HVAC Tips DIY

Learn How To Service Your HVAC System

Water is not draining properly

If you have water leaking outside over a window and the air conditioner is not running more than likely you have a safety float switch. A safety float switch is a device that shuts off the air conditioner when the emergency drain pan fills up with water.

What is a safety float switch? A safety float switch is a device that is located in the emergency drain pan, the metal pan directly under the air conditioning evaporator coil. In most cases the primary condensate drain line is clogged up and water is draining out of the evaporator coil through the overflow plug.

Why does this happen? This tends to happen when the air conditioning evaporator coil is dirty. The dirt and debris that collect on the evaporator coil start to get loose from the fins and eventually fall out. When it does fall out it goes in the drain and begins to settle, then more dirt debris come about and it begins to collect together.

Also sometimes when the water is not draining out of the primary drain fast enough it builds up and starts coming out of the secondary. This could be due to many things, unit not level, improper or double P trap, partially clogged drain line, among other things.

What can I do to repair it myself?

You will need to 4 things: an air compressor and 2 (¾) inch PVC couplings, along with PVC primer and glue, and PVC pipe cutters

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Before you cut the PVC line get a bucket to hold the water that is about to come out. Make sure you can place the bucket as close to the PVC where you are about to cut

Now what you need to do is cut the PVC pipe before and after the P-trap. Sometimes the P-trap clogs up as well. Then you blow it out with the air compressor both ways and the P-trap itself.

Before you blow the line

Look for the sink that the air conditioner condensate drains into and cover it with an old towel. Close the drain so no water goes in or out.

Once you have blown the drain line

Pour about 2 to 3 gallons of water down the pipe to test and make sure that the water is draining

If this “repair” is working out for you great! But before you hit the back button leave a commit below. We would really appreciate it Thanks and good luck.

Call Us if this did not resolve your issue at hand CJ Air Solutions 972-530-1349

Two things you will need to do when water washing your ac condenser:

First, make sure to turn off your ac breakers powering your ac condenser most often located on the wall by the outdoor ac condenser or heat pump condenser.
Second, you will need a water hose, and always remember once you have the water hose ready beginning by rinsing the ac condenser coil try to stay 4-10 inches away from condenser coil so that you don’t damage your ac condenser coil. Rinse off all sides until satisfied and restore power back.

 AC filters:

When buying ac filters it is always best to buy a pleated ac filter. Just make sure that the grooves are set apart and not bunched in and that it is a one-month ac filter. In our practice, we have learned that using the monthly ac filter will keep your ac coil clean.

Check for sufficient airflow.
Make sure air filters are clean and that all supply-air and return-air grilles are open and unobstructed. The best place to start is at the vent that you know blows the hardest.

Once you have located the vent that YOU KNOW blows the hardest, check to see if there is any air coming through your vent. If you do not have any air coming out of the vent and the air conditioner is on the outside, then your indoor blower may not be operating. If this is the case, you should contact us immediately to come out and inspect 972-530-1349

If you have little airflow coming out of the vent then the next thing we check is the filters in each of your system components (where applicable). If any of your filters are dirty, consult your manual to clean or replace it. Or call us to do this for you.

Check around your outdoor unit. If there are any leaves, hedges, or property walls butting up against it, your system may have frozen up due to a dirty coil. Make sure your outdoor unit has 1′ of clearance all around it.

A high pitched sound often, although not always, indicates a lack of return air. Make sure your return and supply vents are open and free of any blockages including furniture.

Other noises (e.g., rattling, humming, thumping, or scraping sounds) could be a sign of undersized or flimsy duct work, clogged filter, or wear and tear on your system’s internal components. If you hear an unusual sound, call your local dealer for service.

Imagine you have four old, worn-out tires in your car and you decide you only want to replace two of them. You can still drive your car, but you’ll soon be disappointed with the inconsistent handling and the poor mileage you get. The unmatched tires simply aren’t capable of the same level of performance. You could have these same kinds of problems with comfort and efficiency if the components of your central air conditioning or heat pump system are not properly matched.

When a bargain’s not a bargain

If you don’t replace your indoor unit, you won’t be getting what you paid for. In fact, your system could be up to 15% less efficient than stated – and you’ll be less comfortable, too. That’s why simply replacing just the outdoor unit isn’t a bargain in the long run.

Replacing the outdoor unit but leaving the old indoor unit may offer you the lowest price, but it won’t give you the best value. At best, when your air conditioning or heat pump components don’t match, you’ll be sacrificing comfort. The system may still “work,” but it won’t perform up to the promised energy efficiency. Over time, this will also cost you more money. At worst, when the components aren’t matched, it could create undue stress on your cooling system, resulting in unnecessary, premature failure.

Matched Systems Mean Maximum Satisfaction.

When you consider the sacrifices and the added costs of repairing or replacing these unmatched units, installing a matched system the first time around makes good sense. You’ll get higher efficiencies, greater reliability, and more comfort. And that’s a real bargain.

Thermostats

Thermostats, help your heating and cooling equipment maintain the optimal temperature setting with the utmost energy efficiency. Today’s electronic models are a vast departure from earlier mechanical styles. Microprocessors allow you to program your home temperatures to suit your lifestyle, so you can keep things comfortable while you’re home and automatically set back your temperatures to save energy when you’re away or sleeping

Important safety precautions when maintaining your HVAC System

1• Disconnect all electrical power to the unit before removing access panels to perform maintenance.

Please note that there may be more than one power connection switch.

2• Although Carrier takes special care to prevent sharp edges in the construction of our equipment, it’s best to be very careful when you handle parts or reach into units.

Routine Maintenance

CHECK THE AIR FILTER IN YOUR FURNACE OR FAN COIL EVERY 3 TO 4 WEEKS. A dirty filter will cause excessive strain on your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump. Replace your filter when necessary, or clean it if you have the reusable type. (If you have a reusable filter, make sure it’s completely dry before you re-install it.) The pre-filter and collection cells of an electronic air cleaner should be cleaned at least two or three times per year.

CLEAN DUST OFF OF YOUR INDOOR COIL. With a vacuum cleaner and soft-brush attachment, you can remove any dust from the top and underside of the coil. Make sure you only do this when the coil is dry. If you can’t get the coil clean this way, call your dealer for service.

KEEP YOUR OUTDOOR CONDENSING UNIT FREE OF DEBRIS. If you keep grass clippings, leaves, shrubbery, and debris away from your outdoor unit, it should only require minimal care to operate properly. Check the base pan (under the unit) occasionally and remove debris, to help the unit drain correctly.,

If the outdoor coil becomes dirty, use a brush or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to clean the surface. To clean dirt that is deep in the coil, contact your dealer.

MAKE SURE YOUR OUTDOOR UNIT STAYS IN A LEVEL POSITION. If the support for your split-system outdoor unit shifts or settles and the unit is no longer level, re-level it promptly to make sure moisture drains properly out of the unit. If you notice that water or ice collects beneath the unit, arrange for it to be drained away from the equipment.

INSPECT YOUR FURNACE’S COMBUSTION AREA AND VENT SYSTEM BEFORE EACH HEATING SEASON. If you find dirt, soot or rust, your system may not operate properly or at its peak efficiency. Call your HVAC Company and do not operate your furnace until it is professionally inspected and/or repaired.

HAVE OIL-FIRED BOILERS INSPECTED ANNUALLY. Call your HVAC Contractor dealer before each heating season to replace your oil filter cartridge and conduct a thorough inspection of the unit’s operation.

CLEAN YOUR HUMIDIFIER AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY HEATING SEASON. Review your owner’s manual for the proper procedure to clean the external and internal components of your unit. The evaporator pad should also be replaced before each heating season. If the water in your area is hard or has high mineral content, you may need to clean or service your humidifier more frequently.

CLEAN THE CORE AND AIR FILTERS ON A VENTILATOR AT LEAST EVERY THREE MONTHS. You can vacuum the core of an energy recovery ventilator as long as it is dry and the outdoor temperature is between 60 F (16 C) and 75 F (24 C). Heat recovery ventilator cores can be soaked for three hours in a solution of warm water and mild soap and then rinsed. Ventilator air filters are washable: just use a vacuum to remove the heaviest accumulation of dust and then wash them in lukewarm water. Replace them after they are completely dry.

Before You Request A “Service Call”:

Check the disconnect switches (indoor and outdoor if you have a split breaker system). Make sure that all circuit breakers are ON and that no fuses have tripped.

Places to check for disconnect breakers:

Check in the main breaker panel of your home, most breaker panels are in the garage. Others may be an outside panel located at the exterior of the home or inside a closet space.

The main breaker not tripped:

Now if the main breaker is not tripped, then we need to go out to the air conditioner unit outside. Once you see the air conditioner there should be a disconnect box located on the wall of the exterior of the home. Check and see if there is a breaker inside of the disconnect box if there is one reset and turn on the unit.

You have located the breaker and it is tripped. When you try to reset the breaker, the breaker continues to trip. DO NOT TRY IT AGAIN

CAUTION: If this happens you need to stop and contact us!

If when you try to reset the breaker and it automatically trips and you hear a burning sound, You need to stop and contact us NOW! If you continue to do this you can further damage the unit and create an expensive repair.

If you do not have a breaker tripped at all, then you likely have a voltage problem and need expert advice contact us at 972-530-1349 and schedule a service call

Check for sufficient airflow.

Make sure air filters are clean and that supply-air and return-air grilles are open and unobstructed.

Check the batteries in your thermostat first

The first thing to check when the air conditioner or heater is not working is the thermostat. This is the most failed component in the air conditioning and heating industry. If you have a digital or programmable thermostat in your home or business, check the batteries in the thermostat. The batteries are supposed to be replaced at least once a year!

Check the settings on your thermostat

If you want air conditioning in your home, make sure the temperature control selector is set below room temperature and the switch is on the COOL Position and the FAN switch is on the AUTO position.

If you want heating, make sure the temperature control selector is set above room temperature and the switch is set to HEAT and the FAN switch is set to AUTO.

The FAN switch should be set at ON for continuous blower operation or AUTO if you want the blower to function only. This only runs the indoor blower motor

In addition to the routine maintenance you perform, your home comfort system should be inspected at least once a year by a properly trained HVAC service Contractor.

Air Conditioner or Heat Pump turns on then turns off

If this is happening then what we need to do is look at the unit and see if the condenser coil is dirty. Then we can inspect for loose wire connections that are going to the inside of the unit from the outside of the wall. If the wires do not look intact,

KEEP YOUR OUTDOOR CONDENSING UNIT FREE OF DEBRIS. If you keep grass clippings, leaves, shrubbery, and debris away from your outdoor unit, it should only require minimal care to operate properly. Check the base pan (under the unit) occasionally and remove debris, to help the unit drain correctly.,

MAKE SURE YOUR OUTDOOR UNIT STAYS IN A LEVEL POSITION. If the support for your split-system outdoor unit shifts or settles and the unit is no longer level, re-level it promptly to make sure moisture drains properly out of the unit. If you notice that water or ice collects beneath the unit, arrange for it to be drained away from the equipment.

NEVER USE A PRESSURE WASHER TO CLEAN THE CONDENSER COIL. If you do use this tactic you will create more of a problem for your air conditioner than you are realizing.

If the outdoor coil is dirty, use a water hose at regular pressure. To clean dirt that is deep in the condenser coil, Contact us at 972-530-1349 we can do this on the same day and teach you how to do it properly.

The low voltage wiring coming out of the wall and going into the air conditioner is what we are going to look for. If you have a outdoor pet (dog) that just gets into everything, this maybe the problem. If so TURN off the thermostat set the switch to OFF and then start to try to repair the loose wiring, I have run across a lot of service calls because of this problem

Looking at the Big Picture.

When one component of your system breaks down unexpectedly, it’s easy to just focus on repairing or replacing that component. But each part of your system works with the others to boost efficiency and reliability, so it helps to keep the big picture in mind.

Replacing your old furnace with a new higher-efficiency model but leaving your old mechanical thermostat in place, for example, won’t allow you to enjoy all the efficiency advantages the furnace has to offer. Likewise, if you install a new furnace but don’t get a humidifier, the air will seem cooler, forcing you to operate your new system at a higher temperature to be comfortable. Plus, you can often save on installation costs if you have several components of your system (for example, a furnace and an air conditioner) replaced at the same time.

To find out how a new HVAC System could make you more comfortable and reduce your energy costs, contact us at 972-530-1349. You can also e-mail us with your questions at [email protected]

Since most of us spend the majority of our time indoors, it makes sense to have an indoor environment that’s healthy and comfortable.

What kind of system do I need to keep my home comfortable?

While your home may have unique needs, the best way to insure your comfort and health is to have your heating and cooling system provide the right balance of heating, air conditioning, air cleaning and humidification. No other single system plays a larger part in how much you enjoy your time at home … or in how much you pay out to utility companies each month.

Hot News, Cool Stuff.

For most of us, comfort starts with keeping our home the right temperature, whether that’s toasty warm on bone-chilling winter nights or pleasantly cool in the “Hot days” of summer. Maintaining the perfect temperature is the job of your heating and cooling equipment.

Today’s heating systems are more efficient and reliable than ever, but heating is still the single largest energy expense in most homes. In northern climates, it may account for up to two-thirds of the energy budget. So it’s important to understand what kind of system will give you both comfort and affordability. The electric heat pump is energy-efficient option that provides year-round heating and cooling. Heat pumps are much more reliable and efficient than they were 10 years ago, and they’re an excellent choice where gas is unavailable or where electricity is the most economical energy option.On those sweltering days of summer, AIR CONDITIONERS provide cooling relief by taking heat from inside your home and moving it outside. In the process, they remove humidity from the air so you feel even cooler. New technology has made today’s air conditioners quieter, more reliable and more efficient than ever before

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Right on the Money.

THERMOSTATS help your heating and cooling equipment maintain the optimal temperature setting with the utmost energy efficiency. Today’s electronic models are a vast departure from earlier mechanical styles. Microprocessors allow you to program your home temperatures to suit your lifestyle, so you can keep things comfortable while you’re home and automatically set back your temperatures to save energy when you’re away or sleeping. That keeps you comfortable all the way to the bank.

Breathe Easier.

Today’s “tighter” homes are built to be more energy-efficient, and many seal in air as effectively as they keep the weather out. That may sound good at first, but it also means that air quickly gets stale. Plus, dust and other pollutants circulate throughout your home, settling on furniture, drapes, your heating and cooling equipment or, worse yet, your lungs. Today’s mechanical and high-efficiency electronic AIR CLEANERS offer trouble-free, low-maintenance cleaning that will remove up to 95% of all airborne particles and make your home environment healthier and more comfortable. A ventilating system can provide up to eight air changes a day and eliminate the unhealthy build-up of gases and contaminants in your home. It’s literally a breath of fresh air.

How Dry I Am.

Winter takes its toll on your indoor environment. The warm, dry air from your furnace or heat pump can damage wood moldings and furniture and sap your skin of its natural moisture. It even makes you feel colder because your body senses heat as a combination of temperature and humidity. If you add humidity with a HUMIDIFIER, you can actually set your thermostat a few degrees lower. You’ll feel just as warm, but you’ll notice the difference on your utility bills! Plus, you’ll replenish much-needed moisture to your home, making it a healthier, more comfortable place to spend your time.

In The Comfort Zone

Wouldn’t it be great if you could turn off heating and cooling in a room the same way you can a light switch? You wouldn’t have to waste energy by heating or cooling a room you’re not using. A ZONING SYSTEM is the perfect solution. By putting heating and cooling where you need it most, zoning can enhance your overall comfort and reduce your energy costs by as much as 30%! No matter what climate you live in, you’ll find the best combination of comfort and energy savings with a complete indoor comfort system. Today’s energy-efficient components work together to give you precise temperature control, healthy air and the right level of humidity and the savings on your utility bill might just make you the most comfortable of all.

To find out how zoning could make you more comfortable and reduce your energy costs, contact us at 972-530-1349. You can also e-mail us with your questions at [email protected]