Posted on

HVAC Repairs: Why is my furnace not coming on?

HVAC Repairs: Why is my furnace not coming on?

HVAC Repairs: What to do if your furnace won’t turn on

If you wake up in a cold house one cold winter morning, you might experience a lot of shock and panic. This is not supposed to happen! If this happens to you, take a few deep breaths, and begin to think logically and efficiently. Look for the obvious things before you call for the repair technician. What should you do next?

If the furnace is not running, look for some obvious issues.

  • Check the thermostat. Is the screen blank? Most thermostats are battery-powered; the battery might have died. Make sure it was not bumped to the OFF position. Check the Heat/Cool setting and the thermostat setting. Any of these problems might result in the furnace not working.
  • Check the electric service panel to see whether the breaker marked Furnace or HVAC has tripped. If the circuit breaker has tripped, flip it on. If the furnace comes on and stays on, great job! If the circuit breaker does not remain on, call a repair technician.
  • If the circuit breaker stays on, but the furnace does not come on, check the furnace cabinet for an appliance circuit breaker. If this breaker does not stay on, call a repair technician.
  • If the furnace is gas-powered, check the supply valve near the burner assembly. The valve should be in line with the supply tube. If not, turn the valve to the on position and watch whether the burner assembly ignites.

These simple HVAC Repairs steps might make your home warm again.

If the furnace is running but not producing heat, again, look for more obvious issues.

  • Check the thermostat settings for this problem as well; the temperature setting might have been bumped down.
  • Check the air filter. A clogged air filter can severely restrict air movement. If heat is produced by either the heating element or the burner assembly, but not enough airflow is available to move the heat, the home will be cold.
  • Also, check the burner assembly. If the pilot light is not lit or the automatic ignition is malfunctioning, heat will be wanting.
  • For heat pumps, it is essential to keep the condenser coil clean. The timing might be all wrong, but the solution might be outside in the cold.
  • If rooms are unevenly heated, check the supply vents. It is not unusual for vents to be covered by furniture, drapes, clothes, or even toys.

If the solution is not obvious, calling an HVAC Repairs technician will be necessary.

When your family is cold and uncertain of when they will get warm, any delay seems like an eternity. If your problem happens during extremely cold weather, finding a technician with an empty schedule might be difficult. Again, don’t panic, but take your time.

Better yet, it is best to know a professional technician team in advance of emergencies. HVAC systems need to be inspected, cleaned, and serviced regularly to ensure peak performance. By scheduling an annual visit from a trained technician, someone will be very familiar with your system. Regular cleaning and HVAC Repairs will prevent problems from developing earlier. A professional relationship might increase the urgency and reduce the wait time.

If you have HVAC Repairs, R.M. Mullinix can help!

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and our HVAC Repairs service, schedule an appointment or visit our HVAC maintenance information page.

Posted on

Commercial HVAC – Life Expectancy

Commercial HVAC – Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy of a Commercial HVAC

As a homeowner, you may have a fair knowledge of your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioner system (HVAC). Hopefully, you also keep up with the annual HVAC maintenance, wash the grass clippings off the outdoor condenser unit, and change the air filter every three months. But, if you are a commercial facility owner or manager, you might not have adequate understanding to properly care for a commercial HVAC system.

This depends upon the size of the building and the complexity of the HVAC system. Smaller offices or commercial shops may use a slightly larger version of a residential system, adding an enhanced blower motor for improved ventilation. But, if your facility is larger, expect the system to be much larger and more complex. Here are a few things to explore about commercial HVAC systems.

Size and Location. Residential systems are relatively small and can be housed in an out-of-the-way closet, with a small pad outdoors for the condenser unit. However, larger systems may require enough space for the components to be installed on a rooftop or larger outdoor pads. Still, larger systems require whole mechanical rooms for air handlers and other equipment.

Multiple locations. Large facilities may require spaces in various locations to ensure and might be scattered throughout a building. Completing maintenance tasks as simple as changing air filters may require a small hike and a dolly to carry supplies.

Drainage. A large air conditioner removes a tremendous amount of humidity from the air, and this water must drain away, or it will leak into the surrounding space. Maintenance of the drain lines will prevent significant water damage and must be completed regularly.

Diverse Technology. While residential systems are generally either electric or natural gas, commercial systems may utilize a wide range of technologies.

  • Mini-split ductless systems bring refrigerant gas (responsible for heating and cooling) to various zones throughout a building. The heating and cooling process happens in a remote, outdoor location.
  • Packaged systems encapsulate heating and cooling components in one outdoor location and duct the conditioned air to appropriate spaces.
  • Some large HVAC systems are directly tied to fire protection systems, shutting down ventilation to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
  • Very large spaces often use chiller technology. Chiller technology, either air-cooled or water-cooled, conditions and cools massive amounts of air for large spaces.
  • Variable refrigerant flow technology is a new technology available for commercial systems. Like mini-split systems, the refrigerant is applied to zones with different pressures as needed.

Since commercial HVAC systems are very different from most things we are familiar with, partnering with a commercial HVAC contractor is essential. A contractor can begin an annual inspection and maintenance program right away. A contractor will understand the technology, the maintenance requirements, and the longevity expectations of your existing system. A contractor is trained and prepared to handle minor and major repairs, including emergency repairs during extreme temperature swings. A contractor can advise concerning replacement options and potential upgrades to a new HVAC system.

If you have Commercial HVAC questions, R.M. Mullinix has the Answers!

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

Posted on

Furnace Maintenance Tips for this Winter

Furnace Maintenance

Furnace Maintenance Tips for this Winter

Manufacturers and the U.S. Department of Energy both recognize the necessity of regular maintenance of residential HVAC systems. Focus on maintenance increases at the beginning of the cooling and heating seasons and for good reason. When the temperature gets extreme, HVAC systems come under stress and develop problems that require repairs. Maintenance is best accomplished while the temperatures are still mild, and the repair schedule has openings.

Furnace systems come in three basic configurations: mini-split systems, all-electric systems, and gas-powered systems. Some maintenance tasks must be completed on all three styles of furnaces, but gas-powered systems require a few additional tasks. Let’s look a little closer at these tasks.

Common Furnace Maintenance Tasks

  • Dust and dirt are the natural enemies of every mechanical system, so cleaning these systems is essential. Dust interferes with movement and the function of sensors. Technicians receive specialized training to know where and how to open system structures for safe cleaning.
  • Electronic Testing. The wiring in a furnace might carry 14 volts or it might carry 220 volts, so testing electrical components can be rather daunting. Sensors measure high and low temperatures and send messages to control mechanisms that govern even other functions.

Testing these electronics is essential. They are very integrated, so trouble in one part is easily transferred to one or more parts. Inspection and testing can find the initial problem before it spreads.

  • Inspecting Ductwork. Only a small part of the home’s ductwork is visible, but it is important to complete an inspection of the visible ductwork. Air is forced through these ducts, so sealing cracks or holes will reduce the amount of air lost from the heating cycle.
  • Investigating the Thermostat. Most thermostats require power from batteries and the batteries will need to be changed regularly. Some thermostats also require recalibration occasionally.
  • Changing the Filter. This should be a familiar task—hopefully, you are also changing filters at least every three months.

Unique Furnace Maintenance Tasks for Gas-powered Systems

  • Inspecting the Supply Line. A technician will map the supply line that brings natural gas to the furnace and inspect the tubing for corrosion. The shut-off valve must turn freely during an emergency.
  • Observe the Flame. When natural gas combusts completely, the flame should burn blue. The products of complete combustion are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor. When the combustion does not receive enough oxygen—incomplete combustion—the flame will be primarily yellow and the products are carbon (soot), carbon monoxide (CO) and water vapor. The burner should produce a blue flame to function efficiently.
  • Cleaning the Combustion Chamber. The sensors that govern gas flow/combustion are very sensitive (thankfully), but they are easily affected by soot and dirt. The water vapor produces rust on the burner assembly, which must be cleaned away. Should the rust compromise the burner, the burner will need to be replaced.
  • Careful Inspection of the Heat Exchanger. The heat produced by the flame cannot move directly into the home—remember the CO2 and CO? The hot air enters a maze of tubes surrounded by a heat collection chamber and this hot air is delivered to the home. This heat exchanger chamber must be carefully inspected to ensure the water vapor does not compromise the walls.
  • Cleaning the Vent Stack. Eventually, the combustion exhaust must exit the building and be vented outdoors. The technician will make sure water vapor has not corroded a hole through the vent walls, which would allow the exhaust to enter the home. In addition, various wildlife love to find entrance into small spaces to build homes, which would prevent the gas from exiting. Neither of these lead to good results.

A thorough maintenance inspection of your furnace system will help your system to run efficiently, make your home comfortable, and avoid hazardous situations.

If you have Furnace Maintenance Questions, R.M. Mullinix has the Answers.

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

 

Posted on

3 Heater Repair Indicators Brought on By Winter 

Heater Repair

Don’t let Heater Repair Catch You by Surprise this Winter 

The first Fall weather indicator is a little nip in the air, accompanied by a wind from the northwest. In the beginning stages, a few days require both AC and furnace in a single day, but after a few weeks of adjustment, the cooling season ends, and the heating season begins. During this adjustment period, use your senses to discern if and when your heating system needs to be repaired. Here are a few pieces of sensory information to help you decide whether a heater repair is required or not.

Different Smells

During the cooling season, it is important to detect musty or moldy type smells. The air conditioning process should remove significant humidity from the air and if the condensation does not drain properly, it can lead to air quality problems. But during the heating season, be aware of a different set of potential odors.

  • Electric furnaces give off a burning odor upon the initial call for heat; that is the dust burning off the heating elements. Any burning or “hot plastic” odors are not normal smells and indicate trouble. These smells might be intermittent and hard to locate but be persistent until you find the issue.
  • Any musty smell during the heating season is also unusual. It might indicate a leak in the ductwork, pulling in air from a crawlspace or attic.
  • If your heating system is gas-powered, it is essential that you install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors. This byproduct of combustion is odorless and deadly, so protect your family with adequate detectors.

Different Sounds

Most noises that emanate from your HVAC system will be mirrored between the heating and cooling seasons. We are accustomed to the “background noises” of life and typical noises from your system include the sound of your blower motor pushing air around the house and the noise of the outdoor condenser unit. Unusual noises that should catch your attention include:

  • Screeching or grinding noises. There is only one moving component in your HVAC—the blower motor, located in the central cabinet of your system. Expect this noise to get louder and more persistent if ignored. This will require a repair.
  • Banging or thumping noises. As a large volume of air is pushed through your ductwork, any loose piece of sheet metal will bang or thump while the blower motor is cycled ON. Locating the noise will be very helpful for the repair technician.
  • Buzzing or loud humming. When an electrical switch or controller is ready to fail, it often buzzes louder than normal.
  • When the ignition system for gas-powered furnaces needs attention, you might hear a “false start” popping noise, similar to a soft misfire on an automobile.

Unusual Feelings

Trust your instincts concerning how your heating system “feels.” If something does not seem right, but is hard to define, be proactive and ask for a heater repair technician.

  • During the cooling season, moist, sticky, humid air indicates a problem. If your home is too dry, it does not necessarily indicate a problem. It may indicate the need for a humidifier to make your home comfortable and healthy.
  • Too hot. If your home is consistently hotter than the thermostat setting, it may result from solar gain. You can help by closing drapes or blinds. However, it may indicate a problem with the thermostat.
  • Too cold. If your home is consistently too cold many factors might be involved. A clogged air filter or covered supply vent might be an easy fix. If an easy fix is not evident, it is time to call a technician.

A good time to ask questions about things like unusual smells or noises is during an annual preventative maintenance visit.

If you have Heater Repair Questions, R.M. Mullinix has the Answers.

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

 

Posted on

7 HVAC Maintenance Tips to Reduce Repair Costs

hvac maintenance

HVAC Maintenance to Reduce Repairs and Breakdowns

With the beginning of Fall, everyone celebrates the relief from the intense heat of this last summer and welcomes cooler temperatures. However, it won’t be long before temps continue to drop, and this will begin the heating season for the next few months. Next, you remember how long it has been since the heating system was last used; it surely deserves a little loving care in the form of a preventative maintenance visit.

Many homeowners have ignored HVAC maintenance over many years and experienced unhappy results. Here is what a homeowner can expect from overlooking maintenance.

  1. Expect indoor air quality to suffer. During winter months, we bundle up inside for warmth and keep the home buttoned up tight. While this increases comfort, it also concentrates airborne pollutants and compromises the health of occupants. The air filter needs to be changed regularly and the ventilation ducts cleaned as needed. Ignoring these maintenance tasks can lead to allergies and irritation of the nose, eyes, and throat of our family members.
  2. The gas supply portion of the furnaces needs to be inspected and tested to ensure the safe use of natural gas in the home. If the gas supply was shut off during the summer months and is now turned on, an inspection is very advisable for safety reasons. The ignition system can be particularly troublesome, especially at the beginning of the heating season.
  3. The exhaust system for a gas furnace needs to be inspected regularly to prevent infiltration of carbon monoxide into the home. This colorless, odorless gas is toxic and can lead to asphyxiation.
  4. An unmaintained furnace will lose efficiency, resulting in less comfort; expect spaces furthest from the furnace to be uncomfortably cool.
  5. An inefficient furnace results in higher energy bills and the bill continues to rise until efficiency is restored. When the system was new, achieving the desired comfort level was accomplished by a given amount of energy. An inefficient furnace attempts to achieve the same level of comfort, but the components work harder and use more energy. It might be difficult to determine how much of a rising energy bill is due to rising energy costs and how much is due to furnace inefficiency. Compare the units of measurement for energy—kWh for electricity and cf of natural gas—for comparable months last year.
  6. The inefficiency of a furnace system is generally due to normal wear and tear; both electrical and mechanical components are stressed by the frequent “on/off” of both cooling and heating cycles. When wear creates stress on a small part, a cascade of stress travels to nearby components. While an HVAC maintenance visit should have uncovered the minor problem, eventually, this small problem becomes a large problem that requires a repair visit. An inexpensive visit becomes a more expensive bill.
  7. The wear and tear of constant use over several years continues to stress a significant portion of the HVAC system. Whenever the cascade of stress reaches a major component, the cost of repairing or replacing the component becomes great enough that replacing the entire system becomes a wise financial decision. While system replacement is inevitable, the lack of maintenance cuts away several years of useful service.

Some homeowners delay or ignore regular HVAC maintenance for their system, thinking they are saving money. However, a little analysis reveals that maintenance improves comfort and safety while saving money with lower utility bills, lower repair costs, and longer service life.

If you have HVAC Maintenance Questions, R.M. Mullinix has the Answers

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

Posted on

Common Furnace Repair Problems and their Solutions

Common Furnace Repair Problems

Common Furnace Repair Problems and their Solutions

It’s official, Fall has arrived, and cold weather is on the way. When the north wind blows cold, it is such a relief to come home to a cozy and warm home. Of course, each home is unique, and unfortunately, not every home keeps occupants as warm as desired. Here are the leading problems that reduce heat and comfort during the winter months.

Furnace Repair Problem: Opened Envelopes

In construction terms, all the components that separate the exterior of the building from the interior are called, collectively, the building envelope. The envelope includes siding, vapor barriers, insulation, windows, and doors. Any gaps or openings in the building envelope lead to drafts and allow heat to migrate out of the home.

Whether you choose to close these gaps yourself or hire someone to complete the task is a personal choice. Begin by

  • Doing a personal inspection to determine the extent of the problem
  • Light an incense stick and trace window and door frames. The smoke from the incense will demonstrate the amount of wind infiltrating through the frame.

Solution: Caulk and/or weatherstripping can close many of the gaps and reduce drafts.

Furnace Repair Problem: Leaky Ductwork

Warm air is transported throughout the home through a network of supply ducts and brought back to the furnace by cold air returns. Not only is this an efficient use of energy, but it circulates the air for proper ventilation. The air in the ducts is under pressure during each heating cycle, so even small leaks result in massive amounts of air escaping from the conditioned space inside the building envelope. Symptoms include:

  • Unusually cold spaces
  • Rooms with stale air or a slight odor
  • A sudden rise in heating cost
  • A banging or whooshing noise
  • An unconditioned space, such as an attic or garage, receiving heat meant for the home

Solution: Complete a simple investigation to try to find the leak, then determine the severity of the leak, if possible. These two pieces of information will help you determine whether to fix it yourself or call a technician.

Furnace Repair Problem: Poor Maintenance

Any mechanical system requires regular maintenance and without proper care, expect the results to be poor performance and a shortened useful lifespan.

  • Always the first on the list—change the air filter regularly. A clogged air filter restricts airflow and will reduce efficiency. It also puts unnecessary strain on the furnace components, leading to component failure.
  • An annual preventative maintenance visit is required to maintain the manufacturer’s warranty. These visits include a thorough cleaning and testing of the key components. Catching a small problem early improves efficiency and avoids the cost of an unexpected repair bill.
  • Most thermostats require fresh batteries annually and occasionally require recalibration.

Solution: All-electric furnaces and natural gas furnaces require differing levels of cleaning and care; do not neglect the maintenance of either system. Regular maintenance can add five years of usefulness, increasing its value.

Furnace Repair Problem: System Age

A brand-new furnace system, properly maintained through the years, has an average useful lifespan of 20 years. As a system ages, it loses efficiency and eventually, a large, expensive part will fail, making it more cost-effective to replace the entire system than replace the expensive part. Factors that determine the lifespan include:

  • The quality of the product
  • The quality of the installation
  • The integrity of the building envelope
  • Proper maintenance, and
  • Heating and cooling comfort—normal comfort compared to extreme temperatures

Determining the year your system was installed will help determine a schedule for eventual replacement.

Solution: While HVAC system replacement is a capital expense, divide the replacement cost by 20 to estimate the cost of the system per year, then add 40% of your total energy bill, and the fee for annual maintenance. This is a realistic estimate of what heating and cooling costs for your home.

If you have furnace repair problems, R.M. Mullinix has the Solution

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

Posted on

6 Uncommon Air Conditioning Repairs

6 Uncommon Air Conditioning Repair

Air Conditioning Repairs that You May Have Never Heard Of

By the late 1960s, the cost of central air conditioning made it affordable enough to be added to most residential construction projects, and today, two-thirds of the homes in the U.S. have central AC. With more than sixty years of air conditioner history and more than 94 million systems in use, enough data is available to generalize Air Conditioning Repair problems. Here are the top six categories of Air Conditioning Repair problems.

  1. Faulty Parts. During any manufacturing process, there is a potential for a faulty part to pass inspection and be installed in a new system. The fault may show up immediately or it may take a short period to be unveiled. To compensate for this possibility, manufacturers offer a parts warranty for the first few years.
    Solution: don’t hesitate to call the installation technician if the system does not seem right. Don’t risk passing the warranty period.
  2. Ignoring Maintenance. Manufacturers understand their system will need regular maintenance—an annual clean and check ensures small problems are caught before they grow. Homeowners are often ignorant of these guidelines or avoid regular maintenance to save a little money. However, regular maintenance saves money by prolonging the useful life of an air conditioner by several years.
    Solution: change the air filter every three months and schedule annual maintenance to prolong AC function.
  3. Refrigerant Leak/Compressor Failure. These are listed together since they pertain to the same system. Air conditioning function is accomplished by compressing a refrigerant gas and releasing the pressure at the appropriate time and place. For the system to function properly, the gas pressure must be regulated closely. If gas leaks from the system, not only does the cooling function decrease but the system compressor usually overheats and fails.
    Solutions: if a gas begins to leak, make sure the leak is fixed before adding more refrigerant to prevent damage to the compressor.
  4. Electrical Components. Central air conditioners are rather complex and use several electric sensors, switches, and controllers. Wear and tear on these components are normal and expected, but this wear is increased when the system is put under stress. The major source of system stress is ignoring regular maintenance.
    Solution: schedule regular maintenance and catch problems with electrical components early.
  5. Water Leaks. In addition to cooling, air conditioners remove humidity from indoor air. The moisture evaporates and is collected in a drain pan. A drain line sends the water into the home wastewater system. However, this evaporation and collection is completed in the cold and dark, a perfect place for the growth of algae. Often, algae clog the drain line, pushing the water onto the floor. This can cause significant water damage.
    Solution: add a cup of vinegar to the evaporator drain pan annually to prevent algae growth.
  6. Thermostat Problems. The thermostat serves as an on/off switch that calls for cooling as needed. Thermostat technology is developing rapidly, making existing models obsolete and inefficient. New thermostats are programmable and often have a cell phone app to adjust the program on the fly.
    Solution: new thermostats require fresh batteries, so change them annually.

Have an Air Conditioning Repair You Need to Address?

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and our Air Conditioning Repairs services, schedule an appointment, or visit our AC Installation information page.

6 Uncommon Air Conditioning Repair

 

Posted on

AC Installation: What You Need to Know Before You Install

AC Installation: What You Need to Know Before You Install

AC Installation: What You Need to Know Before You Install

AC Installation Errors That Can Affect Your System Efficiency

“In the U.S., we only have two seasons: the heating season and the cooling season!”

Visitors and immigrants to our fair shore notice our dependence upon conditioning indoor space for our comfort as a unique feature of American life. Heating and cooling are quintessential features of modern living, in both urban and rural residential settings. Approximately 90% of U.S. homes have heating, ventilation, and air conditioner (HVAC) systems.1

HVAC systems are mechanical systems that apply electrical and chemical technology to control the temperature, humidity, and quality of indoor air. Like every mechanical system, they require maintenance and have a limited useful life–air conditioners typically last about 15 years, and furnaces last about 20 years. Since the average home mortgage has a 30-year term, most homeowners will need to replace at least one HVAC system at some point. This AC Installation purchase happens so infrequently that few homeowners approach the decision with total confidence. However, by gathering useful information, homeowners can avoid common mistakes.

Focusing on cost instead of quality. Replacement cost is a big deal! An unexpected failure can lead to panicky decision-making that leads to buyer’s regret. Remember, this new system will service the family’s home for the next few decades; the lowest-priced product and installation cost might not be the best bargain. It is best to:

  • Plan the purchase whenever possible. Research the age of your current system and budget for replacement purchase.
  • Research the HVAC needs of your home. Most HVAC contractors will run a load calculation at no cost, to help a homeowner determine the proper size of the air conditioner and heater. This formula takes into consideration regional climate, square footage, numbers and sizes of windows and doors, insulation quality, room layout, and more.
  • Ask questions. The lowest-priced system may use a refrigerant that is being phased out and servicing the system over a few decades can get expensive.

Insist on an improperly sized system. The load calculation completed on your home may indicate a replacement sized differently from your present system. Technological innovations or remodeling/room additions may factor in a size change. The importance of purchasing a properly sized system cannot be overemphasized.

  • A system that is too small will be inadequate to comfortably heat or cool your home. This will require the system to run longer than it normally would and the added stress on components will shorten the useful years of service.
  • A system that is too large will cool and heat your home too quickly. Instead of running too long, it repeatedly turns off and on, again stressing the electrical components. In addition, a short cooling cycle does not give the air conditioner sufficient time to remove humidity from the air. Moisture makes surfaces sticky and the air stuffy.

Component replacement instead of system replacement. While it is true that furnaces typically last a few years longer than air conditioners, most installation contractors recommend replacing both at the same time. Heating and cooling components are manufactured to be paired together to ensure controls and refrigerant function properly and efficiently. Replacing components individually can lead to conflicting technology.

Overlooking valuable features. Talk with the installation contractor about options that increase the safety and convenience of the new system.

  • Heat pump technology that uses the air conditioner condenser to heat the home as well.
  • Smart thermostats offer a customized schedule for heating and cooling that adds comfort and saves money. The cellphone app has remarkable features that are worth exploring.
  • Ultraviolet lights inside the ductwork neutralize organic particles in the air, such as pollen, dust mites, and viruses.

Ignoring preventative maintenance. The warranty for new HVAC systems requires annual maintenance to keep the policy active. Maintenance extends the useful years for HVAC systems and elevates efficiency. Regular checkups catch small problems before they become large problems. Prepare for regular maintenance to get the most from a new HVAC system.

Make R.M. Mullinix Your Go-To For all AC Installation Questions

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

1 https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=52558#:~:text=Nearly%2090%25%20of%20U.S.%20households%20used%20air%20conditioning%20in%202020&text=In%202020%2C%20the%20Midwest%20Census,%25%20and%2093%25%2C%20respectively

Posted on

Steps to AC Replacement

Steps to AC Replacement

Steps to AC Replacement

Often, the term “life cycle” is used to describe air conditioner function. Those who use it know that machines are not alive and do not die, but the words adequately convey the functioning years of air conditioner service. Certain events are rather common for every air conditioner system, so these events describe every AC system, including yours. Let’s look at some of these common happenings—perhaps you will recognize your AC’s stage.

Beginnings

When a new air conditioner system is installed, it is prime, state-of-the-art, and as efficient as it will ever be. This building system is sized to the existing structure and uses the latest in refrigerant gas technology. The electronics are strong and the blower motor—the workhorse of the system—is designed to circulate the entire volume of air in the home every two minutes or so.

While the air conditioner system is new, most manufacturers agree to warranty parts and labor. Pay very close attention to these guidelines, since repairs covered under the warranty may require action by the homeowner. Usually, annual preventative maintenance is required.

Middle Stages

The average air conditioner remains in service for 15+ years. If the homeowner faithfully maintains the system, it will expand the useful “life” of the system; an additional 5 to 10 years of usefulness are possible with proper maintenance. Other factors that influence the number of useful years include climate and insulation value in the home—factors that determine how hard the system must work over a long time. If you were not the homeowner when the system was installed, find the manufacturer’s date on the model number plaque of the condenser (outdoors) unit.

During the middle stages, the system will continue to function well. Keeping up with maintenance will ensure that any minor problems are discovered and repaired and the system functions as efficiently as possible. However, every year, by minor increments, the function will lose efficiency.

By year 15, the loss of efficiency will probably be evident on the energy bill each month. Due to age, the air conditioner may struggle to keep occupants comfortable during lengthy heatwaves with several days in triple digits. During this stage, the energy efficiency of a new system has been demonstrated to repay the cost of a new air conditioning system over an established number of years.

Later Years

Unfortunately, mechanical systems do not last forever—the same is true of cars, cell phones, and air conditioners. After 15 years, anticipate that repairs may become larger and more expensive. Efficiency will continue to fall. During this period, wise homeowners should be planning and budgeting for a new system. Talking to technicians and installers might inspire some improvement with a new system, such as UV lights to neutralize airborne biological lifeforms or a Smart thermostat.

Failure

In some situations, homeowners choose to keep an older system until the very end of the useful “life.” During this final stage, repairs will increase, and efficiency will decrease. Eventually, a repair will be required that is so expensive that replacement is a better financial option. During this stage, a catastrophic failure of the compressor in the condenser unit is often the tipping point. Replacing this part is extremely important and the part may not be possible. Expect this to happen at a most inopportune time—during an extremely hot day. An emergency replacement may take a couple of weeks since the stress of a heatwave takes out several air conditioners every day. Getting the absolute most out of the system may come at the cost of days of discomfort.

Make R.M. Mullinix Your Go-To For all AC Replacement Questions

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

Posted on

AC Maintenance: Keep Your Evaporator Coils Clean

AC Maintenance: Keep Your Evaporator Coils Clean

AC Maintenance: Importance of Keeping Your Evaporator Coils Clean

Have you ever walked around in the dark and stubbed your toe good and hard? It sure puts some energy in your next few steps, doesn’t it? If your response led you to encounter another object, you might find yourself bouncing around in the dark, encountering even more objects. Let’s use that picture to demonstrate how your air conditioning system works.

Gas molecules are used to flying around, free and easy, but, just like you, when they bump into something it causes them to pick up energy and begin moving faster. Mostly, they bounce off other gas molecules and occasionally they hit another surface. Each time they hit something, they pick up energy and move faster. With the increase in energy, the temperature of the gas rises. When they strike fewer molecules and surfaces their temperature falls.

Engineers use this principle to design air conditioning systems.

  • When you compress a gas, it really heats up, since each molecule is bouncing off other molecules and the container it is compressed in.
  • If you suddenly release the pressure, the really hot gas cools very quickly. The temperature change is drastic, from a pipe that is too hot to touch to a pipe that is cold enough to be uncomfortable to the touch.
  • The compressed gas is released into a network of tubes in an enclosed space and hot, humid air is blown over the surface. The hot, humid air is transformed into cool, dry air and distributed throughout the house.
  • Scientifically, the non-compressed gas is absorbing the heat, making the cool gas hot again. This hot gas must be cooled down before it can be compressed for the next cycle. Air is blown over the tubes of hot gas outside, where gases in the atmosphere absorb the heat and move away, free and easy again.

One last thing—this transfer of heat (and cold) takes place very quickly; the entire volume of air in your home encounters the cool tubes of gas four times or more during each cooling cycle. Occupants feel the difference almost immediately. That is quite impressive! Outside, all that heat is also being released at approximately the same time. This tremendous heat transfer is accomplished by two separate coil systems—the evaporator coil and the condenser coil.

AC Maintenance: Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil is part of the inside portion of your air conditioner, in the cabinet portion, for central air systems, and in the wall unit for ductless systems. It is composed of a network of tubes, clad in very thin fins. The coil and fins maximize the surface area for efficient heat transfer. A relatively small chamber houses the evaporator coil to ensure the airflow comes in direct contact with the cool tub. A strong fan moves tremendous amounts of air and brings relief to occupants by way of cool air. But remember, what is really happening is the cold gas is absorbing the heat from the house.

The humidity in the house condenses on the evaporator before dripping down to a collection pan. Since the indoor air contains airborne particles of dust, pollen, and dander, these particles collect on the coil. While the air filter catches most of these particles, everything that bypasses the filter will collect on the coil and fins. The dirt interferes with heat transfer and needs to be cleaned regularly.

AC Maintenance: Condenser Coil

After the gas in the evaporator coil has collected heat, it travels outside, so the hot gas can release the heat into the atmosphere. What looks like a cabinet is actually another, much larger network of tubes and fins. Inside the cabinet is a large fan, pulling tremendous amounts of air through the coil and across the fins. This is happening so quickly because this gas must be ready—that is, cool enough—to be compressed again and start the process all over again.

Dust, pollen, leaves, grass clippings, and many other forms of debris are pulled onto the surface of the condenser coil. Again, this debris interferes with the transfer of heat and must be removed regularly.

Maintaining both the evaporator coil and the condenser coil is absolutely necessary for the efficient functioning of an air conditioner. A dirty coil causes fans, blowers, and controllers to work harder, which uses more electricity. Using more electricity to do the same process is a waste of money.

It also results in a warmer, mustier home, not good. Ultimately, should the hot gas in the condenser fail to transfer heat quickly enough, the too-hot gas can damage the compressor and cause a terrible failure. But, the good news is cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils is completed during every maintenance visit with Mullinix.

Make R.M. Mullinix Your Go-To For all AC Maintenance Questions

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