Fall 2013

Tips for Making Your Air Conditioner Last

If you’re like most homeowners, then you probably want to keep your AC lasting as long as possible. Over the summer, your air conditioning system likely got a lot of use in order to keep you comfortable in the heat. So what can you do to make sure that your air conditioner lasts? Read on to learn more about some of the answers.

Get Regular Maintenance

Probably one of the best things that you can do for the life of your air conditioner is to get it regularly maintained and tuned up. As your AC operates, it will develop small problems and issues that impede its ability to cool your home. Over time, these small problems can cause your system to break down permanently or require more frequent repair. During regular maintenance visits, your technicians will thoroughly inspect and clean your entire air conditioning system, then alert you to any small issues that they find. Doing this could have several important potential benefits.

• Reduced repair
• Increased efficiency
• Extended equipment life
• Greater comfort

Have it Professionally Installed

If you’re getting a new air conditioning system installed in your home, make sure that you have a professional technician do the job. One of the most common causes of AC repair is bad installation. There are so many different components that need to be connected and calibrated properly; if any of them aren’t, it can cause damage as soon as your unit starts up. Only a professional has the experience and training o be able to get everything done properly.

Change the Air Filter

Your air conditioner contains an air filter that protects the internal components from dust and dirt. If it isn’t changed regularly, it can clog, which will restrict the flow of air through the system. Not only does this reduce the amount of cooling that you get in your home but it could also reduce the efficiency of your AC and cause more breakdowns.

Make sure that you call your local professional air conditioning contractor if you need any repairs for your AC or if you’re ready to schedule maintenance for it.

Why You Should Replace Your Air Filters

Your heating and air conditioning systems are both vital to your home’s comfort throughout the year. Whether you’re looking to stay cool in the summer or if it’s time to heat your home in the winter, you need your AC and heater to work well. One of the most common (and easily avoidable) problems that we see is a clogged air filter. In order to protect the inside parts from large particles like dust and dirt, your HVAC system has an air filter in it, usually located near the return air duct. It needs to be changed regularly or it will clog and restrict the flow of air through the system. This can cause several serious problems for your home and we wanted to let our customers know about them.

Air Conditioning Problems from Clogged Air Filters

Your air conditioning system’s main job is to remove heat from your home and exhaust it outside. In order to do that, it uses a fan to pull in warm air from your home, then passes it over a series of very cold evaporator coils. The fan then pushes the newly–cooled air into your home through the ductwork. If the air filter gets clogged it will restrict the flow of air into the system and cause the following issues:

• Insufficient cooling
• Extra wear and tear
• Inefficient operation
• Reduced comfort
• Ice on the coils
• Strange noises

If you notice any of these issues with your system, the first thing you should do is check your air conditioning system’s air filter. Depending on the type of filter that you have, you may be able to wash it off and put it right back in. But most likely you will have to buy another filter.

Heating Problems from Clogged Air Filters

For heating systems, a clogged air filter can cause big problems—especially for furnaces. A burner in the furnace heats up the heat exchanger and a fan pulls in cool air from your home and passes it over the exchanger. If the filter is clogged it won’t allow enough cool air over the exchanger and it will heat up which could cause it to crack. A cracked heat exchanger can allow carbon monoxide to leak into your home which could be very dangerous.

Make sure that you get your heating and air conditioning systems regularly inspected and maintained by a professional. During regular maintenance visits, they will likely check the filter to make sure that it isn’t clogged or alert you if it is.