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How To Solve The Biggest Problems With Air Conditioning
Question Submitted by Angie L. Gainesville, VA : “How do I change my HVAC air filter?”
Maybe it started out feeling a little stuffy, so you turned the A/C up higher… Then you noticed that after a couple of hours it still stayed at a balmy 74 degrees. You didn’t panic, you turned to the “Google machine” and looked up the most common reasons for A/C problems. Then you found it, what you hoped could be the potentially easy solution to your personal sauna! You thought to yourself; “It says here that changing the filter in my HVAC unit will improve air flow…when was the last time that thing was changed?” Don’t worry, if you’re new to this, we’ve got you covered!
Here’s a step-by-step guide to replacing your HVAC air filter, and you’ll be glad to see that this is one of the easier fixes you’ll come across in your quest for home comfort!
Step 1: Buy a new filter
As a first-time filter replacer, you’ll need to buy a filter that fits your system’s requirements. Before you head out to make the purchase, you can read through your owner’s manual, or just take a look at the current filter in your system. The specifications should be printed on the side of the frame so it’ll be easy to find what you need. You should be able to find filters at your local hardware store, Walmart, Target and even some varied grocery stores. You can even get higher-efficiency filters that work better and last longer.
Step 2: Turn off your unit
When you find the correct filter and you’re ready to replace the old one, you’ll want to turn off your heating and cooling unit. This is for safety purposes. Unit settings vary, so take a look at your user manual if the on/off switch isn’t visible. At the very least, simply switch off your breaker… Just remember to turn it back on again!
Step 3: Remove the old filter
This can be a pretty gross thing to see if you haven’t changed filters in a few weeks or even months. You’ll be surprised how much dust, dirt and debris your filter has caught! Most system’s air filters are located on the right side of the unit. You’ll see the square filter, and it should easily pull out of its slot in the furnace. It’s fairly uncommon, but if you’re one of those whose filters are located in the air vents of your home, you’ll probably need to contact the professionals at F.H. Furr to replace your filter.
Step 5: Inserting the new filter
Here’s the easy part! Simply slide the new filter into the slot the old one came from. Follow the arrows on the outside of the filter to see which end goes in first and what side should be facing where.
Now that you know how to change your filter, be sure that you change if every few months, or more frequently if you notice that they’re pretty dirty when you replace them. Changing your air filters can save you between 5-15% on your energy bill each month. They also help your system operate smoothly and increase HVAC life. In short, air filter replacement is an easy way to maintain your home comfort! As always, when you need tips, service, and professionals you can rely on, count on the technicians at F.H. Furr! Give us a call today to find out more about our heating and cooling services, deals and inspections!
Utility bills can consume a very large portion of your paycheck. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could pay 25-50% less on these bills? There’s a number of ways you can. Don’t worry you won’t find any low flow toilets on this list! Find out how to stay cool this summer without burning a hole in your wallet.
- Use fluorescent bulbs. They’re more expensive than the regular old incandescent bulbs, but they last 10 times longer and can save you up to $60 in electricity over the lifetime of the bulb! Not a fan of fluorescent lighting? If you prefer the softer glow of incandescent bulbs, look for a fluorescent bulb that has a Kelvin temperature between 2,600 – 3,000.
- Plan your schedule. Get a smart thermostat to plan when your cooling is working.
- Turn down the AC. For every degree you raise your home’s temperature, you save about 5% from your energy bill. An Energy Star programmable thermostat will adjust the temperature automatically while you’re asleep or away – which means one less thing on your to-do list.
- Adjust your washer and dryer. Use cold water to wash your clothes and save 50% of the energy you would otherwise use for hot water. Bonus: it’s better for your clothes, too. Want to take things a step further? Set your dryer on the moisture sensor, not the timer, and cut energy use by 15%.
- Insulate, insulate, insulate. Insulation isn’t just for keeping things warm – it also helps your home retain all that cool air you’re paying for. By simply putting a weather strip around the frame of your doors, you can save up to $30 per year in energy costs.
- Adjust your water heater. An optimal temperature for your water heater is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Come on, you don’t really need the water to be scalding, anyway.
- Fix your leaky faucet. Here’s a scary statistic: a leaky faucet can waste as much as 2,700 gallons of water in a year, not to mention the annoying noise when you’re trying to sleep. Get that leak fixed and rest easy – for several reasons.
- Fix your leaky toilet, too. There’s an easy test to tell if your toilet is leaking. Put a drop of food coloring in the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl, your toilet is leaking. A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day.
- Be careful with landscaping. Drag yourself out of bed and water the plans in the early morning before the sun has a chance to burn off the moisture. And don’t over-water: if you step on the grass and the blades spring back up, turn the hose off for a day. They’ve got plenty of moisture.
F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning can help you stay efficient and lower your costs this summer, especially in Arlington, Fairfax and surrounding Northern Virginia areas. Contact us today at (703) 540-4838 to schedule an appointment or visit our website for more information.
Air conditioning problems can affect your comfort and health at home, particularly during the height of the cooling season. Common air conditioning problems can have a range of effects, from a complete shutdown of your A/C to a drastic increase in your cooling bills. If you experience a problem with your home’s HVAC system, calling in an air conditioning expert in Gaithersburg is the best way to restore comfort and energy efficiency quickly to minimize any disruption to your daily life.
Ice Formation
During the height of the cooling season, it’s not unusual for homeowners to report ice formation on their air conditioner’s coils. The most common cause of this problem is dirt and dust buildup, which results in poor airflow through the system and must be cleaned away to prevent further ice formation and improve your air conditioner’s efficiency. Changing your furnace filter to ensure this essential HVAC component is clean can help to restore airflow through your air conditioner and reduce dirt and dust in the system. However, your air conditioner will likely need professional attention to clean out the inside of the appliance as well, so call in your HVAC technician for a maintenance visit to fully eliminate ice formation on your A/C coils.
Drainage Backups
Your air conditioner removes moisture from the air during the cooling process. Thus, air conditioners also contain a drainage system to remove condensation from your home. Clogs in your air conditioner’s drain can cause backups that lead to leaks and standing water beneath or around your air conditioner, which can result in consequences that include water damage to the surrounding area and a complete air conditioning shutdown if too much water is present in the appliance. Preventive maintenance for air conditioner drains includes cleaning the drainpipe with a vacuum or bleach solution. If you have a severe drainage problem or your air conditioner has shut down due to drainage backup overflow, you’ll need a professional HVAC technician to address the problem and reset your air conditioner to restore cooling in your home.
System Failure
Complete air conditioning system failures occur when your air conditioner simply won’t run. A system failure can be caused by many issues, ranging from a broken thermostat to an electrical problem or corrosion inside the air conditioning appliance itself. Because complete system failures can be difficult to diagnose without proper knowledge, it’s best to contact an HVAC service right away for an inspection. Your service technician will be able to find the problem quickly and suggest the best option for repair, often completing repairs during the same visit. In cases where your air conditioning system has failed due to age, your HVAC technician can help you choose a new air conditioning system and install it professionally to ensure you get the best results.
A little maintenance can go a long way toward preventing or minimizing many of the most common air conditioning problems in Gaithersburg, as well as improving the energy efficiency of your home. We invite you to click through our blog for more articles on how to maintain your air conditioner and when to call in a professional for cleaning, repairs, or system replacement to restore your home’s comfort. If you’d like to make an appointment or learn more about the HVAC services and products we offer in Maryland, please visit us on the web to contact us.
We get asked questions about air conditioning all the time by customers that call in, customers we see at events and even people our techs run into just in passing! So, we decided we would put together a blog series about some of these frequently asked questions!
What is this new environmentally friendly refrigerant?
PURON is a trademark name that represents refrigerant (R410A) and is environmentally friendly. It contains no chlorine atoms, which makes it less harmful to the environment. It is currently being introduced into the industry and is considered to be a long term alternative to current refrigerants in use today. New equipment is currently available which contains this environmentally friendly refrigerant.
Is it OK for refrigerant (FREON) to come out of my air conditioner?
It is never acceptable for refrigerant to leak from your air conditioning unit or heat pump. Refrigerant cycles in a closed loop system and is never supposed to evaporate, dissipate or get used up. Adding refrigerant to your unit indicates that you have a leak which can damage your system if not resolved in a timely manner. Also, most refrigerant has chemical properties that are harmful to the environment if released into the atmosphere.
Just how important is my filter?
Good airflow is critical to the efficient operation of any air conditioning system. A clean, high efficient air filter will also protect the system from the harmful effect of dirt buildup on the vital components of the air handler or furnace. A high quality air filtration system also provides for cleaner air in your home and ensures a higher level of comfort for you and your family.
It's 90 degrees outside! Why is there ice on my unit?!
You may see “frost” or “ice” on the outdoor unit because the coil of the heat pump is colder that the air surrounding it and when that air is below freezing, frost or icing will occur, but should melt with in 1 ½ hours as this is the timing sequence most defrost controls use to check for this condition in our area.
We get asked questions about air conditioning all the time by customers that call in, customers we see at events and even people our techs run into just in passing! So, we decided we would put together a blog series about some of these frequently asked questions!
Why is water leaking in my floor when the air conditioner is on?
Water is removed from the air during the cooling cycle. If the tube carrying that water (condensate line) away from the unit becomes clogged, the water will overflow into the drain pain and run down through the air handler. This leaking water is extremely harmful to the electrical components of your system and must be corrected immediately.
Why does my air conditioner produce water in the summer?
It is a function of the cooling or heat pump system to remove moisture from the air in the summer time. This is necessary in order for the air to feel comfortable. The moisture that is removed from the air is then carried away from the indoor unit or coil and is normally discharged outside onto the ground or into a floor drain inside the home.
Is it OK for refrigerant (FREON) to come out of my heat pump?
It is never acceptable for refrigerant to leak from your air conditioning unit. Refrigerant cycles in a closed loop system and is never supposed to evaporate, dissipate or get used up. Adding refrigerant to your unit indicates that you have a leak which can damage your system if not resolved in a timely manner. Also, most refrigerant has chemical properties that are harmful to the environment if released into the atmosphere.
What can I do to protect my unit and how can I keep it clean?
Trim plants and bushes around the unit to provide at least twelve (12) inches of clearance for air flow. Keep pets away from the outdoor unit, as the acid in pet urine is a corrosive that will deteriorate the metal. Have the unit services annually to maintain cleanliness and ensure proper air flow.
Your Air Conditioning is constantly working to keep you cool year round. However, during the summer months the weather is so hot making your AC kick into overdrive. Check out the infographic below on how to stay cool while giving you Air Conditioning a break.
If you have any questions or concerns contact F.H.Furr Plumbing, Heating,Air Conditioning and Electrical.
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Today’s high-efficiency systems can cut your HVAC costs up to 107% and pay for themselves in lower AC and heating bills within several years. You’ll enjoy greater comfort at home while using less energy. Check out our cooling Services below to see what we offer.
- Air Conditioning Maintenance and Inspection
Your F.H. Furr service technician will perform a complete 25-step home comfort inspection of your home cooling system that will take about one half hour to one hour to complete. During your A/C Tune Up & Inspection, we will:
- Visually inspect capacitors for leakage and rust
- Inspect readily accessible ducts for obvious air leaks
- Complete operations sequence check
- Check crankcase heater for proper maintenance
- Inspect air filtration system
- Inspect blower wheel
- Inspect blower and motor and record AMP draw (lubricate as needed)
- Replacement of filter provided by customer while on site at time of inspection
- Inspect unit wiring and electrical disconnect
- Check and calibrate thermostat as required
- Tighten screw lug terminals in condensing unit
- Inspect contractor for pits or burns
- Check and record AMP draw of condenser motor and compressor
- Inspect fan blade for cracks or defects
- Check condenser motor bearings, lubricate non sealed condenser motor bearings (when necessary)
- Inspect indoor coil if accessible
- Inspect any condensate drain pans and drains for proper operation
- Check and record operating pressures and temperatures
- Inspect and clean outdoor unit (does not include use of detergent)
- Check refrigerant level (when outside temp>60 degrees F)
- Inspect cooling system for unusual vibration or loose parts
- Inspect and flush condensate lines and check condensate pump operation (if equipped)
- Check evaporator for adequate airflow
- Lubricate furnace/boiler blower or air handler
- Check overall operation of system
- Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats are designed to keep your home nice and cozy when you’re in and not waste energy when you’re out. They also allow you to program and pre-set separate temperatures for the various seasons of the year. Additionally, they can also be set to coincide with your daily living, working, and sleeping schedules.
- Zoning System
Zone heating and cooling is about controlling the temperatures of the various rooms within your home. It can be very frustrating having some rooms too hot, some rooms too cold and other rooms just right. With residential zoning, you can now even out the temperatures in different rooms or sections of your home. Many homes with these characteristics have a greater need for residential zoning:
- Multiple levels
- Large open areas
- Sprawling layout
- Finished basement/attic
- Air Conditioner
When needing a new Air Conditioner, here’s a few things to consider:
- Home size
- Load calculation
- Duct inspection
- System features
- Comfort enhancements
- Payment options
- Air Handler
The air handler works in conjunction with the heat pump or air conditioner to condition and circulate the air in your home. The typical system has the air handler inside the home with a heat pump or air conditioning unit outside the home. In the summer the air handler conditions and circulates cool air, while in the winter it conditions and circulates warm air.
- Heat Pump
A heat pump is used not only to heat your home in the winter but also to cool your home in the summer. It does not use an electrical element or burn fuel to produce heat, but uses the same principle as a refrigerator and air conditioner, which is the Freon evaporation cycle. A heat pump system combined with a natural gas or propane furnace allows you to switch to the cheapest heat source depending on the market prices.
- Ductless System
If your home does not already have forced air ducts a ductless system may be the unique solution for central air conditioning for your home. In a ductless system there is usually one outdoor unit serving multiple indoor units mounted throughout the home. Refrigerant is piped from the outdoor unit through small, insulated refrigerant lines to the individual indoor units. Cool air is blown into the rooms by a fan in the individual units. Since the refrigerant lines are small, installation is generally easier than installation of a full system with new ductwork. Although some systems provide heating and cooling, ductless mini-split systems are usually installed for cooling and are quite efficient.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning and Electrical.
Click Here For Information About Our Preferred Partner Plans.
Summer is here, and the weather is warm and bright, so it’s time for your AC to kick into high gear. However, your air conditioning system accumulates dust and dirt over time, making it less efficient and costing you additional money in utility bills. Add on the lack of regular AC maintenance, and you can count on your cooling system to break down before you can say, “summer vacation.”
Maintaining your system is the easiest, most efficient, and most effective way to keep your home comfortable all summer. “An inspection ensures your equipment is operating safely and is a great way to guarantee that you won’t be caught off guard with an unforeseen Air Conditioning breakdown this summer—when demand for air conditioning is at its peak. Preventive maintenance also saves money by maximizing efficiency and minimizing costly breakdowns.”—Floyd Furr
Below are some steps our team takes during our 28-point cooling maintenance and reliability inspection.
- Visually Inspect Capacitors For Leakage And Rust
- Inspect Readily Accessible Ducts For Obvious Air Leaks
- Inspect Air Filtration System
- Inspect Unit Wiring And Electrical Disconnect
- Inspect Contractor For Pits Or Burns
- Inspect Fan Blade For Cracks Or Defects
- Check And Record Operating Pressures And Temperatures
- Check Refrigerant Level
- Inspect the Cooling System For Unusual Vibration Or Loose Parts
- Check Evaporator For Adequate Airflow
- Check the Overall Operation Of the System
You will benefit from reliable AC performance in the summer heat, and your cooling equipment will thank you.
Benefits of Routine AC Maintenance & Inspections
- Longer System Life
- Reduced Repair And Energy Cost
- Warranty Protection
- Safety And Reliability Assurance
- Improved Indoor Air Quality
- Consistent Cooling All Summer Long
- F.H.Furr’s Risk-Free Guarantee
F.H.Furr’s Risk-Free Guarantee guarantees that if your cooling system breaks down in the summer (after our inspection), we’ll come out to your home for free — no dispatch or diagnostic fees! And we’ll give you a refund for the inspection price, no questions asked! HVAC and cooling maintenance might not seem like a top priority until your system breaks down, turning your home into a sauna.
Let our team keep your AC system running reliably all summer! If you have any other questions or concerns, contact F.H.Furr Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Electrical.
Schedule A 28 Point Cooling Maintenance And Reliability Inspection Now
It’s a hot summer day, and all you want to do is enjoy your Air Conditioning. However, when you go to flip the switch on, nothing happens. Sadly, something’s wrong with the system, causing it not to work correctly. This leads you to get frustrated and upset. Make sure you know these problems listened below and how to fix them to ensure your Air Conditioning won’t have any problems.
- Refrigerant (Freon) Leaks: If the Refrigerant in your AC is low, it was either undercharged when installed or is leaking. Refilling the unit with Freon is essential when it gets low. However, if the Freon runs out quickly, there could be a leak. Call F.H.Furr for a Cooling technician to come out and look at your unit to see what’s wrong. It’s important to seek help soon, as Refrigerant leaks can harm the environment.
- Inadequate Maintenance: When filters become dirty, they can cause the AC not to work correctly. This can potentially cause components in your AC to fail earlier than expected.
- Electric Control Failure: Throughout the years of using your AC, your compressor, fan controls, and other components can wear out. Corrosion of wires and other electrical problems can occur as well, causing your Electric Control to fail. Make sure to get this checked out by a professional technician.
- Sensor Problems: A thermostat sensor is located behind the control panel in a room AC. The AC can act abnormally if the sensor is knocked out of place. Adjust the sensor, so it’s back in place to fix the problem.
- Drainage Problems: Make sure to check the drains in your AC. They can potentially get backed up and drain improperly. If your room AC is not set up level, drain blockage can occur.
- Faulty Wiring: Make sure the wiring of your AC is correct. Call a technician to make sure all wires are secure and not damaged. Damaged wires can cause many problems and are a possible fire hazard.
- Outside Fan Isn’t Working: The Outside Fan takes the warm air inside and pushes it outside. If the Outside Fan is not working properly, heat transfer cannot occur. This may cause your Air Conditioning compressor to overheat and trip the system. This can cause internal damage to the compressor as well.
- Frozen Coil: Due to low Refrigerant, the indoor coils can freeze. This could also indicate an issue with the airflow, maybe due to blocked filters or obstructed air ductwork.
Always be sure your Air Conditioning is running properly and has no problems. If you have any other concerns or questions, contact F.H.Furr Plumbing,Heating, Air Conditioning, and Electrical.
Click Here For Information About Our Preferred Partner Plans