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Remember Air Conditioning Maintenance During Spring Cleaning

Add AC System Maintenance to the Spring Cleaning Checklist

Air conditioner maintenance and duct cleaning can make all the difference in spring cleaning efforts. Thorough cleaning and inspection of these systems help improve air quality and energy efficiency, and it can also reduce allergens and provide other health benefits.

When homeowners get AC maintenance and duct cleaning as part of their spring cleaning routine, they can expect many benefits. This blog post will discuss what air conditioning system maintenance entails and its benefits. By having the system maintained in the spring, it will be ready to cool the home when needed the most in the summer.

Air Conditioner Maintenance and the Benefits

filter Maintaining an air conditioning unit is essential for its performance and longevity. An AC unit can become inefficient and increase energy bills without proper care and maintenance. Two crucial parts of routine AC maintenance are cleaning the coils and changing the air filters. This will help keep the coils free of dirt and debris, allowing them to function more efficiently. A clean air filter will help the system function properly by preventing dust and debris from entering the unit. A clogged air filter can decrease the efficiency of an AC, leading to higher energy bills.

Professional AC maintenance is integral to ensuring an air conditioning unit runs as efficiently and effectively as possible. Maintaining an air conditioning unit is essential for clean air and indoor air quality. A well-maintained system will also last longer, be more efficient, and help reduce energy costs. AC maintenance also allows minor issues to be identified and fixed to prevent them from becoming bigger, more costly problems, saving homeowners more money in the long run.

Clean the Air Ducts Too

Air duct cleaning is an important part of regular maintenance for any home or business. Not only does it help ensure indoor air quality is better, but it can also increase the energy efficiency of the air conditioning system. Over time, dirt, dust, pollen, and other allergens can accumulate in air ducts, reducing indoor air quality.

Professional duct cleaning can help rid the ductwork of these contaminants and improve airflow, resulting in a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment, improved efficiency, and reduced cooling costs. Some signs the air ducts are dirty and need to be cleaned are symptoms of allergies and asthma worsening, dust, dirt, mold, or mildew visible near the ducts or vents, and odd smells.

Keep the Home Clean to Help the AC

vacuum Keeping the home clean can also help an air conditioning system run more efficiently and improve indoor air quality. When someone regularly dusts, vacuums, and cleans, it helps to reduce the number of contaminants in the air that can be drawn into the air conditioner and ducts.

By keeping the house clean, less dirt, dust, and other particles will accumulate inside the system and air filters, making the cooling system more efficient. Additionally, keeping the inside of a home clean will also help reduce allergens in the air, which can improve health. So, it’s worth taking the time to maintain the air conditioner and air ducts and clean them regularly.

About Morrow Mechanical

Morrow Mechanical has over two decades of experience serving Spring, TX, and the surrounding areas. They provide upfront pricing, financing, and after-hours service at no additional charge. Call them today for air conditioning tune-ups and maintenance in Spring, TX.

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Why Air Conditioning Coils Matter

Dirty Coils Cause Unexpected Problems During Summer

Air conditioners are complex systems that run when all components work together. In addition to the mechanical parts required, cleaning is a key factor in maintenance. Dirty coils inside the system can cause profound problems during the hottest months.

What Are AC Coils?

Air conditioners are unique in the way they produce cool air. Unlike furnaces, they do not generate indoor air. Instead, an air conditioning system uses refrigerants to absorb heat in the air. This air is then released outdoors.

Since air conditioners work to remove hot air, different coils are necessary to keep an entire indoor area cool. Two types of coils are used and are considered one of the most important parts of an HVAC system.

The Evaporator Coil

An evaporator coil is located indoors. It can be tricky to locate because it is in line with the ductwork. An evaporator core is where the refrigerant absorbs heat. Typically an evaporator coil can be found near the blower fan. They can be identified by the type of material used. Most evaporator coils are made from copper, aluminum, or steel. These tubes are typically bent into semicircles for residential air conditioners before being placed into panels.

Evaporator coils will collect dust, pet dander, and pollen. Once this dirt has built up over time, it is no longer energy efficient and may increase homeowners' electric bills. Even a thin layer of dust can reduce the evaporator coil’s efficiency. This dust essentially keeps the coil from absorbing hot air during the summer. Dirty evaporators can create higher pressure and raise indoor temperatures causing the system to work harder.

The Condenser Coil

coil The condenser coil is located outside the home and is made up of tubes and fins. This part of the system works by transporting the indoor heat outside through a system of copper tubing. Warm refrigerant gas will enter the compressor so it can be pressurized. Once the fan blows air over these coils, the refrigerant loses heat.

A condenser coil can also become dirty in a relatively short period. This is usually due to debris such as tree limbs, plants, dirt, and inclement weather conditions. If yard debris interferes with the compressor’s fins, this can damage part of the system. Mowing the lawn, fallen leaves, and even animal hair can ultimately cause indoor temperatures to rise.

Cleaning the fins of a compressor must be done carefully. If there is damage to this area, it can decrease the whole system's efficiency. A stiff brush or vacuum is recommended so fins do not bend or snap.

Without routine maintenance, the air condenser may develop a casing of ice. This is usually due to an airflow issue. Dirty air filters and vents may be to blame. If the ice is caused due to low refrigerant, a trained technician can help.

How To Clean and Maintain Compressor Coils

Compressor coil cleaning will prolong the life of an air conditioner and reduce electric bills. Routine cleaning is recommended to make the most out of an HVAC unit.

Cleaning the coils can be difficult, depending on where it’s located. One way to prevent dust and pollen from ruining the coils is to change the air filters regularly. There are several air filters, and some may need to be changed more often than others. It depends on their material. Washable filters can save money.

Turning off the air conditioner first before accessing the coils is important. This can be done at the thermostat. Once the access panel is removed, compressed air will allow a touchless cleaning. Technicians can use a nozzle attachment for hard-to-reach places close to the bottom. High pressured air should be directed at a 90-degree angle to prevent fin damage.

A brush can work for those who do not wish to use this AC coil cleaning method. The brush must be swept gently but firmly across the fins. Cleaning solutions are unnecessary when using this method, but all material must be scrubbed. Hard bristles are not recommended during this process.

Evaporator Coils vs. Condenser Coils

Cleaning condenser coils are slightly different than cleaning evaporator coils because of where they are located. Since condenser coils are found outside the home, other debris may be found on the fins.

Most Do-It-Yourselfers usually use a garden hose and cleaning solution to clean condenser coils. An all-purpose cleaner will work for outdoor coils. Like cleaning the evaporator coils, the air conditioner must be turned off before cleaning. After the system is shut off, the outer casing can be gently removed not to damage any wires. Once the caging has been lifted, the fan will be easy to access.

A small hand brush can be used to remove debris. Leaves, insects, and dirt are frequently found. During this process, homeowners can check for any potentially broken aluminum fins. Since the coils are located outdoors, the fins are more likely to be damaged by heavier debris. A fin comb can be purchased online or at a local hardware store to straighten bent fins.

Cleaning both evaporator coils and condenser coils will help the system run smoothly. When an air conditioner does not have to work at a high energy capacity, it will reduce the overall utility cost during the summer. This is particularly important for residential homes in hot climates.

About Morrow Mechanical

Morrow Mechanical has served its Spring, TX, and The Greater Houston Area community for over 20 years. They provide same-day, upfront pricing and after-hours service at no additional charge. Call them today for an air conditioning tune-up and maintenance in Spring, TX.

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Women In The Heating and Air Conditioning Industry

Women Pioneers of The HVAC Industry

In 1996 Sandra Garza was the only female in Chicago’s Coyne College HVAC program. Since then, women in various states have pursued this type of education for a secure career. Two of the most influential women in the business were taught before many of these programs even existed.

Women’s History: Then and Now

Women’s history month celebrates women in all fields, including the HVAC industry. Several women have contributed to this profession starting from the early ages of mechanical engineering.

Women in the HVAC profession today are continuing to improve the industry. Women know more about the industry than ever by including refrigeration in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning profession. Women in the HVACR industry now own their own companies and actively improve life for other women in the profession.

Options for women in the profession are based on the same education and training provided for men, allowing women to become HVACR associates to assist technicians, technicians, or specialized technicians. An HVACR engineer oversees the entire installation in addition to performing audits.

Who was Alice Parker?

Alice Parker, a female engineer and inventor changed heating forever. She grew up in the early 1900s without sufficient heat in the home. The family kept a fire during the cold winter nights, but it still left her fingers feeling numb in the morning. Since most homes were heated with wood or coal during this time, many people did not question the chill. Alice Parker did.

In 1919 Alice Parker earned a degree to become a female engineer. She immediately began focusing on heat. She patented her gas furnace, creating a safer method to use gas. It was the first to reach homes across the country. Many of these first-generation gas furnaces can be found in modern homes across the United States.

Why Is Margaret Ingels Still An Inspiring Woman In The Field?

Margaret Ingles has inspired countless women to receive a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She was the first woman in the United States to receive the degree in 1916.

She spent most of her time studying air conditioning and the quality of air in labs. She then perfected a machine that could measure the amount of germ-infested dust through her research.

By developing what is known as a sling psychrometer, she could effectively measure temperature. This led to the eventual development of modern air conditioning. Without Margaret Ingles, the HVAC industry would look very different today.

Although it was not easy being female in a male-dominated industry, she was able to pave the way for future women in the profession. Margaret Ingels worked with the Carrier-Lyle Corporation from 1931 until her retirement. In 1940 she was known as one of the 100 women in the United States to break into a “man’s profession.”

The legacy of Margaret Ingels continues to impact the lives of students. At the University of Kentucky, a dormitory is named after her for her engineering achievements. A Fellowship Fund is also named in her honor that helps students succeed.

About Morrow Mechanical

Morrow Mechanical has served Spring, TX, and the greater Houston area for over 20 years and provides same-day service and honest, upfront pricing. Call today for a professional heating and air conditioning technician in Spring, TX.