air condition hints

How to Change a Thermostat

2005-10-31T14:43:00.000-05:00

First before you attempt to change your own thermostat you need to make sure you have the right thermostat and correct amount of wires to hook to your themostat.

Lets discuss the proper thermostat first. Many times I have been called to install a thermostat that a customer has purchased themself. Sometimes they will get a heat pump thermostat when they really need a thermostat for gas, oil or electric units. So make sure you know what type of system you have.

Now the wiring for your new thermostat. If you have a heatpump system the number of wires you need should be already there. Most heatpump wires require 6-7 wires , some may need more if you have a two speed heat pump.

Now if you have an air conditioner with either gas, fuel or electric heater in most cases you will need 4-5 wires. Some digital thermostats require a common wire so that the display shows and so the thermostat will work.

To change your thermostat first turn your breakers off that control your air conditioner and heater. Take your cover off the thermostat and access the wires that are connected to the thermostat. DO NOT DISCONNECT YOUR WIRES UNTIL YOU WRITTEN DOWN WHAT COLOR OF WIRE GOES TO WHICH TERMINAL. I would also compare the new thermostat terminals to the old one. If you are unable to figure out how to wireup the new thermostat then call a service company. You will be better off paying somebody to install it for you versus burning something up that cost you more money.

If you feel like you can proceed make sure you look at the diagrams that come with the new thermostat. they will have good information that you will need to properly wire the new thermostat.

Most thermostats have a similar terminal lables such as R, Y, W, E, C, G, and O/B. The O/B is for heat pump units. The O/B is for the reversing valve of the heat pump unit.

So make sure you have the proper thermostat and the correct number of wires needed and follow the instructions. I am going to put down the terminal lables that are most common and describe their purpose. These descriptions are the most common, but you still need to read the instructions and study your wire diagrams with the new thermostat.

HEAT PUMP TERMINALS

R - Power
Y & W - Cooling/ 1st Stage Heat
W2- Electric Heat 2nd Stage
E- Emergency Heat
C- Common
G- Fan
O/B - Reversing Valve

Y/W will sometimes have a jumper to each other or will just have a termial 'Y'.

O/B is for the reversing valve which ever therminal is used on your old thermostat use the same on the new t'stat.

G - is the blower/fan circuit

W2- is the second stage heat/strip heater

E- emergency heat/ strip heaters

C- common

R- Power

AIR CONDITIONER/ GAS, FUEL. ELECTRIC

R- Power

Y- Cooling

W- Heat

G- Fan

C- Common

Premature Compressor Failure

2005-09-05T20:12:00.000-05:00

Why do compressors fail prematurely? What I have seen in the 20yrs. doing air conditioning that causes a compressor to fail is units being over charged and air flow issues.
Just this past friday I changed a compressor in a two year old unit. The compressor would not startup, it was locked up mechanically. So what caused the unit to lockup? The unit was over charged. Well when I removed all the freon, the total was 13lbs. Once I completed changing the compressor and recharged the unit the total amount of freon used was 6lbs. The system was over charged by 7lbs. of freon.
So how did it get over charged? It is plain and simple the installers or the startup person did not do their job correctly. Units come precharged. In many cases freon does not have to be added. Sometimes freon does if the lineset is long,but it usually is only a couple of pounds.
In some cases if it has a short line set, freon will need to be removed. Now what can the homeowner do to prevent this? Ask questions to the service tech such as, what is the superheat and split on the unit. These are the two readings I use the most when charging the unit.
There is no standard temperture, the readings vary depending on temperture and humidity,but this will at least let the tech know you have some knowledge about a/c units. If the tech blows you off or does not know, you should be concerned.
Airflow issues that I see most that contribute to compressor failures are dirty filters and dirty indoor coils due to no filter in the system.
This problem can be prevented by the homeowner.Make sure you keep a filter in the unit. Check and change the filter every 30 to 45 days. Make sure you have a good filter also, I prefer the pleated filter over the cheap throw away filter. The most important thing is to keep a filter in the system and replace or clean it regularly.
Unless mother nature does something to kill the compressor you should get at least 10yrs. out of a compressor and with proper maintenance you could get up to 20 yrs. out of a compressor.

Busy Summer

2005-08-12T14:10:00.000-05:00

Well to say the lease I have been busy this summer, thats why I have not posted in a while. I thought I would write about some of my service calls this summer. I have had several calls this summer where units were not cooling due to being overcharged.
Overcharged units will not cool like it should,but if its overcharged real bad it will kill your compressor in a short time.

I have changed several capacitors this summer, make sure your capacitors are checked when having your system checked out. Capacitors are alot cheaper than a motor or compressor.

Just a reminder as of Jan. 2006, manufactures will be producing units only in 13 seer or higher. These units will cost more to install. If you are thinking about replacing your system and want to save some money you may want to do it soon before the 10 & 12 seer units are gone..

When should I replace my system?

2005-05-15T18:07:00.000-05:00

Customers ask me this question alot. If your system is 10 yrs. old or older it would be in your best interest to start planning to replace it. I replaced three outdoor units in the past 10 days. For a one man shop this is alot of units in a short span of time.
Two of the units were 14 yrs. old and the third was only 7 yrs. old,but it is located near the beach and was badly rusted.

In January 2006 the manufactures will be producing units at 13 seer and higher, so expect higher prices when you go to replace your system. The 10 & 12 seer units will only be around until the inventory are used up. Remember to get the savings from these higher efficient units you will need to replace your indoor unit in most cases. Get at least 2 or 3 quotes and go with who you feel comfortable with, if you do not have a regular service company that you use ask friends & family who they use.

Why does my unit freeze up in the summer

2005-04-29T20:23:00.000-05:00

I get asked this question alot and get alot of service calls for this. The two most common reasons for units to freezing up is dirty filters and units being low on freon. Always check your filter montly. Be sure and have a good filter that will keep your system clean. The only thing you can do about the freon is to have your system checked annually. This way if your unit is low on freon, the tech can charge the unit. If your system needs freon every year then you need to have a leak search done on your system. The only way the unit looses freon is if there is a leak. These two are the most common reasons for units freezing up, a couple of other reasons is a dirty indoor coil and indoor blower motor not working.

How to choose a service company

2005-04-29T20:21:00.000-05:00

The most important thing to look for is"customer service". A company should treat you with respect, what I mean is if they tell you a certain time that they will be at your house then they are running late they should call you and let you know so that if needed you can reschedule the service if needed. This really shows that they really care and value you as a customer.
The tech who comes out to your house should explain to you what he found wrong with your system and give you options on what needs to be done to fix your system. If he tries to pressure you into buying a new system then this should be a warning to you and you may want to get a second opinion. To help find a good service company, ask friends and family who they use.

Water Leaks

2005-04-18T15:02:00.000-05:00

Water leaks can be one of the most frustrating service calls I get. Sometimes it is as simple as a clogged drain line,but sometimes it can be more involved.
Sometimes it is a installation problem,drains ran uphill or double trap. Sometimes it is a manufactures problem.
I will focus on the first sitution of clogged drains. What can a homeowner do to prevent waterleaks? If you have access to the drain line you can pour a mixture of bleach and water in the drain line. You will need to have a pve tee in the drain line to do this. I also suggest the pve tee is capped off. Before you pour any of the bleach/water mixture make sure the water level is not to high in the drain line this could mean the line is clogged.
If you pour the mixture in,it may backup and leak the bleach onto your carpet or flooring. The other suggestion is to have the system checked in the spring/summertime. The tech should blowout the drain and add algae tablets to the drain system. If you have these things done it,will decrease the chance of a water leak.
The last suggestion is to keep your filter clean,if a filter gets real dirty it can cause the unit to freeze up. This can cause a water leak when it melts.
Maintenance is the key to preventing water leaks. Find a good service oriented company and get on a maintenance plan. Next time I will discuss about what to look for in a service company and what I try to do for my customers.

How to Install a Thermostat

2005-04-18T12:44:00.000-05:00

How to install a thermostat: "Before you start

Before you head to the store to buy a new thermostat, take a minute to check the number and type of wires attached to your old unit.

If your old thermostat is connected to thin wires coming directly out of the wall, it has low-voltage wires, which don't present a shock hazard.

But if the thermostat is wired into an electrical box, then it's probably running off 120-volt current. Don't try to replace it until you’ve consulted with a licensed electrician.

If you’re replacing a thermostat that contains mercury in a sealed tube, don’t just throw it away. You’ll need to contact your local waste management agency for instructions for proper disposal."

Compressors

2005-04-15T15:55:00.000-05:00

The compressor is the heart of the system. The compressor is what pumps the Freon around. If the compressor dies then you will have no cooling. If the compressor is out of warranty then you are looking at a major expense. Now what can a home owner do to prevent a compressor from failing. The first and most important step for a home owner is to have a good filter and to change it when needed.

When filters get dirty it restricts air flow through the indoor unit. When cooling with a very dirty filter it can cause your unit to freeze up. If this happens overtime. I can guarantee you the compressor will die. With a heatpump in the heating mode a dirty filter will raise pressures too high and damage the compressor,which will also cause premature failure and other problems.

A second suggestion is to get a digital thermostat. You may be wondering how a thermostat can help. A digital thermostat usually have a five minute delay built into it so that the unit cannot be short cycled by the homeowner or due to power flickering on and off. Short cycling causes undo stress on the compressor. If the power is flickering,turn off the unit until the storm passes.

The third suggestion is to have the unit checked out at least once a year, it would be best to do a twice a year maintenance. Find a good service company,ask friends,family who they use. Once you find somebody to service your system ask questions on what they check and clean under a maintenance plan. Make sure they check the compacitors for the compressor and motors,as discussed before,a copacitor is very important and can cause problems for the compressor. Next time I will discuss water leaks.

Contactors

2005-04-10T21:19:00.000-05:00

A contactor is a control that brings on the compressor and outdoor fan motor of a heatpump or air conditioner. They are also used sometimes to bring on heat strips. Contactors have what are called "contacts" this is where the electricity flows through to bring on the unit.
These contacts will pit and burn up at sometime, this is normal wear and tear. So at some point you will need to replace the contactors, if you want, ask the tech. to show you the contactor just so you know what contactor looks like.
To prolong the life of the contacts of the contactor,do not mess with your thermostat to much. Set your temp. and leave it alone and another suggestion is to get a digital thermostat. These thermostats usually have a built in time delay to keep the unit from being short cycled due to the occupants of the house plus if your power is flickering on and off due to a storm.
Next time I will talk about compressors.

Capacitors

2005-03-27T19:14:00.000-05:00

Capacitors on a heating and cooling units are used to help motors get started and keep motors running properly. I compare capacitors to the battery of a car. If the capacitor is weak the motor/compressor may not start up or overheats after it runs for a little bit.

Capacitors should be checked each maintenance. My own Air Condition had a capacitor that was starting to get weak,but not at the point that it had to be changed. Well two months later I had to change it. The top of my capacitor looked like a bullfrog. A tech should have a meter to check the capacitors to see its strength level or resistence level. If a tech says a capacitor needs replacing ask him to show it to you, just say so you can tell your spouse. I always show my customers just to make them feel comfortable with me. Weak capacitors can damage the motor/compressor and cause higher electric bills. Capacitors are suppose to be changed once the get 10% of their rated value. I would suggest changing them even if its borderline due to my own personal experience, cause two months later I had to change mine. This will save a service call charge and the inconvience. Next visit I will address contactors.

Recommended reading: click here

Freon Level

2005-03-08T15:43:00.000-05:00

A systems Freon level is critical for a system to cool or heat properly. If a system is overcharged or undercharged it will not cool/heat properly and will eventually damage your system.

Just this past week I went on a service call for a noise complaint. The customer said the heat pump was very noisy and that he put a 20lb dumb bell on top of it to get it quite.

I went out there to check it out. The customer was not home,but left me a key. I turned on the system and removed the weight and as soon as I did that the unit made a loud noise like two metal panels were loose or shaking. I checked for loose screws and put vibration pads under the unit,but it was still loud and unfortunately the unit is right at the master bedroom window. So I decided to check the charge. The weather that day was in the mid 60's so I checked out both the cooling/heating cycles. I found the unit was overcharged, I removed around 3 lbs of Freon. I then set my pressures in the cooling mode by what we call "superheat" and rechecked the pressures in the heat mode with its chart in the panel. Guess what? The unit is much quieter.

Now some might say 3 lbs is not much,but over charged systems will your compressor and make your system less efficient. So if you get your system checked ask the tech if your charge is good and how they determine it. Mention you heard or read about superheat on systems charging, if they do not know what you are talking about, I would not use that company again.

They should be able to explain it to you very easily. This is a brief explanation on how to determine superheat on a system. This is the method I use for cooling cycle checks. The tech will have to take a outdoor temp. by the unit and a indoor temp. inside near the return. He will either use the chart in the outdoor system or a chart he carries himself. The tech will see what the chart calls for the superheat to be. He then takes a temp. Reading of the suction line, this is the copperline that sweats and is insulated. He then looks at the low side pressure gauge and finds temp. of the Freon in the system,he then subtracts Freon temp from suction line temp. This gives the "superheat" of the system.

If the "superheat" to high you need some Freon if it is to low some Freon needs to be recovered. It is easier to understand when you see it done. It is very critical that the charge is correct. Some tech will charge by other methods, I prefer "superheat" in cooling mode and using pressure chart for heating mode.

Recommended reading:click here.

Spring is Coming!

2005-02-27T13:31:00.000-05:00

It's getting time to have your A/C system checked out. If you have not had your system checked lately, you probably are wasting electricity, it might be harming the compressor and possibly will have a water leak that could damage your ceiling or carpet/floors.

Find a good service oriented company. Ask neighbors and family who they use. Make sure who ever you use that the technician cleans the outdoor coil,blowout the drain line and add algae tablets to your drain pan. Capacitors should be checked and also the Freon level. Make sure you have a good filter to keep your indoor coil clean. You should change your filters every 30 to 60 dayss,but check your filter every month.

I will explain later how certain items on your A/C can harm or cause higher electric bills if they are not checked.

What Brand is the Best?

2005-02-10T23:08:00.000-05:00

Which brand is the best brand? All the big names are good units. The most important part is how the system is installed. If a unit is not installed properly you will have problems.

Now what can you do is this, when you want to replace or have to replace your system ask your service company about their value line units. These are units that are made by big name brand companies. The units sometimes do not have all the bells and whistles,but they use alot of the same major parts. The systems that I install are owned by Lennox. I am a Armstrong dealer, this unit uses the same major parts as Lennox,but the big difference is they use a different cabinet design. I bet you can save hundreds of dollars if you ask about this line of equipment from the service company.

Remember this the most important part is that the unit is installed properly. I have seen brand name units that lasted less than a year due to improper installation.

Repair Vs. Replacing

2005-01-30T16:10:00.000-05:00

When should I replace my system? This is a question I get alot from customers. If your system is ten years old or older I suggest replacing the system. The newer units are higher effiecency. This will save you money on your utilities and plus certain brands have 10 year warranties or compressors and 5 year warranty on parts. Some service companies offer 10 year parts and labor, but you pay a lot more.

I used to work for a company that had a deal like this and they charged anywhere from 5 and 7 thousand dollars plus you had to buy a maintenance plan for the 10 years or the warranty was invalid.

Now for systems under 10 years old, it depends on your situation and what you can afford. Generally the indoor equipment will last longer that outdoor unit. So you can keep the older indoor unit and just change the outdoor unit. This will save you money initally, but the disadvantage is you have a high effiecient outdoor unit on a older indoor unit which is not, this will keep you from lowering your utility bill more. Get 2 or 3 estimates and ask questions. Ask family and neighbors who they use and then make your choice.

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Damper System vs. Multiple Systems

2005-01-25T11:25:00.000-05:00

Dampers systems or Multi zone systems have come a long way since they were first developed. The purpose of these systems is to use one central air system to cool or heat a house that has a small upstairs area or bonus room over the garage. I think this is a very good idea for these situations.
However, if you have a large upstairs area I believe you get better temperture control with separate central air systems. The extra cost for the equipment is worth it in the long run. One of the biggest complaints we see are customers who say this end of the house is to cool or hot. Other complaints we get are lack of air flow or upstair rooms are to hot. If you have these problems it would be a good idea to talk to a good service company and see what options they can give to help you out.

Second Opinion Revisited

2005-01-01T22:20:00.000-05:00

I had to follow up on this subject. On Wednesday Dec. 29th 2004 I received a service call. The customer needed a second opinion on a service call. The first company condemned a part called the "expansion valve", this part is not terribly expensive,but the system is a HEAT PUMP PACKAGE unit. This means all the REFRIGERANT has to be recovered to install a valve and a new drier. Around here this could cost $400 dollars or more plus if not done properly major problems can happen.

Well I go out and check the system. I turn the system on and check it out. This valve effects how the pressures look in the heat mode, well the pressures look normal. I cycled the unit a few times and had no problems with the valve. So now I go a head and check the defrost cycle of the HEAT PUMP. I find a problem with the sensor that helps in this cycle. I then call the customer to inform him of what I found. I now will be returning to replace the sensor. All together it will cost between $176 to $200 dollars. Because he wanted a second opinion he will save over $200 dollars. Again if you are suspicious do not hesitate to get a second opinion.

Second Opinion Calls

2004-12-21T16:21:00.000-05:00

If you have ever been uneasy or suspicious of a service tech's diagnosis, I would suggest you get a second opinion. A lot of company's will come out and give you a second opinion at a reduced charge or may not charge at you anything.

Just explain your situation and see what happens. I personally have done this and sometimes I was able to save the customer a unnecessary repair,other times the previous company were correct with diagnosis.

Equipment Life Expectancy

2004-12-16T15:53:00.000-05:00

Today systems probably will not last as long as the unit from years ago. Todays units need to be maintained in order to get a long life from them. Manufactures are using cheaper parts that do not last as long.

Two of the most failures that I see are capacitors and contactors. Both are minor and easy repairs, but if not checked often they can lead to major repairs. Todays units are expected to last 10 years, if you live near the coast 7 years is about the average due to the salt. Have your units checked often.

The indoor equipment generally last beyond 12 years, many last 20 years. Brand names mean nothing if installed improperly. If units are not properly installed you will have problems and the system will not last. Choose a good company and ask questions.

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Thermostats

2004-12-13T15:24:00.000-05:00

A good THERMOSTAT can save you money on your electric bill or gas bill. I suggest to my customers at least go with a digital non-programmable THERMOSTAT.
Digital thermostats are so much more accurate that the old mercury or magnetic style. If you have a set schedule that your house is vacant for a good part of the day a programmable THERMOSTAT can save you even more money, it saved me $40 dollars a month in the summer that I replaced mine.

Heat your water while air conditioning

2004-12-11T15:16:00.000-05:00

Here is an article that I thought would be of some interest.
458 - Air-condition your house while heating your water for free

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

2004-12-09T22:01:00.000-05:00

The silent killer carbon monoxide. It is crucial that you have a good carbon monoxide detector if you use any type of fuel or gas to heat your home.

Even if you have a new system, carbon monoxide is created when there is not enough oxygen for the fuel or gas to burn properly. The carbon monoxide can get into your house by a crack in a heat exchanger. Improper venting of its fumes or by improper ducting.

I prefer a digital carbon monoxide detector that shows a reading. I have seen the other types that use a sensor be faulty and start beeping when nothing is wrong. The digital one are more expensive, but I think more reliable. Whichever you can afford get it now.

Customer Protection

2004-12-08T22:16:00.000-05:00

I went on a maintenance call today. I was performing a Heating Maintenance and this was my second visit to this customer. He had his Heat pump system replaced 3 years ago by another company.

He had been dissatisfied with the unit operation and installation. I had to fix some problems with the indoor section, it should have been done by the original company, but they refused saying it had been 3 years since they installed it.

If you are dissatisfied with a company's service or installation Do not wait to complain, call and speak to a manager or the owner. Do not be afraid to ask questions. If you see something that concerns you. A good technician and a good company will explain what is going on and why.

This customer was fortunate that the problem did not cost much,but his 3 year old system will probably have to be replaced prematurely do the way it was installed. Protect yourself by asking questions.

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Heat pump owners

2004-12-05T19:02:00.000-05:00

I had a customer call today, he saw ice on the outdoor unit. He thought something was wrong. After explaining to him about the normal operation of a heat pump and how it is normal to see frost on a heat pump, we decided to hold off on a service call. He called back a few minutes later and said the frost was gone. So if you see some frost on your heat pump don't panic, wait and see if the frost disappears. Now ,if you see hard ice around the unit then call your service company. You probably need to have it checked.

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Five things you should never do

2004-12-03T23:21:00.000-05:00

Here are 5 important suggestions to help keep your system running properly.

Do not turn the thermostat up and down. Once you set it leave it, if you keep messing with your thermostat you can damage your system.
Never run your system without a filter. If you run the system without the filter it will allow your unit to get dirty and can restict air flow.
If your air conditioner is freezing up and your filter is clean, do not keep running the unit. If you do you can damage the compressor. Call a reputable air condition company.
If you have a gas furnace especially a older furnace you should have a Carbon Monoxide detector help protect you and your family.

The last suggestion I have is to find a good reputable service company and get your system checked on a regular basis. This will help keep your system efficient and prolong its life.

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