HVAC Troubleshooting

An air conditioning system consists of two parts: an outdoor unit (where liquid refrigerant is contained) and an indoor coil. As the air moves across the air-conditioning coil, the refrigerant removes the heat from the air as well as the moisture by condensing it on the cold surface of the coil. In this way, an air conditioner not only cools but also dehumidifies the air.

Virtually any system can have air-conditioning hooked up to it, provided that it is a forced-air system. In cases where there is not forced-air heating or a duct system, we can use “ductless” air-conditioning systems to cool an entire home or small business.

S.E.E.R. stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, the standard measurement of air-conditioning efficiency established by the U.S. Department of Energy. What does this mean to you? Higher S.E.E.R. ratings translate into greater efficiency, which means lower heating and/or cooling bills. The most important thing to remember is that the higher the S.E.E.R. rating, the more money you save.

Adjust the louvers inside the registers on the wall or floor in the room where too much heat/cooling is present so that the registers are partially closed. For example, to get more cooling upstairs during hot summer months, partially close the registers downstairs to force more airflow to the upstairs registers.

• Keep the shades and curtains drawn to reduce the radiant heat of the sun.
  
  
• Keep fallen leaves, grass clippings, foliage and other dirt and debris away from your outdoor unit. And keep the a/c coils clean, following manufacturers’ instructions.
  
  
• Don’t block vents or ducts inside the house to assure air flow in the home.
  
  
• Caulk and install weather stripping around windows and doors (especially the attic) to close air gaps.
  
  
• Turn off lamps, TV and other appliances when not in use.
  
  
• Consider using a programmable thermostat to automatically increase or decrease temperatures during the day and night to suit a family’s lifestyle and reduce energy cost.
  
  
• Use shades, blinds or curtains to keep sunlight out of the house.
  
  
• Keep windows and doors closed when the a/c is on.

Operating at peak efficiency will save money, because the system doesn’t have to work as hard to do it’s job.

Lack of regular filter changes and maintenance is the number one cause of system breakdowns and costly repair bills.

Continuously adjusting the thermostat can be very inefficient. Keep the home at a constant temperature during the day. For example, leaving the home at a constant 68 degrees during the day, then dropping it at night to a comfortable sleeping temperature, will reduce energy consumption. Your furnace will run less with a constant temperature vs. a lower temperature in the middle of the day and at night. 

This process will ensure that air is always being stirred to prevent hot and cold pockets from forming.

This keeps the hottest rays of the sun from shining directly into the house.

These tips will reduce the heat load gain on your home, which means your heating and cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the home at a comfortable temperature. This saves money and extends the life of the system.

Attics can reach temperatures of 140 – 150 degrees, and this build-up of warm air can make the upstairs of a home warmer than it needs to be. This makes the air conditioner work harder to do it’s job. It costs you more to cool your home and the life of the system can be decreased.

A damp basement can add moisture to the whole house. With the humidity levels as high as they are around here on their own, you don’t need that! A dehumidifier in the basement will help to reduce the humidity levels in the home, making it more comfortable throughout during the hot summer months.

The sides of the unit require at least 12-18 inches of clearance for proper performance.

Avoid using the oven during the day. Run the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer in the evening, when electricity rates may be lower and heat from those appliances won’t increase a/c demands.