5 Helpful Ways to Remember to Change Residential AC Filters

One of the most important things to remember with forced air HVAC systems is to be vigilant in changing residential AC filters. In Edmonton, this needs to be done at a minimum of every three months but for those with extreme allergies, a monthly change will do you good.

One of the most important things to remember with forced air HVAC systems is to be vigilant in changing the residential AC or furnace air filter. In Edmonton, this needs to be done at a minimum of every three months but for those with extreme allergies, a monthly change will do you good. The dangers of living with a dirty filter are far and wide including higher utility bills, early residential air conditioner failure, and trouble breathing in your home. That being said, forgetting to change the filter is a human mistake. In that case, take mental error out of the equation with these helpful ways to remember to change your residential AC filter.

Just Change Monthly

The common sentiment is to change air filters about every three months. While the 3-month schedule works, a great way to always remember to change those air filters is by doing it once a month during the heating and cooling periods. Just like paying the bills, changing the filter can be done like clockwork once a month. If anything the air in your home will be cleaner and the residential air conditioning system will function easier while only costing you an extra $10 to $20.

Filter Delivery Service

Another way to take all the thinking out of when to change the residential AC air filter is by subscribing to a filter delivery service. This up-and-coming convenience works by arranging with a company to deliver an air filter to your home at an interval that you set. You pick the size and delivery schedule, and when the filter comes in the mail, you simply change them.

Furnace Filter Whistle

Furnace filter whistles are a great solution to take the guesswork out of when to put in a replacement. The inexpensive plastic devices snap into any air filter, and when they are clean, air will pass through easily. As dirt and debris build on the filter, more air will try and sneak through the whistle and the increased flow causes the whistle sound to go off. Simply change the filter, snap the whistle on the new piece and repeat.

Phone Reminder Apps

Smartphones are very helpful in the battle to remember to change residential AC or furnace air filters. Home improvement apps such as 'HomeSavvy' or 'Last Time I....' keep track of when you last changed the filter and alert you when it's time to do it again.

Programmable Thermostats

Programmable thermostats are not only a great way to lower utility bills, but they also can work as a change filter reminder. A service screen shows the accumulated run hours on the current filter and a display alerts you when it's time to switch to a new model.

https://air-conditioning-edmonton.ca/residential-ac-and-furnace-filters/

The Importance of Clean Air Conditioner Filters

Cleaning the Air Conditioner Filters

Your home heating and air system is one of the most vital appliances in your home as far as your comfort is concerned. Based on that fact it’s surprising that homeowners know so little about how to take care of the system. Even the simplest things like changing or cleaning the all-important air conditioner filters are often neglected. That filter is an inexpensive item that can easily be cleaned or replaced and is vital to the efficient operation of the entire heating and cooling system.

If you don’t clean your air conditioning filter or replace it on a regular basis your system will not get the vital air it needs to run properly. This will result in the system being very inefficient and will use up more electricity to run because it is being overworked. It is also bad for you and your family’s health because things such as dust and allergens are no longer being filtered out as the air circulates around your house.

There are several ways in which you can clean your air conditioner filters. The easiest way is to simply take a vacuum and go over the filter with it very thoroughly making sure you get all the dust and dirt you can off of it.

If using the vacuum does not get all the dirt and grime off the filter, the next step is to soak it in warm water. After the warm water has loosened up the ground in dirt and dust, you will then have to rinse all that off very thoroughly. Allow the filter to dry before putting it back in the heating and cooling unit or the dust that gets on it right away will tend to cake on your air conditioner filters.

Home Heating and Air Conditioning Filter Replacement

Experts recommend that you replace the filters on your heating and air system in your home every one to three months depending on what type of filter you have. Here are some common types of filters:

• Electrostatic Air Filters – this type of air filter is great because static electricity helps keep them from getting clogged up and they do not have to be replaced very often. The downside is they do not filter small dust and dirt particles. • Fiberglass panel filters – These are the least expensive of all the different types of air conditioner filters. They need to be cleaned and replaced very often and they do not filter small dust and dirt particles well. • Media air filters – these are what are used by many service professionals. They are inexpensive but do a nice job cleaning the air too. They need only be replaced every three months. • HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Filters – these are the best filters for filtering out dust, allergens and other small particles from your filter. They are on the higher end of the pricing scale but do not need to be replaced very often.

So take the time that is needed to replace and clean your air conditioner filters on a regular basis to keep your system working efficiently and to cut down on potential health problems in the home.

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5 Simple Air Conditioning Maintenance Steps

Central heating and Air has taken home comfort levels to new standards and really helps improve heating and air conditioning efficiency in a home too. Not only does it heat and cool the rooms it goes into thoroughly but it also improves the air quality in the house too. One misconception that people often has is that there is no need for continued air conditioning maintenance; in reality this could not possible be further from the truth. Here are some air conditioning maintenance steps that should be done every 3 to 4 months.

Inside the House Air Conditioning Maintenance

Not much of your air conditioning maintenance will take place inside the home but there are still a few things you need to do.

- Make sure all the vent openings are clean and unobstructed. This is especially important for the air intake which will be the largest of all the vent covers that you see in your house; it is usually located in one of the main rooms.

- Change the air filters on a regular basis and clean them up quickly with a shop vac in-between replacements. This is important because the air flow to the unit has a lot of important functions in the system and if the air starts to slow down it could cause some problems with the way your HVAC works.

Outside the Home Air Conditioning Maintenance

Paying attention to detail is important when you are doing your air conditioning maintenance outside near the unit.

- Keep all the vegetation, trees and shrubs away from the unit. That means cutting down any weeds that are growing around the air conditioning unit and other vegetation such as tall grasses. The unit needs to be able to take in air to work properly and any vegetation growing around the unit will block this all important airflow. Vegetation will also potentially speed up the corrosion on the unit by retaining excess moisture in the areas that it presses up against.

- Clean such things as dead leaves, tree branches and other debris off the top of the unit. That is where the fan is located and it needs to exhaust the warm air to keep the condensing unit from overheating. If this is not done it can lead to problems with the components in the unit getting too hot.

- Make sure the drip line from the unit is flowing smoothly and is unobstructed too. Also make sure there are no cracks or leaks in the line that may cause it to leak on something it may corrode or ruin. Keep the end opening free from dirt and vegetation too so the system does not get clogged.

Doing these air conditioning maintenance steps will go a long way toward keeping your air conditioning system in good working order. They will also help extend the units life too. If you do these maintenance steps every few months then your air conditioning unit will be all ready to go when those dog days of summer finally arrive.

https://air-conditioning-edmonton.ca/air-conditioning-maintenance/

5 Reasons to Get an Air Conditioner Tune-Up This Spring

A tune-up from air conditioning contractors shouldn't be an option, it should be a necessity. When the snow finally melts, and the grass begins to peak through a blanket of whiteness, Edmontonians let out a collective sigh of relief as another winter has passed. It's easy to be optimistic about long days and sunshine, but the warm weather isn't all Mai Tai's and flip-flops. As a homeowner, you have a responsibility to make sure your air conditioner is ready for the summer. A tune-up from air conditioning contractors shouldn't be an option, it should be a necessity for these reasons:

Safer To Run

Like many electrical components in the home, an air-conditioner needs to be tuned up to make sure it is safe to run. Air conditioning contractors will come to the home and investigate any corrosion on the wires or loose connections that could eventually spark and cause fires. In addition, A/C units running extremely hot are prone to sparking and fires and a general clean bill of health is recommended moving forward.

Better Air Quality

One of the most important reasons to get an A/C tune-up is to make sure the air being breathed in is as pure as possible. A bad filter or leaks in the ductwork can cause the spewing of allergens and pet dander about the house.  A/C contractors seal up these loose ends. Moreover, a poorly functioning air conditioner can cause the formation of mildew and mold, which in turn decreases the quality of the air.

Costs Less To Operate

When air conditioning contractors tune-up the unit, it pays itself off via lower utility bills. Having condensers and other components professionally cleaned and charged allows the air to flow easier and enables the A/C to run more efficiently. Along with some secondary cooling methods like fans and open windows and increased insulating and the air sealing an A/C unit can run extremely efficiently and put less of a burden on your electricity bills. Also of note is that some air conditioning manufacturer warranties demand annual inspections. Having the tune-up could essentially save money by having repairs covered under warranty.

Increases Life Span

Regular maintenance checks mean an efficiently running air conditioner.  As a result, the A/C unit will inevitably have a longer lifespan than it would have originally. Furthermore, regular tune-ups allow air conditioning contractors to find potential problems early on, which helps to prevent other parts from overcompensating and malfunctioning as well.

Sound Peace of Mind

A thorough inspection gives that sound peace of mind that a house will be cool even when temperatures creep up into the 30-degree range. When air conditioning contractors find potential problems early, homeowners can avoid surprises to the A/C on hot days when they need the unit most. Air conditioning contractors are qualified tradesman that can keep your system running optimally, which saves you money and creates a safe and comfortable home environment.

https://air-conditioning-edmonton.ca/air-conditioner-tuneup/

Tools Professionals Use to Troubleshoot Furnace Problems

Service technicians can be your best friend when you are having problems with such things as appliances, furnaces, plumbing and other things around your home. These skilled workers are great at doing repairs quickly and efficiently in their area of expertise. Any service technician will tell you there are certain tools that they must carry on their vehicle in order to diagnose problems. It’s no different for an HVAC technician either; they too have specialty tools that help them troubleshoot furnace problems. Here are some of the most valuable diagnostic tools that HVAC technicians use.

1. Electric power meter

There is a saying among technicians in any field where they must diagnose problems on equipment that has electricity going to them to make them run; that saying is ‘where the power dies the problem lies’. This is true because the flow of electricity and the switches that make things come on and off are so important to how an appliance such as an HVAC system works. That is why every HVAC technician must carry and know how to use an electrical meter. About 80% of the time a service professional can tell where the problem is when using an electric meter to test a device that relies on electricity flow to make it work properly.

2. Gas line pressure reader

Another tool used to troubleshoot furnace problems is a gas line pressure meter. Your furnace simply will not run right if the gas pressure going to it is not sufficient enough to make a flame to produce heat. If an HVAC technician thinks the gas line may be the problem that is causing a furnace not to work, he will then use this device to check the pressure going to the burner unit. If there is not sufficient pressure the technician will know the problem is in the gas pressure line or the storage tank. If there is good pressure getting to the burner then they will take a closer look at the burner unit itself.

3. Air Conditioner Pressure Detector

Just like your gas line, the refrigerant in your air conditioner needs to be at a certain pressure in order for it to work right. Every air conditioner has specialty built connections where this testing device can be hooked up and the pressure read. If there is not enough pressure it means there is a leak or refrigerant simply needs to be added to the system.

4. Air Conditioner Leak Detection Fluid

We mentioned before that air conditioners can develop leaks. When this happens technicians apply pressure to the lines and spray the outside with a special leak detection fluid; this helps them identify exactly where the leak is and they can take steps to stop it.

Please note that in order to troubleshoot furnace problems these professionals spend many hours in training focusing on safety alone. Even if you have these devices do not attempt to use them unless you know how to do so safely. When in doubt it’s always best just to call a service professional to do the job for you.

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