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I live out of the state, Penguin Air was recommeded by a neighbour. Thank you for your service and patience on the instructions to enter the home without me there, I thought you should know I got home yesterday and the new air conditioning system is perfect. A sincere thank you, is good to know a sevice company I can trust..
Why Preventive Maintenance?
Heating and cooling systems work incredibly hard to perform their functions for your household. The constant stopping, starting and continual operation can wear down a machine quickly and unexpectedly if the proper care and maintenance is delayed. However, by performing preventive maintenance, or servicing your system regularly, you can maximize the lifecycle of your heating or cooling unit and guard against many unexpected failures
Preventive maintenance inspections performed on a regular basis can uncover leaks, rust, rot, soot, frayed wires and corroded electrical contacts.
At least once a year, heat pumps and air conditioners require a professional tune-up. Because gas-fired equipment functions with greater efficiency, it only needs to be serviced every other year.
Inspections on boiler and furnace systems should include ductwork, pipes, dampers, valves, the chimney, registers, radiators, pumps, blowers, fuel lines, the gas meter, oil tank and every part of the actual furnace and boiler.
Meanwhile, heat pump and air conditioning unit inspections should also include inspections of the fan, compressor, indoor coils, outdoor coils and refrigerant lines.
What type of filter should I use?
Standard air conditioning filters work well to keep your system and its ductwork clean, but they don’t really improve indoor air quality. To do that you need a media filter. The media filter rests between the main return duct and the blower cabinet and will improve dust and particle removal by seven times that of a standard furnace filter. However, upgrading to a pleated media filter will remove everything from insecticide dust to airborne viruses from the filtered air.
A media filter can have a life exceeding two years, and its only drawback is that its tight fiber weave can cause your air conditioning system to have to work harder to blow air through the house. Always choose a filter that matches your blower’s capacity.What about preventive maintenance for my ducts?
Although modern technology has made significant advances in air filters over the past decade, a fractional amount of dust still finds its way past heating and cooling filters and into your home’s ducts. As this dust accumulates throughout your home, it creates the perfect environment for the growth of mold, mites and harmful bacteria. To check your ducts for dust buildup, pull off several supply and return registers and see how much dust has accumulated in the system. If you choose to clean your system, your best option is to have your ducts cleaned, Penguin Air is a licensed HVAC contractor ask about our duct cleaning specials.
Click here- Read more about duct cleaning->Although duct cleaning has little effect on the actual air quality, it will eliminate a house-wide breeding ground for harmful bacteria and mold in addition to helping your heating and cooling system operate more efficiently. If you are installing a new system, you should consider cleaning the ducts at the same time. New systems are often more powerful than old systems and can stir up dust that is sitting in the existing ductwork.
Here are several tips to help you keep your system running at its most efficient level:
- Keep your thermostat at a constant temperature; the recommended temperature is 78 degrees, even when no one is home.
- Change your filters every month.
- Check the outside condensing unit regularly for any grass clippings or leaves stuck to the coil. If it is dirty:
Disconnect the power at the circuit breaker FIRST!
Use a shop-vac with a brush attachment to vacuum off the debris.
Run water from a garden hose through the coil until the water passing through it is clear. Must be careful not to bend the coil fins as this will damage the system.
Turn the power back on. - Schedule a Preventative Maintenance, Penguin Air is a licensed service company.
Click - the following are related links
- HVAC Duct cleaning->
- Duct work->
- Media Filters information->
- Save energy tips->
- Schedule your service today online form->
Preventative Maintenance Checklist
While your system is operating part of the preventative maintenance checklist is to Monitor system starting characteristics and capabilities
Listen for abnormal noise
Monitor air conditioning and heat pump systems for correct refrigerant charge
Measure high and low side system pressures
Monitor gas furnace for correct line and manifold gas pressure—make adjustments as needed
Check supply and return differential as it should read around 20 degrees split for proper cooling and a/c efficiency
Check vent system for proper operation
Monitor system for correct line and load volts/amps
Provide system operation report and recommend repairs or replacement as necessary
NOTE: Penguin air recommends all maintenance and service work to be performed by a professional air conditioning and heating contractor that holds the appropriate credentials to install and service air conditioning and heating equipment.
Cooling system
- Measure and record cooling system pressures and temperatures of each unit.
- Check and record all compressor amps for each unit.
- Check, adjust and oil all condenser fan motors for proper operation
- Inspect fan blade conditions, excessive noises, vibrations, or heat emanating from the bearings.
- Check, adjust and oil all blower assembly motors for proper operation
- Check, all fuses, contactors, relays and capacitors for proper operation
- Inspect pan and drain traps on every visit for normal operation.
- Clean, check and replenish pan treatment on every visit.
- Inspect all coils for cleanliness and apply anti-fungus agent on every visit.
- Inspect all wiring for chafing, burning, deteriorated, tighten all electrical connections where needed
- For efficiency: Spray antimicrobial agent on air handler coils and check for bacterial buildup that contaminates the coil and blocks air flow.
- This symptom is the major cause for systems not moving enough air and one of the main sources of high energy consumption and polute the indoor air quality.
- Check and clean main drain lines
- Check pump operations and bacterial buildup (clean as necessary)
- Check auxiliary drain lines or cut-off switch, test cut-off switch.
Heating
Heating System Start up.
Check all heating elements for proper operation
Check all heat exchangers for proper operation
In general
Check all thermostats for proper operation
Check and replace all batteries if necessary in all thermostats it is recommended that customers replace the batteries annually.
That’s why we encourage all Air Conditioner, central ac system owners both commercial and residential to perform preventative maintenance. Most definitely a commercial establishment is recommended to have a preventative maintenance done every 3-4 months, not only to keep an efficient HVAC system, but also to keep a clean air environment in a public place. Below you’ll find our PM, Preventative Maintenance Checklist, which is our proven method to keep your system running efficient and minimize breakdowns keeping your home or business in constant comfort.
When to schedule Air Conditioner PM- HVAC maintenance
Perform maintenance at least once a year, before the cooling season. It is recommended to schedule in the spring and fall.
Winter Heating Season Preventative Maintenance
Perform maintenance at least once a year, before the heating season.
Outdoor condenser units inspections while performing a Preventative Maintenance PM is most important, as it has a great significance on the performance of your cooling HVAC System
a service technician should inspect unit for proper refrigerant levels as this is crutial to keep unit running efficiently. A system that is low on refrigerant or freon will run for longer periods of time consuming a electricity, keep in mind that an AC can be 60-70% of your summer electric bill, according to many published research and power companies. If you're serious about saving energy, address your cooling costs first, since that's what uses the most electricity.
Technician will inspect base pan for restricted drain openings—remove obstructions as necessary,
Inspect coil and cabinet—clean as needed also
Inspect fan motor and fan blades for wear and damage—on older models lubricate as needed
Inspect control box, associated controls/accessories, wiring and connections. Controls may include low voltage and High voltage contactors, relays switches, starter switch. Some units may require a compressor saver to help jump start larger or older compressors it is why is important to have a trained technician inspect voltage and amps on an air conditioner system HVAC.
Other parts that would be inspected is the compressor and associated tubing for damage, cleaned as needed or replaced are Start capacitors, and Contactors some are best knows as starters, these items are very important to jump start the high voltage compressor as it needs the starting capacitor, by "accumulating" a large electrical charge inside the capacitor. Traditionally capacitors were also called "accumulators" for this reason. The capacitor's electrical charge is released at motor start-up time, gives the compressor motor or other electrical motor a boost for starting.
Indoor typical inspection
Inspect and clean blower assembly (includes blower housing, blower wheel and motor)
On older models, lubricate motor and inspect and replace fan belt if needed
Check combustion blower housing for lint and debris and clean as necessary
Inspect evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain lines. Clean as needed
Inspect for gas leaks in gas furnaces
Inspect burner assembly—clean and adjust as needed
Inspect ignition system and safety controls—clean and adjust as needed
Inspect heat exchanger or heating elements
Inspect flue system—check for proper attachment to the furnace, any dislocated sections, and for signs of corrosion. Replace if necessary
Inspect control box, associated controls, wiring and connections
Clean or replace air filters
Inspect conditioned airflow system (ductwork plenums)—check for leaks
Inspect Air ducts every 2 years
There is no real consensus regarding the frequency of cleaning supply and return air ducts. It will depend on the maintenance of the HVAC system (a well maintained system will put a lower dirt load into the ducts) and the use of the building. The North American Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends inspecting supply side and return air ducts every two to four years. If the inspection reveals contamination, the ducts should be cleaned. This is a service that we also provide and do not sub-out.
Tips for a More Efficient System
Make a Lasting Difference in Your Home’s Energy Management. Tips for a more efficient HVAC central air conditioning system.
There many actions that can be taken to improve your A/C efficiency of your home or business. Commercical or residential we find that too often customers own a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system that is too large or too small for their home or business. Heating and cooling your home can often be complex and confusing. With all the terminology and choices, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to find the system that best fits your home’s needs.
Penguin Air offers a portfolio of high-performing and high-quality heating and air conditioning systems for homes. Its high-efficiency products can provide much-needed relief from rising utility bills and energy costs, while also helping you do something positive for your community and the environment.
The average household will pay $2,300 this year on energy costs, with heating alone accounting for almost 45 percent of that total. (Source: Alliance to Save Energy).
Have Penguin Air perform preventative maintenance before the summer cooling and winter heating seasons begin. Asking a professional to check your system will increase the life of the system, improve energy efficiency, reduce pollutants and save money.
A dirty filter can restrict airflow and increase energy use in your home. Replace or clean filters once a month during operating seasons.
Programmable thermostats, are designed to maximize the performance of your home comfort system with reliable and accurate temperature control. The average annual savings for programmable thermostats is about $100, and they often pay for themselves in two years or less.
Many customers we found that are focused upon what the previous A/C contractor has sold them or installed with the label reading 22 SEERS, 18 SEERS etc. on the air handler or condenser unit. Package or rooftop units have the same labeling of an HVAC air conditioning unit that is rated as a high SEER device in the box; however, when the unit is installed in a home, the efficiency the system actually delivers in the home varies due to certain home variables. For example efficiency can go down due to factors such as mentioned earlier wrong size system, home attic insulation, home total R-value, Home orientation, window size, old windows, doorways, improper air flow, mismatched coils and leaking ducts. These are reasons why it is important to make sure your HVAC system is installed properly so you’re getting the most efficiency possible from your system.
Rated efficiency applies to HVAC systems that are rated in laboratory conditions assuming the refrigerant charge and system airflow is 100 percent accurate. Applied efficiency is what the system actually delivers once it’s charged and installed in your home in real world conditions.
Seventy percent of HVAC systems do not have the correct air flow - which impacts energy efficiency (according to the Environmental Protection Agency).
Almost 74 percent of HVAC systems have an improper amount of refrigerant - which can impact performance by up to 15 percent - resulting in higher energy costs, reduced reliability and faster wear and tear because systems do not operate at maximum efficiency.
Potential energy use comparing an 8-SEER system to a 20-SEER high-efficiency system. Actual energy savings will vary depending on many factors including your lifestyle, system settings, maintenance, climate and installation.
