F.Y.I. – Important Stuff to Know
For the benefit of our York County customers, we offer some enlightening resource information on a variety of topics, products and services.
• The best time to clean/change the filters in your HVAC system ….
It is important to always have a clean air filter. The throw-away type of air filter should be checked and/or changed on a monthly basis. Many of the new higher efficient air filters need to be changed less often, some only once a year. When using a high efficient air filter such as this, the best time to change the filter is in the spring, just before cooling season begins. The reason is quite simple. Cool air is three times denser than hot air and needs a higher blower speed to distribute the cooler air. A dirty filter restricts air flow and will not allow the air conditioning system to cool as efficiently.
• What to do with your AC on vacation…
When on vacation for a week or longer, do not turn your cooling system off. Simply turn the thermostat to a higher temperature. If you normally keep your thermostat set at 75 degrees, turn it up to 80-82 degrees. This allows the system to operate for a very limited amount of time, keeping humidity levels low at a low cost. When you return, simply turn the thermostat down to the desired temperature and the system will cool more efficiently because the home has already been dehumidified.
• Does a programmable thermostat save you money?
This is a very common question, and one not easily answered. If your household is on a regimental daily schedule that allows you to have at least two set-backs per day, the answer is yes. The new programmable thermostats on the market today have the capabilities of four different temperature settings, four different times of the day. Here is a good example: A four member household, with 2 children and 2 adults. The first person is awake at 5:30 a.m., everyone is on their way to work or school by 7:30 a.m., the first person returns at 4 p.m. and everyone is in bed by 11 p.m. I would recommend the following thermostat schedule. Have the heating/cooling set for a comfortable temperature at 5 a.m. Set the temperature down 10 degrees for heating and up 5 degrees for cooling at 7 a.m. Set the thermostat for a comfortable setting at 3:30 p.m. This setting should be based on what the family is doing at home during waking hours. If there is a lot of activity, a cooler temperature may be required for both heating and cooling during this time. Finally, set back the thermostat at 11 p.m. Again, this can be as much as your family can tolerate. The weekends can have a totally different program based on your family’s activities.
• Any suggestions for maintaining my outdoor HVAC equipment?
Keeping the outside air conditioning unit clean can save you dollars and increase your comfort. Here are some simple precautions you can take to make sure your air conditioner is operating at peak efficiency.
- Protect the air conditioner coils. When mowing or blowing snow, make sure the grass clippings or snow are thrown away from the unit.
- Keep plants and shrubbery cut back that it does not grow into the air conditioner coils. Free air is extremely important for the correct heat transfer to take place during cooling season.
- Buy an air conditioner cover and cover the air conditioner during non cooling months, This will keep leaves, pine needles and debris from accumulating on the inside of the air conditioner coil. It also helps preserve the air conditioner appearance. Do not use plastic to cover your air conditioner. Plastic actually attracts moisture and can cause the air conditioner coil to decay. You should never cover the entire air conditioner, this too can cause the coil fins to decay. Only the top needs to be covered for falling debris.
- Finally, keep pets away from the air conditioner. Your family’s best friend can cost you a very expensive repair if allowed to do their business on or around the air conditioner.