the filters monthly will help with keeping the system running well.

Source by Adriana N.

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Energy Efficient Homes – Powering Down Your House

The constant increasing cost of electricity and environmental status make it more important than ever to make your home more energy efficient.

Step 1: Locate the problem

In any home there is constant room for improvement in regards to energy efficiency. Locate the most inefficient parts of your home. These things may include a poorly insulated water heater, Unwrapped pipes, poorly sealed doors and windows inefficient electronics.

Step 2: Replace inefficient electronics

Many electronics do not properly utilize electricity. Some of the most problematic devices include Televisions, Computers, Cell phone chargers and DVD players. Any device which stays in stand-by mode (usually indicated by a LED light which remains red when power is off.) When an electronic is in stand-by mode it is not actually turned off but rather using a small amount of electricity to remain active so it can quickly power on when the remote is used to turned it on. You should plug all devices into power strips and turn them off when done. Cell phone charges also draw current when they are plugged in, even if the phone is not connected and charging. These include cell phone chargers, other electronic chargers, iPod chargers, etc. The alternative is to simply unplug it when it is not in use!

Step 3: Insulate your water heater and pipes

If your hot water pipes have unheated areas where the water passes through it can cause the water heater to work harder as the water will loose heat. This causes the water heater to use more electricity to constantly reheat the water. Wrapping these pipes can greatly reduce the workload on the water heater. Furthermore if your water heater is not wrapped properly it can further cause heat loss and causes the water heat to work even harder which causes more electricity. You should wrap the water heat by wrapping the insulation horizontally and placing duct tape along the seal.

Step 4: Enjoy a more energy efficient house!

Enjoy the benefits of having an energy efficient house and knowing you are contributing to the overall general welfare of the environment.

Source by Julian Hooks

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How to Clean a Furnace Blower

Keeping the blower assembly on your furnace clean helps improve performance and efficiency by allowing the air to flow unobstructed. The process requires a number of steps, and you might want to call in a professional to do the job. If you choose to do it yourself, here’s the procedure.

First, turn off the power to the furnace. This should be done at the fuse or breaker box. Then turn off the furnace and fan switches inside the unit. Also switch your thermostat off.

Second, take the blower assembly out of the furnace. To do this, you have to disconnect the fan motor wiring harness connector. Make sure you make your own schematic showing how the wires run before you perform the disconnection.

To remove the assembly, take out the screws; then slide it out. Make sure you don’t touch the terminals of the capacitor, which is probably connected to the side of the blower assembly. There may be some refrigerant lines in this area. Don’t bend them so they crimp.

Third, if the capacitor is attached to the blower housing, discharge it and take it out. If you can’t find the capacitor, it probably isn’t required on your unit or is located somewhere else in the furnace, so you can move on to the next step.

If you do find the capacitor on the side of the housing, remove the wires with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Make sure they have an insulated grip to prevent electrical shock. Also, do not touch the terminals.

You can discharge the capacitor using a resistor-type jumper. If you don’t know how to use a jumper, call a professional. When the capacitor is discharged, go ahead and remove it.

Fourth, take the motor and blower wheel out of the housing. Mark the spot where the hub sits on the fan shaft because this piece must be replaced in exactly the same spot.

To remove the wheel, loosen the setscrew. Then turn the housing over and remove the motor bracket bolts. Turn the housing back over and, with a piece of two-by-four, softly knock the motor and shaft out of the wheel. Also remove the deflector portion of the housing by removing the screws.

Finally, clean the blower wheel and the fan motor. It’s easiest to use a spray wand at the car wash to clean the wheel, but don’t direct the water at the wheel at full pressure to avoid bending the fan’s fins. You can clean the motor with a soft brush (no water).

Keeping your furnace blower assembly clean can mean lower energy bills and a more comfortable home.

Source by Brant Reed

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Does Your American Standard Air Conditioning Unit Need Some Basic Cleaning and Maintenance?

An air conditioner requires basic yearly care to perform well and with the right maintenance an American Standard Air conditioning unit will continue to be economical and have a long life. Basic knowledge such as changing air filters and keeping the area around the unit clean is known by most homeowners. Doing these small maintenance chores makes a big difference in how well your unit runs. Air units that do not get cleaned and maintained on a regular basis lose an average of five percent of their efficiency for every year that passes.

A well maintained system can cut costs by as much as a quarter of the bill. The problem with many homeowners is that they are unaware of everything that needs to be done to keep their units running competently. As long as it is cooling and the filters have been changed, they are considered to be kept up. Below are some tips that can help you determine when and what needs to be done to your American Standard air conditioning unit for continued productivity and operation.

Caring for Your American Standard HVAC Unit

There are multiple things you can do to ensure your American Standard HVAC unit is performing at its best. Changing or cleaning the filters when needed can make a big difference. The unit being used in your home can get dirty over use. Clean filters catch most of this dust accumulation. Another thing you can do to help is blow out and clean the unit itself each spring before operation. Ducts need to be free of blockage. Your American Standard HVAC unit should not have leaves, sticks and other debris surrounding or lying on top of the unit casing. This reduces air flow and increases how hard the unit must work to cool your home. Other items need to be cleaned and checked yearly. This includes major components like the compressor, coils, and fins. Do not use a hose to clean these parts. Other more superior cleaning methods are safer. If you are unsure of what needs to be done, contact a professional.

When Does a Commercial HVAC Professional Need to Care For Your Unit?

It is recommended that each year you hire a commercial HVAC professional to clean and maintain your American Standard unit. Professional servicing is better than attempting to do all the maintenance and cleaning yourself. The internal parts of a cooling system are fragile and require special care. Replacing them is very expensive and the wrong cleaning method can actually bring on costly repairs. Having a commercial HVAC professional clean and check your unit each year can prevent large repairs and keep it running soundly.

When a major part breaks such as the compressor, it could take weeks to repair and be very expensive. Consistent maintenance will bypass these occurrences most of the time. All major components are checked, repaired, and cleaned with a yearly service call and the chances of your unit breaking are greatly reduced. If repairs need to be done, they are much cheaper when noticed early. The cost of a simple service call is well worth the benefits it can provide.

Source by Brian Figlioli

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Commercial HVAC System Repair and Maintenance Tips

If you own a company that makes use of a commercial HVAC system, you know that HVAC repairs and maintenance can sometimes be expensive. You also know that your HVAC system has a direct effect on your business. If you’re a store or restaurant where you have regular consumers present, you want those consumers to be comfortable. This will ensure they stay in your facility and make purchases. If you operate a business in a building and have numerous employees working for you, you want your employees to be comfortable so they can continue to be productive. In some cases, you will be renting space from a landlord and will not be financially responsible for any HVAC repairs or maintenance; however, the system still has a direct effect on your business. It is ultimately your responsibility to determine how much attention you’d like to spend on your building’s internal environment, and decide how much it affects your bottom line. We’ve come up with a few repair and maintenance tips that should help you save money, keep your clients and/or employees happy, and keep your commercial HVAC system running efficiently.

1. Have your commercial HVAC system services twice a year. At this time, any repairs that need to be done should be done. This bi-annual service will also include any maintenance touch-ups (i.e changing air filters). This will extend the life of the HVAC equipment and ensure that it continues to run smoothly throughout the year. A disruption in air conditioning or heating can be extremely uncomfortable for anybody who enters your building. It can cause employees to be distracted and unproductive. It can cause consumers to move on to another retail outlet/restaurant that’s more comfortable.
2. Have your air filters changed quarterly. This will improve your HVAC system’s efficiency and provide better indoor air quality. This is especially useful during peak allergy seasons such as Spring and Fall. This is also important during cold/flu seasons. It will prevent build-up of allergens, mold, dust, and fungus. The last thing you need is for your employees or customers to become ill due to your building. If your employees are sick, it costs your company money. If your customers become sick in your building, a repeat visit may not be in the near future. Changing your air filters routinely will also prevent the system from freezing up, which will ultimately cause a breakdown in the equipment.
3. Consider the cost of replacement versus repair. We all want to get the most out of any products or equipment we purchase. It is instinctual for us to try to squeeze every last bit of life out of them, especially when we see smaller dollar figures attached to the cost of a repair rather than a replacement. It is essential, however, to figure out what the total amount of money is that you’re throwing into repairs versus replacing the system. In the long run, there will come a point when it’s financially beneficial for you to replace broken equipment rather than repair it.

Source by Alex A. Ortiz

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Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

High temperatures can make life quite miserable. Having a cooling unit in your home can really make life much more bearable. Contact your local Ogden cooling and air company to get a unit installed in your home if you do not already have one.

Air conditioning units need to be maintained to continue to work their best. There are a few maintenance tips that consumers should be aware of. Below are a few suggestions, though ask your Ogden cooling and air company if they have any more safety tips for their specific unit.

Clean the water drain. Your central air conditioning unit will have a water drain that could possibly have leaks or blocks. Regularly checking the water drain prevents these problems from resulting in safety and water damage.

Check for any dust, or pollen that gets stuck in the unit. If moisture creates mold in the unit because of debris it can affect the air in your home and your family’s health. Take extra care now to prevent that from happening.

Replace the water in the filter monthly. It is most important during the summer while it is being used, obviously. The most important months to watch out for are May through September or October, depending on where you live.

Filters can get clogged and become dirty, so it is important to clean the filter regularly as well. Your air conditioning unit uses its filter to keep the air in your home clean. To do this, it is important to have the filter be clean as well.

These safety tips are not only good for your safety and the quality of air that goes inside your home. They also help your unit be more energy efficient. No one can complain about conserving energy and reducing electricity bills.

Keep your home cool and safe this summer by following the above tips. Talk to your Ogden cooling and air professionals to find what cooling and air unit they would recommend for your home. By cleaning your unit’s filters, water drains, and air ducts you will ensure that your cooling unit will be working at its best.

Source by John Charles Bryan

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Information About Energy Efficient Homes

This type of building is also known as sustainable design or green building and started to gain popularity during the oil / energy crisis of the 1970s. It generally costs more than traditional methods, however they usually pay for themselves after only a few years in the way of reduced bills, as well as being a lot better for the global environment.

Energy-saving homes try to use renewable resources both in construction and upkeep. For example, some are built from wood from sustainable forests or bricks made rammed earth. They aim to reduce consumption of all services, most notably water and electricity. Water use can be reduced by low-use appliances but more by recycling water around the household. So-called ‘grey water’ (bathwater, dishwater, etc) can be re-used in the garden for irrigation, and if this is not sufficient then rainwater can also be collected. These practices not only reduce the amount of waste going to the sewage system but of course also the consumption. Even human waste can be recycled using a composting toilet and makes compost which will help your garden grow. A good energy-efficient home should hardly need to throw anything away. It should also watch what it brings in: e.g. avoiding plastic bags, excess packaging, etc.

A good energy-saving home should make the most use of the local environment and be well-suited to the climate. Think of the home as a living organism and you’re heading down the right track. Certain animals and plants either adapt to their surroundings or die off and an energy-efficient home should follow the same principle.

The biggest of these factors to take into account is of course sunlight. Consider where the sun rises and sets and the path it takes during the day. If you live in a hot climate, you will want to reduce the amount of sunlight that can enter the home (e.g. through windows) and shade the house as much as possible either using extended roofs or more natural shade such as trees. Try to maximise the ventilation of the home to make use of breezes which can cool it down. The idea is to keep the house as cool as possible without the need for air conditioning or other energy-sapping machines. In a cold climate you will want to try to maximise the sunlight that enters the house, reducing the need for artificial heating. You can also reduce the need for artificial lighting in such a home.

Insulation is crucial in all climates for maintaining these temperatures on a daily basis. It’s no good having a home that is nicely heated by the sun during the day if you’re going to lose all that heat as soon as the sun sets!

The materials used in construction should come from local sources. This not only cuts down on cost but of course uses far less energy in shipping materials from across the globe, thus cutting down on the “energy footprint” of your home. Another benefit of this is that you will usually find that the style of your house will fit better with its surroundings if it is built from local materials.

Source by Simon D Jones

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