AC-Appliance Pros
FAQ's & Info
Service Tips

Air Conditioning

  • Keep It Clean
    All dirt and debris should be removed from the condensor (outdoor coil). read the instructions that came with your air-conditioner on how to clean the coil, or call a technician. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN THE CONDENSER WITHOUT TURNING OFF THE POWER.
  • Keep the condensing unit unobstructed
    Allow ample air-flow around the unit. (Cut down those bushes and other vegetation at least 12 inches back from the air-conditioner. Do not build sheds or roofs over the air-conditioner.
  • Keep the evaporator (indoor coil) unobstructed
    Make sure the evaporator is not blocked to insure proper airflow across coil. (This may require a professional service technician to clean coil). Coils should be cleaned in order to preserve the efficiency of the unit.
  • Change or clean filters every 30 days
    If you have household pets might have to do it earlier. Do this when you pay your utility bill as a reminder. This is far more important in air-conditioning than in heating. The easiest way to ensure your system operates efficiently and economically is by keeping the air filter clean. There are several types of air filters and several possible locations for the air filter. Ask your service contractor where your air filter is located and which type of filter to use.
  • Keep the outdoor coils cleaned
    Outdoor coils can be cleansed with a special solution of coil cleaner and water. (Recommend non-foaming/non-acid type).
  • Do not bend the coil fins
    Use caution not to bend Fins on the coils. They are fragile and can be easily damaged. Use gloves and read manufacture recommendations on all chemicals/cleaners.
  • Keep the indoor coils cleaned
    Indoor coils may be cleaned using a special coil (evaporator) cleaner. A soft brush may be needed.
  • AC unit adjustments
    Items such as electrical, refrigerant level (freon), pressures, and temperatures should be accomplished by a professional technician. These checks/adjustments require proper instruments/gauges. Also, special licenses are required by the Environmental Protection Agency to handle refrigerants.
  • Ice on the pipes at the evaporator coil
    Is there ice on the pipes at the evaporator coil (the indoor portion of the air-conditioner)? If there is, turn off the unit and call a technician. WARNING: DO NOT SET THE THERMOSTAT BELOW 68 DEGREES. THIS CAN CAUSE A MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS WITH YOUR AIR-CONDITIONER, INCLUDING FREEZING UP.
  • Temperature differential
    Air-conditioners are designed for a 20 degree temperature differential. When it is 105 degrees outside, be happy if it is 85 degrees in your house. A temperature swing greater than this is unhealthy.
  • Trees over AC unit
    If you have pine trees or oak trees near the air-conditioner, you may want to place something over the air-conditioner in the winter season. Do not cover the air-conditioner completely. IF YOU DO PLACE SOMETHING OVER THE AIR-CONDITIONER, MAKE SURE YOU REMOVE IT BEFORE TURNING THE AIR-CONDITIONER ON.
  • Thermostat
    The most economical operation of your system comes from setting the thermostat properly. Set the thermostat properly. Set the thermostat at the highest summer setting or the lowest winter setting at which you are comfortable. Typical settings ar 78 degrees for summer cooling and 70 degrees for winter heating. When cooling, your operating costs increase from 3% to 8% for each degree your thermostat is lowered. When heating, your operating costs increase for each degree your thermostat is raised.
  • Keep heat away from the thermostat
    Make sure no heat-generating appliances are near your thermostat. These include lamps, TVs, stereo and computer equipment.
  • Keep doors and windows closed
    Close all doors and windows to the outside. This will reduce the heating load in winter and the cooling load in summer. Your system will operate more economically as a result.
  • Keep vents and grills unobstructed
    Arrange your furniture and drapes so that all output vents and intake grills are free from obstruction. This will reduce the cooling and heating load on your system for more economical operation.
  • Avoid excessive use of exhaust fans
    Excessive use of kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans will make your system work harder. This will increase energy consumption and costs. Keep costs in check by making wise use of exhaust fans.
  • Control direct sunlight
    Let the sun in during winter. Keep the sun out during summer. In summer, direct sunlight increases the load on your cooling system. Use of window shades and awnings will reduce the amount of direct sunlight and lower the cooling load. In winter, direct sunlight reduces the load on your heating system. Open window shades and awnings to increase direct sunlight and lower the heating load.
  • Keep the condenser coil clean
    The condenser coil (the unit outside your house) should be kept clean to ensure efficient operation. If the condenser coil becomes restricted by dirt, lint, paper, grass clippings, leaves, or other debris, system efficiency will deteriorate. Use a garden hose to keep the condenser coil clean.
  • Insulate air ducts
    Be sure all air ducts are well insulated. Ducts also should be sealed with a vapor barrier.
  • Keep an air-tight house
    Ensure maximum retention of heated or cooled air by adding insulation to outside walls and to the attic. Seal cracks and use storm doors and/or insulated doors to prevent air leaks.
  • Properly vent clothes driers
    Be sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outside. Also ensure that your clothes dryer is vented away from your outdoor unit.

Heating

  • Always follow manufacturer's routine maintenance directions
    Have entire system checked once a year by a qualified service person. An annual service check should include such inspection/items as:
    Heat Pump:
    Lubricate condenser fan bearings (if not permanently sealed)
    Clean air intake side of condenser coil
    Tighten electrical connections
    Check operating current with volt amp meter
    Check supply voltage with volt amp meter
    Check refrigerant levels and pressures
    Inspect compressor start and run capacitors
    Furnace/Air Handler:
    Clean or replace filter
    Lubricate unsealed blower fan motor and blower bearings
    Check and adjust fan belt tension/condition
    Clean blower wheel
    Inspect/adjust burner
    Clean evaporator coil and check fin condition
    Clean and inspect drain lines and pan
    Check for excessive attic air leakage into return chamber
    Other:
    Check thermostat for proper operation and calibration
    Measure air temperature at supply and return vents
  • Do not block coils
    Be sure that the insurance evaporator (indoor coil) is not blocked to insure proper airflow across coil. (This may require a professional service technician to clean coil).
  • Change or clean filters every 30 days
    Permanent - Clean with mild detergent, per manufacturer's recommendations, every 30 to 60 days
    Replaceable - Replace every 30 to 60 days. Do this earlier if you have household pets. Do this when you pay your utility bill as a reminder.
  • Use caution not to bend Fins on the coils
    They are fragile and can be easily damaged. Use gloves and read manufacture recommendations on all chemicals/cleaners.
  • Keep your filters clean
    This is far more important in air-conditioning than in heating.
  • Set the thermostat
    The most economical operation of your system comes from setting the thermostat properly. Set the thermostat properly. Set the thermostat at the highest summer setting or the lowest winter setting at which you are comfortable. Typical settings ar 78 degrees for summer cooling and 70 degrees for winter heating. When cooling, your operating costs increase from 3% to 8% for each degree your thermostat is lowered. When heating, your operating costs increase for each degree your thermostat is raised.
  • Ductwork
    Check for air leaks, particularly at furnace/air handler. Seal leaks with duct tape
    Ductwork should be insulated with at least 1-1/2" of batt insulation with a foil or vinyl vapor barrier on the outside.
  • Keep doors and windows closed
    Close all doors and windows to the outside. This will reduce the heating load in winter and the cooling load in summer. Your system will operate more economically as a result. Caulk and weatherstrip to close air gaps. Be sure to look for air leaks through openings where plumbing or electrical wiring goes through walls, floors, and ceilings. Check for drafts from electrical outlets, around ceiling fixtures, and at attic openings. Annual energy savings could be as much as 10 percent.
  • Close fireplace dampers
  • Consider installing storm windows and doors
    Whether hand-made or professionally installed, storm windows could save you as much as 15 percent a year in heating costs.
  • Activities
    Wash/dry clothes during warmest times of day (late morning and afternoon)
    Use exhaust fan when cooking only when needed
  • Keep vents and grills unobstructed
    Arrange your furniture and drapes so that all output vents and intake grills are free from obstruction. This will reduce the cooling and heating load on your system for more economical operation.
  • Do not close off more than 20% of the registers in your house
    This can cause high resistance and unnecessary heat build up in the furnace.
  • Do not store combustible material
    such as paint thinners, gasoline, etc. near your furnace. Do not have anything combustible within six inches of your vent pipe.
  • Avoid excessive use of exhaust fans
    Excessive use of kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans will make your system work harder. This will increase energy consumption and costs. Keep costs in check by making wise use of exhaust fans.
  • Control direct sunlight
    Let the sun induring winter. Keep the sun out during summer. In summer, direct sunlight increases the load on your cooling system. Use of window shades and awnings will reduce the amount of direct sunlight and lower the cooling load. In winter, direct sunlight reduces the load on your heating system. Open window shades and awnings to increase direct sunlight and lower the heating load.
  • Insulate - Keep an air-tight house
    Be sure all air ducts are well insulated. Ducts also should be sealed with a vapor barrier. No matter how you heat or cool your home, you can reduce the load on your heating and cooling equipment by as much as 20 percent by investing a few hundred dollars in insulation. And the benefits of insulation - lower utility bills - continue for years. To find out if your home needs insulation and/or how much, consult a reputable insulation dealer, your local building inspector or your county agent. Ensure maximum retention of heated or cooled air by adding insulation to outside walls and to the attic. Seal cracks and use storm doors and/or insulated doors to prevent air leaks. Find out about R-values and the heating zone for your state. (Arkansas is Zone 5.) buy the thickness of insulation that will give you the appropriate R-value. Insulate your attic floor or top floor ceiling. Do NOT insulate over eave vents or on top of recessed lighting fixtures or other heat-producing equipment on the attic floor. Keep insulation at least three inches away from the sides of these types of fixtures. Insulate floors over unheated spaces such as crawl spaces and garages. Make sure any ducts in unheated spaces are properly insulated and that leaks are taped.
  • The best insulation of all - warm clothes
    The human body gives off heat, about 390 Btu's an hour for a man, 330 for a woman. Dressing wisely can help you maintain that natural heat. Wear closely woven fabrics. They add at least a half degree in warmth. For women, slacks are at least a degree warmer than skirts. For men and women, a light-long sleeved sweater equals almost two degrees in added warmth. A heavy long-sleeved sweater adds about four degrees, and two lightweight sweaters add about five degrees of warmth because the air between them serves a insulation to keep in more body heat.
  • Properly vent clothes driers
    Be sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outside. Also ensure that your clothes dryer is vented away from your outdoor unit.
  • Keep heat away from the thermostat
    Make sure no heat-generating appliances are near your thermostat. These include lamps, TVs, stereo and computer equipment.

Appliances

Refrigerator / Freezer

  • Almost all of today's refrigerators use less energy than those made previously. These units are built with extra-thick foam insulation providing a more energy efficient operation.
  • Choose a temperature setting in a refrigerator between 36°F to 38°F. Choose a setting between 0°F to 5°F in a freezer. Controls numbered 1-9, should be set at 5. Controls lettered A-E, should be set at the letter C. Test temperature by setting liquid on the top shelf of the fresh food for at least 24 hours. Taste and adjust accordingly.
  • Clean the inside with a solution of baking soda and water, one tablespoon per quart warm water.
  • Clean door gaskets with a baking soda water solution. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the door gasket at the hinge side. This helps keep the gasets from sticking and bending out of shape.
  • Turn off "energy saver" switch if moisture forms on cabinet around gasket. Keep coils on the back and bottom refrigerator/freezer clean for optimum efficiency. Replace worn gaskets. Try to limit door openings and length of time they are open, especially in hot, humid weather. Keep refrigerator full for peak performance.
  • If refrigerator does not opreate - No interior light, plug a small lamp into same outlet to check outlet. May be in defrost cycle, wait 30 minutes.
  • If motor operates for long periods - Remove grill and clean condenser.
  • If door is not closing properly - Clean door gasket as instruted above.
  • Ice cubes have odor or taste - Unsealed packages in refrigerator or freezer compartment may be transmitting odor or taste to ice cubes. Poor tasting incoming water, install water filter. Ice cubes too small - water line or filter may be cologged. Cheand clean or replace.
  • If there is water on kitchen floor or bottom of freezer - The drain may be clogged - clean by using a meat baster to force hot soapy water through drain.

Dishwashers

  • Maintain a temperature setting as low as possible (140F for dishwasher). Turn off the breaker before lowering thermostat.
  • If the dishwasher has a water heating device that will heat the water inside the dishwasher, turn down the water heater thermostat to 120F. When there is no danger of freezing water pipes, turn off the water heater breaker if you go away for a week or longer. Install specially designed low flow shower heads to save water and save on the cost of heating the water.
  • Look for energy saving features and wash systems, dispensers and rack positions to meet family needs.
  • Use only dishwasher detergent, never laundry or handwashing detergent.
  • Operate dishwasher with full loads only.
  • Run hot water or sink before starting dishwasher to assure the cycle starts with adequate hot water.
  • Repair leaky hot water faucets. One drop a second can add up to over 100 gallons a month.

Range

  • Since the electric range accounts for about 3.2% of energy usage, select the size and style of range (or oven and cooktop) that meets the cooking needs and space requirements.
  • Preheat oven 8-10 minutes - only for baked goods.
  • Avoid opening oven door when baking to prevent 20% heat loss. Use range and other heat producing appliance during cooler parts of the day.
  • Never use oven cleaning products on continuous or self cleaning oven surfaces.
  • Start cooking on HIGH, then reduce to LOW when food begins to cook.
  • Using an electric ovnfretngtheoom is very inefficient.

Microwave

  • The choice of wattage, features and style of oven depends on the intended use, individual preferences and budget limitations.
  • Microwave cooking can save energy up to 75% over conventional cooking.
  • Do not use scouring powder or scouring pads which can scratch liner.

Disposer

  • Operate with cold running water. Turn off disposer then turn off cold water.

Laundry Equipment

  • Wash with cold or warm water whenever possible and rinse in cold water.
  • Wash full loads whenever possible.
  • Clean dryer filter before each load.
  • Properly vent clothes driers. Be sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outside. Also ensure that your clothes dryer is vented away from your outdoor unit.

How To Read Your Meter

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the common measure for the amount of electricity consumed during a period of time. One kilowatt-hour equals 1,000 watts being used for one hour.

A simple formula can help you discover how many kilowatt-hours an appliance uses. Multiply the wattage rating of the appliance by the number of hours the appliance is used to find out how many watt-hours are used (watts x hours used = watt-hours). Divide the number of watt-hours by 1,000 to determine the kilowatt-hours used (watt-hours ÷ 1000 = kilowatt-hours). Multiply the kilowatt-hours used by the cost per kWh to find out the cost to operate an appliance over the specified period.

The dials of your electric meter should be red from right to left. Each dial has numbers from "0" to "9". If the pointer is between two numbers, read the lower number. If the pointer appears to be exactly on a number, the only way to be sure it has reached that number is to determine if the dial to the right has completed its revolution, or passed zero. For example:

Meter Reading

 The pointer of Dial #2 appears to be exactly on the 5. However, since the pointer of Dial #1 has not yet reached zero, Dial #2 must be read as a 4. So this meter reads 0749 or 749.

Now the pointer of Dial #1 has reached zero, so Dial #2 becomes a 5. This meter reads 0750 or 750.

 Meter Reading
To determine the number of kilowatt-hours used in a month, simply subtact last month's reading from this month's reading.

If you don't know which firm to call, ask if the contractor is a member of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). consumers can call (972)247-5383 or 1-800-260-8041 to confirm the contractor is a member or to locate a contractor who subscribes to the organization's code or ethics.

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