Will Running an Air Conditioner in Cold Weather Damage It?

A step outside today is a quick indicator that maybe the brutal hot summer is over here in SW Florida. While it's still comfortable now, some cold weather is not far away. While most homeowners don’t want to cool their homes down in cold weather, some consider running their central air conditioner in order to test the system.  They may be making repairs or demonstrating to a potential buyer that the system is working.  In addition, home appraisers working on loan applications are required to inspect the HVAC system. Will running an air conditioner in cold weather damage it?

Running the Air Conditioner in Cold Weather is Not Recommended

Air conditioning manufacturers and HVAC professionals agree, an outdoor condensing unit should not be run in cold weather for any reason.  The cause of this prohibition is the oil used to lubricate the compressor. There’s a significant amount of oil in the compressor and it functions like oil in your vehicle’s engine.

Just like engine oil, compressor oil for condensing units has different grades. The oil that is used in central air conditioner compressors is summer-weight oil.  It is a heavy grade of oil that works well in warm conditions.  It can heat up and still provide the compressor with the lubrication and protection required, something lighter grade of oil could not do.  In cold weather, the oil is too thick for the safe functioning of the compressor.

Safe Weather Temperatures for Running an Air Conditioner

Most HVAC technicians and home appraisers won’t run a central air conditioner unless daytime temperatures are above well above 60 degrees F for at least 2-3 days prior to the test.  That doesn’t leave much time of the year for testing in some parts of the country.  In many instances, the appraiser has to note that he or she did not test the AC unit, being prevented by whether conditions.  Most say that they have never been asked by a loan officer to go back later and test the unit.  Usually, a visual inspection of the condensing unit, is enough to satisfy the underwriter for the loan.  Running the AC is not a make or break part of the process.

Contact AC by Florida Comfort Systems

Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
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How to Clean Your Air Conditioner Drain
If you’ve ever taken a good look at your air conditioning unit, you may have noticed a small dripping line on the outside. This is the condensate drain, which plays an important role in removing condensation produced by your air conditioner's evaporator coil. If the line isn’t properly cleaned, algae and mold can grow inside and clog the drain, causing elevated humidity, musty odors and water damage inside your home.

Cleaning the line will remove clogs and blockages and prevent algae and mold from growing.

You will need these items to clean your A/C condensate drain:

• Rags
• A wet/dry vacuum
• Distilled vinegar
• A funnel
  
  

Follow these steps.

1. Turn off the power to your HVAC system at the thermostat and at the breaker.

2. If you have an indoor air handler in your attic or utility closet, you'll need to find the condensate pan. This is usually located directly under the unit. It may also be covered by a removable access panel.

3. If you see standing water in the drain pan, your drain line is probably clogged. Use a handheld or shop vacuum to remove the moisture. You can also use rags to soak up the water. At this point, you can clean the drain pan with soap.

4. Generally, clogged drains can be cleared with suction. If you have a shop vacuum, use it to pull the clog through the drain opening, which is located outside your house near the foundation. Place your hand around the pipe to improve suction and allow the vacuum to run for a minute. Then, check the vacuum canister to see if the clog was successfully removed.

5. Next, you'll need to identify the access point on the drain line. Usually, the drain will have a T-shaped vent with a PVC cover. Remove the cover and inspect the drain. Use this port to flush the drain with distilled vinegar. If you don't like the odor, you can use peroxide to gently bubble away the remaining debris. Alternately, you can use hot water and a drop of dish liquid.

6. Allow the solution to sit for 30 minutes. Complete the cleaning by flushing the pipe with water. Have a helper watch the pipe outside and tell you if the water is running freely.

Underlying problems with the system can also be responsible for compromised water flow. If the pan and drain line aren't slightly tilted, water can build up in the back of the pan and will eventually overflow. Many newer systems are equipped with overflow sensors installed within the pipe. 

If you're unsure or unable to clean your air conditioner’s drain line, call the professionals at AC by Florida Comfort System at 239-774-5501. We can clean the line and install an access vent, if necessary. Check the drain line periodically to ensure that condensation is being removed properly.

All the steps above plus many other preventative maintenance tasks are covered under AC by Florida Comfort Systems very affordable Annual Comfort Contract.

AC by Florida Comfort Systems

Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
visit our website
See my Google+ account

Protect Your AC System During A Hurricane

Hurricane do not strike without prior notice. However, when it does, often the severity is such that it leaves many households in shambles. Mostly electronic gadgets like home air conditioners take the maximum blow. Even after the effect of hurricane subsides, you may find your cooling unit in an unstable condition. So, how do you protect the air conditioning system from a hurricane's catastrophic effect?

Take Precautionary Measures before the Storm Strikes

Start taking preventive steps before the hurricane season sets in. If you are aware of the approximate time when the storm is going to strike, then prior to that, turn on the air conditioner. Adjust the setting such that the indoor temperature turns several degrees cooler than normal level. Such a pre-cooling helps keep the home temperature comfortable for longer hours, even if power failure happens accidentally.








Should you operate the cooling unit during the hurricane?

The answer is a big No. Strictly make sure that the air conditioning unit is switched off as the storm strikes. In many areas, the power supply gets interrupted during heavy storm or downpour. If the air conditioner is running at that time, it might suffer severe damage because of erratic power failures. As and when natural disaster strikes, irregular power interruptions put additional pressure on the compressor and other components of the cooling unit. Thus, you might end up changing the entire unit or some of its crucial components, once the storm has passed.

What you should do after the tropical storm passes?

It is suggested that you turn on the cooling unit, as early as possible. Some delay might happen because of power problems. Keeping the unit idle for too long, means you are inviting mold to grow in the unit’s ducts and system. Your home as well as the air conditioning system has just now gone through an extreme heat and high moisture weather mayhem. This provides perfect setting for mold to thrive.

At the same time, be careful if you suspect something amiss with the central air’s operation. In case, you feel the storm’s severity has damaged an inside part of the cooling system then trying to run would make the situation even worse. Detection or evidence of any electrical smoke should be taken seriously. In such a scenario, get it immediately checked by one of our technicians.

Prepare your Air Conditioner to Ward off Storm Effect

One thing to be kept in mind is that it is not always a hurricane which harms your cooling system. Sometimes heavy wind and rain play havoc too, damaging the air conditioning unit. So after any such natural disaster, you should consider a thorough checkup of the cooling system with special stress on duct cleaning.

No matter how devastating the hurricane looks, by following these simple tips you can efficiently protect the air conditioner throughout the stormy season.

Contact AC by Florida Comfort Systems

Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
visit our website
See my Google+ account

Save Money in the Heat of the Summer

The major challenge at the height of summer is to ensure that it is cool enough to prevent discomfort and enable everyone in the office or house to remain cool, while at the same time making sure you are not wasting expensive energy on your air conditioning system.

Ensure that your air conditioning units are serviced and in perfect working order, and also ensure that you do a few simple things to make them operate more efficiently. Air conditioning units should be serviced regularly, preferably two times a year, by qualified air conditioning technicians. Regular maintenance may be considered an unnecessary expense but consider how expensive it would be to have to replace the entire unit because of poor maintenance. Similarly, make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions on replacing system filters if you want to ensure longevity for your system.

Before turning on the units for summer check the vents. Make sure that any internal vents or grills within the home or office are not blocked by curtains, blinds, carpeting and other debris or your unit will have to work harder, thus consuming more energy. For example, potted plants are frequently stuck on vents next to the window in offices, so make sure they are removed before switching on air conditioning this summer. 

Also ensure that external vents are clear from blockage, especially if they are at low level and easily obstructed. Remember to take frequent tours around your building throughout the summer, checking that vents have not subsequently become blocked.

Set your thermostat at a comfortable but reasonable level, but not 'Arctic' settings. The cooler you set the thermostat the harder your system will need to work to achieve that temperature, but you will also need to ensure that everyone in the building is comfortable.

Contact AC by Florida Comfort Systems

Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
visit our website
See my Google+ account

A Checkup Now Will Save Money Later

Having your air conditioning system checked annually can prevent future issues and save the homeowner time and money. |Annual air-conditioning system checkups will also keep the air conditioner running properly for more years than a poorly maintenance system resulting in longevity and worry free operation. In addition, most air-conditioning system checkups consist of refrigerant charge checks, AC drain clearing, and a thorough electrical system check. Furthermore, the air-conditioning system coils are cleaned and the fins are straightened thus helping with efficiency and proper operation and airflow.

Having your air conditioning system checked annually can reveal issues early so that the homeowner will not have to deal with them during high temperature peak months. This is important because the homeowner does not want the air conditioner broken down when the outside temperature is close to 100 degrees. Annual checkups will reveal a issue early and that problem can be addressed then in there without much downtime. In addition, AC by Florida Comfort Systems provides two checkups per year under our annual maintenance contract. This can be very beneficial when a major repair is needed such as a leaky evaporator coil or compressor burnout which can be very expensive repairs. Our annual contract offers 15% off parts replaced.

In addition, to having the air-conditioning system checked annually your air duct system should also be checked and cleaned every two - three years. The reason for this is to ensure proper airflow to all supply ducts and that there are no damaged ducts within the duct system. Having properly sealed and insulated air ducts is very important because of the heat transfer between the duct and the hot attic air. For instance, when the air is conditioned and circulated back to the AC system it must travel through the ducts and in most cases the ducts are in a non-conditioned location resulting in higher temperatures surrounding the ductwork. These higher temperatures can drop the conditioned supply air tempuratures down if the ductwork is not properly insulated and sealed resulting in higher system runtimes and higher energy bills. So having the air ducts properly sealed and insulated can and will save energy and provide with a more efficient air-conditioning system as a whole.

The use of proper filters and air duct cleaning can prevent dirty evaporator coils and reduce allergens throughout the home. Since the indoor air is circulated on a constant basis dirt and debris is also circulated through the system, so a pleated filter should be used in conjunction with proper air duct cleaning techniques to help prevent accumulation of debris, dirt, and other pollutants.

To schedule an AC checkup, please contact AC by Florida Comfort Systems at 239-774-5501.

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