What Regular Checks Should You Make to Your AC in the Spring?

Factors such as spikes in negative temperatures and prolonged cold periods can affect your air conditioner's startup. Spring AC checks help you detect potential issues and have a comfortable, problem-free cooling season. Let's break down the steps you should take to physically and visually inspect your air conditioner to ensure it'll work correctly when you need it the most.

1. Inspect the outdoor AC panels. If there's a panel that's out of place or missing, call in an HVAC professional. These panels enclose the unit's electrical connections, so any missing or misaligned panel can pose a risk to you as well as to the unit's operation.

2. Clean the outdoor unit. The outdoor AC coil gets plugged up by foreign debris. Remove any debris that may have been blown into the coil and its surroundings to get optimum performance.

3. Check the suction-pipe insulation. The large insulated copper line on the outdoor AC unit can reduce indoor cooling performance if its insulation is damaged. Winter animals, trapped freezing water, and sun rot can damage the insulation. Have damaged insulation repaired or replaced before you start using the unit.

4. Change the filter. A clogged air filter causes your heating and air conditioning system to run less efficiently. When changing the filter, orient it according to the printed instructions that are on it.

5. Check the vents and grills. Make sure no items are blocking your supply and return grills and vents. Vacuum them to remove any pet hair, dirt, and debris that may have collected on them during the winter.

6. Inspect the condensate line. Make sure the drain line is properly placed. Dust, algae, rust, and other debris can clog up the line. A clogged drain line can make water flood your AC unit or even spill into the basement. You can flush a bleach solution down the pipe to keep it clear.

7. Turn the system on. After you've gone through the checklist, turn on your air conditioner on a hot day. Let it run for 15 or more minutes to feel if it's cooling your home properly.

Once you've performed the spring AC checks above, it's a good idea to bring in an expert. Some issues can only be detected and handled by a certified professional. Contact us at Air Assurance to have routine spring maintenance carried out on your air conditioner in the Broken Arrow area.

The Specific Demands Put on HVAC Units in the Spring

Spring cleaning is on the mind of Broken Arrow-area homeowners as the weather warms up. If you’re hoping to stay cool this summer, it’s important to be aware of how spring HVAC problems can affect your summer comfort.

Spring Ahead of HVAC Problems

The outdoor condenser unit on your HVAC system requires airflow to work properly. Anything that restricts airflow, such as new spring plants growing around the unit, will cause your system to work harder. Over time, this can damage your equipment. In the short term, it can also increase your energy consumption and cost you money.

Clearing away any plants that have started to grow up around your condenser is an easy solution to this problem. While you’re doing that, don't forget to check for any leaves or other debris that might have been blown against your condenser over the winter.

Another common spring HVAC problem is soil erosion around your condenser. Winter weather can wear away at the dirt under the concrete pad your condenser sits on.

For an easy fix, use a board to lift the sagging edge of the pad. Pack sand underneath, then repeat on the opposite side. A level condenser unit allows for a better flow of oil through the unit and puts less strain on your coolant lines.

Schedule Routine Maintenance Before Summer Heats Things Up

Other spring HVAC problems can arise due to your AC being off over the winter. It’s always a good idea to schedule a spring checkup so a service technician can make sure your HVAC system is in good working order.

During a maintenance visit, technicians look for leaks or signs of wear that indicate a problem. They measure the refrigerant charge and the temperature of the air your AC is putting out. Electrical wires and connectors are inspected and tightened if necessary. The thermostat is checked to see if it’s running correctly. Any potentially bigger issues are noted so that you can get a jump on fixing them before it gets too hot outside.

If you have questions about any spring HVAC problems or getting your AC ready for summer in the Broken Arrow area, don’t hesitate to contact us at Air Assurance.

How Rain Affects Your HVAC System

Is rain affecting your HVAC system? For most homeowners, the answer is probably no. However, there are situations where rain can be a problem because of the way it's making your HVAC system perform. Excessive rainfall can also have a serious impact on the equipment itself. Read on to learn how.

Rain, High Humidity, and Your HVAC

Your HVAC system is key to controlling the relative humidity in your home. Moisture is drawn into the system in the return air, evaporating on the coils and then being channeled out of the home through the condensate drain. This method of dehumidifying the home usually works well unless the evaporator coils are dirty, the condensate drain becomes plugged, or the air filter is so dirty that airflow is slowed down and the AC stops running properly.

In times of excessive rainfall, relative humidity in your home may rise uncomfortably. You feel warmer and turn the air conditioner way up to compensate, thus wasting energy and money on utility bills.

Perhaps you have a roof leak or a plumbing leak, or perhaps the ground around your home is so saturated that it's affecting interior conditions. At these times, your AC may not be able to dehumidify effectively. It might be that you should also install a dehumidifier to help your AC keep up with the excess moisture.

Flooding and Your HVAC

If you live in an area prone to flooding and your HVAC system is in a low place, you've probably already figured out that you need to move it.

Otherwise, you may worry at times that heavy rainfall seems to cause deep ponding in your yard. If it seems like the water is rising at an alarming rate and might affect your HVAC, be advised that if it's just a few inches of water, it should be alright. Nevertheless, it's best to turn the power off, and if any flooding does occur, after your unit dries out, have an HVAC technician inspect it for damage.

For more on rain affecting your HVAC system adversely, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Reasons for Bi-Annual HVAC Tuneups

Most homeowners, if they schedule an HVAC tuneup at all, tend to go for just one appointment a year. Is that enough? Not really, because the equipment that you use in the fall and spring differs considerably.

In the fall, you will use the heating equipment, which will be mostly enclosed in an indoor cabinet with the air handler. In the springtime, you will be using the outdoor condenser and compressor, along with the indoor air handler, evaporator coils, and condensate drain. So depending on the season, your technician needs to inspect one or the other side of the HVAC.

During the year, since you last had your equipment checked, parts may have become worn and could be on the verge of failing. Without a biannual HVAC tuneup, you may not be aware if this has happened. Failing parts can lead to expensive breakdowns, such as a cracked heat exchanger or a damaged air conditioner compressor. If you had been on top of maintenance, the part might have been replaced at minimal expense, whereas it could lead to a more expensive repair if it's been neglected and allowed to fail.

Fall and Spring Tuneups

Here are some of the things an HVAC tech will look at in the spring when he checks the air conditioner:

• Refrigerant level.

• Condenser coils.

• Evaporator coils.

• Condensate drain.

• Outdoor fan motor and blades.

• Indoor blower assembly.

• Compressor and refrigerant tubing.

During the fall HVAC inspection, the tech will look at these furnace checkpoints:

• Inspect and clean burners.

• Check and adjust fan switch, pilot, and pilot assembly.

• Inspect heat exchanger for cracks.

• Measure and record carbon monoxide levels.

• Look for leaks in the gas line and flue.

Whether it's fall or spring, the tech should do the following:

• Measure the amperage and voltage of blower.

• Test and calibrate the thermostat.

• Inspect wiring and electrical components.

• Check ductwork for leaks.

Whether you have a biannual HVAC tuneup or not, don't forget to change the air filter regularly. Ask your technician to show you how.

For more on scheduling a biannual HVAC tuneup, contact Air Assurance. We serve Broken Arrow and the surrounding area.

Do Cold-Weather Climates Cause More Trouble for ACs Than Warmer Areas?

Every now and then during an unseasonably warm winter day, homeowners may be tempted to turn on the air conditioner. It may not be that warm, but perhaps you got busy in the house and started sweating, so it's tempting to turn on the AC. But should you?

Probably not. The fact is, the air conditioner compressor has summer-weight oil in it, which is a heavy-grade oil that works best under summer conditions. In colder weather, the oil may be too thick for the AC to work properly, and damage may result. Also, running the air conditioner in colder weather could cause freezing coils.

This is more or less the scenario in cold-weather climates, but what about our climate in Broken Arrow, which isn't all that cold — but may be occasionally frigid?

In general, HVAC technicians don't like to run central air conditioning unless daytime temperatures are well above 60 degrees for two to three days prior to turning the AC on. That can make it difficult to run a test in colder weather (for a home appraisal, for instance) or in colder climates.

Another issue is that some modern air conditioners now have low-ambient temperature sensors that actually keep the compressor from turning on when it's cool. These sensors are for the protection of the unit.

Heat Pumps

All of the information we've detailed up to this point pertains to central air conditioning. However, heat pumps operate a bit differently. Heat pumps, which can heat or cool a home, run with a lighter grade of oil and can be turned on during cooler weather.

Cooling Off in Winter

In general, it's better to just open a window to cool off the home a bit or else turn on a ceiling fan. If the fan blades have been reversed to push down warm air to the level of the home's occupants, you may need to change the switch so the blades are running counterclockwise. This will help lift up warm air and push down cooler air.

For more on operating the AC in cold-weather climates, contact Air Assurance in Broken Arrow.

Different HVAC Care for Winter vs. Summer

All homeowners have a common goal of wanting to keep their homes comfortable and energy-efficient throughout the year. To achieve that, you'll need to know how to optimize HVAC system operation in both the summer and the winter. Below are some useful tips on seasonal HVAC care.

Open High Returns in the Summer

Hot air rises and cool air sinks. Therefore, opening the right return vents in the summer and winter significantly improves the distribution of air by your forced-air system. You'll also enjoy more even heating and cooling throughout your home.

In the summer, open your high returns and close the low ones. That will allow the warm air that has risen to be sucked out of your room and taken to the air conditioning coils for cooling. What's more, the space created will allow the cold air that's coming into the room to flow up more easily.

So what would happen if you opened the low returns instead? In that case, it's the cold air that your HVAC system is delivering to the room that would be pulled out again. The hot air that has risen would remain up top.

Open Low Returns in the Winter

In the winter, open your low returns. That allows your HVAC system to pull out the cold air that has collected at your floor.

What About the Supply Vents?

If you live in a two-story house, you'll want to optimize the supply air as well. Because hot air rises, you won't have to make many heating adjustments to optimize the delivery of warm air to your upper floor in the winter.

However, in the summer, the rising warm air will pose a problem to the second floor. What's more, your hot attic will add more heat to the area. For those reasons, you'll need greater airflow to the second floor to keep it comfortable.

Open all the higher-floor dampers and partially close the dampers to the rooms on your lower floors. Your air conditioner will now force cold air to the rooms on your upper floor more efficiently.

Remember, even if you follow these steps, airflow will be restricted if your air filters are dirty. If you'd like to know more about effective seasonal HVAC care, contact us at Air Assurance. For more than 30 years, Broken Arrow residents have entrusted their HVAC needs to us.

How to Transition Your Home and HVAC into Heating Season

Cooler fall temperatures are a welcome relief after the summer heat and humidity, and they are also a sign that Broken Arrow residents need to think about switching from cooling to heating their homes. By transitioning seasons wisely, you can ensure the comfort and safety of your family throughout the winter months while saving money on the cost of heating and repairs, using these tips.

Enhance Airflow

Supply and return vents are an important part of your HVAC system and those which are closed or obstructed can upset the pressure balance and cause a loss of efficiency or equipment malfunction or breakdown. Check your registers to ensure they remain open and they are not blocked by drapes, furniture, area rugs, or other items.

Turn Off Your A/C at Night

Milder daytime temperatures translate into colder nights, so rather than leaving your A/C running and burrowing under the covers, set the temperature several degrees higher or turn it off altogether. Ceiling and floor fans can help to circulate the air while you sleep without breaking the bank.

Clean Your Air Filter

An air filter is the first line of defense to prevent particulates such as allergens, dander, dirt, and dust from traveling throughout your HVAC system, and it should be cleaned or changed before you first turn on your heating system each fall, and again every four to six weeks as needed.

Schedule Annual Maintenance

Annual preventive maintenance each spring and fall can help make transitioning seasons easy, by ensuring your HVAC equipment is cleaned, tuned, and optimized for maximum efficiency and performance.

Change Direction on Your Ceiling Fans

During the summer months, your ceiling fan should be set to rotate counter-clockwise to push the cool air towards the floor, but in winter, your ceiling fans should be set to rotate clockwise at a slower pace to create an updraft that redistributes rising warm air back down the walls.

Contact Air Assurance for expert assistance with transitioning seasons, with services that include residential HVAC installation, replacement, and repair. We have been proudly serving Tulsa area residents for more than 30 years.

The Heat Pump in Your Tulsa Home Needs Seasonal Maintenance

Most homeowners know that their heat pumps require seasonal maintenance. However, you may be neglecting to schedule the service, especially if you aren’t convinced it provides long-term value. Learn the tasks your heat pump technician will perform during a seasonal tune-up, and see just why investing in maintenance offers proven, long-term benefits.

Here are just some of the tasks your technician will perform during maintenance:

• Identify components that are wearing out, and replace parts as necessary.

• Check the ductwork, ensuring that the duct's joints don’t leak; install insulation around ducts located in the basement or attic.

• Test the system’s airflow, making adjustments as needed.

• Clean all the components like the coils, giving heat transfer a boost.

• Test the refrigerant charge, adding more refrigerant if the charge is below manufacturer’s specs.

• Clean electric terminals, tightening connections and lubricating the motor’s bearings.

• Calibrate the thermostat to ensure correct temperature readings.

• Check the control sequence, making sure that the heat pump’s heating mode is locked out when the thermostat is set to cool.

• Clean the condensate drain, identifying obstructions that lead to water damage.

These are the primary benefits the service affords:

• Lower operating costs -- With a seasonal check, the technician is able to keep all of the components in peak operating condition, so the unit performs efficiently. Over the years, you’ll pay less to operate the system than you would if you neglected to service it.

• Fewer repairs – A neglected system will eventually break down, and you’ll likely pay for costly repairs to get the heat pump running again. Preseason tune-ups allow the technician to identify worn components before they break down, which means you’ll pay for a part replacement only, which typically costs less.

• Better comfort – When you keep your system in good shape with regular maintenance, it will not only operate more efficiently, but it will be able to keep your home comfort at optimal levels, regardless of the outdoor conditions—or how hot it gets.

Air Assurance Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing has served homeowners in greater Broken Arrow for more than 30 years. Give us a call today to schedule preseason maintenance for your heat pump.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock