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SIERRA VISTA — Air conditioners are being put to work as temperatures rise, and home owners can help avoid common mistakes to keep their homes cool this summer.
“A lot of people call us only once there’s been a problem or after they try to have a neighbor fix the problem,” said Jim Howard, service manager for Berg’s Heating and Air Conditioning.
He recommends an annual check-up by a qualified technician in March or April as temperatures begin to rise.
“That way if there’s a problem, you don’t have to suffer,” he said.
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Jan Kidd called up Berg’s Tuesday when she noticed her air conditioning was nosier than usual.
“It would really rattle,” she said.
Eddie Hicks, a service technician for Berg’s Heating and Air Conditioning, went to her house out to try to fix the problem Thursday.
Kidd realized it had been a while since she had the filters replaced, which she said she tries to do every three months. Hicks changed the filters and the problem was fixed, though he also makes sure the rest of the unit was working properly by taking voltage readings, checking electric connections and testing the accuracy of the thermostat.
“I hate that. We get a call for a problem and go out and all it is a dirty filter,” he said. “But we go the extra mile and check everything.”
Air filters should be changed at least four times a year, when they become discolored, though some homes may need them changed more often, especially if they have pets, Howard said.
People also should think about replacing air conditioners when they are 10 to 15 years old to avoid costly repairs, he said.
“For those with older units, they may have been fine for 15 years, but they could begin having problems,” Howard said.
Newer air conditioners are also more efficient. The Department of Energy rates older units at 6, 7 or 8 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, while newer units have a minimum rating of 13, Howard said.
Hicks also stopped by the De Voe Beauty School on Thursday. He typically goes to six to eight homes or businesses each day during the “busy season.”
Customers with Berg’s service contracts normally get service within about 24 hours, he said, though others could end up waiting a few days.
Although the De Voe Beauty School building seemed to be cooled, Martha Sprenkle, director of De Voe, said the air conditioning hadn’t been working since last week and the students thought it was getting too hot inside.
“They were about to protest,” she joked. She thought the unit “froze up,” and Hicks agreed. The problem was another dirty filter blocking air flow to the unit, he said.
Hicks next went out to Linda Sauber’s home. She noticed a problem with her air conditioner last Sunday.
“I have no A/C. It was on all night at 75 and it never got lower than 78,” she said.
Sauber said the heat hadn’t become a problem for her yet, but knew it could become difficult as temperatures rise.
After Hicks checked the filters inside, which were clean, he headed outside to see the air conditioning unit.
Many home owners also make the mistake of planting grasses and bushes around the unit and placing other items against them to cover them up, but doing so can reduce the efficiency of the air conditioning unit.
“It’s better to keep the area clear and clean so the air flow isn’t blocked,” Howard said.
Sauber’s unit wasn’t covered, and Hicks was able to find a problem immediately after seeing it.
“You can see the conditioner fan motor isn’t running,” he said. “It keeps the compressor cooled down. Not a good thing to have not running.”
He suspected the problem was with the capacitor, which starts the fan motor.
The problem is usually caused by the air conditioning units being worked too hard, which can happen when the temperature is set low and outside temperatures are rising, he said.
One of Howard’s pet peeves is to see people keeping their air conditioners set at 68 or 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
“You can cause major problems when you set it too low,” he said.
He advises people to not set it below 74 degrees.
“The higher off you can set it to be comfortable, the better off you, your air conditioning and your electric bill are,” Howard said.
After telling Sauber about the problem and recommending the capacitor should be replaced, he finds a new one in his truck.
Within a few minutes Hicks has a new capacitor wired into the unit, the fan begins running and Sauber has noticed a difference inside the house.
“Oh, yeah. It’s working,” she said. “You can just feel it.”
Cool tips
Tips to keep your house cool and your electric bills low this summer.
• Close blinds and drapes during the day to block sunlight.
• Plant trees or place awnings outdoors to shade windows with a lot of sun exposure.
• Raise your thermostat setting to 78 or 80 degrees during the day if possible.
• Use fans only when rooms are in use.
• Use a microwave instead of an oven to avoid adding heat to your home.
• Use other heat-producing appliances such as dishwashers and dryers, in the morning and evening.
• Make sure your home has good attic insulation and quality windows and doors.
• Dry your clothes in the sun to avoid using a clothes dryer.
Source: Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative
REPORTER Laura Ory can be reached at 515-4683 or by e-mail at laura.ory@svherald.com.
