Check out our latest Newsletter!

• September 2011
• August 2011
• July 2011
• June 2011
• May 2011
• April 2011
• March 2011 
• February 2011
• January 2011
• December 2010
• November 2010
• October 2010

Josam Case History

 

 Fall Cleaning for Your HVAC System

• Clean your outdoor condenser, inside and out - Leaves and dirt accumulate over the fall and winter months inside your unit as well as in between the fins in the coil. A thorough cleaning of the inside floor of the unit of leaves will keep rotting leaves from initiating rust around metal parts the leaves come in contact with. Also, applying coil cleaner and washing down the coils surface will improve the heating performance of your unit.
• Check all wiring connections in condenser - The unit is exposed to the elements year round and extreme cold followed by warmer temperatures can cause the connections on the terminals to loosen up or fray wires from the connectors. Finding this during a periodic maintenance inspection can be fixed in just minutes versus your unit going down in the middle of winter and paying the cost of a service call.
• Commercial systems - Check glycol levels. Too little glycol in system will cause pipes to freeze and burst. Don't risk having to close your business for repairs.
• Change your air filter - Clogged up filters are ineffective at filtering dirt and they make it harder to pull the air through the filter, adding stress to your fan motor, using more electricity, and increasing your power bill.
• Grease fan motor and inspect belts - On smaller systems, the fan motors are permanently sealed and are direct drive so greasing and belts are not an issue. However, on units over 5 tons, many times these motors use 3 phase power and require periodic greasing for the motors to operate efficiently. Also, the fan is belt driven; the belt will wear out over the period of 2 to 3 years. Catching a belt that is near failure during periodic maintenance is an easy thing to replace while the technician is there. If it wears in two, you loose all heating because there is nothing to turn the fan to blow warm air.
• Clean your evaporator coil - The same algae build up in the drain pan can get on your evaporator coil, as well as dust and dirt that the filter does not catch. Using coil cleaner to thoroughly clean the evaporator coil will enhance the heating performance of the coil.
• Maintain an 18 inch clearance around outdoor unit to maintain proper air flow. Install a barrier 18 inches away from unit to make sure dogs or other animals do not urinate on system. The uric acid will damage any part of the system it touches. Be sure to blow grass clippings away from system to keep it from getting clogged up. Placing ant poison around unit will keep ants from building nests inside and causing nuisance shut downs.
• Make sure your air flow is within recommended levels for your system and usage requirements. Ducts may need to be re-sealed or repaired to prevent damage from low air flow.
• For gas heating systems, clean your burners at least once a year. Also check your heat exchanger for cracks or leaks so carbon monoxide does not poison your home or business.

Preventive maintenance if done on a regular basis can add years to the life of your HVAC equipment. And you can control when the work is done, rather than a unit going down in the middle of a hot summer day with a building full of people.

  

New Water Conservation Measures to Take Effect 

New water conservation measures will be taking effect in Georgia on June 2012. Just a little less thn a year from now!

Are you ready for the changeover? Are you in Compliance?

Find out what the new rules will be and ways to measure your current water usage levels by clicking the link below:

Georgia 2012 Water Requirements

Energy Saving Tips!

Filter Changes
During peak cooling and heating periods, change your filters monthly. Dirty filters put a strain on your air handling unit fan motor making in work harder, pulling more amps and using more electricity. If you have pets, you may want to change your filters every month all year. Pet dander can clog filters much faster than otherwise.

Programmable Thermostats
Setting time schedules with a programmable so that your space temperature is set back by 5 to 10 degrees when it is not occupied. The savings on your utility bills will quickly pay for the premium cost of the thermostat. Recommended temperature for winter energy effiency is 68 degrees.

Increase Direct Sunlight
FREE heat in the winter. Morning sun (east) and afternoon sun (west) are exposures which catch direct sunlight. Lower your heating bill by opening curtains and shades during daylight hours.