AC Tips
HVACs are intimidating systems for most homeowners. They are complex and finicky, which is why they should only be worked on by Premium Services’s professionals. Here are the questions our team gets asked most frequently to help you get started.
Maintenance Tips
Here are some tips to help you perform your own preventive maintenance on your heating and air conditioning system:
- Replace you thermostat’s batteries if you have a battery operated one.
- Replace your filter (or wash it) regularly to provide adequate airflow to your system so it operates efficiently (uses less electricity and provide better cooling).
- Make sure you have a clean-out and p-trap on your drain line then add half a cup of bleach to your clean-out to keep your drain pipe clean. You can use a wet-vac on the drain outlet outside your house to suck water, dirt and anything that may be clogging your line.
- Make sure you have a safety float switch to prevent flood in case your drain gets clogged. Float switches are connected to the air handler or installed on the emergency pan (when air handler is installed horizontally). Make sure it’s tested next time you have a professional maintenance done on your system.
- Visually inspect your evaporator coil. remove pet’s hair and dust from surface with a soft brush.
- Verify if your UV light is working. Remember you cannot look directly at the light. Check for the model of UV device you have because most manufacturers recommend you replace your bulb every other year on average to maintain efficiency.
- Keep the surroundings of your condenser unit clean and free of obstruction.
- The TD (temperature difference) from your return air to your supply air should be at least 15ºF. You can put a thermometer at your return (by the filter) and leave it there for a couple minutes, write down the temperature then put it next to your supply (on the ceiling) and check the difference. Return air temperature less supply air temperature should be 15ºF or more. If less than 15ºF your system is probably not running at peak performance.
NOTES:
- Outside and indoor temperature can make a big difference on this test. Try to do it on a 80ºF to 85ºF day and room temperature around 75º.
- Also make sure the system runs for at least 15 minutes before you take the measurements.
- This is a simple test for the homeowner. It does not substitute a professional assessment of your system and it’s intended to indicate possible problems. A TD below 15ºF USUALLY indicates a problem or just simple inefficiency and it is recommended you call a professional to check your system.
You can print our Maintenance Log Sheet to use it as a reminder/log.
Call us at (727) 954-6470 for a professional AC Maintenance check
Click here to download Maintenance Log Sheet
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