Tuesday, May 30, 2017

National Safety Month

June is National Safety Month, so we figured now would be a good time to share some safety information regarding your HVAC system. Here are some great tips provided by experts in AC repair in Bowie MD.

  • Always make sure the power to your HVAC unit is shut off before you begin any maintenance. This protects you from injury, and will also protect your system from any type of electrical shock. You should wait at least 5 minutes before turning an air conditioner back on after turning it off to reduce stress on the motor.
  • Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that can accumulate in your home as a result of incomplete combustion. Protect your family by equipping your home with devises capable of detecting the toxic gas.
     
  • Protect your skin. It is important to avoid direct contact with the chemical refrigerant used in your cooling system. To avoid injury while servicing your system, wear protective clothing, eyewear, and gloves.

Fixing a Broken Filter Drier



A filter drier acts to safely sequester any moisture that manages to get into your system. It does this through the integration of desiccant materials, with absorb and retain water, thus preventing it from causing any damage. There are two principal types of desiccant used: molecular sieve and activated alumina.

Each type has its own particular strengths. Molecular sieve excels at filter not just water but also organic acids out of the system. Activated alumina, on the other hand, is capable of holding a much greater volume of water. This allows the filter drier to operate for a much longer period of time before needing to be replaced.

If you think your filter needs to be replaced or you have any questions about your AC system, contact a Paradise Valley AZ air conditioning contractor.

The Problem with Faulty Filter Driers



Filter driers are designed to combat a very real and a very significant problem: moisture inside of your refrigerant lines. Such moisture tends to penetrate even the most craftily constructed systems. This moisture quickly exerts a destructive force, thanks to the fact that it reacts with lubricants that also pass through the refrigerant lines, forming highly corrosive acids. These quickly begin to eat away at the delicate components in your system.

If you think you have a problem with your filter drier, reach out to an expert in AC repair in Burke VA.

The Importance Of The Filter Drier: Moisture Removal



Filter driers are a commonplace on the majority of newer air conditioners, yet few homeowners recognize the importance of this vital component. Unfortunately, this often leads to a failure to properly maintain and care for the filter drier--which in turn leads to a host of other problems. Without a properly working drier, moisture in your AC system can react with lubricants to create destructive acids that harm your system. If you would like to improve your knowledge of air conditioner mechanics, ask a Greenbrae CA air conditioning expert about the importance of the filter drier in removing unwanted moisture.

Rotting Garbage or Rotten Egg Smell



A decaying animal corpse will smell like rotting garbage or a rotten egg. This problem can cause health problems especially if the animal is large and shouldn't be ignored.

A gas leak will smell like rotten eggs. This could mean there's a natural gas leak that's getting into the AC ducting. Any natural gas leak is a serious problem. You and your family should immediately leave the house and call the gas company. If you can, shut off the gas at the main shutoff valve.

The above air conditioning odors are the symptoms of a problem that must be resolved. Take action by contacting an ac service in Sherwood Park AB.

3 Odors and Their Causes



Exhaust Fume Smell

Ruling out that the problem isn't caused by an idling car in your garage, fluid leaks from an air conditioner component will cause this type of odor. Any component that leaks fluid obviously requires replacement. To avoid damaging your AC system, get it repaired as soon as possible.

Dirty Socks Smell

Bacterial growth in stagnant water causes this odor. This could be water that's not draining from a drain pan. Water sitting around longer than a couple of days can turn into a mold problem if it's not resolved.

Acrid or Gunpowder Smell

This is the smell of an electrical short. This could have happened in the fan motor or circuit board. Shorts are fire hazards, which require that you immediately turn off the air conditioner and have an air conditioning repair person fix the problem.

If you notice any of these smells or have any questions, contact a Bonita Springs FL air conditioning contractor.

Why Your Air Conditioning Has a Bad Smell



Air conditioners are supposed to discharge odorless air. When they smell bad, don't try to cover it up with an air freshener. Just like with any other bad odor in your home, you want to find its source. Until that's known, you don't know if you have a serious or minor problem on your hands.

Musty Smell

This is the smell of mold. Mold grows in areas with moisture. Since your air conditioner removes moisture from the air, it is possible that it's not properly discharging it. A drain pan can fill with water and overflow if a condensate line clogs up. If humid outside air is leaking into your ducts, condensation will also produce moisture and cause mold growth.

Another cause of a musty odor is a dirty filter. You can try replacing the filter to see if the problem goes away. If not, a St. Albans WV air conditioning service professional can find the odor's source and correct the problem.