Most people will schedule repairs for their air conditioner as soon as they realize that there is a problem with it. Prompt repairs are an excellent way to help your air conditioner last a long time. However, if you really want your system to last as long as possible you’ll need to do a bit more than that. Preventive maintenance is a vital part of keeping your air conditioner running smoothly. It’s so important, in fact, that most manufacturer warranties require it in order to remain valid. Let’s examine why air conditioning maintenance is so important, and why you should schedule it this spring.
Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Maintenance’
Why You Should Schedule Air Conditioning Maintenance This Spring
Monday, May 11th, 2015Air Conditioning Tip 9: How to Use A/C Efficiently
Monday, July 23rd, 2012Air conditioning is a great comfort in Tustin, but it can also be a big waste and expense when used inefficiently. There are plenty of ways to waste cooled air from your Tustin air conditioner, but fortunately there are also several ways to increase efficiency. Try these, for starters:
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Keep filters and coils clean
Filters and coils need to be kept clean in order for an air conditioner to run optimally. Clean or change your filter once a month, in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. A tech can should inspect the evaporator and condenser coils every summer, and clean them as necessary.
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Look at efficiency ratings
All air conditioners bear a rating that reflects their efficiency, called the seasonal energy efficiency ratio, or SEER. The SEER rating is a measure of how much cooling capacity a unit has in relation to how much power it draws. For more energy efficiency, opt for a model with a higher SEER rating.
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Use the “auto” fan setting
Most thermostats have an “auto” setting that will take control of your AC for you by turning it one when the temperature is high and off again when it is sufficiently low. Make use of this setting for better cooling and energy efficiency.
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Program your thermostat
A programmable thermostat saves a lot of wasted cooling by keeping the house a few degrees warmer during times when no one is home.
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Zone your home
To get really serious about cooling efficiency, consider zoning your home. This allows for independent cooling of different parts of the house, so that no extraneous rooms are cooled unnecessarily. For example, if your family likes the bedrooms cooler at night, you can defines them as one zone so that they can be cooled more, but without wasting energy cooling the rest of the house.
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Get an annual inspection
A machine that is in good working order is a machine that will run efficiently. Air conditioners are no exception. Have a licensed Tustin air conditioning professional look over your whole system every year to ensure peak operation and maximum efficiency.
Any of these tips on its own will help your air conditioner’s efficiency, but for best results you should combine them. In particular, the maintenance steps go a long way toward not only improving efficiency, but also maximizing the life of your AC system. Call Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today to schedule an appointment!
Key Components for Annual Maintenance of Your HVAC System
Wednesday, October 5th, 2011Annual service checkups are an important component of your HVAC system’s ongoing operation in Fullerton. Without these checkups, the system may not run properly. While there are some tasks you can perform yourself, most of the vital maintenance tasks need to be performed by a professional annually.
As you look for a contractor to perform your annual maintenance, make sure you find someone who will perform each of the most important tasks listed below for your system each year:
- Electrical Connections – These should be tightened, tested and replaced as necessary.
- Thermostat – A professional thermostat calibration ensures the system runs at the right temperature throughout the summer.
- Control Panel – The control panel is checked for error codes and recalibrated to ensure it continues running as intended for another year.
- Blower Parts – The fan and motor are checked and serviced as needed. Replacement parts are installed.
- Condenser Coils and Evaporator – Both are cleaned and checked for signs of wear. Any bent coils are repaired.
- Gas Connections – An inspection of your gas lines, if applicable, is made. Additionally, if you have electrical components, they will be checked for damage.
- Exchanger and Combustion Components – If you have a packaged system, these are checked for the entire system.
- Refrigerant Check – If you have a refrigerant filled air conditioning system, it will be checked to ensure levels are high enough for another summer.
- Air Filters – While you can do this yourself each month, a professional will check permanent and replaceable filters for wear and tear.
- Moving Parts – All moving parts are inspected, oiled, and checked for damage. If a part needs replacement it is done now to avoid future problems.
Good annual maintenance is necessary to keep your system running smoothly year round. While there are plenty of cleaning tasks you can perform each month, the most important tasks are those performed by your contractor.
If you are interested in learning more about how maintenance will be performed on your system, call your local contractor today.
Save Money in the Long Haul with AC Maintenance in Yorba Linda
Wednesday, September 7th, 2011Every year, it’s recommended that you have an HVAC contractor visit your Yorba Linda home and tune up your air conditioner. This visit will ensure the system is ready for the intense, regular use it will receive during the hottest months of the year. How much money can this visit save you, though? Let’s take a closer look.
Cost of Operating Your Air Conditioning
An air conditioning system on average costs a homeowner between $500 and $1500 per year to operate depending on the length of the cooling season and the efficiency of that air conditioner. That number represents top efficiency for the unit, however. When a system has dirty filters, hasn’t been cleaned properly or the thermostat is no longer calibrated accurately, the cost increases – sometimes dramatically.
Just how much more could you be spending on cooling each month when this happens? The EPA’s Energy Star website estimates an increase in cost of between 10-30% resulting from poorly maintained systems, and it can be even higher if your system is old and is severely affected by a drop in energy efficiency.
Annual Tune Up Necessities
So, what should be at the top of your tune up list? If you call a contractor, they will perform a variety of tasks including:
- Inspect Coolant and Pressure Systems
- Calibrate the Thermostat
- Tighten Wiring, Capacitors, Relays and Contacts
- Clean the Evaporator Coil
- Clear and Clean the Condenser and Condensate Drain
- Inspect the Condenser Fan and Motor
- Check Compressor Efficiency
This is just a starter list for standard tune up of a central air conditioning unit. You can supplement this tune up by checking your filters once every 30 days and clearing away debris from around any outdoor units. You should also check your thermostat monthly to ensure it is working properly. If not, call for an inspection to avoid heavy increases in operating costs.
Major repairs to your air conditioning system generally take less than a day and when you’re on an annual maintenance plan, they cost significantly less than if you needed someone to fix the device in an emergency situation.
Common Problem Areas for HVAC Systems in Westminster
Friday, September 2nd, 2011No one wants to have to call a contractor in to inspect the HVAC system in their Westminster home. Problems in heating or air conditioning tend to be costly and time consuming to fix. But, the longer you wait, the bigger the problem is likely to get. So, it’s important to act quickly when you suspect a problem with any of the following common sources in an HVAC system:
- Power Lines – Your HVAC system uses a lot of electricity so if it stops working, turns off suddenly or frequently shuts down, it may be a power issue. If the system stops working at any point, check your breaker box for a blown fuse or tripped breaker. You should also check the electrical line to your HVAC system. If you see any damage from animals, weather or otherwise, call a professional immediately.
- Gas Lines – if you have gas furnaces and appliances, gas supply problems can be a major issue for your HVAC system. There are a number of safety measures in place in a gas line system. The gas valve connecting the gas line to your furnace has as safety shutoff switch. Your home has a carbon monoxide detector. A pressure drop in the system will also cause a shutoff. So, the most common problem you would face with a gas line is that is stops providing gas, usually because there is a problem in a component. If this happens, call the gas company immediately to check your system, and of course if you smell a leak, leave the house and call the emergency line for your gas company.
- Drains – Air conditioners have drain pipes that release the condensed water that builds up inside as they run. However, over time, that drain can clog up if it’s not properly maintained. If you have a central air conditioning unit, check the drain pan once every week or so to make sure it is draining properly. Frequently, this drain pipe will be located higher in your home so that it can drain properly away from the property. Call a professional if it continues to clog or fails to drain at all.
- Venting – Vent problems can result in more than just stuffy air. Clogged or dirty vents are fire hazards and they can decrease indoor air quality, making it both uncomfortable and unhealthy inside. Vents and ductwork should be cleaned annually to avoid the buildup of debris and sediment. Additionally, you should do a visual inspection once a month to check for debris and vacuum the space where possible.
Most of the problems commonly associated with your HVAC system need to be checked and repaired by a professional. However, by remaining vigilant and checking them regularly, you can avoid a much bigger problem and subsequent repairs.