by Benjamin Lloyd

Created on: May 20, 2009

Cha ching! Cha ching!

HVAC technicians just love to collect that money from homeowners, especially when they can charge for an hour what only took them 5 minuttes. Homeowners can save themselves some money if they will just do some preventive maintenance on their Central Air Conditioning Systems. I have worked in the HVAC industry for 9 years.

One of the first things a homeowner can do is change their filter(s) on a regular basis. Filters should be changed every 30 days or so. They may have to be change sooner if their are any pets or smokers in the house. Also if any remodeling has been done recently. There are many types of filters on the market. I recommend the pleated type of filters. These filters allow air to go through, but they will stop the dust. If you can see through your filter, then it is easy for dust to go through. So remember to change the filter(s) regularly.

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Secondly, learn the thermostat. Thermostats should never be set below 69 degrees Fahrenheit. If they go below 69 degrees, the indoor unit will freeze up. Then it will start leaking over the floor or in the attic. Wehen the homeowner sees this, they call the A/C guy out there and the homeowner gets charged a service call because they turned the thermostat down too low. Keep it at or above 69 degrees.

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Also, the homeowner can find out where the drain line comes out of the house and vacuum it out. Often times, small animals or bacteria can get into the drain line and cause it to backup, once again leaking onto the floor or into the attic. if the homeowner has a shop-vac, then simply vacuuum out the drain line so the drain will empty properly.

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Another trhing the homeowner can do is keep grass, leaves, and other debris from getting too close to the outdoor unit. The outdoor unit has to have room to push hot air out. If there is too much stuff within 12 inches, then the heat cannot go anywhere and it is forced back into the house. Also, this cause the unit to operate constantly and eventually burn the compressor up, therefore having to replace it.

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The homeowner could also spray the outdoor unit with a water hose every three weeks or so, especially if the unit is near the ocean, or the drier vent is vented nearby, or if the home has sulfur water. These three items will cause the unit to rot and decay very quickly. But spraying them down every so often may prolong the life of the unit.

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Finally, the best thing a homeowner can do to save money on their A/C system is to have it serviced by a professional at least once a year. The professional will go in there and inspect all the electrical controls, making sure everything is tight and working properly. They will look at duct work and be sure it is attached properly.

They will also check the refrigerant level to make sure the system has not sprung a leak. If it is too low on refrigerant, leak check will be made to determine where at so the technician can fix it.. The refrigerant of an A/C system is like the blood of our human body. It has to have so much in order to function properly. If you wait too late, it will destroy your system

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Here in the South, the average cost to do this service is $65-$85. Small fee to pay now rather than waiting for that late night or weekend call, when rates are often higher. Just a few helpful hints to save a few needed dollars.

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