It’s easy to maintain your electronic air cleaner. Here’s a look at why it’s so important, along with how and when to get the job done.

Cleaning the collector plates

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Usually, this simply entails sliding out the collector plates, washing them with warm soapy water, drying them completely and putting them back into the electronic air cleaner. If the manufacturer’s instructions are missing, do an online search for the manual, based on the brand and model number.

Why electronic air cleaner maintenance is so important

Keeping the collector plates clean helps to improve the air cleaner’s performance, which is especially important for people with respiratory problems. Clogged plates also make the fan work harder and needlessly consume more energy. Because the task takes only about half an hour, and no specialized tools or equipment are needed, the cost benefits of maintaining your electronic air cleaner are quite high.

Maintenance frequency

Ideally, you should clean the plates every three months. Mark a day in February, May, August and November on your calendar so you don’t forget this simple maintenance task.

Keeping your air cleaner maintained is well worth the time spent, considering the improvement in your indoor air quality. This is especially important if anyone in your family has asthma, allergies or COPD. As you clean your electronic air cleaner, just think: The unit’s ability to remove dust and other particulates from the air means your housework has become much easier.

To learn more about keeping your indoor air pollution-free, contact Bradley Mechanical in Richmond. We have served residents of central Virginia for more than 30 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about electronic air cleaners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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When you purchased your current split air conditioning system, the evaporator coil and the condensing unit were specifically designed to work together. Until age caught up with it, your split air conditioning system could provide maximum comfort and perform at its highest level of efficiency.

If the condensing unit is begging to be replaced now, but the evaporator coil still seems to have some life left in it, you might be tempted to replace only the condensing unit. But this is a mistake that saves you money at the front end but can cost more in the long run — and not just in terms of money. These are some of the negative aspects:

• Lower efficiency: The new condensing unit may be Energy Star rated, capable of achieving great energy efficiency. But when it’s coupled with an older substandard evaporator coil, it’s impossible for your split air conditioning system to achieve high efficiency.
• Undue stress on the system: A mismatched system works harder than a perfectly matched one, which puts added stress on the system. This, in turn, increases your energy bills and lowers your home comfort.
• Premature failure: If you choose a new condensing unit that uses newer, more environmentally friendly refrigerant, it’s necessary to replace the evaporator coil as well. If you don’t, your system is doomed to premature failure.

When you consider how much it costs to replace both components now—as opposed to replacing the outdoor unit now and both units again just a short time later—it makes financial sense to get a whole new split air conditioning system now. The comfort and energy savings you enjoy also make the replacement worth it. For more information, contact Bradley Mechanical in Richmond.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about split air conditioning systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Repair

Air conditioners can last as long as 20 years, so if your system is relatively new, your energy costs are manageable, and you don’t have any comfort complaints, it’s probably smart to go ahead and make a needed repair. Keep this factor in mind, too: As a general rule, experts advise homeowners to repair their air conditioners only when the cost doesn’t exceed the actual value of the unit.

Replace

As your system ages and passes the 10-year mark, it’s often best to opt for a replacement to correct any problems with the system. A/C replacement offers significant advantages over repairing an old unit, including:

• Reliability – While you can keep your system running repair after repair, an aging system is more likely to continue to break down, especially if you haven’t invested in annual service. A new system, however, is reliable, and you won’t be fearing a breakdown as the Virginia’s summer heats up.
• Energy savings – Take the opportunity to purchase a high-efficiency A/C that’s sized right, and you’ll lower energy bills.
• Tax credits – Make the purchase in 2013, and you can take advantage of a tax credit of $300 from the federal government, available to homeowners who purchase a unit with a seasonal energy efficiency ratio of 16 or higher.
• Warranty – As your system ages, the warranty will eventually run out, and you’ll have to pay out of pocket for repairs. A new system is covered by a warranty, giving you peace of mind in the event that it requires repairs.

Bradley Mechanical has served homeowners in greater Richmond since 1969. We know how stressful it is to replace an air conditioner. Contact us to work with a reputable expert, and determine the best decision for your household.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about replacing your air conditioner and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Living room

Pet dander, pollen and other allergens, along with carbon dioxide emanating from the fireplace, are concerns in this area. Dander and outdoor allergens can become embedded in your furniture and carpeting. Service your fireplace annually to ensure carbon monoxide safety, and dust and vacuum regularly to remove allergens. For dusting, consider using an electrostatic tool.

Bedrooms

Dust mites are a primary concern in bedrooms, as they like to burrow in bedding, pillows and mattresses. Purchase protective casings for your pillows and mattresses. These will keep the dust mites from reproducing and eliminating where you sleep. Additionally, wash all bedding weekly in hot water.

Kitchen and bathrooms

Routine activities in these spaces generate moisture, and it’s also common practice to store hazardous chemicals and cleaning solutions in sink cabinets. Avoid mold by installing ventilating fans. Run them while you’re showering, bathing or cooking. Store chemicals elsewhere, or ensure that there’s adequate ventilation. Finally, inspect gas-powered appliances regularly to keep their venting systems operational.

Basement

Mold, radon and carbon monoxide are just a few of the potential hazards in this space. Combustible appliances, your water heater and furnace, for example, can pose a carbon monoxide risk. A damp basement increases the likelihood of mildew and mold. Radon seeping from the ground can penetrate the home. To ward off these hazards, install carbon monoxide detectors, get radon testing and maintain your HVAC system.

How does your home rate in terms of indoor air quality? Do you see potential problems in your home? Contact Bradley Mechanical for expert advice. We’ve served homeowners in greater Richmond since 1969. Give us call, or visit our website for more information.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Poor airflow can cause a home to be uncomfortably hot. You see, without sufficient air moving through the air handler, the evaporator coil can’t remove or transfer enough heat from the refrigerant, and the air that blows into your home won’t be as cool as it should be. To achieve peak airflow, the installation technician will check common causes for poor airflow, including ducts size, duct design and mismatched equipment.

Refrigerant

Just as airflow levels must be sufficient to ensure heat transfer, refrigerant levels also must be adequate. In fact, the lower the refrigerant level, the lower the operating efficiency. Some experts estimate that a 20 percent reduction in refrigerant can cause a drop of more than two points in system’s seasonal energy efficiency ratio. Proper installation requires a check of the refrigerant.

Ductwork

Ductwork leaks can also contribute to significant reductions in operating efficiency. Standard installation procedures should include sealing leaky ducts and insulating portions that run through areas of your home that aren’t air conditioned.

Sizing

If your high-efficiency air conditioner isn’t properly sized, the effects will be significant. Those effects can include a drop in efficiency, poor dehumidification and increased wear on the A/C. Having a unit that’s properly sized ensures top return on investment, a system that lasts longer, lower energy costs and proper management of humidity, regardless of outdoor humidity levels.

As you can see, following proper installation procedures can have a significant effect on the operating capacity of your air conditioner. It pays to hire an expert HVAC contractor to get the job done right. Bradley Mechanical has served homeowners in greater Richmond since 1969. Give us a call to schedule a quality high-efficiency air conditioner installation.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about high-efficiency air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Professional tasks include:

• Conducting a thorough inspection of the system’s components, looking for conditions that show evidence of wear and tear, and replacing parts as necessary.
• Replacing the air filter.
• Cleaning all critical components, including the air handler, compressor, condenser and evaporator coils, motor and fans.
• Checking the system for proper refrigerant charge, as low refrigerant can wreak havoc on the system and increase wear.
• Testing the ductwork for leakage and resolving problems as necessary.
• Tightening and cleaning electrical components, lubricating as necessary, boosting the nonconductive coating and making sure the system’s safe to operate.
• Testing the thermostat, calibrating it if the reading isn’t accurate.

DIY maintenance is easy. Here’s what’s involved:

• Inspect the filter monthly, and change it as needed.
• When you check the filter, also check the area around the condenser, located outside. It should be free of any leaves, grass clippings, dirt and so forth. If these elements get inside the condenser, they’ll interfere with heat transfer on the coil and block the airflow that’s vital to efficient operation.
• Make it a habit to keep registers and grilles inside your home clear. Covering them with furniture or hanging drapes over them will block them and restrict airflow into and out of the air conditioner.

At Bradley Mechanical, we’re proud of our heritage in the greater Richmond area. Since 1969, we’ve served homeowners with a high level of service, heating and cooling solutions, and maintenance and repairs. Give us a call to schedule your springtime A/C maintenance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about A/C maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• You see evidence of mold in the ducts. Because ducts are enclosed, and it’s nearly impossible to see inside them without specialized tools, you can make an educated guess about it—or have the ducts tested. If you have mold problems elsewhere in your home, or your HVAC technician finds evidence of its presence on the A/C coils, it’s probably in the ducts too.
• The ducts have become home for critters. If insects or rodents make their home in the ducts, they’re leaving droppings, and they might even be dying there. Your home’s entire air supply runs through the ducts, and the force of the air will cause particulates from these biological contaminants to be carried into your home’s living spaces.
• You see a puff of dust when the HVAC system cycles on and air comes out of the registers. That’s evidence that a large amount of dust has gathered in the ducts over time.
• It makes sense to you that ducts get dusty, just like the rest of the home.

Experts generally advise homeowners to have a duct cleaning done when these conditions appear or, alternatively, every two to three years. Other scenarios that call for duct cleaning include a home remodeling project that creates sawdust and other particulates or a move into a home where you’re unfamiliar with the condition of the ducts.

To determine whether duct cleaning would benefit your home, contact Bradley Mechanical. We’ve served homeowners in greater Richmond since 1969. Give us call, or visit our website for more information about quality heating and cooling installations and repairs, as well as maintenance plans.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about duct cleaning and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Professional care

A professional tune-up includes tasks such as:

• Replacing the air filter.
• Checking the refrigerant.
• Charging the system with more refrigerant if necessary.
• Testing the ductwork’s leakage rate.
• Inspecting the ductwork, looking for leaks and sealing them with mastic if needed.
• Insulating the ducts that run through the home’s unconditioned spaces.
• Testing airflow through the system.
• Cleaning the components, including the coils in the evaporator and condenser, the compressor, the air handler, the fan blades and the motors.
• Verifying correct sequence of heating and cooling mode, ensuring that the cooling system can’t run if the heating system is activated and vice versa.
• Checking the thermostat reading.
• Calibrating the thermostat if necessary.
• Checking the condensate drain, keeping it clear of blockages and treating it with a solution to remove mold and/or algae.

Homeowner care

Don’t assume that your job is done once you schedule professional heat pump maintenance. You can — and should – do these tasks over the summer to encourage peak performance:

• Check the air filter regularly. When the heat pump runs on a routine basis, you should check it every four weeks, changing it whenever it’s dirty.
• Check the condenser unit. If dirt, leaves or grass come into contact with the internal components of the condenser, they’ll interfere with heat transfer, cooling capacity, airflow and more. Avoid problems by sweeping these items away from the unit and keeping vegetation around it trimmed.
• Do the same for registers and grilles inside the home.

At Bradley Mechanical, we know how to help homeowners achieve peak heat pump efficiency. Give us a call to schedule service, or visit our website. We’ve served homeowners in greater Richmond since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Get out the plunger: Clamp the drain hose to the dishwasher. Fill the sink with a small amount of water. This will allow the plunger to get a good seal. If you have a double sink, hold a wet rag over that drain, and plunge vigorously. Ask someone to hold the rag if you need more muscle power for the plunger. Pop the plunger up to see if it’s worked. If it hasn’t, try again.
• Clean the P-trap: Put a bucket under the sink to catch the water after you disassemble the pipe. Unscrew the slip nut between the trap arm and the P-trap. Then unscrew the nut at the bottom of the waste tee. Substances and materials such as grease and coffee grounds often get caught in the p-trap. If you find an obstruction after you’ve taken the assembly apart, remove it, and reassemble. The slip nuts shouldn’t be overly tight.
• Snake the line: If neither plunging the drain nor cleaning the P-trap have worked, try snaking the drain. Loosen the setscrew at the tip of the snake, and pull out at least 6 inches of cable. Tighten the setscrew, and spin the snake into the drain. As the snake moves down the drain, continue to pull out the cable. When it hits the obstruction, turn the cable counterclockwise to pull it out of the drain. Clean the cable. Repeat the procedure if necessary. If the drain is now clear, pour a half cup of baking soda and a half cup of white vinegar down the drain. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then let some warm water run down the drain.

While these approaches are often successful, keep in mind that there’s a risk of damaging your drain. It’s better to call your trusted plumber — even better to have a professional drain cleaning, which can prevent any problems. For those services and more, get in touch with Bradley Mechanical in Richmond. We can help you with all of your plumbing needs, whether it’s an emergency or routine maintenance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about sink drains and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Assessing the ducts

In order to tell exactly what your system needs, you should have a reputable expert evaluate and diagnose the duct system, as different types of ductwork call for differing solutions. Metal ductwork that has no lining can almost always be cleaned. Fiberboard ductwork, however, can be harder to clean, and if the dirt and dust contamination is bad enough, it may need to be replaced. A third kind of ductwork, flexible ductwork, can often be cleaned by a trained professional; however, if there is mold growth inside of the flexible ductwork it will most likely require replacement.

Cleaning the ductwork

Cleaning the ducts does no good unless the expert can diagnose the source of the dirt and dust. If all or part of the HVAC system is not properly sealed, it pulls air as well as dust and dirt into the ducts. Sometimes the dust and dirt is pulled in by running the system without an air filter in place. If this is the case, there may be no leaks in the system

Choosing the technician

It is important to have a reputable HVAC specialist who is well established in your community inspect the ductwork to determine the best course of action. An inexperienced technician may try to convince you to proceed with duct cleaning, when in fact the ducts need repaired. Other contractors may try to sell you on replacing the ducts, when it’s not necessary. Choose a trusted HVAC specialist to ensure you know exactly what your system needs — nothing more, nothing less.

For more expert advice on ductwork cleaning and other ways to care for your HVAC systems, feel free to contact Bradley Mechanical. We have been serving the good folks of central Virginia since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about maintaining your air ducts and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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