Hot Tips to Beat the Heat
Maximize your home comfort this summer
Winnipeg, Manitoba - With rising summer temperatures just around
the corner, now is the time to make sure your comfort cooling
system will help you beat the heat. "Proper care of cooling
equipment can keep your unit running efficiently this summer
and help you avoid costly repairs," said Brian Baker, President
of Custom Vac Limited in Winnipeg.
Most comfort cooling systems require
very little owner maintenance. However, operating your unit while
dirty can result in an unnecessary loss of efficiency and can
damage the unit. "Consumers generally don't realize they play
a vital role in making sure their cooling systems operate at peak
performance to maximize home comfort and money savings," said
Baker.
Hints for the Homeowner
Although it's best if a trained certified service technician handles
major maintenance tasks, Baker offers homeowners these tips to
ensure a more comfortable summer:
- Trim brush and shrubbery surrounding outdoor units to prevent airflow obstruction.
- Make sure the outdoor coil is free from grass clippings, leaves and other debris.
- Make sure your unit's air filter and blower are clean
- Keep in mind that a properly ventilated attic can reduce your systems cooling load.
When Repairs Are Needed - get A Professional
If your unit has experienced a loss of refrigerant or requires
a repair, consider replacing the Ozone Damaging HCFC-22 with the
new zero ODP drop-in replacement refrigerant RS-44, or if the
system is past or near the end of its normal life-expectancy,
have an R-410A system installed. Both of these alternatives will
result in lower energy consumption and better performance. The
one caution here is because the technology in this area is less
than 5 years there are many contractors and technicians who may
not have been properly trained and therefore do not fully understand
the installation procedures. "Be certain to ask for referrals
and credentials," said Baker.
"The best thing homeowners can do is contact a reputable air conditioning
contractor who employs certified air conditioning technicians
to not only ensure that they receive accurate and up-to-date information
and advice, they can also check your systems refrigerant charge
and all operating and safety controls. Only then will you get
a true assessment of the system and know for certain if the efficiency
they paid for, " said Baker.
