Let’s start with a quick history of air conditioning units and some useful vocabulary. The air conditioner uses energy to move heat from your home’s interior to a relatively warm environment outside. People used to cool their homes by saving large blocks of ice before air conditioners even existed. These cooling machines were rated by how much ice they could melt in a single day.
The word “ton” continues to be included in the list of air conditioning terminology. The cooling power of a ton is 12,000 British Thermal Units per hour. A window air conditioner generally weighs a lot less than a ton. Now, a central air conditioner for a large house weighs five tons. The air conditioner’s size is determined by how much ‘load’ it will be on your home and what amount of refrigerant you want to use. Air must also travel across the coils at a certain speed. These components all work in harmony to provide a dehumidified, cool home.
Air Conditioning Repair Tips
1. Fire Hazards
Consider the potential consequences of not performing an air conditioner repair. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), air conditioners, fan equipment, and other related items can cause fires within homes. In 2010, there were 7,400 fires that occurred in home structures. In 2010, there were 29 civilian fatalities and 249 civilian injuries due to fires caused by air conditioners. This was on top of the $207 million direct property damage. These fires are caused by mechanical or electrical failures, without any specific failure modes. Inflammation of cable or wire insulation is responsible for one-third of all fires. These accidents are most common in June, July, and August. Therefore, early spring is the ideal time to repair or replace your air conditioner. The NFPA has listed some ways to prevent air conditioner accidents.
Air conditioning: Safe Use
- Install cooling equipment to ensure safety and effectiveness.
- Follow the instructions of the manufacturer when using electric-powered equipment.
- Regularly inspect and maintain electrical equipment to ensure safety.
- Make sure that your equipment is labeled by a laboratory recognized for its testing.
2. Health Problems
Air conditioner repairs are also influenced by health issues. Poorly maintained or outdated air conditioning units are associated with poor health and the spread of certain diseases.
If you see visible mold or a buildup of dust, air duct cleaning may be recommended. Mold can grow in the air ducts of an AC unit that produces condensation (the AC runs constantly) during the summer. Mold can become so bad that it affects your respiratory system if left to dormant in the winter. If you smell a dirty sock in your house, it is time to act. Keep an eye on the motors and wheels of your blower.
It’s important to check the condition of your AC if you have recently renovated your house (especially removing asbestos or lead-based painting). If you have debris in your ductwork it is important to perform simple maintenance, such as changing the filter. This will ensure that airflow is at its maximum. A dirty filter can invite allergens, pesticides, and other outside irritants inside your home. To reduce your AC costs, make sure that the window units are sealed properly to keep warm air out. To ensure the safety of your home, it’s important to have an HVAC technician check your air conditioner annually.
3. Leaky Ducts
If your air conditioner is not running at full capacity, you may have a duct leakage. It can drain up to 40% of an air conditioner’s energy, which will cost you money. You can use mastic to coat the outside ducts. By fixing leaks, you could get a half-ton of extra air conditioner capacity.
4. Cleaning the Coils
You can use a spray to clean these thin metal pieces. You need to keep the coils clean because they help cool by creating condensation.
5. Purchase of a New Unit
Consider the climate in your home when you are looking for a new air conditioning unit. You should check the Energy Efficiency Rating to see how the system will perform in your climate. It’s possible that you need a dehumidifier. In drier climates, higher airflow will be better than lower.
In regions with high humidity, it may not be advisable to increase airflow. Doing so can lead to reduced dehumidification, resulting in the indoor humidity level remaining similar to the outside environment. Conversely, insufficient airflow can cause the evaporator to freeze and decrease overall performance, potentially damaging the compressor. It is recommended to invest in high-efficiency equipment that carries a SEER rating of 13.
6. Efficiencies Increased
Reduce the internal loads your air conditioner must deal with. Your air conditioner can be helped by making some changes in your home. You can improve the insulation of your home. You can shade your windows. When replacing your roof, choose the “cool” roofing to save energy and half a ton of cooling.
Use local exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to reduce heat and humidity. Buy Energy Star appliances for a more energy-efficient home. Shutting the interior door can make central AC systems malfunction, resulting in less airflow throughout the house. Keep doors open slightly to combat this.
7. Ventilation
The main role of your North Myrtle Beach air conditioner is to ventilate the home. The right ventilation will ensure that contaminants produced inside the home are removed. The level of ventilation should be such that the air in the house is changed every four hours.
Older homes, with walls and ducts that leak more often, may not require as much ventilation. New homes do not have the leaks and therefore require mechanical ventilation in order to reach the same level.
8. Condensers
The condensers outside your home should be given a minimum of one-foot clearance on each side. This means that there should be no invasive shrubs or trees which could interfere with the air intake. Install window units or condensers on the north and east sides of your house to shield them from direct sunlight.
It has been proven that direct sunlight on the condenser can reduce air conditioning performance by up to 10%. Consider getting a sun screen if you must place your condenser to the west or south.
9. Timers
A timer can help you avoid wasting energy on cooling an empty house. A programmable thermostat is all that’s needed to control the temperature of central units when you are away (e.g., warmer when you leave and cooler when home).
You may already have an adjustable thermostat and timer built into your window unit if it is a more recent model. You can purchase one in a home store for between $10 and $20. Do not turn off your system unless you are going on vacation. After a period of time, your air compressor will need to work harder to cool down your home.
10. Filters
The job of a filter is to collect the airborne particles. It actually performs better as it collects more dust particles. Once it reaches a certain level, however, it increases resistance and reduces airflow. It is cheaper to change a filter than remove the old one and let all the particles accumulate on the evaporator coil, causing it not to work.
How long your filter will last depends on the size of the filter and how dirty your air is. Filters that are too dirty can contribute to pollution. You can buy air cleaners and filters from us to ensure that your home air is as fresh as possible. Air cleaners reduce odors and operating costs, increase the efficiency of your home comfort system, and destroy harmful airborne pollutants.
With our air conditioning repair service, you will never again have to sweat or get sick at home. Each year, our expert air conditioning contractor undergoes over 100 hours in training to provide you with the service you deserve. We’ll make sure you get compensated if we don’t meet your expectations.
Call North Myrtle Beach Heating & Air today for all of your air conditioner replacement and repair needs!
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North Myrtle Beach Heating & Air
1001 2nd Ave N
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
843-399-3237
https://www.northmyrtlebeachheatingandair.com/
Serving: North Myrtle Beach, Barefoot Landing, Little River, Longs, Cherry Grove
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