Air Handling Landscaping Systems

What Service Should Be Done On Home Air Conditioners and Furnaces?

A service plan contracted by your trusted HVAC contractor helps relieve you some of your worries and assures you that your HVAC will be well-maintained, especially your air-conditioning unit and furnace. It will assure you that your unit is running at its best and will not break down anytime soon. It will assure you that even at worst days, nights, and weathers, your HVAC system will still give you the utmost comfort that you and your family need. Regular inspections, check-ups, and tune-ups shall always take place. Here are some essential services your units need for it to run at maximum efficiency.

Electrical Components

Some problems that you might encounter may come from your unit’s electrical components. Check the capacitors, fuse, wires, and breakers that may occasionally break down. Also, try to take care of your motor by applying oil inside it from time to time.

Air Filter

One of the parts of your unit that will greatly affect your air quality is the air filters. They get dirty every once in a while, so make sure that you always check them at least once or twice a month. Filters may vary from different models, so it is better to consult your HVAC contractor whether it only needs to be cleaned or replaced.

Evaporator Coil

The air filter helps and protects your evaporator coil from accumulating too much dirt, but it can eventually still get dirty. It is very important to always check and clean your evaporator coil, as dirt build-up might hinder its ability to absorb heat effectively. Sometimes, ice can also build up here if there is a leak. For that matter, it is best to call your HVAC contractor as you may need chemicals for the task.

Condenser Coil

This is the most exposed part of the unit, as this is the outside part of your air conditioner. Always check it from time to time and make sure that it is free of debris, grass, dirt, and other stuff that can block this part. Make sure that the air can easily run through it.

Refrigerant Level

If you have an annual HVAC check-up contract with your contractor, they should regularly check the amount of refrigerant your unit has. As time goes by with frequent usage, your unit’s refrigerant level will eventually decrease. With this, your unit may fail to make the air cooler. Your HVAC contractor should recharge this so that it will be able to cool the air again.

Chimneys and Vents

To assure you that your HVAC system, the air conditioner, and furnace, is working properly, you should always check the chimneys and the vents. Many homeowners overlook the importance of this, but it is an essential step in making your HVAC running smoothly.

Ductwork

With proper ductwork installation on your unit, the air will flow smoothly and properly. Make sure that the junctions and insulations are placed appropriately. With the help of a good HVAC contractor, leaks, check-ups, and diagnostics of ductworks will be easily addressed.

If you want to be assured that your HVAC system will run smoothly all the time, it is best to book for a service and maintenance contract with your trusted contractor.

 

How to Manually Turn On An AC Unit

In a technologically-driven society that we live in, countless advancements are made to ease and lessen the struggles of our daily lives. As an example, most households nowadays often use remote controllers to control and use their household appliances. Air conditioners are perfect examples. Using remote controllers, you can turn it on, set your desired temperature, adjust the fan speed, and even turn it off. In this way, it can make the task easier and faster, all of these in the comfort of just sitting on your couch or lying on your bed.

But what happens if, in the middle of a hot, sunny day, your beloved AC unit remote controller suddenly stops functioning and it can’t do the things you want it to do? Or if you misplaced it? Well, it surely is a hassle to lose. Your beloved remote controller may now give you a headache. But don’t panic, take it easy. Your air conditioner can still be operated manually. 

If you haven’t tried reading your manual, this is the perfect time to do it. Your manual contains all of the useful information you need to know about your unit. You can even see there the ways on how to operate your AC unit manually. 

Here are some tips for you:

Check the Thermostat

The thermostat is the most vital part of manually controlling your AC unit. Here, you can find all of the adjustment knobs, created to adjust the timers, temperatures, and many more. The power button is usually here, which is the button you would like to push if you want to turn it on or off. Just be careful of the buttons and be familiar with them so that you know what you are doing.

Check the Sides of Your AC Unit

If you haven’t seen the power button on the thermostats, check on the sides of your AC unit. Some units are designed with their power buttons placed either on the left or right side of the unit, so this is where you would want to check next.

Open the AC Unit’s Front Grille

If you haven’t seen the power button on the sides, this is where you would want to check next. Some AC Unit models have their power button hidden inside or by the front grille, that’s why you have to lift it first to push the button.

Reset your AC Unit

If you happen to set the timer before using your remote controller and you can’t turn it on manually again after it shuts down, you can always reset your air conditioner. All you have to do is unplug your unit, go to your circuit breaker, and shut it off. Wait for your 30 seconds, turn it on and it is already reset.

The tips aforementioned are made to help you when you lose your remote controller. You can always replace your remote to experience the same comfort you did before. If the unit can’t be turned on manually after following these tips, it may be a sign that the remote isn’t the only problem. You might want to run a diagnostics when this happens. We hope we’ve helped you!

How Often Should Air Conditioner Be Serviced?

The air conditioner is one of the products of today’s technological advancement which is essential to provide great comfort and improve air quality inside our home environment. It also makes the air cleaner as it eliminates pollutions like smoke, dust, and smells.

While air conditioners nowadays are without a doubt much efficient than the older models, just like any other appliances and home equipment, it may break down soon due to frequent usage. It also needs some monitoring and care, as it needs to be maintained and cleaned to avoid emergency repairs.

Importance of Maintenance

The first importance of maintenance is to monitor and maintain your air conditioning unit to be working at its best. According to statistics, your air-conditioning unit loses 5% of its efficiency annually. To avoid that big of a loss, regular maintenance is a must.

Frequent monitoring and maintenance also let you avoid small problems in your unit that might turn into bigger ones if left ignored. Remember, repairing it immediately will always cost you less than repairing it later when it has already worsened. 

Frequency of Maintenance

On average, the maintenance should be once a year if you don’t see or suspect any potential problem in your unit. However, a unit gets dirty much often. Always inspect and open the air filter to clean or replace it depending on how dirty it is. This should be done once or twice a month. A dirty unit also loses some of its efficiency as dirt can get stuck inside and cause different problems.

In cleaning, you can always do it yourself. Seek help from your owner’s manual. If you are afraid that you might damage your unit upon cleaning it, you can always call your trusted HVAC contractor for help. 

Cost of Maintenance

Annual maintenance is arranged with a schedule and contract. If you don’t have any, a diagnostic test or inspection will cost you around $80 to $100, while annual service costs will range from $150 to $300. If your unit has some parts that need replacements, it will cost you extra. 

However, the prices stated above are just estimates. Contact and talk to your trusted HVAC contractor to ask about their rates and see if you can get discounts. Remember, annual maintenance will always cost you less in the long run than what you might need to spend on emergency repairs. 

And these are the importance of maintenance. Remember that any house equipment should be maintained regularly to avoid unexpected miseries.

 

Air Conditioner Turns On and Off Right Away

A clear sign of trouble in your air conditioner is if it short cycles, or turns on and off unexpectedly. It might give you a headache, especially if it happened during a particularly hot day. Don’t worry because this might be a simple problem you can fix yourself. If not, your HVAC contractor will be there to help you out.

Some Problems You May Solve Yourself:

Thermostat

Some settings with your thermostat might be causing your air conditioner to turn on and off. Check its timer and change it to suit your needs. You should also replace its batteries if the screen appears blank.

Air Filter

A common trouble that causes short cycling is a dirty and clogged air filter that needs some cleaning. Turn your unit off and clean the filter or replace it if needed.

Evaporator coil

Sometimes, the evaporator coil gets dirty or covered with ice. That will make it hard for it to process the air; and might shut down the system. It is simple enough to clean it up. To melt the ice, turn off your system for at least 24 hours, dry it up, and turn it back on.

Condenser

The most exposed part of your unit is the condenser. You have to check it from time to time, and trim foliage near it so nothing will restrict its airflow. If something blocks it, it might cause the whole system to short cycle.

Bad Capacitor

It is relatively easy to spot a bad capacitor and replace one. You will be able to easily tell this if the short cyclings are accompanied by humming noises. You can purchase an identical capacitor with the correct voltage rating and capacitance to suit your air conditioner.

Problems that Require the Help of A Professional:

Electrical Parts

Some trouble with the electrical parts may also cause short cyclings. You need to ask an expert to check wirings, circuit boards, and others.

Oversized Air Conditioner

A unit too large for your system will work ineffectively. It will cause insufficient cooling and will turn off unexpectedly, as it will cool the place quickly but unevenly. Before installing a new air conditioner, consult your HVAC contractor so you can get the perfect one for your system and house.

Low Refrigerant Level

Refrigerant level goes down after using your air conditioner for several years. Your technician may detect this problem on regular services. If not, you may contact them to recharge it for you.
It can also go down because of a leak, which is highly unsafe. You will know if your unit makes loud screaming noises. Turn it off immediately and call an expert to fix it.
Low refrigerant level causes your unit to short cycle and work inefficiently as heat cannot be absorbed.

Broken Thermostat or Remote Control

Your thermostat might be broken if it still won’t function even if you get new batteries. This is, unfortunately, not an easy fix for you. It will make your air conditioner turn on and off unexpectedly.
The same goes with a faulty remote. It is best if you call a technician to fix it

Some problems might be easy for you, but some might not. Make plans with your contractor to avoid unexpected problems and emergency costs. Do not hesitate to call one to help you!

How Does Yard Drainage Systems Work?

Are you looking for the answer to the question, “How do yard drainage systems work?” There are many factors that go into making this a simple process, but the first step is to understand what exactly you are working with. After all, the average homeowner doesn’t know their way around their entire system.

The two most common ways of dealing with water in your yard are through gutters and downspouts. However, it is necessary to note that if there is no way for water to escape, it isn’t going to be a drain at all. Instead, it will run off into the ground, only to return to water the lawn later.

In order to avoid these situations, a lot of work goes into the construction of these two items in your yard. Gutters are very small and have straight sides. They either run from one side of the home to the other or come off the backside.

A new downspout is built in the same manner, except it comes off the front of the home. For ease of installation, it is common for the plastic to be installed directly on the ground. When it rains, it will simply run down the side of the house instead of soaking into the ground.

In order to avoid debris in the yard, downspouts often use vinyl pipes that are pre-installed into the ground. The downspout may be installed near the garden, out in the back, or anywhere else you would like to see water run off of. When the storm comes, it will be the main reason people get their gutters replaced.

When considering a downspout or any other yard drainage systems, the first thing to consider is how big the hole needs to be. If you aren’t sure, you can just buy a piece of metal to use as a guide. This way, you won’t get any more frustrated with trying to figure out how to get something of this magnitude installed properly.

After you have figured out how big the hole will need to be, you will need to consider what materials you will need to get your yard drainage systems installed. In general, there are two types: gravity fed and electronic. As with any other project, you need to decide which one will be best for you.

One of the benefits of electric units is the fact that they are easily taken apart and repaired if you are having a problem. These are also easier to store, as well. However, the down side to them is that they are quite noisy, especially if you are using them in a large area such as your backyard.

The next step in how do yard drainage systems work is simply running the length of the house so that the water comes out the bottom, rather than soaking into the ground. This is important, because if it is too deep, you can end up creating a slippery mess, which can ruin the look of your property. The easiest way to go about this is to drive a stake down the center of the lawn, and then use a couple of garden forks to dig up to the point where the water drains.

Chemical based products are great because they are usually quite environmentally friendly. This doesn’t mean you need to run them through the entire yard, however. For those with smaller yards, they can be used as a sprayer for quick watering and without creating a mess.

The final step in how do yard drainage systems work is to add the necessary pipe that will eventually connect to the downspout. You can go ahead and put this in at any time, though it is better to leave it put in for a couple of days before you start watering. This allows time for the wet material to dry up and give you a good seal that your job is done.

If you want to know how do yard drainage systems work, the answer isn’t really as difficult as you may think. It’s just a matter of identifying the materials you are going to need, picking out the right sizes, and how much water you will need for a given area.