Essential Fall AC Maintenance Tips for Homeowners in College Station

Essential Fall AC Maintenance Tips

Fall AC Maintenance Tips for College Station Homeowners

Everything changes in the Fall. The leaves change. The holidays approach rapidly. And the temperature drops.

These changes require switching the HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) system from COOL to HEAT and homeowners should make a few preparations to ensure the system is equipped for the winter weather to come.

Cleaning Tasks

Clean the condenser unit. Before the temperature drops too low, use a garden hose and clean the grass clippings and dust from the outdoor condenser coils. The condenser appears solid, but it is actually a network of tubes, with very thin fins. The network is designed to dissipate heat, but the gunk that collects on it hinders the transfer of heat. Cleaning the coils enhances the HVAC function for air conditioning and, for heat pumps, it also enhances the heating function.

Clean vents and registers. Warm (and cool) air is distributed throughout the home via ducts and the supply openings into the home space are called vents and the air returning to the HVAC system is called registered. Make sure that the openings remain uncovered and dust-free.

Change the air filter. Dust, pollen, dander, and other airborne particles collect on the air filter with every cycle. When sufficient dust accumulates on the filter, it clogs and restricts airflow. Make sure to change the filter at least every three months.

AC Maintenance CheckPoints

Change the thermostat batteries. The thermostat is the ON/OFF switch for the entire system, and it is powered by simple AA or AAA batteries. Should these batteries fail during a cold, winter night, the system shuts down. Change the batteries annually to make sure this does not happen.

Check ductwork. Most ducts are enclosed in the walls, in crawl spaces, or in the attic. Do an annual inspection of any portion of the ductwork that is visible, looking for gaps or leaks. Leaks seriously affect the efficiency of both heating and cooling functions.

Discover insulation gaps. The building envelope provides a moisture and thermal barrier above, around, and under the entire house. Use additional insulation, caulk, and weatherstripping to plug the gaps. The plugs will enhance the efficiency of the HVAC system.

Check the heat.

Get Professional Help

Schedule a preventative maintenance inspection. The HVAC system is a mechanical system that needs regular maintenance by a professional technician. Manufacturers and the US Department of Energy recommend annual maintenance. AC Maintenance tasks include checking electrical components, refrigerant pressure, motor function, natural gas combustion, and the exhaust pathway. Homeowners cannot care for this complex system without proper tools and training.

Examine the ducts. Dust will also collect inside both the supply and return ductwork; while it remains in the ducts, it can recirculate with every heating and cooling cycle. Ducts should be cleaned every 3 to 5 years. How long has it been since yours were cleaned?

Consider an energy audit. An energy audit uses specially designed instruments, utility bills, and an examination of the building envelope to determine the source of energy loss and inefficiency. A completed audit comes with recommendations for repairs and changes that will reduce energy costs and improve comfort year-round.

Keep Your Home and Family Comfortable with Routine AC Maintenance

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and our furnace maintenance services, schedule an appointment or visit our AC maintenance information page.

 

Furnace Maintenance: Staying Comfortable This Winter

Furnace Maintenance

Furnace Maintenance: Ways to Keep Your Home Comfortable

There is an enjoyable period in the Fall, a break between the long cooling season and the rather short heating season. Often, the pollen count and humidity are rather low and the temps are mild, so opening windows seems like an excellent idea. The outside can truly become an extension of the inside of your home.

This is also an excellent time to schedule a preventative maintenance check on the furnace before cold weather arrives. HVAC professionals frequently send out reminder calls to homeowners to maintain residential HVAC systems during the Spring and Fall, between the cooling and heating seasons for strategic reasons.

The extreme temperatures of the Summer heat and Winter cold create stress on HVAC systems, resulting in numerous repair calls. Spring and Fall give adequate time to maintain these crucial building systems and prepare them for the active heating or cooling season.

Furnace Maintenance Can Improve Indoor Air Quality

The V in HVAC stands for ventilation, a function not to be ignored. A very powerful blower motor simultaneously pushes and pulls air throughout the home and cleans it in the process. The air is filtered as it passes through the system; even the most basic filter removes over 85% of airborne particles. Some homeowners install ultraviolet lights inside the ductwork to neutralize organic contaminants—pollen, mold spores, bacteria, and viruses. Preventative maintenance includes changing the filter, checking UV lights, and offering advice on air quality issues.

Furnace maintenance will also include a thorough cleaning of the evaporator chamber. During the cooling season, this area is responsible for removing humidity from the air, so it is generally wet and can collect dust and debris. While it remains dry during the heating season, preventative maintenance will clean debris, rust, and any algae that might be growing in the cool, moist, dark space. Removing these contaminants will improve air quality during both the cooling and heating seasons.

Regular Furnace Maintenance Increases the System’s Lifespan

Maintenance cannot guarantee that an HVAC will not break or fail, but it is the best possible measure to avoid potential problems. Most HVAC problems begin with minor stresses and weaknesses; the key to avoiding major problems is to find these stresses early and replace or repair the problem part. Preventative maintenance checks on electrical, mechanical, and refrigerant components, identifying potential problems, and repairing them early.

Ignoring maintenance can lead to unexpected breakdowns at an inconvenient time, usually during an extremely cold snap.

Routine Furnace Maintenance Increase Energy Efficiency

A new HVAC system uses the latest technology to provide comfort and comfort, heating and cooling the air while freshening and cleaning it. All these functions are completed with the utmost efficiency with state-of-the-art technology. However, as the years pass, this efficiency fades, as electrical and mechanical parts age and experience wear. Without maintenance, components will work harder to complete the same tasks, which require more energy. At a certain stage, unmaintained HVAC systems will impact utility bills enough to be noticeable.

Regular maintenance catches some of these wear-caused inefficiencies and is identified during the preventative maintenance inspection. The homeowner is informed of the problem and will receive a recommendation for repair or replacement.

Eventually, the wear and inefficiency will combine to result in the news that the HVAC system needs to be replaced. Preventative furnace maintenance can prolong replacement, but not prevent it. Eventually, a major component will need to be replaced and the cost of replacement will approach a systemic replacement. However, regular preventative maintenance will keep the homeowner informed of the system’s status. Hopefully, this will give the homeowner a couple of years to prepare budget adjustments to fund the replacement.

Keep Your Home and Family Comfortable with Routine Furnace Maintenance

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and our furnace maintenance services, schedule an appointment or visit our furnace maintenance information page.

 

AC Repair College Station: My AC Quit…Help!

AC Repair College Station: My AC Quit...Help!

AC Repair College Station: Warning Signs Your AC is Not Functioning

It is late summer, and it seems that your air conditioner (AC) made it through another extended cooling season. This season might have been tough on your system, with new uncharacteristic sights and sounds, or unexpected problems that required a repair to keep going. Do these glitches indicate bigger problems or are they characteristic of an aging AC system? Here are some common AC problems and their most common diagnosis.

AC Repair College Station: Loss of Power

If the air conditioner does not come on at all, the system is most likely not getting power. The most common reason for this is not an AC problem, but an interruption of the power supply to the air conditioner.

  • First, check the electrical service panel to see whether the breaker is tripped, or the fuse is blown. There are several reasons why this might happen, so turn the breaker OFF and then ON again (or replace the fuse). If power is restored, the problem may have been solved. However, if the breaker continues to trip, a larger problem is in the making, requiring professional help.
  • The switch for an air conditioner is the thermostat; you’ll find it installed about head high on an inner wall. A problem with the thermostat can interrupt power to the AC, so check the faceplate of the thermostat. Thermostats are battery-powered, so if the plate is blank the batteries may need to be replaced. Also, check to make sure no one has bumped the temperature setting too high.

AC Repair College Station: Plenty of Air, No Cold

If the AC system runs and pushes abundant air into the home, but alas, it is all warm air, this requires lots of investigation.

  • Check the air filter. If the filter is clogged, it can restrict sufficient airflow to prevent the air conditioner from cooling the air moving through it. Replace the filter and see if this solves the problem.
  • Every other possible solution will require professional equipment and training. Common problems include the loss of refrigerant or electrical problems, but whether the solutions are affordable or not will need to be discovered.

AC Repair College Station: Low Airflow

If the AC system runs and pushes cool air but pushes insufficient cool air to impact indoor air temperature, there are several possible solutions.

  • Check that pesky air filter for this problem as well. A clogged filter can restrict airflow.
  • Check the supply ducts that you can see for possible leaks or breaks. A leak means that the blower motor is blowing your cool air into the attic, basement, or outdoors.
  • The blower motor might also be failing.

If there is no obvious solution—replacing the air filter or repairing a duct leak—a technician will need to do further investigation.

AC Repair College Station: Strange Sounds and Smells

Normally, the AC is pretty quiet, just “background noise” to family life. When suddenly the air conditioner becomes noticeable, either from unusually loud noises or unusual smells, these problems need to be addressed.

  • There is only one moving part in the AC system—the blower motor. Sounds coming from the blower motor generally include loud thumping or grinding; imagine a loose fan blade hitting something or friction from a failing bearing on the shaft of the fan.
  • Most ductwork is made of sheet metal. Damage to a duct can also create a bump as the cooling cycle begins and ends.
  • Smells associated with the air conditioner are usually a burning smell from an electrical problem or a musty smell from humidity issues.

Unusual sounds and smells need to be investigated by a repair technician with experience and training to find AC problems. An investigation will uncover whether the system needs repair or replacement.

AC on the Fritz? Call the AC Repair College Station: Experts at RM Mullinix

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and our AC Repair College Station services, schedule an appointment or visit our AC maintenance information page.

 

Common Types of HVAC Systems

Common Types of HVAC Systems

A Homeowners Guide to the Common Types of HVAC Systems

Modern homeowners know what they want when it comes to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning HVAC Systems.

  • Some families focus on comfort in the background, like plumbing and electrical systems.
  • Some families have specific health needs, and their HVAC must provide the best indoor air quality possible.
  • Some families need a quality HVAC, but affordability is vitally important since the family budget is very tight.

One of the great benefits of this industry is the variety of systems available to homeowners who need to install a new system or replace a failing existing system. Below are a few of the options available to homeowners in the current market.

Packaged HVAC Systems

This is the most common system in the South: 93% of homes have a central heat/air system in a coordinated set of components.

  • This system became popular during the 1960s and is a very efficient approach to both heat and cool spaces.
  • A central cabinet houses both heating and cooling equipment along with a very powerful blower motor.
  • The blower motor moves air through a network of ducts, connecting all the spaces of the home. This air movement can move heated or cooled air or operate as a fan to mix fresh air.
  • An outdoor unit facilitates the cooling function, and in some systems, it also serves as the primary heater.

Packaged systems are efficient combination systems with enough versatility to make them attractive. However, it is much harder to create zones for customized comfort preferences; the entire space uses one thermostat to control large spaces.

A variation of this type of system is a zoned dual-packaged system. Two or more combination heating and cooling packages service different areas of the same space. An example might be a system to service the first story and a separate system to service the second story.

Mini-split HVAC Systems Options

The second most popular HVAC system is portable/temporary units that service single rooms or small spaces.

A new design, originating in Japan, is beginning to draw attention in the US, especially when homeowners remodel old homes or have spaces that are difficult to condition using traditional packaged systems. Mini-split systems are ductless, efficient, and very versatile.

  • The outdoor portion of the mini-split system is very similar to packaged system condenser units. But, instead of pushing refrigerant gas to a central air cabinet, the refrigerant is pushed to smaller air handler units mounted on the wall in each room.
  • Some mini-split systems use heat pump technology during the winter; the same components used during the cooling season provide adequate heat during the winter—especially in the deep South. Some mini-split systems have small furnaces in each space that connect to the same wall-mounted air handler.
  • One thermostat controls both the heating and cooling functions. However, each room is zoned separately and can be set to individualized comfort preferences.

Mini-split HVAC systems often cost a little more, and each component needs to be serviced regularly, just like packaged systems.

Of course, portable heating and air conditioning options remain. It is best to remove window air conditioners during the winter and prepare them for storage. Indoor portable air conditioners must be connected to the outdoors (to release heat outside during heat transfer and to allow the humidity to drain away. Using electric heaters indoors must be done with the utmost diligence to prevent a damaging and deadly fire. (Never use natural gas or propane space heaters without adequate ventilation of the exhaust.)

Need Help Deciding on Which HVAC Systems to Install – Call RM Mullinix

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and our HVAC Systems services, schedule an appointment or visit our AC maintenance information page.

 

AC Maintenance College Station: AC Filter 101

AC Maintenance College Station: AC Filter 101

AC Maintenance College Station: The Importance of Your HVAC Filter

The first suggestion on HVAC blogs is to change the air filter regularly. The first task during an AC Maintenance College Station visit is to check and replace the air filter. The US Department of Energy recommends changing the air filter for energy efficiency. 1

The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends changing the air filter to improve indoor air quality.2 If changing the air filter is so important, perhaps it is best to know more about HVAC air filters.

Is a Filter Necessary?

Both outdoor and indoor air contains many unseen airborne particles, including pollen, mold spores, dust, bacteria, and viruses. Since homes are sealed to outdoor temperatures, the concentration of these particles is much higher indoors, often 3 to 5 times higher than outdoor air. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) includes a highly effective air filter to clean these particles from the home.

How Filters Work

Most air filters are made of fibrous material with overlapping layers; openings between the fibers allow air to flow through the filter, but the particles are captured in the fiber layers. The size of the opening determines how much air is allowed to pass and the size of the particles that will be captured.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers test and rate HVAC air filters, using the Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV). MERV ratings range from 1 to 20. The efficiency is determined by the percentage of particles of a certain size being captured by the filter.

It might seem appropriate to buy the filter with the highest MERV rating, but residential HVAC systems are not equipped to draw air through filters with extremely small openings. Filters with ratings 14 through 20 are considered high-efficiency particulate air filters, used for clean rooms, laboratory, and hospital settings. The HVAC systems that can use these filters have enhanced blower motors to compensate for the small openings. Filters with ratings between 8 to 13 are more appropriate for residential systems.

What Typically Goes Wrong?

Air filters are very efficient at removing airborne particles, so efficient that the particles eventually clog the filter.

A clogged filter restricts airflow and causes several problems at once:

  • The air passing through the filter enters the evaporator chamber, where it is cooled and dehumidified. These functions are hampered by a clogged filter.
  • The blower motor must work much harder to force the clogged filter. The stress this causes can cascade to other components. This stress weakens the entire system.
  • Clogged filters interrupt the function of the system—heating, cooling, dehumidification, and ventilation. Everyone in the home will notice the loss of performance of the HVAC system.

Finding a Solution

Since filters are so efficient, they need to be changed regularly; the guideline for typical homes is every three months.

  • Since this task cannot be ignored, schedule calendar prompts to remind you each quarter.
  • Locate the filter, often found near the base of the indoor cabinet. Remove the filter, replace it with a new filter, and dispose of the old one. (Notice the collection of particles on the filter.)

Each home and family is unique. The environs of some homes contain excessive concentrations of airborne particles, such as near a major highway or dusty road. Some family members have health concerns that require enhanced indoor air quality, such as severe allergies, asthma, or other breathing illnesses. In these situations, changing the air filter more often might be advantageous.

Finding the Appropriate Filters

  • Consult with your HVAC professional to determine the best MERV rating for your system; this can vary with brand, size, and blower motor specifications.
  • Find a supplier for your specific filter and acquire an adequate supply.

AC Maintenance College Station – Call RM Mullinix

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and our AC Maintenance College Station services, schedule an appointment or visit our AC maintenance information page.

1 https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/maintaining-your-air-conditioner#:~:text=Clean%20or%20replace%20your%20air,bearing%20pets%20in%20the%20house

2  https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/improving-your-indoor-environment

 

Ductless HVAC System Installation

Ductless HVAC System

How and Where to Install Your Ductless HVAC System

“The right tool for the right job!” is an old adage that becomes more real with the advancement of new technology.

  • It is possible to remove lug nuts with a hand wrench and a cheater bar.
  • It is easy to remove lug nuts with a lug wrench correctly sized for your vehicle.
  • It is easier still to remove lug nuts with an impact wrench and a supply of compressed air.

Each set of tools CAN do the job, but completing the tasks becomes easier with better tools.

The most common “tool” in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning toolbox is a central HVAC system. Ninety-seven percent of new homes (100% in the South) have air conditioning and 88% of those use central systems, so it is the most common solution. However, there are a few Ductless HVAC System installation exceptions to the rule:

  • Small new structures where indoor space is unavailable for a central system.
  • Home additions or remodeled garages that need air conditioning, but the additional space would tax the existing HVAC system.
  • Small detached buildings
  • Existing structures with incredibly long duct runs create hot spots that are difficult to heat or cool.
  • Existing vintage homes that were constructed without central heat or air conditioning.

A cost-effective Ductless HVAC System solution for some of these exceptions might be a ductless mini-split HVAC system.

What’s the difference?

  • A traditional central HVAC system is comprised of an outdoor condenser unit, a large, indoor cabinet that houses the evaporator coil and a very powerful blower motor, a network of ducts carrying air to and from every room in the home, and (typically) one switch or thermostat that controls the room temperature for the entire house.
  • A ductless system consists of an outdoor condenser unit, a network of tubes on the outside of the structure that is connected to individual room air handlers (these take the place of the central cabinet with the big blower motor), and individual room switches or thermostats.

Each room can be heated/cooled as a separate zone from every other room.

What will you see with a Ductless HVAC System?

  • The condenser unit is not unlike those used with central air units. It might be installed on a concrete pad located central to the rooms it services. It might be installed on an elevated shelf attached to the side of the home, depending on the setting.
  • Individual room air handlers are typically mounted about six feet high on an exterior wall. This makes it easy to connect to the refrigerant tubes coming from the condenser unit. The air handler is approximately 32” x 12” x 9.” With a small fan, they are very quiet. Cool air moves very efficiently throughout the room.
  • Each air handler will have a thermostat attached to an interior wall away from sunlight and away from lights or other heat-producing devices.

A central cabinet is not required. Demolishing and remodeling to install ductwork is not required. A different temperature setting can be used in each room, providing individualized comfort. Mini-split systems have comparable SEER or energy-efficiency ratings as central HVAC systems. A Ductless HVAC System functions as a heat pump and can keep spaces cozy and warm during the winter.

Mini-split systems are not the right tool for every job, but if your HVAC needs are unusual and difficult, consult with your HVAC professional concerning whether this solution might be “just right.”

Ductless HVAC Systems College Station – Call RM Mullinix

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and our Ductless AC Systems College Station services, schedule an appointment or visit our Ductless HVAC Systems College Station information page.

 

Ductless AC Systems College Station

Ductless AC Systems College Station

Ductless AC Systems Installation Guide

Some residential applications just don’t fit the normal central air conditioning system applications or home additions that will not connect well to an existing system. Ductless AC Systems College Station are a great option and here is why:

  • Older homes without central air conditioning that have been making do with room window units.
  • Room additions or garage remodels that make an existing system undersized.
  • Trouble spots at the end of long duct runs that are always uncomfortable.

A mini-split ductless air conditioning system might be a perfect solution for problem spaces.

Compare Central Air to Ductless AC Systems

Central air conditioners are the primary residential air conditioner application across the nation. They consist of:

  • An outdoor condenser unit connected to the indoor cabinet by tubes containing refrigerant.
  • Ductwork running from the indoor cabinet to each room in the home.
  • Return air ducts that bring the warm air back to the central cabinet.

This system removes heat (cooling the indoor space), cleans and moves the air, and removes humidity.

Ductless AC Systems are relatively new to the US housing market. Ductless AC Systems consist of:

  • An outdoor condenser unit connected directly to rooms and spaces being cooled by tubes containing refrigerant.
  • Small, room-sized air handlers, and no ducts.

This system also removes heat, cleans and moves the air, and removes humidity.

The two major differences are the mini-split system has no central cabinet and no duct system. If central air conditioning was installed in a home from the beginning, replacing the air conditioner and furnace with new versions would make economic sense in most situations.

But if a home started without a central air system, the mini-split ductless system saves the expense of making room for a central cabinet and demolition to install ductwork behind finished walls. A problem hotspot or remodel might be inaccessible to an existing central air system. Mini-split systems might be a good alternative.

Here is what a mini-split installation might look like in your home.

Locating the Condenser Unit for Ductless AC Systems

The outdoor portion of the air conditioner is called a condenser unit. A major function is the cooling of refrigerant after it picks up heat from inside the home, so it needs to have adequate air movement on all sides.

  • The condenser may be installed on a concrete pad, elevated to a shelf on the side of the home, or as a rooftop unit. In any of these applications, 2 to 3 feet of space needs to surround the unit.
  • The condenser should not be placed in direct sunlight if possible, since this reduces air conditioner efficiency.
  • The installation should be central to the area being served, keeping the refrigerant tubes under 150 feet if possible. Beyond this distance, refrigerant efficiency is lost.

Locating the Air Handler Units for Ductless AC Systems

  • The air handler must be installed on an exterior wall, as close to the condenser unit as possible. An opening is made in the wall for refrigerant tubes and drain lines (carrying the humidity removed from the air outside).
  • The air handler can be placed at any height, from floor to ceiling, but placement at about 5 to 6 feet from the floor is advantageous. The blower can more easily distribute the fresh, cool air throughout the room from this height. The air handler will also need to be accessible for maintenance and air filter replacement.
  • Some wall features may hamper adequate performance, such as large windows or heat-producing appliances—hot lights or large television screens. Install the air handler as far away from these features as possible.
  • Each air handler will have a separate thermostat, which must be placed out of direct sunlight on an interior wall. This, too, must be placed away from heat-producing appliances.

Mini-split ductless air conditioning systems need the same regular professional maintenance and air filter changes as central air conditioning systems.

Ductless AC Systems College Station – Call RM Mullinix

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and our Ductless AC Systems College Station services, schedule an appointment or visit our Ductless AC Systems College Station information page.

 

AC Maintenance College Station

AC Maintenance College Station

AC Maintenance College Station Tips for Homeowners

Annual preventative maintenance for your air conditioner system serves the same purpose as an oil/filter change and tire rotation for your vehicle. Without these services, dirty pollutants would interfere with the function, causing energy inefficiency and poor performance. Ignoring tire maintenance leads to uneven wear and shortens usefulness.

Regular AC maintenance College Station of your air conditioner is beneficial beyond poor performance and premature failure (although these are significant benefits.)

  • A new air conditioner system will run at peak performance for a while, but time and contaminants “gum up the works.” Efficiency begins to decline since the system will work harder to keep the home cool and comfortable. Increased workload results in increased energy costs and higher bills. Maintenance helps restore the system closer to the original performance standard.
  • Poor performance will be noticeable by inconsistent or poor comfort levels in the home. The heat and humidity can both be higher than is normally comfortable. This often results in family members lowering the temperature setting, putting stress on the system without the desired results.
  • A poorly maintained system is more likely to experience unexpected problems and failure. Initially, the repairs might not be expensive, but the discomfort and inconvenience of being without air conditioning for a few days or an entire week is quite unpleasant.

Regular AC maintenance can avoid many of these problems.

What needs to be maintained?

  1. The filter needs to be changed regularly, at least once every three months. It is surprising how many homeowners neglect this simple task.
  2. The thermostat is the ON/OFF switch for the air conditioner. It is battery-powered, and we replace the batteries. Occasionally, the thermostat needs to be tested and recalibrated.
  3. The AC system has a small computer—a circuit board—and maintenance tasks include troubleshooting the board for errors and faults.
  4. The blower motor has the only moving parts in the whole system. The blower assembly will be tested, cleaned, lubricated, and the belt replaced, as needed.
  5. The several sensors, switches, and control mechanisms needed to be tested for weakness and failure. An electrical failure tends to put stress on other parts until a cascade of failures occurs; testing catches problems early. Visual inspections will uncover potential loose wiring connections.
  6. The refrigerant pressure will be tested. Air conditioning systems use a refrigerant, which changes between liquid and gas depending on the temperature. The refrigerant is in a closed loop and must be kept at a very particular pressure; when the pressure drops, it ceases to cool properly.
  7. Inside the central air cabinet is an A-shaped coil of tubes. The refrigerant is cold while in these tubes, so humidity in the air condenses and drops to a drain pan below. This area is thoroughly cleaned to make sure the water does not leak onto the floor.
  8. The motor that compresses the refrigerant is located outdoors in the condenser unit. It is crucial to the system, so its performance will be thoroughly checked.
  9. The exterior of the condenser unit is a hollow network of cooling tubes with a huge fan inside. The fan pulls air through the tubes to cool the hot refrigerant. It also pulls in dust, pollen, and anything else that gets too close. Maintenance includes thoroughly cleaning the condenser coil to ensure the fan can cool the gas in the tubes.
  10. Not all the ductwork will be visible, but a technician will make a visual inspection of everything within sight, including interior vents.
  11. After all the components are tested, inspected, and tweaked, maintenance will be finalized through a performance test. This includes measuring temperature changes during the cooling cycle.

AC maintenance College Station – Call RM Mullinix

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and our AC maintenance College Station services, schedule an appointment or visit our AC maintenance College Station information page.

 

Cut Your AC Repair Costs This Summer

College Station AC Repair

College Station AC Repair – How to Reduce Potential AC Repair Costs

Yes, indeed, it is summertime. If you ever forget, just step outside for a few minutes and you will notice the heat and humidity immediately. For the next few months, your air conditioner and you will fight a battle, with heat, humidity, and solar gain. You heard that right—you contribute to reducing summertime discomfort. Here is how:

Enjoy the sun, but enjoy it early and late, not during the heat of the day.

  • Locate the south side of the house—it is probably quite evident.
  • The windows and glass doors on the south side should have blinds and/or drapes that block the sun and heat.
  • Open these window treatments until about 9 am and close them until after 4 pm.

The heat that enters your home directly from sunlight is called “solar gain.” Leaving these window treatments open can raise the temperature in the home by 10 degrees, requiring the thermostat to call for cooling several times more per day.

Stay dry inside as much as possible.

  • Hot, steamy showers are not as beneficial during the summer months.
  • Use bathroom exhaust fans during and immediately after a shower, but don’t run them for long. As the fan pushes air out, it is drawing humid air in at the same time.

A healthy relative humidity indoors is between 40% and 60% while the outdoor humidity rises above 90%. Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible when the humidity is high.

Mix the air with ceiling fans. From elementary school science, we know hot air rises, which is also true indoors.

  • Indoor air tends to layer, with the hot air staying high and the cooler air dropping low.
  • Humid air also tends to layer, with heavy, moist air dropping low and dryer air rising.
  • Ceiling fans blend the air, allowing the air conditioner to cool and dehumidify all of the air in the home.

Change the ceiling fan rotation to counterclockwise and set it to slow. This pushes air down gently and mixes it thoroughly. It is a good idea to keep ceiling fans running on low, even when the house is unoccupied since the ceiling fan uses very little energy.

Learn to program the thermostat for enhanced comfort and energy savings.

  • Most thermostats are programmable, all but the very old ones. It only takes a few minutes to learn how to schedule temperature changes.
  • The body temperature drops while we sleep, so the temp could be raised while the family sleeps with no loss in comfort.
  • It is a good savings practice to raise the temperature during the day if the home is unoccupied.
  • Experiment in a temperature range of between 5 and 8 degrees. Program normal cooling about 30 minutes before everyone arises or arrives home.

Eight hours per day of this range difference will be noticeable on the energy bill.

Take care of the air conditioner inside and out with annual maintenance cleaning and inspection. Three major components provide air conditioning function, and they all need service.

  • The condenser, the outdoor portion of the air conditioner, collects dust, grass clippings, and leaves, which need to be cleaned away.
  • The evaporator coil on the inside collects moisture from the air and lets it fall into a drain. Ignoring this part can leave a leaky mess.
  • The blower motor draws a tremendous volume of air from the house and recirculates it back into the house. This is the only moving part of the system and needs to be serviced regularly.

Of course, you also have the responsibility for changing the air filter regularly—every three months is good for most homes.

College Station AC Repair – Call RM Mullinix

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and our College Station AC Repair services, schedule an appointment or visit our HVAC maintenance information page.

Simple Steps to Improve AC Efficiency

AC Efficiency

Improving Your AC Efficiency with These Simple Tasks

For the next 4 or 5 months, air conditioners will run at regular intervals to make homes safe and comfortable. On most days, the system will function adequately. But there will be days of extreme heat and humidity that might lead one to wish that the air conditioner cooling output was a little better or a little faster. If the system is well-maintained and performing as designed, there might be human actions that impact the function of the air conditioner system. Consider these actions.

AC Efficiency: Understanding Air Volume

Air conditioning requires massive amounts of air movement, both inside and outside. For this discussion, we will only consider the air movement inside.

For every ton of air conditioning, a blower motor must move 400 cubic feet per minute (CFM); a three-ton unit will need to move 1200 CFM. That means that every two minutes, statistically, the entire volume of a 2400-square-foot home will move through the evaporator chamber and come into contact with cold coils before returning to the home. Anything that slows or blocks the free movement of air hinders the cooling process.

AC Efficiency: Potential Hindrances of Air Movement

  • Air Filters. The air moves rapidly through an air filter, usually less than 2’ square. Dust and airborne pollutants collect on the filter and after a few months, the collection will begin to slow air movement. The filter should be changed at least every three months.
  • Return Vents. Each story of a home should have at least one return vent installed about 6 feet up on the wall. The blower motor pulls hot air from the home through these vents and directly into the cooling process. Of course, if anything blocks these vents, it will severely restrict air movement. Keep drapes and wall hangings 6 to 12 inches away from these vents.
  • Supply vents. The blower motor delivers cool air to the home via floor or low-wall-mounted supply vents. If furniture, rugs, or clothes cover a supply vent, not only does it prevent cool air from entering the space, but the static air pressure in the vents increases. That allows cool air to find even the smallest flaw in the ductwork, pushing the valuable cooled air outdoors. Keep obstacles at least 6 to 12 inches away from supply vents.

AC Efficiency: The Duct Network

A system of ducts carries a massive volume of air from the home to the evaporator chamber and back to the home.

  • The air moving through the ductwork is under pressure. Air will be pushed out of any leak or opening in the network, usually into the attic, garage, or crawlspace under the home.
  • Any ductwork installed in unconditioned space should be insulated to prevent the air inside from heating.
  • Even insulated ducts that carry air to the far reaches of a home will gain heat on its journey.
  • Dust and particles will eventually collect inside the ducts. They should be cleaned as needed; a healthy recommendation is every 3 to 5 years.

AC Efficiency: Battling Heat

The ductwork is the first place where the cool air can encounter heat and lose its effectiveness.

  • The insulation in a home is designed to SLOW the transfer of heat—from outside to inside in the summer and inside to outside in the winter. On a cool day, stick your head into the attic and check the depth of insulation. It should be at least 12 inches deep.
  • Openings around doors and windows can also develop gaps, allowing air to be forced out with each cooling cycle. Caulking will fill the gaps and prevent air from flowing out the window.
  • Close window treatments during the heat of the day on the south and west sides of the house. Solar gain can increase indoor temperatures by as much as 10 degrees.
  • Don’t add to the problem if you can help it. Use heat-producing appliances less and later in the day when outdoor temperatures have dropped.

Want to Improve Your AC Efficiency, Call Us Today!

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and ways to improve your AC efficiency, schedule an appointment or visit our HVAC maintenance information page.