Tag Archives: Maintenance
Tags:Conditioners, Maintenance.
You invest a significant sum of money on air conditioners and you would want them to work in the best of conditions all through the year. But whichever brand you choose, for peak level output, you have to maintain your unit. The maintenance issue is more critical specially for RV air conditioners. This is so because they come with numerous parts which include motors, compressors and other components. If you are not too careful about maintaining them properly, you can run into some serious repairs which would cost you a fortune.
The RV air conditioners are pretty similar to split air system only difference being that they are mounted on the ceiling instead of the walls. So the condenser and the compressor units are installed on the roof while the air-cooling unit is installed inside in the ceiling. Generally, used for office spaces one unit would be enough for a floor length of 35 feet. If you are in a particularly big office you may need more depending on the exact size of the office room.
Following are just a few tips on how to keep your RV air condition in its prime working condition.
While some models come with disposable filters some other RV air conditioners come with reusable filters. Whichever kind of filter your air conditioner uses, make sure you either replace them or wash them once every month. If you are using one with washable filter, you must allow the water to drip off and the filter be completely dry before you install it back again into the air conditioner. Make sure that your filters are never clogged or else not only would the efficiency of your purifier fall, it would also mean that you will end up with higher running costs and there is also the threat of other parts, like the evaporator coil, within your air conditioner being affected. While washing the filter do refer to the instructions in the manual. Generally you use a damp cloth with a little detergent to do your cleaning.
Much of the efficiency of an air conditioner could be seriously affected if the evaporator coil is not taken proper care of. Since it is in the roof it can be damaged by leaves, trees and other external objects. Also the refrigerant circulates in the evaporator coil. So one must clean the coils with a soft brush to do away with the accumulated dirt. You can also build a shelter over the coils.
Tags:Easy, Maintenance, Metal, Really, Roof, this.
Metal roof maintenance is something of a misnomer – the only times metal roofs should be maintained is if they are getting excessively old or were installed incorrectly, as other than that they require very little effort to maintain.
However, if you are having problems with your metal roof, this article will provide a brief overview of how you can assess and repair minor damage to your metal roof in a short time with minimal materials.
The first thing you’ll want to do in a metal roof maintenance job, as with any roof maintenance, is to clear the roof of debris. Debris like leaves, dirt and garbage can soak up water and increase the wear and rusting of even coated metal roofing. After clearing debris, if your roof is painted or coated, check the coating for signs of wear and repaint or recoat any necessary areas.
If there are holes in any of the shingles or slats, or open seams between pieces of metal, these should be repaired immediately. There can also be openings where two pieces meet on a ridge, lip, or valley.
Metal roof maintenance mostly requires that you catch wads of debris before they have a chance to collect water and damage sealants around rivets or in seams. The most common way metal roofing gets damaged is through water, be it either rusting or the deterioration of the bond between sealant and metal.
Extreme heat can also cause metal roofing to flex, and while shingled metal will not experience the same stress sheets will, either type can experience damage around the seams and corners. If you keep an eye out for damage throughout the year and give it a thorough check every few months, then you can keep a metal roof from experiencing any significant amount of wear, and have a roof that will last for decades.
Metals roofs are so commonly used because of their extreme durability and resistance to weather effects. There are few things that can cause them any significant amount of damage, but it is still important to keep an eye out for those things.
Even something as simple as water can damage metal roofing over time. Metal roof maintenance essentially consists of watching for potential damage, and clearing away debris whenever it collects on your roof. With minimal effort on your part, you can maintain a metal roof for as long as you need it . . .
Find out more by reading the full article which explains what you need to know about metal roofing.
Posted on 19 August '10 by admin, under Roofing. No Comments.
Tags:About, Asphalt, Maintenance, Roof, Shingle.
Roof maintenance is something many people forget to do, but can be an important part of the upkeep of a home. There are several steps that you should go through before and during the maintenance of a roof, but these differ depending on the material it’s made of. In this article, we’ll go over how to clean and maintain an asphalt shingle roof.
The first thing you’ll want to do in any roof maintenance job is clean debris from the roof. This can be anything that has built up behind HVAC units, pitch pans or pipes, and other penetrations of the roof. Since this debris tends to soak up water, and water is one of the leading causes of deterioration of the roof (especially in roofs that are primarily asphalt), you’ll want to do this two or maybe three times a year.
If the roof is collecting moss and algae, zinc control or lead control strips should be installed. All the flashings should be checked for holes, and algae and moss should be removed. If there are any shingle tabs that are loose, a little roofing cement can be dabbed under either side to secure them. Damaged or broken shingles should be removed and replaced.
Keeping gutters debris free is an important part of roof maintenance, and is necessary for proper water flow control, and pour water down the downspouts to ensure that they are functioning correctly. If there are tree branches overhanging, they should be trimmed to prevent debris from falling on the roof.
Open valley metal should be checked for rust, and if there is rust then it should be wire brushed away, and then the metal should be primed and painted. Caulking and sealants should be checked, and if any is cracked or damaged it should be scraped away and re-applied. If you have a brick and mortar chimney, check the mortar on the sides and on top, and if it is damaged it can be repaired by a mason.
Roof maintenance is often a simple matter of knowing how the weather affects your home. If you have asphalt shingles that can be damaged over time, a periodic checkup and some mild repair work is likely all that is necessary.
Keeping up with your roof can help you find problems before they work their way into your home and cause you even more stress (not to mention money) than if you took care of them outside . . .
Find out more by reading the full article which explains what you need to know about roof maintenance.
Posted on 29 July '10 by admin, under Roofing. No Comments.
Tags:Conditioner, Efficient, Energy, Maintenance, Part.
Air Conditioner Maintenance
This topic is probably the most important in this whole article. Turn it on and forget it, will cost you a ton of money and repair bills. Some very easy simple maintenance throughout the hot season will keep your unit running smoothly and efficiently, which means a lower electric bill, and we all like that.
A/C Filters – This is the easiest and most efficient things you can do. You don’t need to pay someone to do this. I can’t tell you where your filter is because of the many A/C unit variations, but you need to locate it either by asking someone, or write down your model and look it up online. Once you know this, (there can be more then just one filter) then keeping the filter(s) clean is a breeze. Your typical air conditioner in most homes is clogged and dirty. This robs you of efficiency and money. When normal air flow is obstructed or heavily restricted, the air flow that bypasses the filter will be carrying dirt
into the evaporator coil which inhibits the coils ability to absorb heat, which in turn lowers the efficiency of the entire system, but hikes your electric bill. So, this is an easy one, clean your filter(s) on scheduled basis depending on where you live. Some filters can be cleaned, some are disposable and must be replaced. As the dirt builds up, the restriction of air increases, the efficiency depletes, and the energy consumption goes up, that simple.
If you live in a dusty dirty climate, you may be cleaning or changing filters every couple weeks. I personally change or clean mine every month. The filter should not get to the point of being black and caked with dirt.
Air Conditioning Coils – Coils can collect dirt over time, especially if the filters are not cleaned regularly. Regardless, the evaporator coil will collect dirt over time anyway. This again, just like the filters, reduces it’s ability to absorb heat, which reduces efficiency, and raises the electric bill. Clean the coils at a minimum, every year. If you have an outside A/C unit, the coils will become dirty much faster. Keep an eye on the coils to make sure they are not collecting dirt.
A/C Coil Fins
You thought we were done, didn’t you! Not quite. Around the coil mentioned above are the coil fins. These maze like aluminum fins are very flexible and sensitive. They can be easily bent or flattened, exactly like the radiator on your car, this is bad. When a fin is bent it blocks air flow over the coil and has the same effect as being dirty. You can buy a simple little tool at most auto part stores called a “Fin Comb” which you gently run across the fins and straighten them out. A little tedious if you have allot of bent fins, but well worth the time to do it.
Air Duct and Refrigerant Leaks
This really would be more of a “Repair” topic, but you can catch these things during your maintenance. First let’s talk about air duct leaking (central type). When your nice cold air is leaking out of the duct work instead of delivering all of it to where it’s supposed to, it’s costing you a fortune. It would be pretty accurate for me to say that 10%-30% of most central air conditioning ducts are leaking. This is just pure wasted energy and money. The solution is very easy, maybe a little tedious, but if your ducts are leaking and you correct those, you will notice your system will work better, and your electric bill will drop!
Duct work is typically sealed with “Mastic”. Never use duct tape. I know, I like duct tape myself and it has many uses, but sealing airways efficiently is not one of them. Duct work is not all the same and comes in many shapes and sizes, and depending on homes age, the builder, and if the central A/C unit was a pre-install or a post-install, will determine where your ducts are located. If your lucky and can access them, you could check for obvious leaks yourself.
The best and effective course of action is to have an HVAC company leak test your duct work. This is not too costly, and will easily pay for itself if you have any leaks that should be sealed. Refrigerant leaks will require some experience and proper tools to detect. By all means, if you have the equipment, test it yourself. Otherwise you want to call your local (and reputable) HVAC company to determine the source of the leak and repair it. Refrigerant charge should match the manufacturer specs for the best efficiency. If your refrigerant has been charged, but your A/C is dwindling or doesn’t work, you just might
have a leak, or the charge may be too low.
Sizing Your Air Conditioner
Air conditioners, as I mentioned earlier come in different sizes and need to be matched to the area you intend to cool. It’s beyond the scope of this
article, so I’ll point you in the right direction. Do a search for “ACCA”-(Air Conditioning Contractors of America) or search for ASHRAE”-(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers). They both publish proper sizing procedures and calculations.
Air Conditioner Efficiency Ratings
Energy efficiency ratings show how many Btu per hour are removed for each watt of power used. You will find these ratings listed in one of two ways or both:
EER – “Energy Efficiency Ratio” and SEER – “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio”
This rating is posted on the labeling. Look for a high EER rating. Buy the most efficient rating you can afford. Room A/C units typically range from 5000 Btu and up and have a 8.0 EER and up.
Central A/C systems typically have a 10.0 EER or SEER and up. You can do much better, but you’ll pay a little more. Don’t settle for the minimum, get the highest rating you can when it comes to the EER or SEER. It will pay for itself in the long run. Technology changes quickly, so don’t be surprised to see some very high EER or SEER numbers!
Get Ready for Summer Means more then just cleaning the BBQ grille!
If you already have air conditioning in your home, you will want to do a pre-season check to ensure your unit is running efficiently. If you cannot do this yourself, hire a local reputable HVAC service.
*Test for refrigerant leaks and ensure charge is correct and matches manufacturers specs for the unit.
*Measure air flow through the evaporator coil
*Clean all filters or replace as needed. Make sure all coils are clean.
*Check for and fix all air leaks if you have a central A/C system.
*Check electrical connections and terminals for tightness, corrosion, and apply a non conductive grease to inhibit corrosion.
*Oil motors and check any belts for correct tension, or excessive wear or cracks.
*If you have any bushes blocking your A/C unit whether it be a window unit, or pedestal mounted, remove them, they are blocking the air flow.
*If you do not have one, consider an electronic thermostat. A faulty or “off the mark” thermostat will waste energy.
Air Conditioning Recap and Summary
*Refrigerant is pumped by the compressor through copper lines into a Evaporator which absorbs heat, then goes to the condenser which dispels the heat. Of course you also have fans that blow the cold air in, and the heat out.
*You will find single room air conditioners, and central whole house air conditioners.
*Swamp coolers are a good alternative if you don’t want the A/C and live in a low humidity region.
*Keep your filters clean, you evaporator and condenser coils clean, your fins straight, your refrigerant charged and leak free, and your ducts (central a/c) clear of obstructions and leak free.
*Properly size the air conditioner you choose according to it’s purpose and cooling area size. This includes window units, not just central systems.
*Pay attention to energy efficiency ratings (EER and SEER) when making your purchase. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit will be.
*Give your A/C unit a good check and cleaning before the weather becomes too hot and you have to make an emergency call to your HVAC service.
Article Copyright 2007-2008 David V | DIYinnovation.com
Tags:Emergency, Maintenance, Roof.
There are a lot of things that can elicit emergency roof maintenance. Everything from extreme weather conditions to large-scale accidents can require that you immediately repair either a certain aspect or an extensive portion of your roof.
If this is the case, there are several things you can do. In this article, we’ll go over what to do from the initial point of the damage to getting the repairs completed.
The first thing you do depends on the nature of the damage. If it was caused by something like heavy rain or wind, conditions might not be suitable for even emergency roof maintenance for several days. In this case, the first thing you’ll want to do is contact a roof maintenance company and see when the first viable date for repairs is.
If the damage is a one-time occurrence, such as heavy debris or a sudden downpour, you can assess the extent of the damage yourself and decide where to go from there. If the damage is non-physical or topical in nature, such as mold or algae growth or a few cracked shingles, it can likely be fixed on your own. However, things like falling trees and heavy flying debris tend to cause not only surface damage to the roof but structural damage as well, and can require a professional repair job.
The extent of the damage can make a huge difference in emergency roof maintenance. If your roof is slightly damaged, wait for the weather conditions to clear (and your roof to dry a little) and start removing debris from your roof. Find any broken or otherwise damaged shingles and other aspects such as caulking and chimney mortar, and either index them so you know what to have fixed or start replacing them on your own.
If you do decide to repair part of your roof on your own, pick a day when the weather conditions that caused the damage are not likely to appear, as well as for a few days afterwards. If the damage is extensive, attempting to fix it on your own is likely a bad idea.
Emergency roof maintenance isn’t necessarily a risky thing to do – in many cases, it’s a quick fix until professional help arrives, and in some it’s just small patch jobs. However, for any large-scale roof maintenance, you should never attempt to repair any part of your roof without some help . . .
Find out more by reading the full article which explains what you need to know about roofing.
Posted on 17 June '10 by admin, under Roofing. No Comments.
Tags:Conditioning, Maintenance, Repair.
Air conditioning is just the opposite action of the heat pumps that are used daily in the home. Air conditioner is almost like a refrigerator that is used normally. In a normal refrigeration cycle, the heat pump transfers the lower temperature heat that is generated into higher temperature heat sinks.
The heat that is generated would flow in the opposite direction. The air conditioner pumps out the heat from the interior of the room. A centralized air conditioning uses a duct to distribute the air to one or more rooms with the help of a chilled pipe lines. In a central air conditioning system, the internal noise is relatively lower as it is placed outside the room.
An air conditioner reduces the humidity of the air with the help of the system. The reduced humidity condense the water vapor in order to reduce the temperature i.e. it almost works like a water drop is turned to an ice droplet by a change in the temperature.
An air conditioner is designed in a way reducing 40% to 60% of the humidity in the occupied space. There are some conditioners which only gives dry air. This works like a normal conditioner where only a heat exchanger is used, only intake and exhaust happens.
Repair and its maintenance
Air conditioner and heater works in the similar way with all the duct work, and the blower system. When the system fails, many people would think that there is a need of a repair man to handle it. But in some cases it is not needed.
The most common problem is that they forgot to change the temperature from cool to heat or heat to cool when there is a change in the climate. The most common problem can be fix by the home owners by tracing the problem.
For instance when the air conditioner fails to work, check the circuit breaker or fuse, compressor and pressure level. In some cases there would be an ice formation due to the extreme temperature. In such cases, the only solution is to switch off the air conditioner until the ice melts down.
Air conditioner is usually termed as a comfort maker. When your comfort maker gets disturbed from its routine function, it would be better to call for a serviceman on certain issues. This system works with a condenser and an evaporator. When this remains static, a service man is advised to look after certain condition.
So it’s always better to have a periodical check up on your conditioner and a routine cleaning has to be done.
Tags:Ailing, Conditioner, guide., Maintenance.
It is a hot summer day so you think it would be a good idea to turn on the air conditioner. You walk over to the air conditioner and flip the on switch. Hmmm. It doesn’t seem that the air conditioner is not working. This is going to make enjoying the day a little difficult since the temperature is rising. Actually, the night time may be difficult as well as the lack of air conditioning will certainly make sleeping a little difficult. That why it is helpful to understand how to recognize an ailing air conditioner and take a few common steps to make sure the proper maintenance is provided.
For example, one of the most obvious examples of an air conditioner that is malfunctioning would be the presence of ice on the vents. When the vents fill with solid ice, the air conditioner can not properly pump out air. As such, it would be best to turn the air conditioner off for a few hours. During this time, the ice should melt. After it does, turn the air conditioner back on and, hopefully, it will return to normal and proper operation. If it does not, change the air conditioner’s filter as well as check the Freon levels. Yes, such simple steps can get your air conditioner operating properly once again.
Also, it is important to point out that Freon lasts a long time since it does not burn or evaporate. As such, if the levels of Freon in your air conditioner are low, a leak may be present. If this is the case, then it becomes necessary to repair the leak. Those unable to do this on their own will need to procure the services of a qualified air conditioner repair service.
In some cases, proper operation of the air condition is critical. Far too often, people will turn on their air conditioners without double checking whether or not the exterior of the unit is covered up. If it is then the cover must be removed prior to use. This is because when you turn the air conditioner one while the covering remains, it becomes impossible for the air conditioner to extract air from outside to bring it inside. Also, this could cause a strain on the system which may lead to additional problems.
Actually, performing a cursory inspection of the entire air conditioner can help eliminate many problems before they worsen. While it is difficult for someone who is not versed in air conditioner repair to perform a complete inspection, there are a number of simple components that you can look over. Such an inspection includes looking over the Freon levels, gauging levels of motor oil, and checking out the condition of filters and condensers. If any of these obvious problems appear, it is necessary to take the steps to correct the problem. If you do not know how to correct the problems, do not despair. Quality maintenance service providers can aid in getting the air conditioner back in perfect shape.
Posted on 11 November '09 by admin, under Heating and Conditioning. No Comments.
Tags:Conditioner, Maintenance, Money, Proper, Save.
When it’s a sweltering summer day, the last thing you want is for your air conditioner to break down. Unfortunately, this isn’t an unlikely scenario. When it does happen, you want to make sure you get the proper air conditioner maintenance quickly and at the right price. Regrettably, many air conditioning services take advantage of such quandaries by charging excessive hidden fees like call out or mileage charges, and quick, shoddy air conditioner servicing may lead to more problems down the road. With Electro-air, however, you get proper air conditioner service without a fuss and without having to spend a fortune.
Most air conditioners fail because preventative maintenance has been neglected or done incorrectly. It seems highly suspicious then that some air conditioning services continually have systems that need repair. It’s rare that an air conditioner from Electro-air breaks down, but when it does highly skilled repairmen are dispatched right away without the call out or mileage charges. When you are a customer of Electro-air, you become their number one priority. In most cases, your air conditioner needs are met that same day.
As an owner of an air conditioning unit, there are some basic things you can do as routine measures to insure that your unit is properly functioning as well. These are things that are not particularly difficult, but can be sometimes difficult to remember.
Make sure your air conditioning unit is clear from any obstructions. The unit needs to pull air through it, and it won’t work as well and may even break if there is something blocking the oxygen flow. Remove any protective covers and move any items you may have stored over the winter near the unit.
Change filters as needed. If your model requires frequent filter changes, be sure to do so. Neglecting this may affect its performance.
Proper air conditioning maintenance can help save you money and headaches later on.
Tags:Conditioner, Maintenance.
The following article offers some brief tips for air conditioner maintenance and air conditioner repair. If your air conditioning unit is not performing well or you are considering replacing it, read on to find out how you can best manage the situation.
Many home and business air conditioners require routine check ups. Unfortunately, many homeowners and business owners neglect their Air Conditioning equipment and let outstanding problems go unattended for too long causing more problems. As a responsible homeowner or business owner, it is imperative that you maintain regular check-ups on your air conditioning system. Air conditioning and refrigeration repair procedures should also be performed by qualified technicians.
Some central air conditioning problems can be resolved with basic solutions. You may simply need to adjust your thermostat or let your unit cool down for a short period while you wait for it to restore to its original setting. Also, you might check the unit itself for any debris blocking air flow or other obstructions within the air conditioner unit and by checking the condenser on the outside of the building for obstructions.
Air conditioning problems can crop up out of nowhere and when you least expect it, especially if you do not stay current with your maintenance processes. Nothing is worse than coming home or work to an overheated house or apartment on a hot summer day only to find your air conditioning unit is not working. After adjusting your thermostat to cool off your living space, your unit could refuse to turn on or fail to properly lower the temperature as you would usually expect.
Troubleshooting is an important first step in any air conditioning repair procedure. While simple troubleshooting steps may help with the most basic problems, you should always hire help for working on your air conditioner. As the owner of the Air Conditioning unit, you will need to be absolutely sure that you choose only the right company with the best technicians with proper certification. You will also want to work with an air conditioning repair company that provides prompt service, flexible calling times, and top notch technology.
Tags:Common, Conditioner, Maintenance, Sense, Some, Tips.
Air conditioners are one of those appliances that everyone loves to have during that summer heat. The months of July and August remind us that this is a must have item. There are tips for air conditioner maintenance that will keep your unit working in top form during that time you need it.
If you own a central air conditioning system, there are a few things that you need to monitor to keep the unit working at top efficiency. One important tip is to schedule maintenance as needed. If the unit controls the heat as well as the air conditioning, then this needs to be maintained in the spring and fall. An inspection by a licensed air conditioning repairman is all that is needed. It can head off any problems before they arise.
If the unit just cools the home or only heats the home, then a preventative check should be completed annually. If scheduling the checks, it is best to have them completed prior to the season they will be needed most.
Another important tip that can save the homeowner money and keep the unit running efficiently is to change the filter. The filter of the air conditioner should be checked and changed monthly. If the homeowner has a system that runs air conditioning as well as heat then the filter should be changed twelve times per year. If the system just operates to cool or heat, then it is recommended that the filter be changed during the months of operation.
Air conditioner repair filters vary in size and type. Some are disposable and some are not. Filters are typically not very expensive and they are easy to change. All units are different so consult the operation guide to find out exactly how to change the filter. Make sure to turn the unit off until another filter is in place. If the system runs without a filter, it will suck in dirt, dust and hair into the unit and that can cause very big expensive problems.
If the homeowner has a filter that is disposable, then it is very easy to change. Purchase the correct size filter, mark a date on your calendar and then change the filter that day each month. Sometimes the filters are on sale, so it is best to buy six or twelve and store them until ready to use.
If the homeowner has a filter that is not disposable, then they should remove the filter. The homeowner should take the filter outside. They can vacuum the filter first to remove dust and hair. If the home has pets, then they will probably see fur on the filter. Shaking and banging the filter may assist with removing some dust and debris. Once the dust has been shaken off, use a water hose and some dish detergent and wash the filter very well. Try to remove as much dirt and dust as possible. Remember the better job you do the less dirt and dust returns inside the house. Lay the filter in the sun and let it completely dry before reinstalling it.
Keeping the air conditioner running efficiently is a priority for many homeowners. There is nothing worse than the air conditioner not running correctly when it is a hot and humid day. Changing the filter and having the unit have a preventative check are two helpful tips that will assist with maintaining the unit so that it can last a long time.