Homeowner’s HVAC Maintenance Guide

It’s that time of the year again…Air conditioning time.

For the most part, the heating and air conditioning system that you’re using is always running. Whether it is cooling or heating it’s operating 24/7 and, as such, regular HVAC service and maintenance is required. Just like a person, your heating and cooling system is going to give some symptoms that you’ll notice long before it breaks down. It will start to be less efficient and show signs of wear and tear. Regular maintenance is important because every part of your air conditioner or heating unit needs to be kept in peak operating condition not only to be efficient but to be safe.

Air Filters & Indoor Coil

Normally when we consider the filter we’re thinking about air quality. There are other reasons to keep the unit clean. They must stay clean to maintain the right airflow and to prevent mold from building up in the AC unit. If dirt is packed into place the unit can become clogged, leading to overflows, water damage, and other issues. The heat transfer doesn’t take place efficiently and of course, that means that it’s going to cost you a lot more to pay for the cooling that you need to have accomplished every day.

Condenser Coils

The external part of the system is on the outside and it’s where the transfer of heat is going to take place. The pressure of the refrigerant is kept down and the compressor is protected here, making your entire air conditioning unit run better and with a greater amount of efficiency. As the coil is exposed, regular cleaning is most important here.

Unit Lubrication

It is imperative that you lubricate any of the moving parts on your unit. This will be the key to keeping the unit living longer. Our technicians can help you to know which parts of the unit require lubrication and how you can accomplish this between regular maintenance if you so desire.

Electrical Connections

The air conditioning and heating unit have a wide range of different electrical parts. Each of these has a connection. Over time those connections can become loosened and will build up heat. This can cause the failure of the unit overall. Usually, this is going to happen in the hottest part of the summer or the coldest part of the winter. Make sure that all electrical connections are checked and tightened or have that accomplished with your regular air conditioning maintenance.

The Refrigerant

The heating and cooling pump system that you have requires a refrigerant. It is imperative to maintain the proper level of coolant in the system. If you have too little it can damage the compressor. Having too much can do the same thing.

Ducting

The ductwork in your system is going to be another part that needs a regular inspection. It won’t perform well if it isn’t inspected regularly because vibration and other things can cause the ducting to pull apart and not give the kind of seal that you need to keep the house cool or warm as it should be. This results in a higher heating or cooling bill and that you’re spending money to literally heat or cool the outside.

Every aspect of your heating and cooling system requires a quick once over on a yearly basis. We’ll be pleased to ensure that your system is working at peak efficiency. Call for an annual inspection today before the wintertime is upon us again.

Air Conditioning Installation Guide

Do you know the ideal size of air conditioner that is required to provide cooling for the specific square footage of your home? Failure to do this will result in damage to your AC unit.

Location is the key to success when it comes to AC installation. Your AC unit should be strategically located in your home based on the best area to provide the most circulation and cooling to your home.

The power consumption of your AC unit must be considered in order to ensure that your specific breakers can handle the power being used and to ensure that your electric bill does not go spiraling upwards.

Is a single unit sufficient for cooling your whole home?

Which air conditioner brand and model would best suit your needs?

90% of amateur installers never consider the size of their AC unit. They never consider that the unit may be too small and will fail to cool their home effectively. However, every element listed above must be seriously considered if you truly desire to properly install your AC unit.

Considering The Worth And Specifics Of Your Installation Area

You must first consider the specifics of your installation area in order to determine what steps you need to take in order to successfully install your unit. Your first order of business will be the size of your central air unit; you will need to determine if the size of the unit you have selected is capable of cooling your entire home. You will then need to determine where you should place the core unit. This should be a location outside of your home that you feel will work best.

You should also keep in mind that you may have to make a few changes to your yard when it comes to installing the actual ground unit outside of your home. You will also want to choose an area which you don’t frequent often. Avoid installing the unit right next to a deck where you have parties or family get gatherings. This is because of the noise that the unit will produce when it is turned on.

Another factor that you will need to focus on when you are determining the size and location of your central air unit is the make and model that you choose. You should rely on a professional to assist you with this matter. You will need to obtain a make and model that is more than capable of cooling your home based on its size.

Additionally, you should be aware that window air conditioning units are not capable of cooling a large home. If you are attempting to keep your entire home cool and not just one room, then you will need to install a central air unit and not a single air conditioning unit that is placed in a window. Otherwise, you will be throwing money out the window and won’t be able to acquire the level of comfort that you desire.

Find A Reliable And Reputable Professional Installer

The best advice you will ever come across is to simply seek out and obtain a professional AC installer who can get the job done for you. These trained professionals have the skills and knowledge that are needed in order to properly and effectively carry out installation tasks. What’s more, this will save you both time and money.

Air Conditioning Cleaning – Why you need Aircon cleaning services

There are a few things you should know before you consider air conditioning cleaning. The first thing to do is to decide if it’s really necessary. You should know that while it’s commonly assumed that there are health benefits, nothing has been conclusively proven. It will, however, help with allergies, and other air-borne illnesses.

When deciding whether or not to clean, you should take the following things into consideration.

Animals:

This is a pretty obvious one. If you start to notice an abnormal amount of bugs such as spiders or other insects, it’s a good time to undergo air conditioner cleaning. As well as insects, there could also be rats and or mice living in your aircon units and air ducts.

Mold:

When an inspector claims he found mold in your ducts, you should always ask to see it. There are plenty of substances that resemble mold, and could easily be mistaken. Local laboratories can easily distinguish a mold sample for under $75. If mold is found, the optimal strategy for correcting this issue is to first find the source of the problem. Usually, mold is caused by a leaking vent. If the leak is not corrected, the mold will grow back. If a section of ventilation gets wet, and mold starts to grow, you should always replace that section of the vent. Depending on the type of mold, it could possibly be harmful to your health, and removing could prove impossible.

When trying to find an air duct cleaning service, make sure they can be trusted. The EPA has no legal requirements for air duct cleaning. If an inspector tells you otherwise, you should collect his information and contact the EPA. Another sign of a dishonest service is if they tell you of the potential health benefits. If an inspector says that cleaning a duct will improve the quality of the air, they’re lying. All claims to this are unfounded, and as stated above, there is no evidence to prove this. There are a few resources that you can use to check if a company is reliable. You can start with the BBB, to make sure the complaints against this company are minimal. You could also search the internet for reviews about this particular person or company.

When analyzing the job the service person did, always make sure there is no visible dust, mold, or particles. The spots you can see should be absolutely spotless. If there is anything left over, you should consider discussing it with the service person. Don’t be afraid to ask for photographic proof that the job was done.

Some service persons might try and push you to use chemicals on your ducts. There are however a few things you should consider before approving their request. There are currently no long-term studies done on these chemicals. Some side effects could occur depending on the person. However, all chemicals are EPA certified for use in homes and businesses, and at the moment are considered safe. If an air duct cleaner tries to use a chemical that isn’t certified by the EPA, don’t allow them to do so. It is a federal crime for them to use an unapproved chemical. You can find chemical-free cleaning contractors by Googling air conditioning cleaning Brisbane. You will find many contractors that can help you.