HomeOwnerTips

A/C Home Owner Maintenance tips:

Inside unit:

·	Replace filter Monthly.

·	Replace filter more often during a remodel and immediately after.

·	To save energy set t/stat (thermostat) warmer when not @ home.

·	Avoid constant t/stat adjusting. Learn your comfort setting. You may have separate comfort settings for day and evening. Learn them. Set t/stat and leave it. If adjustments are required, do so 1 deg. at a time, then wait 10 minutes for the unit to equalize.

·	The thermostat is a “Switch” not throttle. Setting the temperature colder does not make the unit cool any faster, only longer.

·	Short cycling or turning the unit off and on in less than 5 minuets can cause compressor damage or failure.

Drain maintenance. The use of chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) to keep drains clear is NOT Recommended. This household chemical is a strong corrosive and will accelerate formicary corrosion and the premature failure of the indoor coil. Algaecide or enzymes such as “Drain Care” or pan tabs are your best bet.

Outside unit:

·	Keep plants, garbage cans, fencing and other items at least 2 ft. away from unit.

The outside unit requires large quantities of unrestricted air.

·	Keep discharge air un-restricted. Overhanging trees limbs or patio covers, below 10’, cause the heated air to bounce and re-circulate. This causes overheating of the unit, a loss of efficiency, and a loss of capacity. DO NOT build a deck over your unit.

·	Fin damage from abuse, i.e. Washing with high pressure, string trimmers, baseballs etc. Will cause air restrictions. Keep dogs from urinating on unit. Ureic acid is a strong corrosive.

·	Keep condenser coil clean. Turn a/c off when mowing. If your drier vent is close by, keep the drier lint filter clean.

·	Washing your own unit? Sure, but do it properly. Regular rinsing is O.K. but not a replacement for a professional cleaning. Rinsing of units in cotton wood prone areas or units on parking lots, is recommended.

To Do So:

1)	Turn unit off at t/stat.

2)	Turn unit off at service disconnect.

3)	Rinse with water, low pressure, straight in and downward. Not from the side. Bend the fins with side angle or to much pressure and you are in for an expensive repair.

4)	Avoid spraying water at the fan motor or controls. If you do get them wet, allow plenty of time for them to dry completely before re-energizing.

5)	When complete, Turn on service disconnect.

6)	Turn on t/stat

Ants, Spiders& other bugs, will get in between the contacts of the contactor and at least will cause the unit to not start, at most may cause the contacts or wiring to burn. Regular spraying of insect repellant around base of unit and on electrical conduit and refrigerant piping will assist in repelling them.

Being Aware of Problems:

·	Be aware of unusual noises. No one knows how your unit sounds better than you. A change in sounds indicate a change in operational conditions. This change may be an indication of problems.

Tripping breaker? Breakers are an important safety device. When they trip there is a reason. Breakers sense heat. Heat can be caused by low voltage, high current draw, or loose connections, just to name a few. There may be a combination of problems. Rarely is the fault self correcting. If you choose to re-set your breaker, first turn unit off at t/stat, push the breaker full to the off position then back on. Re-set it only once, a second tripping indicates a more serious fault and a need to call for professional help.

Machines break. Adverse external forces and use and cause wear. Unlike animals, machines do not have the ability to heal. When Your unit does not work '' Turn it off!" A minor fault, although a nuisance, does not have to become a major failure or expense. If when driving your car it begins to smoke, make a loud noise, or the oil light comes on. Do you keep driving? Do you drive faster? Then why do so with your A/C?

Air Balance: Air restrictions in your duct system will cause reduced air volume. Causing loss of capacity and efficiency. Closing off the register to an unused room increases the resistance in the duct system. The heat that gets into the room from the outside, is in and must be removed, regardless of the occupancy or use of the room in question.

·	Duct Systems must be insulated and sealed with a vapor barrier. Torn insulation causes heat loss and condensate. Take care when in your attic not to tear the insulation nor to crush the ductwork.

Attic insulation reduces the amount of heat that enters the conditioned space through the ceiling. Dark roof materials, non-functioning power ventilators, sealed soffit vents all increase the attic / occupied temperature differential. Thus reducing the effectiveness of the insulation. Keep your soffits open and free of obstruction. Make your next roof a light color. Set power ventilator s/tat at 110 deg F.

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