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Summer is right around the corner. While most are gearing up for afternoons at the beach, some can’t take the heat. They would rather stay indoors with a trusty air conditioning system. But, there may be instances where your air conditioner won’t work right.   If it won’t start or it won’t cool, it doesn’t mean you have to call in an HVAC technician right away. There are a couple of do-it-yourself measures you can take to check for common issues.   Check The Power The first and most obvious thing that you can check is the power. It may seem too simple, but if you have children or pets, they may have detached the plug without realizing. See if you plugged your air conditioner in. If it is and it doesn’t start up, it could be a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker. Circuits may be volatile, especially in older houses. It may experience an overload especially if shared with other appliances. If a part of your air conditioner has damage, it’s best to let the professionals take care of it. You don't want to risk getting harmed or further damage to your system.  

It is important that your AC unit is ready for summer. You should get regular maintenance done on your air conditioner before summer approaches. It will prevent you from making costly mistakes. At the same time, your system will function with efficiency all throughout the season. You can do certain cleaning and maintenance tasks to avoid extra professional charges. Here are a few things you can do at home to maintain your AC’s efficiency:   Remove Condenser Covers, Coil Blankets or Lids A central air-conditioning system has a condenser unit located outdoors. It also has an evaporator unit mounted on the furnace. Starting the system with the covers in place, even for a short time, could damage your system. Remove any cover before running the system.   Remove Debris from Outdoor Coils The system coils are there to transfer heat. Dirty outdoor coils can cause your AC to overheat and trip your breaker. Small obstructions like dirt can reduce your system’s efficiency. Use a garden hose to wash off dust, pollen, and debris in the coils. Use a refrigerator coil brush to clean the coils from the outside of the unit. Be careful not to bend the delicate fins or damage the coils.  

  Buying a home is an exciting experience, but it can sometimes be quite stressful. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration. Something you should focus on is the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. They play a huge role in maintaining comfort in every home.   Buying a home without knowing certain things about your HVAC system can cause issues. You could have to deal with unexpected breakdowns and expensive repairs. Make sure you ask these questions before signing any paperwork. That way, you will know what to expect with your HVAC system.   What Kind of HVAC System Does It Have?   Every home is different and certain HVAC systems may be more compatible than the others. A system that is not the right match the home it is in will not function to its highest potential. Your family’s comfort will suffer because of it.   As you consider buying a home, ask whether the home has central air or forced heating. Be sure to ask if each floor has a separate system or if it is a heat pump or a ductless system. You may also want to ask if it is a renowned brand or a generic model. If the HVAC system comes with a thermostat, you might want to check if it is programmable. These allow you to set the temperature for different days ahead of time.    How Old Is The System And Is It In Good Condition?   HVAC systems wear out after 10 to 15 years. With exceptional care, they can last a little longer. Still, if the HVAC system is too old when you buy it, it will break down. The cost to repair it will be yours to shoulder.    It is wise to get a good knowledge about the HVAC system’s age and condition beforehand. That way, you would know if it is too old and inefficient. If it is you can even negotiate a new system into the deal.  

SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This means it is the ratio rating of the cooling output of an air conditioner on certain seasons. A SEER rating divides the energy it consumes in Watt-Hours in order for you to identify the ratio.   The SEER value of modern air conditioners will range from 13 SEER to about 25 SEER.  A lot of confusion has been going around town and it’s time to further explain what SEER means.   SEER Value Cannot Predict Energy Usage   A SEER value often changes. You should not always rely on it regardless of the fact that it has a standard computation or formula. Hence, it doesn’t also mean that the higher your SEER value is, the more it is energy efficient. It depends on how long you use your unit and the type of weather you have. It also depends on how long it takes your A/C to reach the adjusted temperature.   Aside from that, air conditioning units which have a higher SEER rating tend to be more expensive. Although they can cost you more when you buy it, they last longer and often need less repairs. That’s the good thing about units with high SEER ratings. An air conditioner that has a SEER value of 14 or less has a higher maintenance cost. This is when compared to ones which have a higher SEER value.   SEER Value Doesn’t Increase by Upgrading Your Condenser   Don’t get fooled by sales talk. Upgrading your condenser unit to a higher SEER doesn’t provide your unit with a higher SEER value. If you need to upgrade, upgrade your entire unit or the entire system. It is the best advisable way in upgrading to equipment with a higher SEER value. And it involves upgrading the condenser, furnace, and evaporative coil. They all work together as a system.   The Best Advisable SEER Rating  

As spring approaches, it’s important that your HVAC system is in a good condition. Is it ready to work during the hot season? Here are some tips to help you prepare for Spring with your heating and air conditioning system. Clean Or Replace Your Filters During winter, a lot of dust and dirt had stuck inside your filters. You will find your coils covered in grime by then. If you’re using a washable air filter, then go ahead and clean it. For disposable filters, now is the time for you to replace it with a new one.    Remove the grime from your coils using a stiff brush or cleansing spray. When you do that, the place where you’ll be working on is clean. Avoid any foreign objects getting inside the unit. Otherwise, it may wreck up the system.    Cleaning your air filters and coils can prevent your unit from getting worn out. Dirty parts will make your HVAC unit work harder and longer. This does not only affect your entire system but also cost you more on energy consumption. Air Duct Testing and Cleaning With certain weather conditions, duct pipes can wear out. They may even have massive amounts of dirt in them already. If you’re unsure how to check your ductworks, have a licensed technician do it for you. Schedule an appointment with your technician and have them test your air ducts. Your technician will know if it needs cleaning, extra insulation, repair or replacement.    Like all other parts of the HVAC system, your ductwork is as important as the rest.  To avoid any system inefficiency, make sure that your ductworks are functional.  Have Your Programmable Thermostat Ready

  Do you feel that it is still way too hot in your house, even when the cooling level of your HVAC unit is at its highest? Does it take longer than it used to for your air conditioning to cool down your house? If you’re facing these problems, then there must be something wrong with your thermostat.    Here are signs to pay attention to and some helpful ways to check if your thermostat is working or not.   Must be the Switches   Check whether the thermostat switches aren’t loose or broken. Mercury and analog thermostats contain plastic parts which can snap off or break. If your furnace won’t turn on or off, don’t assume that there must be something wrong with your furnace yet. It could be your thermostat that’s causing your furnace not to turn on or off. It may also be that your thermostat might be in an area that’s too cold or is in a bad location.   If the switch also has a short in the wiring, then it won’t allow the furnace to turn on and heat or cool the air. It could also be that your thermostat is having electrical or programming issues. If you’re finding it hard to tell which is which, have a professional technician check it for you.   The Thermostat is Unclean   Dirt and grease residue can also be one reason why your thermostat is malfunctioning. The dust can build up on the components and wiring which can cause it to misbehave. If you see that your thermostat is unclean from the inside, then it’s time for you to clean it up. Use a can compressor to get rid of the dirt. You can use a small, soft paintbrush to get into the tight spots.   The Screen Won’t Turn On