Are Leaves In My Air Conditioner Bad?

Winter in Los Angeles may mean temperatures of 80 degrees outside, but homeowners still have some common winter maintenance issues to contend with. Leaves and debris falling or being blown into your air conditioner are hard to avoid. The central fan of your condenser sucks in dust, dead leaves, grass and seed pods. That all becomes a wet mess inside your outdoor condenser that blocks airflow, strains the whole system and reduces the unit’s cooling ability. If left to fester dirt may become moldy or harden around the more fragile components of your air conditioning equipment. The result is a less efficient home cooling system, higher energy bills and a more wear and tear on your AC unit.

There are a number of solutions available. Some homeowners opt for a nice professionally made cover that slips easily over your AC condenser, protecting it from the elements. These covers are easily purchased online or you can buy one from any Los Angeles Air Conditioning Contractor who comes to your home to perform your maintenance on your HVAC system. The only downside of these vinyl condenser covers is that sometimes in Los Angeles we get an unseasonably hot day in the middle of winter and people turn on their central AC, forgetting that the unit is covered. Yikes! You can imagine the kind of strain this would cause to the fan motor.  

You may have a different type of central air conditioner than we show here—a heat pump system, for example, or a unit mounted horizontally in the attic. Regardless, each system will have a condenser outside and an evaporator inside. The outdoor condenser looks like this. Hopefully yours is way cleaner though!

Fins are fine metallic blades that surround the unit and those condenser fins have to be cleaned as part of your system maintenance. If the debris is fairly new it can be washed off with your garden hose. An important tip, if you are doing this yourself: Don't spray too hard. The fins are easily bent so keep the water pressure low. If you wait until the leaves become hardened and caked-on, a more advanced cleaning solution is necessary. I found an environmentally friendly chemical coil cleaner that works really well and doesn't pose a danger to four legged family members ;)

 

I am in the business of installing and maintaining heating and cooling systems. I strongly encourage  regularly scheduled professional maintenance because I have seen equipment last longer than you can imagine when properly maintained. In fact, just last week I serviced a central heating and cooling system that my company installed 30 years ago for a customer in Sherman Oaks. It was working so perfectly that I offered to warranty the unit myself for another 5 years. That's how strongly I believe in HVAC system maintenance including cleaning away those pesky leaves!

Tip: Call for service before the first heat wave, when Air Conditioning companies in Los Angeles become swamped with repair calls!

Your Utility Savings Could Cover the Cost of a new Air Conditioner!

         If your A/C is more than 10 years old, it more than likely contains R-22.  The Federal government is in the process of eliminating this refrigerant, which is harmful to the environment.  As a result, it means that your A/C will eventually be OBSOLETE!    

new energy efficient 410A air conditioner

              Any future air conditioner service or repair on your current air conditioner with R-22 will become increasingly expensive and difficult with each passing year.  That’s one reason why the government is helping homeowners replace their old, outdated air conditioner with new, high-efficiency systems.  As an individual who has been in the HVAC industry for many years, I can tell you that there is likely NO better time to invest in a new A/C.  Here’s why:

1. When you replace your old A/C with R-22, you will get a new, highly efficient air conditioner that could REDUCE your utility bills by 20-35%!

Think of your air conditioner like an athlete.  At some point, an athlete hits a peak and can no longer compete at a high level.  The same thing can be said about your A/C.  After about 10 years, it likely doesn’t run as efficiently.  That means you’re wasting energy and paying higher utility costs!  Over time, you could be wasting thousands of dollars!  Today’s air conditioners have benefited from scientific breakthroughs and are far more efficient!  A high-efficiency A/C (with R-410A refrigerant) could reduce your utility bill by 20-35%! 

2. A new A/C will likely NEVER be less expensive!

Today’s steel prices are rising higher and higher, and as a result, the cost of air conditioners, furnaces, and all other HVAC equipment is rising.  There’s talk that these costs could continue to rise in the next few years.  If you have a 10+ year old A/C with R-22, it’s probably better to replace it now, rather than a few years from now.  Who knows what the price will be then?

3. You can benefit from the big, environmental BAILOUT!

To help homeowners, like yourself, who have A/C’s with R-22 make the transition, the federal government may grant you up to $1,500 in tax credits when you install a new, high-efficiency air conditioner in your home!

            If you choose to have your old, outdated A/C replaced, and you allow Kilowatt to install your new, high-efficiency system, you can benefit even more!!!!  Here’s how….

Your Utility Savings Could Cover the Cost of a new Air Conditioner!

            As you know, the banking industry has tightened its lending… even homeowners with good credit are having challenges.  Knowing that, I scoured the market for lenders that are willing to provide my clients with some incredible financing options… minus all that red tape. 

         

        For example, you could have a brand new, high-efficiency A/C installed (with R-410A refrigerant) now, and when your final investment comes due, you might be pleasantly surprised to find that your investment, over time, might be LESS than what you were OVERPAYING the utility company, because your old, outdated air conditioner was that INEFFICIENT!  It was guzzling energy and your money!  So, it would be as if your new A/C paid for itself!

Wildlife Waystation Air Conditioning

The Wildlife WayStation is a national non-profit, holding rehabilitation, medical and problem solving refuge for native, wild and exotic animals located in the Angeles National Forest.

Sometimes things break at a non-profit organization like this and there is just no money to get it fixed. This was the case with the HVAC system.

The Wildlife Waystation offices and gift store had air conditioning installed when the offices were built. But over the years time and dust took their toll on the condensers, duct and freon lines. The air conditioning stopped working, and if you have ever been in those offices you know the situation was desperate. Most windows in the offices don't open so it can get extremely uncomfortable when the temperature rises.

Dean Gilford & Elizabeth Marquart at the Wildlife Waystation

Longtime friend and supporter of the Wildlife Waystation Elizabeth Marquart brought in her favorite Air Conditioning contractor Dean Gilford of Kilowatt Heating, Air & Electrical to donate his time and expertise. Within a couple of hours Dean had the AC working and the offices cool.

Dean fell in love with the Wildlife Waystation and will be returning with a case of filters to do maintenance on the HVAC package units.

Dean Gilford fixing the Air Conditioning at the Wildlife Waystation

Home Maintenance Checklist

On a monthly basis:

• Clean or replace the HVAC filters [typically located at your fresh air return]. If you have an energy recovery system (air exchange system), remember that these filters also need to be cleaned or replaced.
• Inspect, clean or replace kitchen vent hood filters (non-charcoal filters).
• Flush all toilets and run water through all sinks, especially in bathrooms that are not used on a regular basis.

It's easy to find filters for your HVAC system. This is the selection at Target.

On a quarterly basis:

• Check the exterior drainage conditions to ensure that nothing is causing water to stand in puddles for more than 24 hours and that water from any source is not draining toward your foundation.
• Check your GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters) for proper operations by tripping the circuit interrupter buttons and then resetting them. If they will not trip and reset, contact your Customer Care Department for service or information on what to do.
• Inspect, lubricate and clean all of your exterior vents. Make sure that air flows freely and that each has an operable damper to prevent back flow of outside air and to keep small animals from entering your home.
• Lubricate all overhead garage door hinges with white lithium spray.
• Inspect and clean all weep holes for water drainage (windows).

On a seasonal basis:

• Every six months, inspect and service your HVAC system.
• Twice a year, you should inspect and repair the following caulked areas, as necessary.
• Kitchen and bath wet areas. Ensure that the caulked areas are not cracked and separating. If they are you will need to re-seal those areas.
• Bathroom/commode areas. Check the sealant where the stool meets the floor to insure the sealant is intact.
• Window and door seals.
• Around all penetrations (hose, faucets, duct work from vents, fireplace and chimney vents).
• Vinyl, aluminum or wood siding.
• Stucco or mortar cracks.
• Interior settling or shrinkage sheetrock cracks.
• If you have a basement and it has a sump pump, check to make sure it is operating properly, clean the pump screen and remove any soil buildup from the well.
• Clean and repair gutters. Make sure gutters are free of material that could prevent free flow of water. Make sure you have splash deflectors at the base of the downspout to deflect water away from the home.
• Inspect and adjust sprinkler systems. Set your timers for the proper season to ensure enough, but not too much water per station.

On an annual basis:

• Drain and refill your hot water heater(s). This may be necessary on a more frequent basis if you live in an area with extremely hard water.
• Inspect and test your hot water heater safety valve (T&P Valve typically located on the top or near the top part of the water heater).
• Inspect your garage door(s), rails and lock system; adjust and lubricate, as necessary. Consider changing your garage door opener code as a security precaution.
• Service your lawn mower and yard equipment (blowers, edgers and trimmers).
• Clean your faucet aerators and inspect your plumbing for leaks (includes all p-traps [waste line at sinks] and angle stops [shut-offs at commodes and sinks]).
• Clean and sharpen your garbage disposal by running a tray of ice cubes and depositing a cleaning (foaming) product into the disposal.
• Inspect or have tested your home fire extinguishers.
• Replace smoke alarm batteries.

Disease at Playboy Mansion Transmitted by AC System?

L.A. County health officials are investigating a possible respiratory infection outbreak after dozens of illnesses are reported by people who attended a recent fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion.

A Feb. 3 fundraiser was held at Hugh Hefner's Holmby Hills home. Many attendees have reported falling ill after the event and suspect that their symptoms are related to legionellosis, or Pontiac fever. Legionellosis is caused by a bacterium that grows in warm water and can take root in hot tubs or parts of air-conditioning systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bacteria are not spread from person to person, according to the CDC, but are instead inhaled in water vapor.

How is Legionellosis spread?

Outbreaks of legionellosis have occurred after people have inhaled aerosols that come air-conditioning cooling towers contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Bacteria can thrive in a variety of conditions and, like mold, can be easily spread throughout your home by the heating and cooling system.
 
What is the Solution?
 
Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has been used by hospitals and restaurants for years to help disinfect and prevent the spread of germs. I install an excellent home ultraviolet treatment system which applies UV technology to your heating and cooling system to zap and kill airborne and surface contaminants to create a better home environment for your family.
 
What is UV-C light and how does it kill bacteria?
 
UV-C is the invisible, ultraviolet, C-band radiation that makes up part of the sun's light spectrum. UV-C light prevents growth and germination of microorganisms by altering the DNA and RNA and effectively sterilizing the organisms. Once sterilized, they cannot reproduce and with their short life cycles, they are effectively killed.
 
Since 1936, UV has been used to sterilize air. It was first used to purify air in a surgical operating room. UV has been used in schools to decrease the growth of epidemics such as measles and tuberculosis. Other applications include: churches, beauty salons, restaurants, incubation rooms, veterinary clinics, and hospitals.
 
You can effectively combat airborne germs and bacteria by having a UV system installed in your home. Call to find out more.

Burbank Gets Extra Energy Efficiency Rebates

CONGRATULATONS! Burbank heating and air conditioning customers get extra rebates and incentives, for energy efficiency, that the rest of Los Angeles doesn't qualify for. That is because BWP, Burbank Water and Power, is offering residents and business owners FREE money to make energy efficient rennovations to their homes and bussinesses. Check out the programs on their website at BurbankWaterandPower.com

Home owner AC - Get up to $110 for having your central heating and air conditioning system tuned up.

Revieve up to 50% of the cost of the job back when you install Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System

BWP provides most Burbank businesses with a free energy survey of their facility. Then you can get up to 25% of the cost of the job back in rebates when you replace your heating or air conditioning equipment with energy efficient an HVAC system.

Home Air Conditioning Equipment Maintenance

You wouldn't expect your car to run well without regular maintenance. But what about your home air conditioning?

It's a fact that all manufactures, utility companies, the EPA and most consumer protection groups recommend regular service of your heating and cooling system regardless of age. A precision tune-up will keep your air conditioner running at peak performance. If your equipment has not had maintenance performed on a regular basis, your HVAC system may be draining money right out of your pocket.

Changing or cleaning your filter regularly is imperative to maintaining healthy air quality in your home. You may be able to do this yourself, but regular visits by a professional are invaluable for extending the life of your AC equipment and preserving your product warranty. Certified maintenance technicians will perform detailed inspections of your home's air conditioning equipment, ductwork, insulation, refrigerant piping, electrical wiring, thermostat, condensate piping, flue piping, slabs, filter, driers, registers, grills, drain pans and evaporator coil.