Tips For Your HVAC Unit

If your AC is not cooling enough, the two easiest and most important things you can do on your own are change the filter and clean your outdoor condenser.  If these two things do not remedy the problem, call an HVAC installation contractor. A company we trust is PFO Heating and Air Conditioning. Also it's relevant to note that there is a possibility that your HVAC system may be doing all it physically can do, during extreme heat conditions. If the weather is in the extremes, you might not be able to do anything about your unit not working well enough. Below we have included some tips that may also help ensure your system is running at peak efficiency, and this link is to local air conditioning companies in Trenton NJ

During the summer, if you see frost on the outdoor or indoor pipes, your system is frozen and will not cool properly.  The system must be thawed in order to solve this issue.  The quickest way to thaw the system is to turn the ac off at the thermostat but turn your fan on. This will force warm air over the ice to thaw it quicker.  It may take up to two hours to thaw.  Once the air conditioner is thawed, when you turn it on, it may start cooling again and continue to cool until it freezes up again- maybe a day or two.  This freezing up and thawing will continue until the root problem is resolved.  It is not good for this to continue for days.  The root problem could be a dirty filter.  If changing your filter does not remedy the situation, call for service.

Do not set your thermostat below 70 degrees as it will not cool any faster and could freeze up the system causing more problems.

Understand that there is generally a 20 degree difference between indoor air and outside temperatures.  So when it is 92 degrees outside, you can expect to get your indoor temperature to 72 degrees if desired.  However, if it is 102 degrees outside, your air conditioner may struggle to meet 72 or run all the time trying to meet the demand.   

If you see water leaking from an outdoor pipe or pipe located above a bathtub, this means that your primary condensate drain has a problem and the water is traveling through the emergency drain system.  This pipe is usually located in a conspicuous area so that you will easily see the water dripping and know that there is a problem.  Call for service.

Air Conditioners must have a filter.  The filter will be located inside your home either with the equipment or behind a grille inside your home perhaps a hallway.  It is very important that the filter is changed or cleaned regularly in order to filter the air properly and prevent the indoor coil from getting dirty. Filters will get dirtier faster if:  there are multiple pets, there is a dusty outdoor environment such as dirt roads, fields, construction, etc; if carpets are infrequently vacuumed.   We recommend buying a year's worth of filters, so that they are handy when it's time to change them.

Be sure to keep the outdoor condenser clean. This means all sides should have nothing clinging to them. If you do see dirt, leaves, grass clippings, cottonwood, use a water hose with spray nozzle to rinse the sides off starting at the top and working your way down. Turn off the power first.

Plant new bushes at least 24-36 inches from the outdoor unit.  If you have mature bushes near the outdoor unit, keep them trimmed to 12-18" away. The outdoor unit needs to "breathe" freely without any hindrance.  If you already have bushes planted around the air conditioner unit, be sure to keep them trimmed to allow the recommended clearance.

Do not place anything above your outdoor unit such as a shade, awning, fence, etc.  Air blows out the top of the air conditioner and it must be able to blow out freely without any hindrance whatsoever. 

If you have a basic programmable thermostat, do not "off-set" it more than 5 degrees while away (during extreme weather temperatures).  Otherwise it will work too hard to bring the temperature to the desired point thus defeating the energy saved. 

Keep curtains and blinds closed on the side of the house that faces the sun during the summer.

Air conditioning systems do not require R-22 or R-140A every year.  They may need it if there is a leak, but the chemical is not consumed.  Some leaks are very small and difficult to detect while some are larger and easier to detect and locate.

If you have a refrigerant leak, the leak may be located at the indoor equipment, the outdoor equipment or in the copper lines that connect the two pieces of equipment. Some leaks are repairable while some are not.

Be careful using a weed eater around the outdoor unit.  If the wires or piping are cut, call for service.

HVAC Installation

The air conditioning device of any building, whether domestic or commercial, helps fuel business and innovation. Its effectiveness in a facility or home influences the rate of comfort for your family or your business. It will be of even more significance in places like labs, studios, or sites from which research and developing is executed. For some venues, regulation of the temperature is incredibly vital. Most people will be concerned about HVAC installation costs in Trenton, New Jersey, when the cost of the unit is relatively affordable.

Thanks to the improvements in technology, it is now possible to set up high quality air conditioning for any type of building. Old air conditioning units used to be extremely loud and not as effective.
When one thinks of the temperature regulation of a room, you may go either for the ducted air conditioners or for the split system air conditioner. The options would depend on the category of the building, the price, and the adherence to the appearance.

The ducted air conditioners are optimal whenever the temperature of the whole building needs to be handled. There’d be various air-conditioned areas to turn off the temperature control in several areas when needed. This boosts the efficiency of the system and conserves money too. If utilized wisely, ducted systems could in fact cost you even less and can boost the total value of your home or office building. Split AC is an efficient option if you just have to get a handful of rooms air-conditioned. Nonetheless, some people might not like them due to the outside condensing device with a split air conditioner that looks less aesthetic.

Whatever a sort of systems you choose, the most essential task is adequate installation of the unit. Almost all the producers don’t protect against installation related guarantee claims. This will make it necessary that you obtain high quality help for the installation of the air conditioning systems. When you are allocating a huge amount of money on the system, you should not want it to go to waste due to installation expense.

You can look online and evaluate the price, but be sure that you employ a service provider that ensures that they have specialists in the area and who carry out the manufacturer’s guidance prior to starting the installation job. There’s no point investing huge amounts on the air conditioning system if you end up with poor installation. Poor installation can be deadly as well. Carbon monoxide can leak into your house and be toxic to you and your family.

Ductless System or Central Air

Maybe your old central air conditioner has quit working, and you think you need a central air conditioner replacement.  Maybe you want to upgrade to a more energy-efficient or environmentally-friendly system. Maybe you’re not sure what to do.

Proper sizing is very important for efficient air conditioning. A bigger unit is not necessarily better because a unit that is too large will not cool an area uniformly. A small unit running for an extended period operates more efficiently and is more effective at dehumidifying than a large unit that cycles on and off too frequently.

Based on size alone, an air conditioner generally needs 20 British thermal units (Btu) for each square foot of living space. Other important factors to consider when selecting an air conditioner are room height, local climate, shading, and window size. Also look for a filter that slides out easily for regular cleaning, logically arranged controls, a digital readout for the thermostat setting, a built-in timer, and an Energy Star-rating for efficiency. Replacing an older unit with an EER rating of 5 with one with an EER of 10 can cut your energy costs in half, according to the Department of Energy.

The Age of Your System

1. The age of your system

The average lifespan of an air conditioning system is 10-15 years. If your unit is close to ten years old or older, you may want to consider replacing it instead of repairing it. Heating and cooling costs account for roughly 44% of your utility costs. If you’re paying more than the average for your area, your air conditioning system may not be working effectively.

Older air conditioning systems also use R22, which is being phased out over the next few years out to meet environmental protection regulations. Replacing this refrigerant in older air conditioning systems to one that complies with these regulations is expensive and since R22 is being discontinued, it's becoming more difficult to source. New air conditioning systems are all manufactured to comply with these regulations and are designed to be much more energy-efficient. Using the correct refrigerant, they are also far more eco-friendly because they release fewer carbon emissions. By installing a new air conditioning system, you will also notice a significant improvement in your home’s indoor air quality. A newer air conditioning system will also increase the resale value of your home. 

2. Excessive noise and dust

The constant presence of dust in your home – even after cleaning, is a good indication that there are leaks in the ductwork. Those leaks will compromise the efficiency of your air conditioning system, and that will increase the operating cost. If your air conditioner is excessively noisy, there is a good possibility that your duct system isn’t large enough for the square footage of your home. It’s also possible that you have a problem with the unit’s indoor coil.

3. Your air conditioning-related expenses are increasing

If your utility bills are going up and there isn’t any change in the way you’re using it, that’s a good indication that your system is no longer as efficient as it should be. Another obvious sign is the amount of money you are paying for air conditioning repairs, and the frequency with which you have to have the system repaired.

4. Cooling and humidity inconsistencies

Your home’s air conditioner is supposed to remove humidity from the air because excessive humidity makes the space more uncomfortable. When it functions, the system will maintain consistent temperatures throughout the house. When the cooling portion of your HVAC system isn’t able to do these things, either your equipment is malfunctioning, or there are issues with your ductwork. Think about the cost of repairing these problems, and ask yourself if it is worth your while to spend the money on repairs.

These warning signs may be an indication that you should think about replacing your air conditioning system. It’s natural to be concerned about the cost of replacing part of your HVAC unit. It’s an expensive purchase, and a huge investment in your home. Don’t panic at the prospect of having to come up with a lot of money upfront. A new air conditioning unit may wind up eliminating the constant repair costs, and lower your utility bills enough to help you recoup part of your investment. A newer, more energy-efficient air conditioning system will also increase the resale value of your home.