"Beat the Heat" Steps to Effective
Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Checkups
Many Homeowners think that pre-season cleanings and checkups are
just a way for Contractors to keep busy during the early spring.
"Not so", according to Brian Baker President of Custom Vac Ltd.
in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Reasons For Checkups
Warranties - "They're not an option. Almost all
Manufacturers warranties require annual maintenance by a qualified
Technician," says Baker. Homeowners need to make sure that the
preseason checkup meets the Manufacturers warranty requirements.
Most often the low cost spring specials that show up with the
tulips do not meet with the Manufacturers requirements.
Seek a Company that will do it right.
Relationship - Pre-season checkups also build
a relationship between you, your Contractor and the Technician.
They become your advisors and can often make recommendations that
can greatly improve the comfort of your home. Many times Technicians
can prevent breakdowns by spotting a broken belt worn wire or
contactor, etc. "Equipment doesn't know when not to breakdown.
If in the event of a breakdown you will likely get priority service
due to the relationship that you have built with your Contractor
and Technician," says Baker.
Energy Savings - When an air conditioner or heat
pump is properly tuned and maintained the result is comfort and
energy savings. Another item is that when a Technician is in your
home during the spring checkup he can offer you information regarding
new and innovative products that can create healthier indoor climate.
Many new products can significantly reduce energy use while at
the same time improve indoor air quality. Items such as energy
recovery ventilators, ***HEPA by-pass air filters and electronic
air cleaners. The ultimate in home comfort products is the Lennox
or Trane 90% *AFUE high efficiency two-stage variable speed furnaces
combined with high-efficiency 13 **SEER air conditioners. These
variable furnace blowers combined with large cooling coils, literally
wring the moisture from the air making your home feel like your
sitting on a beach in the south pacific with the trade winds gently
blowing across you.
Homeowners Responsibilities
Background - Before a Contractor or Technician
begins work ask them their qualifications; ask to see their Trade
License and MOPIA refrigerant handling certification card. Anyone
who is legitimately conducting business will produce proof, if
they refuse, ask them to leave and find another Contractor. "You
deserve the best, you cannot afford to have unqualified persons
working on your comfort system," says Baker.
Questions and/or Changing Needs - Spend a few
minutes with him/her to let them know what the system has been
doing or not doing from your perspective. This may lead into many
more questions and answers. This dialog will be beneficial to
you both. Examples of questions might be "You know our heating
bill last winter seemed to be normal but, the back bedroom was
cold, can you look at this today?" or "My youngest child was just
diagnosed with asthma is there anything you can do or recommend?"
maybe, "We just moved here last month and the stickers indicate
that your company was here before, can you tell me the service
history and what has been done?
Equipment Check - Baker says, "technicians should
take the time to check and/or clean the following,"
Clean the area around unit |
Outdoor and indoor coils |
Outdoor motor and fan blade |
Repair any broken wires |
Thermostat for level and location |
Air filters |
Ductwork |
Blower motor, wheel, pulley’s, bearings and belt |
Oil and lubricate all motors (if needed) |
Drain pan and drain hose
|
Outdoor unit is on a sound level well-drained base |
Refrigerant lines well supported and secure |
For all signs of potential areas that might create refrigerant leaks |
Air flow |
System operating pressures and temperatures |
Voltage and amperages to all motors |
Test all operating and safety controls |
|
When the pre-season cleaning and check is complete the Contractor
and/or Technician should report any and all deficiencies and make
recommendations for the systems repair, alteration and/or replacement.
This written record should remain in your file for future use.
As well, good quality Contractors keep a detailed database of
the equipments history that's seconds away from retrieving. If
you just purchased a home and are uncertain about the history
of the equipment, look for a sticker on the appliance and call
that Company they may be able to send you a record of what's been
done in the past.
Hiring a good HVAC Contractor does not have to be difficult, you
just need to do your homework, take a little time, and ask questions.
Spring is the best time to begin your search and to have your
equipment pre-season checkup done. "Beat The Heat," say's Baker
those hot, muggy nights are scheduled to arrive.
Many times I'm, asked these two questions because homeowners are
given misinformation says Baker,
"Is the coil match really that important?
You bet. Matching the indoor coil to the outdoor coil is critical.
Always install a matched system. True capacity and system efficiency
can only be achieved by matching the systems components. Never
let anyone replace just the outdoor or indoor coil. All tubing
should also be replaced as it contains contaminants and possibly
acids that will only shorten the life of the new system. Most
Manufacturers do not honor full or extended warranties if matched
systems are not installed."
And
"How much of a difference does a small amount of refrigerant
make?
A lot. Improper refrigerant charge, too high-too low has a major
impact and can compromise system performance. Too much refrigerant
can cause mechanical damage to the compressors valves, while too
little can cause overheating of the compressor motor to the point
where it overloads and fails. A study conducted by Texas A&M University
found that a 23% refrigerant undercharge could result in a 52%
efficiency loss. Even more serious North Carolina Alternative
Energy Corp. found when comparing Manufacturers efficiencies versus
actual efficiencies 90% of units tested exhibited some sort of
energy wasting problem, 50% had improper refrigerant charge and
40% failed to meet minimum air flow criterion (20% were barely
inside the range specified by Manufactures. In addition, a 20%
reduction in air flow reduces the SEER rating by 17% and for those
systems installed in attics, a 15% return air leak @ 120F could
reduced SEER by 50%."
* AFUE - Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
** SEER - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (Manitoba Minimum SEER
is 10 - US Minimum SEER to be 13)
*** HEPA - High Efficiency Particulate Accumulator
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