Central air tips for Utah homeowners
Utah residents know that summers here can be long and hot. Your home can be a sanctuary from the heat with a properly functioning air conditioner. Here are some tips to get the most of your central air system and keep it running efficiently and strong all summer long.
Before you turn it on
Walk outside and take a look at your outside unit. This is called the condenser. If you covered the condenser over the winter make sure to remove the cover before you turn it on. Remove any objects or vegetation within 18” of the unit. It is not a bad idea to take a hose and spray off the coils. Use a hose with a nozzle and spray the coils at a 45 degree angle to remove debris between the fins.
The inside part of your central air system is often overlooked by home owners and this is where many problems begin. A regularly changed filter is the best thing you can do for your central air system. Change it once a month in the summer and use a pleated filter. Before you turn on your central air system for the first time make sure you have a new filter in place and that there are no gaps where the air can pass unfiltered.
Now that you have inspected everything this would be a good time to make sure the breaker and/or disconnect switch to the condenser are turned on. After this is done you might want to close all the basement vents. You will want the air from your system to be concentrated on your middle and upper floors where it is needed the most.
Let’s fire it up
Now that you have prepared your central air it’s time to flip the switch. Turn your thermostat to “cool” and turn the fan to “auto”. Turn the setting down to 68 degrees or so for the purpose of these next steps. Once you hear the system come on go back outside to the condenser and make sure the fan is spinning. You should also hear the hum of the compressor. Walk back inside and listen for anything abnormal with the furnace blower. Should you see or hear anything unusual turn the system off immediately.
It’s running but is it working?
There are a few basic checks that you as a homeowner can do to see if your central air is operating like it should. One of the first things to look at is the copper refrigerant pipes. The large one which is usually insulated should be cold. While the system is running go outside to the condenser and push up the insulation a little bit to expose the pipe. Put your hand around it and feel if it is cold. It should feel like a soda can that you just took out of the refrigerator. You will often see condensation on this refrigerant line and that is a good sign that the refrigerant level is where it should be.
If you have a digital or laser thermometer you can check the temperature at your vents to determine if your central air system is doing what it is supposed to be doing. First check the temperature of the air going into the return air grill. These are the larger grills usually located in the hall. After you have that reading check one or two of the supply air vents in the home. These are where the air comes out. The temperature of the air coming out of these should be around 20 degrees colder than the air going in at the return.
What to watch for
As the temperatures outside start to rise your central air will be running longer and working overtime. Watch for water on the top or under your furnace. Condensation is normal but it should run through the condensate drain only. Damage caused by improper drainage is common and usually expensive to repair. Look for any signs of freezing on the large copper line. If you see ice or frost there it may be a sign that you have low refrigerant or improper air flow.
If your central air system runs all the time and rarely shuts off or you can’t get the temperature below 75 degrees you may have a problem with your central air system. High power bills can also be an indication that something is wrong. You may need a professional to take a look at your system. It is best to be proactive and not wait until it breaks down on that 100 degree day.
If you need to call a professional
Its miserable in your home and you have decided it is time to make that dreaded phone call to have a technician come and look at your air conditioner. Should you call the company with all the commercials or the friend who has a friend that used to work on air conditioners? Keep in mind that much of the cost for HVAC companies can be advertising which is passed on to the customer. You will also want to make sure to have a qualified technician diagnose your problem or you will most likely keep having issues and could shorten the life of your system. Before you call anyone make sure to do some research. Choose a company that has been in business for a while. Make sure they are licensed and insured. Look for online reviews but keep in mind that some of these may not be genuine. Check the Better Business Bureau website and see if there are a large number of complaints. If you do need a major repair get a second opinion. Most companies will do this at no charge.
Follow these tips and you should be able to get the most out of your central air system. Don’t forget to have a tune up done by a reputable company every 1 to 3 years. Summer time in Utah should be spent with friends and family, not your air conditioner.
Contributed by Chad Humphrey owner of Humphrey Heating and Air. Chad has over 15 years’ experience in the industry and is a licensed HVAC contractor
Email your questions to callhumphrey@live.com
