Using a Filter to Remove Debris

The filter drier utilizes physical filters to help catch any such contaminants, thus preventing them from making their way to the heart of your system. There are two main types of filter: surface and depth. Surface filters, much like the mesh screens that can be found installed in water faucets, present a tightly woven screen that catches unwanted debris.

The trouble with surface filtration is that over time, as debris builds up against the screen, it makes it harder for the refrigerant to continue flowing through. Depth filtration offers a way around this problem, by utilizing a three-dimensional maze of filters to trap debris while still offering alternative pathways through which the refrigerant can flow.

If you have any questions, reach out to a professional for AC installation in Bakersfield CA.

The Problem with Dirty Filter Driers

A previous post explored the important role that a filter drier plays in removing unwanted moisture from your Hyden KY air conditioning system’s refrigerant lines. Yet it is important to realize that the filter drier also has another key task: catching any debris or physical contaminants that get into your system. If you would like to know more about this aspect of a filter drier’s job, read on.

The Problem 

It can be hard for many people to understand just how physical debris is able to get into a refrigerant system in the first place. After all, isn’t it a completely sealed off system? Well, yes, but that doesn’t mean that contaminants aren’t still able to penetrate it--for instance, as the result of corrosion elsewhere in the system, or of particles of air-borne dust that get sucked into the lines.

If left unchecked, such contaminants will ultimately result in an increased degree of wear and tear for your system, causing delicate components to burn out much more quickly than they should.

Properly Examine your Heating Unit for the Winter

It's becoming that time of year where we switch from using our heat to our AC. We've been focusing on how to make sure your AC system is working well when you first turn it on. However, we also want to focus on how to treat your heating system at the end of the cold season, so it's ready to use in the fall.  These tips were provided by an expert in heat and AC repair in Bowie MD.

1. Evaluate your furnace's efficiency. As furnaces age, they tend to use more energy, which means your bills will go up. Pull your energy bills from the past several years, or simply call your energy provider to request the information. If you see a rise in costs, your furnace might be to blame. If your furnace is over 15 years old, it might be time to consider a new system.
2. Check the mechanics. With use, the pilot light, burner assembly, heater exchange, combustion chamber, and more can start to develop wear and tear. In some cases, this isn't just a cause for malfunction, but it can be downright dangerous if carbon monoxide isn't venting properly.

Before you turn off your furnace for the season, take these steps to ensure it will be ready to serve you once the weather turns cold again. If you need help, or professional advice regarding your heating system, contact a local, reputable HVAC contractor.
 

Get your AC System Off to A Good Start

Spring is finally here, and that means it won't be long before we will be complaining that it's too hot out. But for now, we can just enjoy the mild spring weather. As we start to use our AC more, we want to help you make sure your system is working well.

Even if you're good about changing your filter throughout the winter on a regular basis, it's a good idea to put a fresh one in at the end of the season. For many people, the air conditioning is part of the same system, and those filters are imperative to keeping your ducts clean and your air quality at its best. Dirty filters can put more stress on your AC system to produce cold air and in return can drive up your bills.

If you have any questions or want more recommendations for how to keep your AC system running well, contact an expert in air conditioning in Fountain Hills AZ.

Prepare Your AC for Summer

Just as it's important to stretch before exercising, it's important to make sure your AC unit is ready for the hard work it will put in these upcoming months. Here are a few steps you can do to keep your central air system running great.

1. Lift up the grill and fan and use a garden hose to wash those fins more thoroughly from the inside out. Don't use a pressure washer because it will cause damage.
2. Reassemble the unit and move to the indoor unit, called the evaporator.
3. Find the drain from the evaporator, and make sure that hose is not plugged with dirt, algae, or mold. You can use a wet/dry vac to clear the pipe.
4. Replace the air filter on the indoor unit.
5. Turn the power back on and test for a temperature change when the unit is running.

These are very basic cleaning instructions that apply to almost all central air systems. It is also a good idea to schedule a maintenance service appointment so the mechanics of your system can get a good check-up before the cooling season starts. Many times small issues can be fixed before they become big (and expensive) problems. For more information contact a local company for air conditioning repair in Burke VA.
 

Steps to Get Your Air Conditioner Ready for Hot Weather

Hot and humid weather is on the way, and it's time to think about our air conditioners. Just like any other appliance, it is important to do regular maintenance to ensure that it will continue to serve your household for as long as possible, and will run with maximum efficiency. It's not a difficult job, and your small investment will pay off in the long run. Follow these steps each spring to keep your central air system running great. These tips were provided by an air conditioning service in Greenbrae CA.

1. Turn off the power to the unit, either via the plug outside or by flipping the circuit breaker inside the house.
2. Clean leaves, grass clippings, or other debris from around the outside unit, also called the compressor or condenser.
3. Remove the outer case of the compressor and use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to vacuum the fins. This job can be done several times a year, especially after a heavy pollen season.

 

More Wear And Tear on Your AC Unit - Dirty Filter

By forcing your air conditioner to work harder, a dirty filter not only boosts cooling costs but also increases the amount of wear and tear your AC is subject to. A dirty filter will also increase the amount of friction-causing substances that find their way into the heart of your system. That’s because, by impeding the free flow of air, a dirty filter will increase the force of suction, thus drawing contaminants in around the edges of the filter. A surprising number of air conditioning repairs could have been avoided simply by keeping a fresh air filter installed.

We recommend changing your filter every month and at most every 3 months. It is a simple task that can have great long term benefits. If you have any questions, reach out to a St Albert AB air conditioning service.