Comments on: How To Care For and Maintain Your Central Air Conditioner http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/ Home Improvement Tips and Tricks for the Average Homeowner! Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:22:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Pac man http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-121489 Pac man Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:22:25 +0000 http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/#comment-121489 Why does AC repair say turn off your central AC unit at the breaker when hosing down the unit but yet its okay to leave it on when its pouring raining even a hurricane flood.. Why does AC repair say turn off your central AC unit at the breaker when hosing down the unit but yet its okay to leave it on when its pouring raining even a hurricane flood..

]]> By: H. Kirby http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-120497 H. Kirby Fri, 22 Jul 2011 01:06:33 +0000 http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/#comment-120497 I've been told the coils in my central airconditioner are dirty and need to be cleaned. The unit is only 3 years old. could this be true and why would this happen. I’ve been told the coils in my central airconditioner are dirty and need to be cleaned. The unit is only 3 years old. could this be true and why would this happen.

]]> By: Brenda Schory http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-82219 Brenda Schory Fri, 09 Jul 2010 03:06:30 +0000 http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/#comment-82219 My neighbor's central air unit is broken because, the repair guy said, her dogs urinate on it and the urine's acid ate through something and broke it. Is that even possible? My neighbor’s central air unit is broken because, the repair guy said, her dogs urinate on it and the urine’s acid ate through something and broke it. Is that even possible?

]]> By: Doug Conway http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-56994 Doug Conway Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:29:27 +0000 http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/#comment-56994 Outside a/c condenser would not come on. Decided to perform all six trouble shooting steps along with using water hose to clean outside coils. Turned on unit and it worked. Don't know what the problem was but decided to perform these test once a year. Thanks!!!!! Saved ???? dollars. Outside a/c condenser would not come on. Decided to perform all six trouble shooting steps along with using water hose to clean outside coils. Turned on unit and it worked. Don’t know what the problem was but decided to perform these test once a year. Thanks!!!!! Saved ???? dollars.

]]> By: Tom http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-46418 Tom Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:11:39 +0000 http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/#comment-46418 Jerry: I wouldn't think you'd want to put anything on your coils. Not sure what sort of "gook" you're getting on your coils and if you have rust problems then you might have some sort of moisture problem. I've never done anything to prevent rust or anything building up on my AC coils... and I've never had a problem. Jerry: I wouldn’t think you’d want to put anything on your coils. Not sure what sort of “gook” you’re getting on your coils and if you have rust problems then you might have some sort of moisture problem. I’ve never done anything to prevent rust or anything building up on my AC coils… and I’ve never had a problem.

]]> By: JERRY F http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-45163 JERRY F Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:36:29 +0000 http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/#comment-45163 I WAS TOLD THAT TO KEEP THE COILS FROM RUST AND GOOK, I SHOULD PUT BLEACH IN THE COILS AND THEN ANOTHER MACHANIC SAID TO PUT VINEGAR? WHICH ONE IS BETTER??? THANKS JF I WAS TOLD THAT TO KEEP THE COILS FROM RUST AND GOOK, I SHOULD PUT BLEACH IN THE COILS AND THEN ANOTHER MACHANIC SAID TO PUT VINEGAR?
WHICH ONE IS BETTER???
THANKS JF

]]> By: Tom http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-35845 Tom Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:41:56 +0000 http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/#comment-35845 I think the benefits of covering an AC unit far outweigh the risks, especially during the long winter months of New England. The more ice, water and debris you can keep out of your AC condenser, the better. The reason people say NOT to cover them is because of the chance of condensation (which is obviously moisture) collecting in there. I bought an AC cover last year. My local stores didn't carry anything affordable, so I'd recommend the online store thing if you're not in a hurry. And, really, you can <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=ac%20cover&tag=theworkingsti-20&index=blended&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325" rel="nofollow">find almost any type of AC cover on Amazon.com</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=theworkingsti-20&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> these days, so you're sure to find one that fits. I bought my AC cover from them last year and it fit perfectly (snug, but not tight), kept a lot of junk out of my AC all winter long. I would NOT cover my AC unit with a plastic bag or old grill cover or something that can't breathe, because that would definitely invite condensation and moisture and all sorts of bugs and critters into your AC unit. However, if you used one of those slightly more professional covers you can see that while they're plastic, they do have some breathing ability. For me (I live in New Jersey) keeping out the piles of leaves and freezing water from my AC unit is a much bigger threat than lots of moisture collecting under the cover. I think the benefits of covering an AC unit far outweigh the risks, especially during the long winter months of New England. The more ice, water and debris you can keep out of your AC condenser, the better. The reason people say NOT to cover them is because of the chance of condensation (which is obviously moisture) collecting in there.

I bought an AC cover last year. My local stores didn’t carry anything affordable, so I’d recommend the online store thing if you’re not in a hurry. And, really, you can find almost any type of AC cover on Amazon.com these days, so you’re sure to find one that fits. I bought my AC cover from them last year and it fit perfectly (snug, but not tight), kept a lot of junk out of my AC all winter long.

I would NOT cover my AC unit with a plastic bag or old grill cover or something that can’t breathe, because that would definitely invite condensation and moisture and all sorts of bugs and critters into your AC unit. However, if you used one of those slightly more professional covers you can see that while they’re plastic, they do have some breathing ability. For me (I live in New Jersey) keeping out the piles of leaves and freezing water from my AC unit is a much bigger threat than lots of moisture collecting under the cover.

]]> By: HAP http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-35769 HAP Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:48:13 +0000 http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/#comment-35769 LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON HOW OFTEN THE COMPRESSOR--AS I AM IN NEW ENGLAND, AND USE THE A/C BASICALLY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. I ALSO WAS ADVISE NOT TO COVER THE COMPRESSOR, WHEN THE UNIT IS NOT IN USE...IS THIS ERRONEOUS INFORMATION? THANKS! LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON HOW OFTEN THE COMPRESSOR–AS I AM IN NEW ENGLAND, AND USE THE A/C BASICALLY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. I ALSO WAS ADVISE NOT TO COVER THE COMPRESSOR, WHEN THE UNIT IS NOT IN USE…IS THIS ERRONEOUS INFORMATION? THANKS!

]]> By: Jerry http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-25894 Jerry Thu, 19 Mar 2009 07:31:40 +0000 http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/#comment-25894 I have a geothermal unit that is 14 years old but still works fine with one exception. The problem I have is that the digital thermostat (Robert Shaw #9500) I had replaced years ago keep failing and I buy the exact model and replace it myself. They are pretty cheap ($15 on eBay) but keep failing after abut 6-9 months. What happens is that the visible temperature gets "stuck" and it just keeps on pumping out cold air. Say I have it set at 78 deg., well it will just keep running even though the temp on an external thermometer says it's 72 deg. I replace it and it works fine for a while. Could my 24v. transformer in the unit be "burning" it up? I haven't tried putting a volt meter on it because I'm afraid I'll short something out. Any suggestions. Is the transformer easy for a DIY to replace? I have a geothermal unit that is 14 years old but still works fine with one exception. The problem I have is that the digital thermostat (Robert Shaw #9500) I had replaced years ago keep failing and I buy the exact model and replace it myself. They are pretty cheap ($15 on eBay) but keep failing after abut 6-9 months.

What happens is that the visible temperature gets “stuck” and it just keeps on pumping out cold air. Say I have it set at 78 deg., well it will just keep running even though the temp on an external thermometer says it’s 72 deg. I replace it and it works fine for a while.

Could my 24v. transformer in the unit be “burning” it up? I haven’t tried putting a volt meter on it because I’m afraid I’ll short something out. Any suggestions. Is the transformer easy for a DIY to replace?

]]> By: Tom http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-11660 Tom Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:33:32 +0000 http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/#comment-11660 Good question! Generally, your AC unit will last a little longer (in theory) if you cover it during the winter months. The cover prevents debris from collecting in the unit and it keeps out water from snow and rain which could freeze and really damage things. It also really helps to keep the coils clean, and the cleaner they are the more efficient your AC unit will be. I got a new AC unit installed this summer and I don't yet have a cover for mine. I might end up just buying a grill cover that's on clearance and using that! Good question! Generally, your AC unit will last a little longer (in theory) if you cover it during the winter months. The cover prevents debris from collecting in the unit and it keeps out water from snow and rain which could freeze and really damage things. It also really helps to keep the coils clean, and the cleaner they are the more efficient your AC unit will be.

I got a new AC unit installed this summer and I don’t yet have a cover for mine. I might end up just buying a grill cover that’s on clearance and using that!

]]> By: Jean Marshall http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-11547 Jean Marshall Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:56:47 +0000 http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/#comment-11547 Is it important to put a cover over the AC unit for the winter? JM Is it important to put a cover over the AC unit for the winter?
JM

]]> By: Central Air Conditioner Not Working? Try These Simple Troubleshooting Steps http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-2507 Central Air Conditioner Not Working? Try These Simple Troubleshooting Steps Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:25:25 +0000 http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/#comment-2507 [...] Our central air conditioner unit is over 15 years old and recently it hasn’t been working quite as reliably as we’d like. Even though I’ve been doing my best to care for my central air conditioner is appears that mine might on its way out. About once every couple of days now it simply “stops” coming on and I have to try a bunch of different things to get it working again. I was planning on getting a new central air conditioner in the next year or two anyway, but it looks like I may be doing it a little earlier than I had anticipated. [...] [...] Our central air conditioner unit is over 15 years old and recently it hasn’t been working quite as reliably as we’d like. Even though I’ve been doing my best to care for my central air conditioner is appears that mine might on its way out. About once every couple of days now it simply “stops” coming on and I have to try a bunch of different things to get it working again. I was planning on getting a new central air conditioner in the next year or two anyway, but it looks like I may be doing it a little earlier than I had anticipated. [...]

]]> By: Ceiling Fan Direction Makes it Cooler or Warmer http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-2193 Ceiling Fan Direction Makes it Cooler or Warmer Thu, 08 May 2008 10:47:27 +0000 http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-your-central-air-conditioner/#comment-2193 [...] We’ve had a few days of warm weather here on the East Coast lately and my wife and I have been running the ceiling fans in most of our rooms to keep the rooms cool without having to turn on our central air conditioner quite yet. Even though its been relatively mild outside we have a few rooms that get a lot of sun and warm up rather quickly. [...] [...] We’ve had a few days of warm weather here on the East Coast lately and my wife and I have been running the ceiling fans in most of our rooms to keep the rooms cool without having to turn on our central air conditioner quite yet. Even though its been relatively mild outside we have a few rooms that get a lot of sun and warm up rather quickly. [...]

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