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Use and Care
Since the air
conditioning system is combined with the heating system, the
maintenance suggested for your furnace should be followed. In
addition, the manufacturer's Owners Manual specifies maintenance for
the "condenser" unit. This should be reviewed and followed.
Air conditioning can add much to the comfort of your
home, but it can be used improperly or inefficiently, resulting in
wasted energy and frustration. These hints and suggestions are
provided to help you maximize your air conditioning system.
Whole-House System
To fully and
efficiently utilize your air conditioning system, you must understand
that it is a total, whole-house system. The air conditioner unit is
the mechanism in your home, which produces cooler air. The air
conditioning system involves everything inside your home including, for
example, drapes and windows.
Closed System
Your home air
conditioning is a closed system, which means that the interior air is
continually recycled and cooled until the desired air temperature is
reached. Warm outside air disrupts the system and makes cooling
impossible. Therefore, you must keep all windows closed. The heat
from the sun shining through windows with open drapes is intense enough
to overcome the cooling effect of the air conditioning unit. Drapes
must be closed on these windows.
Time
Time is of paramount
importance in your expectations of an air conditioning system. Unlike
a light bulb, which reacts instantly when you turn on a switch, the air
conditioning unit only begins a process when you set the thermostat.
For example, if you come home at 5:30 p.m. on a day
when the temperature has reached 90 degrees, and then set your
thermostat to 75 degrees, the air conditioning unit will begin cooling,
but will take much longer to reach the desired temperature. During the
whole day the sun has been heating not only the air in the house, but
the walls, the carpet, and the furniture.
At 5:30 p.m. the air conditioning unit starts cooling
the air, but the walls, carpet, and furniture release heat and nullify
this cooling. By the time the air conditioning unit has cooled the
walls, carpet, and furniture, you may well have lost patience.
Evening Cooling
If evening cooling
is the primary goal, you should set the air conditioning thermostat at
a moderate temperature in the morning while the house is cooler,
allowing the unit to maintain the cooler temperature through the day.
The temperature setting may then be lowered slightly
when you arrive home, with better results. Setting the thermostat at
60 degrees will NOT cool the home any faster and can result in the unit
"freezing up" and not performing at all. Extended use under these
conditions can damage the unit.
Compressor Level
It is important to maintain the A/C compressor in a level position.
Non-Emergency
Lack of air
conditioning service is not an emergency. Problems will be handled by
the heating and air conditioning contractor in the order received.
Freon
The outside temperature must be 70 degrees or higher for freon to be added to
the system.
Compressor
It is important to
maintain the A/C compressor in a level position. If it "settles"
during the first year, SK Builders will correct this. After the first
year, the Homeowner must maintain it. |
