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Is Your Air Conditioner Ready For Summer?

Just like any of the other systems in our homes, our air conditioners need periodic maintenance to keep them running smoothly.  We want the air conditioner to work when we need it right?  Too often though, people wait until the temperatures soar to find out that the old unit just won’t fire up.  Summer is coming and soon we will all want our air conditioners to run at peak performance to keep us comfortable.  Careful inspection of the air conditioning system prior to peak use can help you to head off problems ahead of time.

First, the more you use your air conditioner, the more often it should be checked.  Filters are a good place to start.  Cold air moves harder that hot air.  If your air filter is plugged, the fan has to work harder to move the air.  If the air isn’t moving, the air conditioner has to work harder to meet the desired temperature in the home.  Buy a good air filter and make sure to change them at the manufacturers prescribed frequency. 

At the condenser, (outside), make sure that there is adequate clearance for air flow around the unit.  Three feet above and one foot at the sides, minimum clearance will allow the air to flow freely.  Also, make sure that the cooling fins are free of debris and damage.  If the fins are clogged with dryer lint or grass clippings, air can’t move freely through the condenser. 

Catch small problems before they turn into big problems.  Noisy condenser units could be anything from a loose screw on a panel or safety screen, to a loose fan blade.  Loose fan blades could also be hitting part of the unit.  If everything is tight and there is still a noise, it could be the condenser motor.  You should call for service if this is the case.  Make sure that the unit is sitting level to prevent unnecessary wear on the motor bearings. 

Noise at the furnace could mean a bad motor or loose/worn drive belt.  Again, you should call a service technician for repairs.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Posted on Wednesday, May 19th, 2010.
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Posted in Monthly Home Tip

How to Cut Costs Efficiently, and Green up Your Home
It can be a challenge to keep your home cool and comfortable while keeping your energy bills in control, especially with the arrival of warmer weather.  There are a few steps you can take now that will make your home more environmentally friendly while saving money and natural resources.
 
Air conditioners, fans, and other appliances that we run in the summer can eat up energy and drive up our utility costs.  According to the EPA, the energy used in the average home is responsible for twice the greenhouse gas emissions that the average passenger car.  Below are a few tips that you can implement that will help reduce your energy consumption and help to keep you comfortable.
 
Install a programmable thermostat and pre-set your indoor temperatures.  This can save you up to 6% on your energy costs for every degree you raise your thermostat this summer.  Most models are simple to operate, allowing you to program them around your family’s schedules.

If you have an old air conditioning unit, you may want to upgrade to a newer system that meets or exceeds the government energy standards.  For example, it is possible to have savings of up to 47% on new heating and air conditioning costs with a newer model.  Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, you may be eligible for tax credits if a new air condition and/or heating system meets energy efficiency requirements.   

Turn off lights and keep costs down.  Being more efficient with your lighting is one of the fastest ways to reduce your electricity bills.  Turning off lights when you leave a room will add to your energy savings. 

How efficient are your exterior doors?  Old doors with poor seals may contribute to higher energy usage.  New exterior doors usually fit and seal better than older doors.  A new energy efficient door can help to stabilize your interior temperatures and decrease your energy usage.

Some other simple energy savers…  Even small acts of green can make a difference. Turning off your computer and monitor when not in use; lowering the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees; taking short showers instead of baths and washing only full loads of dishes and clothes can all add up to big savings on your homes energy consumption.

 
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections, Serving Rochester and Southeastern, MN.  507-202-8942

It can be a challenge to keep your home cool and comfortable while keeping your energy bills in control, especially with the arrival of warmer weather.  There are a few steps you can take now that will make your home more environmentally friendly while saving money and natural resources.
 
Air conditioners, fans, and other appliances that we run in the summer can eat up energy and drive up our utility costs.  According to the EPA, the energy used in the average home is responsible for twice the greenhouse gas emissions that the average passenger car.  Below are a few tips that you can implement that will help reduce your energy consumption and help to keep you comfortable.
 
Install a programmable thermostat and pre-set your indoor temperatures.  This can save you up to 6% on your energy costs for every degree you raise your thermostat this summer.  Most models are simple to operate, allowing you to program them around your family’s schedules.

If you have an old air conditioning unit, you may want to upgrade to a newer system that meets or exceeds the government energy standards.  For example, it is possible to have savings of up to 47% on new heating and air conditioning costs with a newer model.  Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, you may be eligible for tax credits if a new air condition and/or heating system meets energy efficiency requirements.   

Turn off lights and keep costs down.  Being more efficient with your lighting is one of the fastest ways to reduce your electricity bills.  Turning off lights when you leave a room will add to your energy savings. 

How efficient are your exterior doors?  Old doors with poor seals may contribute to higher energy usage.  New exterior doors usually fit and seal better than older doors.  A new energy efficient door can help to stabilize your interior temperatures and decrease your energy usage.

Some other simple energy savers…  Even small acts of green can make a difference. Turning off your computer and monitor when not in use; lowering the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees; taking short showers instead of baths and washing only full loads of dishes and clothes can all add up to big savings on your homes energy consumption.

 
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections, Serving Rochester and Southeastern, MN.  507-202-8942

Posted on Friday, April 23rd, 2010.
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Posted in Monthly Home Tip

So Why Wouldn’t You Cover Your Air Conditioner During The Winter Months?
Yes, there is an air conditioner under there

Yes, there is an air conditioner under there

Some experts argue that some AC covers actually trap moisture inside your air conditioner for long periods of time which could then lead to the rust as well as the exact same icing problem as when it wasn’t covered.  Others point out that covers on AC units keep them dry and relatively clean and free from a steady cold wind – which makes them a perfect place for mice, chipmunks and other critters to snuggle in for the winter and chew your air conditioners wires to shreds.

To summarize, here are the pros and cons of covering your AC unit in the winter months:

Pros to covering your air conditioner:

  • Keeps your air conditioner coils a little cleaner so it may run a little more efficiently when you use it again
  • Prevents heavy debris like sticks, branches and other yard waste from blowing into your AC
  • Helps prevent water from directly resting on your coils and freezing, which could be damaging.
  • May save on maintenance costs and help lengthen the life of your air conditioner

Cons to covering your air conditioner:

  • Could trap in moisture if not doneproperly
  • Could provide a tempting spot for small animals to nest during winter months
  • Most AC manufacturers don’t specifically recommend covering the outside unit

Air conditioner units are expensive to replace and even repair should something happen to it. If you’re not going to use air conditioner for a good six months or so out of the year it makes logical sense to close it off from the elements, at least a little bit. Covering your ac unit each year may allow it to last and run a little longer.

Here are some options to consider:

Cover Just the Top of your Air Conditioner: A lot of people choose taking the middle ground with an AC cover. They cover the top of their unit with a piece of plywood and secure it using a heavy brick or rock. This prevents most of the snow and ice from entering your AC unit from the top and it still leaves the sides open for plenty of cool air to blow through, eliminating the trapped moisture problem.

Fully Cover Your Air Conditioner: If you fully cover your air conditioner, you’ll want to take a few things into consideration. Using plastic makeshift  AC covers out of things like tarps or large plastic bags are not a good idea because they can easily keep moisture stuck inside for a long time. They will also almost certain rip or blow off during a long winter unless you get pretty creative with your fastening.

If you’re going to go with a full cover then you might want to consider using a specially designed air conditioner cover.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections, Serving Rochester and Southeastern, MN.  507-202-8942

Posted on Thursday, February 18th, 2010.
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Posted in Inspectors Blog, Monthly Home Tip

Use Your Ceiling Fan To Save Energy

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As our summer temperatures are cooling down, it doesn’t necessarily mean the energy bill is going to magically disappear, but there are some things we can do to minimize them.

Use your ceiling fans.  Ceiling fans help to circulate the air in a room, taking away the heat in the process.  The expense of running a ceiling fan versus the Air Conditioning will result in several hundred dollars savings per year.  In the fall you can set your thermostat at 78 degrees and turn on your ceiling fan.  The air movement will make it feel like 72 degrees, (kind of like wind chill).  Or you could just use the ceiling fans and turn the Air Conditioning all together.  Also, only use fans in the rooms you are occupying to save energy.  Did you know that there are several ceiling fan models that even have built in heating to help out with cold rooms in the winter? 

If you do not have ceiling fans in your home and are in the market to purchase one, do your homework first.  Because it will last for years, there are many considerations when deciding on a ceiling fan. How big is the room you will be using the fan in?  How high are the ceilings?  Would you like the fan to blend in to the décor, or become a major focal point?  Will the fan be replacing a lighting fixture?  Do you want manual or remote control operation features?

All ceiling fans, because of their design and low energy consumption, will start to save you money from the day you have it installed.   The new Energy Star-qualified models will increase those savings even more.  Before purchasing a product, read labels.  Products that have undergone rigorous testing and meet the government’s strictest new guidelines for efficiency will have an Energy Star label.  All products that have met the Energy Star requirements will have an easy to read consumer guide right on the label.  When shopping for products, make sure that you read package labels carefully when comparison shopping to make sure you understand all information and make informed decisions.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Posted on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009.
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Posted in Monthly Home Tip

Power Strip On A Wet Copper Line

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During a recent home inspection I came across a power strip that was being used as permanent wiring.  The power strip was twist tied and duct taped to a water line supplying an external hose faucet.  The home owner was watering the lawn that day, the Air Conditioning was off and it was moderately humid.  As you can see from the picture, the water line was dripping with condensation.  Of course, it was recommended that this power strip be removed from the copper water line, and to insulate the exterior water lines to eliminate the condensation when watering the lawn.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Posted on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009.
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Posted in Electrical, Plumbing

Change Your Furnace Filter Regularly

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As a home inspector, I take the time to discuss the furnace filter with the new home owner during the walkthrough at their home inspection.  It is crucial that you change your furnace filter regularly to help keep the air clean in your home.  The filter in the picture above had to be at least a year old.

The filter is designed to remove the dust and particles from the air flowing in and through your home.  A clean filter will allow the air to move freely.  A dirty and clogged filter will cause the furnace fan motor to work harder to move the air.  That along with poor air exchange will cause your yearly utility bills to be higher. 

According to the company that replaced my furnace this year, the “blue, fiberglass looking” type furnace filter is the best balance for air flow and particle removal.  The 1 inch thick accordion type filters do a great job of removing particles, but can plug up rather quickly.  If air flow is restricted it will slow air movement as well as cause your furnace fan to have to work harder to move the air in your home..  Change your filter once a month to keep your furnace system running at its peak performance.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Posted on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009.
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Posted in Heating, Inspectors Blog

Here’s A Spring Cleaning Task that Can Save You Money

It’s Spring and along with that comes the urge to make everything clean, fresh, and new again.  Now is the best time to take care of some often-overlooked household cleaning tasks that can save you big dollars in the future. As a home inspector, I often see that some of the costliest repairs are ones that could easily have been prevented with simple maintenance steps earlier on.

Take a look at your home’s heating and air conditioning system. When was the last time you had your cooling coils Inspected and cleaned?

Cooling coils, which resemble a car radiator, are typically located on top of or inside the air handling unit in the utility room. These coils take the heat and humidity out of the air and are essentially the connection point between your air conditioning system and the air in your home. Over time, household dust and air contaminants, including fabric particles, skin cells, animal dander and other debris, collect on the coils. While your furnace filter will reduce debris — assuming you keep the filters clean — it’s impossible to completely eliminate it and what gets through will end up on the coils.  When that happens, two problems can arise:

First, the build-up restricts the flow of air through the unit and decreases its ability to effectively remove heat from the air.

Second, it makes the equipment work harder and longer to get air into your house. So the air handler runs and runs, and the unit consumes more energy and produces less cooling.

If your air conditioner is forced to run 25 percent longer to produce the desired results you will shorten its usable life by nearly 25 percent. And the cost of repairing or replacing a faulty heating and cooling unit far exceeds the cost of having the coils cleaned.

While coils may not need to be cleaned annually, they should be inspected every year. The configuration of some units may make it difficult to examine and clean the coils without removing them from the unit and improper cleaning can actually damage the coils.

If you’re not even sure what part of the system the coils are, where they’re located, or if they’ve ever been cleaned at all, call a professional to do a system check up and cleaning. It’s best to leave the inspection and any necessary cleaning to a trained professional. You shouldn’t assume your coils are being cleaned or even inspected regularly just because you have a service contract with a heating and cooling company. Many companies do not include that service as part of their regular maintenance routine.

Check the internet or yellow pages supporting Rochester and Southeastern MN to find qualified technicians in the area. When evaluating a company to inspect and clean your coils, be sure to ask how long the company has been in business, the average experience level of its service people, and what their regular service includes.

By cleaning your cooling and heating systems on a regular basis you can help extend the life of your systems and ensure it’s functioning at peak efficiency for years to come, thereby saving you costly maintenance in the future .

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern MN.  507-202-8942

Posted on Wednesday, April 1st, 2009.
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Posted in Air Conditioning, Inspectors Blog

Central Air Conditioning – Spring Start Up

 Central Air Conditioning should never be operated in cold weather. This can cause serious damage to the compressor unit. Don’t start the central air conditioner unless the outdoor temperature has been above 60 degrees for at least 24 hours.Remember to uncover the unit if it has been covered over the winter months. At the start of the cooling season, when you are about to start using the air conditioning unit, you need to make sure thatthe power is on for a minimum of 24 hours. Make sure that the thermostat is switched off, and leave the thermostat off for 24 hours before perating the Air Conditioning Unit. Most condensing units have a compressor crank case heater that allows a heater to warm the crank case lubricant. When the
compressor crank case is cold, the coolant can be partially absorbed into the lubricant. This will result in frothing of the lubricant, and can cause undue wear on bearings, etc. Turning on power to the unit at least 24 hours before use will allow for the crank case lubricant to heat up and will release any coolant absorption from the lubricant. After a minimum of 24 hours, the unit can be run safely. so, the net is… Just make sure that the power to the air conditioning unit is on at least 24 hours prior to using the air conditioning.

Posted on Tuesday, February 24th, 2009.
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Posted in Air Conditioning, Monthly Home Tip

Being a first time homebuyer and having our first home inspection, you really took the time to explain in detail and helped us to understand everything.  You really went above and beyond what we expected.  Thanks Again!

Mike H. St Charles, MN

As first time home owners there are a lot of new things for us to learn.  You pointed out and taught us a lot about the home during the inspection.  We are so glad Shelli referred you!  Thanks for all your help.  We also love the Basic Home Systems book.

Amanda & Siva N, Rochester, MN

I needed a home inspection ASAP, and I got one!  Thank you for being so flexible in scheduling!

Adam H. Rochester, MN

Call and schedule your inspection today 507.202.8942