Tips for Landscaping the Area Around Your A/C Unit

Drive through any neighborhood and you'll see a boxy, gray air conditioning unit sitting conspicuously next to most houses. Occasionally you don't see one and that's probably because it's hidden by strategically planned trees, shrubs and bushes. Landscaping the area around your A/C unit will improve the appearance of your home while ensuring the outside unit gets plenty of needed airflow and shade for efficient operation.

Maintain Airflow

Maintaining airflow to the outside unit improves the condenser coil's ability to release heat energy into the surrounding air. When that heat exchange process is impeded, your air conditioner will have to work harder to cool your home.

To make sure the unit has plenty of airflow, keep all landscaping elements and other objects at least two to three feet away from all sides of the A/C equipment. Above the condenser/compressor, there should be at least five feet of clearance from overhanging trees or housing fixtures. Landscaping shouldn't prevent easy access to the unit for maintenance and repairs.

Add Shade

Your HVAC installer should choose a location for the outside unit that's shaded most of the day, and you can add landscaping for additional shading. Releasing heat energy from the unit requires less work and energy when that heat is being expelled into cooler, shaded air. In direct sunlight, it has to work harder and use more energy to accomplish this.

Choose Low Maintenance Plants

Of course, landscaping should be attractive for its own sake while hiding that gray box from people walking or driving past your home. If possible, choose trees and shrubs that stay green in the winter. This means less raking and sweeping around the outside unit and less clutter that can potentially block the free flow of air. In the winter, vegetation that doesn't shed leaves will continue to hide the outdoor component. Consider planting attractive hedges and erect lattice work for hanging greenery.

To further discuss the best way of landscaping the area around your A/C unit, please contact the home comfort experts at Air Assurance. We provide excellent services to Broken Arrow and the greater Tulsa area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “ARENA Creative/Shutterstock”

Tips for Tackling Your Ductless Maintenance

Ductless systems are attractive to homeowners for many reasons. Some may appreciate the versatile installation options when no other option seemed practical. Zoned point-of-use operation and high efficiency components are certainly favorites when energy bills arrive. Low-profile components won't disturb those who enjoy peace and quiet. Whichever aspect of your ductless system you enjoy most, make the most of your system with regular ductless maintenance.

Tackling Ductless Maintenance

Like their larger central system cousins, ductless systems use the same components to provide efficient cooling and heating. They're just packaged differently -- more compact and accessible than central units. Stay on top of the following maintenance tips and enjoy better comfort and lower energy bills this summer:

• Air filtration - It's important to keep the air filtration parts clean. The filters capture dust, germs and other contaminants to enhance indoor air quality and protect the evaporator coil and fan motor. Wash the filters by hand and let them air dry before you re-install them.

• Coil cleaning - The evaporator coil is where heat exchange takes place. To access the coil, remove the air handling cabinet. Inspect the coil for mold development and dirt. Use a disinfectant foaming coil cleaner to clean the coil. Follow instructions thoroughly, as some foam sprays will drip away on their own and others you'll need to use a soft cloth to remove.

• Drainage - The condensate pan is where condensation collects and is drained from your unit. Check the pan for signs of mold and algae. If you see any, pour a cup of 50/50 bleach and water solution into the pan.

• Compressor/condenser unit - The unit located outside the home contains the compressor and condenser coil. These components need to be rinsed off each month you use your ductless system. A dirty condenser coil degrades cooling and heating efficiency, and a dirty compressor can overheat. Make sure the power is turned off for safety when you spray the unit with a garden hose.

For more information about ductless maintenance in your Broken Arrow home, please contact the experts at Air Assurance for the answers.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “concept w/Shutterstock”

Your Air-Source Heat Pump Is Also for Cooling: How It Does a Good Job

Your Air-Source Heat Pump Is Also for Cooling: How It Does a Good Job

An air-source heat pump provides Broken Arrow homeowners efficient heating, but it also delivers efficient cooling and humidity management. If you’ve ever wondered how your heat pump does all these tasks season after season, keep reading to learn the basic technology involved, and you may discover a few tips to help maximize energy savings and home comfort.Air-source heat pump technologyAn air-source heat pump doesn’t produce heated or cooled air; it moves heat from one air source to another air source. These are the components of heat-pump technology.

• Evaporator and condenser: An air-source heat pump has two heat-exchanger coils. One is located inside your home (evaporator) and the other coil (condenser) is in a metal cabinet outside the home. Heat is absorbed and released, whether inside or outside your home, at the heat exchangers.

• Refrigerant: The refrigerant is the magic ingredient that moves heat from one heat exchanger to the other. For instance, in cooling mode, the refrigerant inside the evaporator coil absorbs heat from the air inside your home as the air circulates through the duct system. The refrigerant flows through copper tubing to the outside condenser where the heat is released.

• Compressor: The compressor is the heart of the heat-pump system. The compressor prepares the refrigerant for optimal heat exchange, and then pumps it to either the condenser or evaporator.

• Reversing valve: The reversing valve is the component that separates heat pumps from your typical air-conditioning system. The reversing valve changes the flow direction of the refrigerant, which allows for both heating and cooling. When the refrigerant leaves the compressor, it has been squeezed in preparation for heat release. The reversing valve sends the refrigerant to the appropriate coil to release the heat -- outside condenser for cooling mode and indoor evaporator for heating mode.

• Air filter: A quality air filter protects the coils and other components from debris accumulation and mold growth, which would hinder heat exchange. Check your air filter regularly to ensure peak performance.

For more information about your air-source heat pump, contact the professionals at Air Assurance in the Greater Tulsa Metropolitan Area today.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Get Air Conditioning Maintenance Now Before The Heat Hits

As temperatures begin to rise in the Tulsa Metropolian region, it’s important to ensure your air conditioning system can take the heat. The benefits of professional maintenance never shine as brightly as during the dog days of summer. When the heat turns up, the last thing you should worry about is your air conditioner. Regular maintenance can ensure your air conditioning system runs at peak performance all season, keeping you cool and comfortable and saving a bundle in the process.Professional maintenance not only keeps you comfortable, but assures you peace of mind. A trained technician can keep your A/C unit functioning efficiently, and inform you of any issues before they evolve into expensive repairs. Preventive air conditioning care can:

• Tune up your electric connections, measuring for the proper levels of voltage and electric current on the motor. A malfunctioning connection can compromise the integrity and performance of your system.

• Ensure refrigerant is at appropriate levels. Too little refrigerant and the evaporator coils could ice up, or in severe cases, prevent the cooling coil from cooling. High refrigerant levels could harm the compressor. Adding or removing air conditioner refrigerant can be dangerous due in part to the high pressure involved, and is best done by trained professionals.

• Clean your unit’s evaporator and condenser coils, ensuring it runs efficiently for the appropriate amount of time.

• Clean or replace your filters. Air filters should be checked frequently to ensure they’re not clogged, which impedes airflow. Restricted airflow can imbalance your system, affecting its performance and lifespan.

Enrolling in a planned maintenance program takes care of all this and more, ensuring your system functions smoothly and efficiently all year round. Automatic renewal systems mean you won’t have to worry about lapses in coverage, which could affect the warranties and possible repair costs on your equipment.If you have questions about how a regular maintenance plan could preserve your air conditioning system, your comfort and your wallet, call Air Assurance. We’re proud to keep homeowners in the Tulsa Metropolitan region comfortable year-round!Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.