How often should I change my filter?
Air filters are necessary to keep your air conditioning equipment and the air in your home clean. Standard 1” filters should be changed monthly (even if it says 3 month filters on the filter data). The better the filter the more often they need to be changed because they are removing more from the air. Media filters should typically be changed 2 times per year because of their large surface area. If your filter becomes restricted, your ac becomes less efficient because it is not able to move as much air as it should.
Filters can become so restricted that they cause your air conditioner to freeze up which can lead to water damage or premature compressor failure. In heating mode, it can cause the system to run too hot, whether it is a heat pump or a furnace. This can lead to the system shutting down due to high pressures or temperatures and can lead to compressor or heat exchanger failures.
How often should I service my air conditioner?
We recommend getting your air cond serviced 2x per year. Once in the spring or early summer
and once in the fall or early winter. By doing this we are able to ensure the system is clean and
all parts are functioning properly. Regular maintenance and keeping your air conditioner clean will ensure that your system is operating safely and efficiently and will increase the life of your system.
We offer our Ultimate Savings Agreement which includes a Spring tune-up, a Fall Tune-up, guaranteed same-day service, and a 15% discount on any repairs needed.
Should you leave your A/C on all day
or turn it off?
In Florida turning the thermostat off is not a good idea because of the build-up of humidity. My recommendation is to set the system to a comfortable temperature when you are home and if you want to adjust for when you are away raise the temperature setting a few degrees (air conditioners use 3-5% less energy for every degree you raise your temperature setting. I would not recommend setting the thermostat over 78 degrees for an extended period of time.
A programmable or Wi-fi enabled thermostat can automate this process for you.
How often should I add Freon or Refrigerant to my system?
The refrigerant in your AC system is a circulating gas and it is not consumable. If you have to add refrigerant to your system there is a leak somewhere, the leak should be located and repaired or the leaking component replaced.
As your system leaks it becomes less efficient, it leads to poor oil circulation in the system, it can lead to the compressor overheating and to premature compressor failure. In summary, the refrigerant does not need to be recharged or topped off on a regular basis. If it does there is an underlying issue that should be resolved.
How often should AC coils be cleaned?
There are 2 coils on your ac system. There is an evaporator coil on the inside portion of the air conditioner and a condenser coil on the outside portion of the air conditioner. The evaporator coil is protected by the air filter inside and if you have proper filter maintenance and no leaks on the return side of the system you can usually go 4-5 years between cleaning.
If you have a media air filter mounted to the bottom of your AC or Furnace you may never need to have the evaporator coil cleaned. The outside coil in the condenser is subjected to the elements and is constantly circulating dust which builds up and clogs the system over time.
The dirtier the coil gets the less efficient your air conditioner becomes. Condenser coils on heat pumps should be cleaned two times per year and on cooling-only systems, one time per year.
Should I set my AC system fan setting
to Auto or On?
Setting the fan to auto means that the fan runs when the system is heating or cooling the air. Setting the fan to on means that the fan is constantly blowing even when the AC system is not cooling or heating the air.
In the Tallahassee area, it is best to keep the fan set to AUTO (While in Cool Mode). When the ac is running it is removing humidity from the air, this humidity condenses on the evaporator coil runs into the unit’s drain pan and then exits the house through a drain. If you leave the fan in the on position and there is an accumulation of water on the coil or if the drain pan is not completely dry you reintroduce all of the moist air back into the home.
Some of the newer more advanced thermostats have a Circulate Setting which allows the coil time to dry and the drain pan time to drain before bringing the fan back on after a cooling cycle. The benefit of this feature is better filtration and more even temperature distribution
