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Serving Pensacola Fl, Milton Fl, Pace Fl, Gulf Breeze Fl and Narvarre Fl. |
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Air Conditioning (HVAC) Maintenance Saves Money.
Proper air conditioning maintenance can help your unit last decades. On the flip-side, a neglected air conditioner loses roughly 5% of its efficiency each year that it operates without upkeep. This means that the 12 SEER unit that you bought just a few years ago may be functioning like a 9 SEER unit today! So that green machine you bought to stay cool could start to function like the most inefficient thing on the market, if you fail to perform regular air conditioning maintenance.
Filters and coils are both parts that require regular maintenance for your air conditioner to operate effectively and efficiently. Neglecting your unit leads to poor air conditioning performance and increased energy consumption. And regular maintenance is far less costly than repairs or a replacement.
By keeping your unit operating at peak performance, you will recover any money invested in upkeep by lower repair costs and savings on your electric bill. |
Freon Leaks
Contrary to popular belief, air conditioners do not consume refrigerant (freon) as a car consumes oil, so under ideal conditions it would never need changing or filling. Therefore, a low freon level indicates a leak which should be repaired before adding more. While most new system connections are welded to minimize leaks, many older units (8+ years) were connected with mechanical flared fittings which can vibrate loose over the years, causing leaks. |
Homeowner Maintenance Tips
The first thing to check before turning on your unit is to make sure the condensing unit located outside is not covered up. The unit needs to draw air into the system in order to have something to cool and circulate inside, but the process is hindered if it cannot pull in enough outside air.
Run your air conditioner for a few minutes in late spring or early summer, before you need it. If you wait until the first hot day to discover it isn't working, you'll find yourself on a waiting list, sweltering for days before an air conditioning specialist can come to fix it.
VERY IMPORTANT: Change the filters regularly. Dirty filters restrict air flow, reduce efficiency and worse case, can cause the evaporator to ice up. Disposable fiberglass filters should be replaced. Electrostatic or electronic filters need to be washed regularly.
Be sure all access panels are secure, with all the screws in place. Clean obvious obstructions such as leaves and brush from around the exterior of the outdoor unit.
A thoroughly cleaned air conditioning unit will operate at top efficiency. However, homeowners are strongly discouraged from using a hose and water to try to clean it themselves because of the very serious risk of electrical shock and possible shorting of electrical components. |
Jacks Air Inc. offers a yearly maintenance contract with a 21 point inspection/tune up.
Check thermostat operation.
Check indoor blower amps.
Check heal strip amps and circuit components.
Check/evaluate evaporator coil for buildup.
Check CFM across evaporator coils.
Treat AH/evap coil/case coil with Micro-Ban.
Check blower wheel for buildup.
Check all electrical connections and wires.
Check air filter.
Lubricate all moving parts where applicable.
Flush condensate drain line/pan and evaluate drainage.
Lubricate all moving parts where applicable.
Check float switch operation.
Check compressor amps.
Check condenser fan amps.
Check reversing valve operation.
Check condenser coil for damage.
Check capacitors.
Check contactor points.
Check system for proper refrigerant charge.
Check all caps and valves for seals and/or proper snug fit. |
Planned HVAC Maintenance is a Smart Investment
by Scott Kelly, Greenville SC
There’s angst aplenty on Wall Street these days but—on your own street, at least—one investment ALWAYS pays off: a little money spent on preventive HVAC maintenance turns into a lot of money saved.
An ounce of prevention pays hefty dividends.
That’s because preventive maintenance extends the life of your HVAC equipment and preempts potential breakdowns by detecting—then fixing emerging issues before they become expensive repairs. Regular tune-ups also ensure your system runs at peak efficiency. For analogy, consider your car: spending $30 to change the oil saves you from spending $3,000 to replace a seized engine.
Prevention is a smart investment because:
It’s a bargain. Preventive maintenance is cheap compared to repair bills if—or rather when—a poorly maintained system degenerates. Regular tuneups
ensure optimal function; neglected HVAC equipment eventually requires extensive repairs, and ultimately must be replaced prematurely.
It’s easy. Simply schedule semi-annual inspections—once in the spring, before the onset of hot weather, and again in the fall, before it gets cold—so a licensed technician can examine your entire HVAC system, checking and verifying proper operation while also prepping it for the upcoming season.
It’s proactive. Seasonal tune-ups reduce unexpected HVAC breakdowns; it’s far more cost-effective to spot a small, simple problem during routine inspection, rather than waiting for it to turn into an emergency (read: expensive) service call. A well-maintained system provides more comfort with much less hassle.
It’s green. HVAC is the biggest energy expense in most of our homes. A properly maintained system runs at peak effi ciency, thus saving money AND saving the environment. By scheduling regular tune-ups, you can potentially cut your utility bill by 10% or more.
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| Air conditioner and heater repair and service in Pace, Milton, Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze, Navarre and Navarre Beach Florida. Brands include Rheem, Fujitsu, Amana, Rudd, WeatherKing, Goodman, American Standard, Payne, Intertherm, Gibson, Heil, Nordyne and Tempstar. |
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