Common Sense That Makes Cents
I am "NOT"a Technician BUT.... I am married to a A/C business owner/Technician. I Put together a list of simple tips that end up saving you $$$$$.

TIP 1:

Summer has arrived and A/C units are working overtime. As a homeowner the responsibility of having your A/C system serviced and maintained is an important factor in assuring the longevity of that system and in keeping your home cool when the summer temps sizzle. A well maintained air conditioner will fail less frequently and will use less power and save you money. Be sure to have you’re A/C system serviced no less than once a year, and in high dust areas a more frequent A/C servicing may be required. Change your filter every month and make sure it fits tightly in the filter frame. If filters don’t fit tightly then apply foam tape that can be found at local hardware store to the inside of the frame to assure a snug fit and to prevent dust and dirt from bypassing A/C Repairs can be expensive. Air Conditioning units are machines and machines have a definite life expectancy. Wear and tear from operation under adverse conditions such as high ambient temperatures, dirty power supply, and transient voltage spikes from lightning storms and power company equipment failures can dramatically shorten the life of you’re A/C unit.

TIP 2:

Running your A/C while low refrigerant or running with extreme dirty condensing coils is the #1 cause of part failure.

TIP 3:

A/C is low on Refrigerant if you feel low airflow coming from registers, Ice building up on copper lines from a/c to indoor coil (or) house takes longer than normal to cool off.

TIP 4:

Freon overcharged can cause compressor failure. Time and time again we hear of people having a friend put freon in their unit but ends up over charging the unit causing damage to compressor.

TIP 5:

If you have your A/C hooked up to an generator for hurricane season you "MUST" have a start assist kit properly installed and if your unit is causing your lights to dim or a unit that is over 5 years of age should have a start assist kit. Factory recommends all units of 3 ton or more to have a start assist kit as well.

TIP 6:

Thermostats are known to burn up during power surges. The new digital thermostats now come with a internal time delay relay which will protect it during surges and has a 1 year warranty.

TIP 7:

With every condensing unit we replace we add a time delay relay, a start assist kit, and if you had a compressor burn out we add a suction drier to clean any acid backed up into the lines. Proper installation is primary to the life of the unit.

TIP 8:

You should change your A/C filters every month. A good way to remember is when you pay your electricity, change your filter. Even if the filter packaging say's, "Good for 90 days or 6 months" ... not true.

Jeffco Heating & Air Conditioning Crew