The Specific Demands Put on HVAC Units in the Spring

Spring cleaning is on the mind of Broken Arrow-area homeowners as the weather warms up. If you’re hoping to stay cool this summer, it’s important to be aware of how spring HVAC problems can affect your summer comfort.

Spring Ahead of HVAC Problems

The outdoor condenser unit on your HVAC system requires airflow to work properly. Anything that restricts airflow, such as new spring plants growing around the unit, will cause your system to work harder. Over time, this can damage your equipment. In the short term, it can also increase your energy consumption and cost you money.

Clearing away any plants that have started to grow up around your condenser is an easy solution to this problem. While you’re doing that, don't forget to check for any leaves or other debris that might have been blown against your condenser over the winter.

Another common spring HVAC problem is soil erosion around your condenser. Winter weather can wear away at the dirt under the concrete pad your condenser sits on.

For an easy fix, use a board to lift the sagging edge of the pad. Pack sand underneath, then repeat on the opposite side. A level condenser unit allows for a better flow of oil through the unit and puts less strain on your coolant lines.

Schedule Routine Maintenance Before Summer Heats Things Up

Other spring HVAC problems can arise due to your AC being off over the winter. It’s always a good idea to schedule a spring checkup so a service technician can make sure your HVAC system is in good working order.

During a maintenance visit, technicians look for leaks or signs of wear that indicate a problem. They measure the refrigerant charge and the temperature of the air your AC is putting out. Electrical wires and connectors are inspected and tightened if necessary. The thermostat is checked to see if it’s running correctly. Any potentially bigger issues are noted so that you can get a jump on fixing them before it gets too hot outside.

If you have questions about any spring HVAC problems or getting your AC ready for summer in the Broken Arrow area, don’t hesitate to contact us at Air Assurance.

Yard Maintenance: Outdoor Unit Safety

You probably know that the outdoor component of your air conditioner, the condenser/compressor, is built to be sturdy and withstand the elements. More than likely, you give it little thought, expecting that the strong metal housing that surrounds it is sufficient protection against anything that can happen. Under most circumstances, this would be true. But condensers are damaged more often than you might think -- principally from careless practice during yard maintenance.Read on and learn how to improve your HVAC outdoor unit safety.

Tips for Maintaining Condenser Safety

Maintain a 2-foot clearing around the condenser.

Remove all grass, weeds and shrubbery within a 2-foot area so that the condenser can maintain good air flow. Trim back any overhanging limbs that might fall on the unit during a storm.

Create a weed-free layer of pebble rocks or stones around the concrete base of the condenser.

Add a plastic layer under the rocks or stones to inhibit weed growth. If weeds do take root, don't use a weed whacker to remove them, as these appliances can throw rocks into the fins hard enough to make a hole and even damage the coils. The purpose of the rock or stone bed is to inhibit the growth of weeds or grass around the condenser so that you don't have to mow or whack them, and so that the clippings don't end up in the fins or coils.

Point the mower away from the condenser.

Make sure that grass clippings are blown away from the condenser, as they can clog the fins or coils and affect air flow.

Don't cover the condenser.

Some homeowners cover the condensers to protect them from storms or flying debris, but sometimes, these covers cause more problems than they solve. A covered condenser can make a comfy home for vermin, and also may promote the growth of mold. If you're concerned about hail, it's best to erect a sturdy box or barrier around the unit that allows adequate air flow.

For more on HVAC outdoor unit safety, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

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). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Ways to Hide Your Outdoor HVAC Unit Without Compromising Efficiency

The outdoor side of your HVAC system is essential to your comfort, but let's face it: it's not the most attractive feature of your landscaping scheme. Chances are, you find it ungainly, intrusive and downright ugly, and wish there were a way to hide it. Maybe it's even noisy, and spoils your efforts at outdoor entertaining with its annoying roar.

What can you do to lower the profile of your outdoor HVAC unit? We've got a few suggestions that can help.

Move it.

This can be rather an expensive solution but in some cases, you may want to consider relocating your HVAC unit to a less intrusive location. It's probably best to consider this step when you're ready to replace HVAC equipment. Your options will be limited -- you can only move it so far away from the home, but a different location may help you make it more obscure and satisfy your landscaping and entertainment needs.

Landscape around it.

Attractive landscaping around an HVAC unit is often the key to making it less prominent. Choose plants carefully. Don't plant bushes such as holly with stiff, poking leaves, nor plants that are likely to shed fiber, seeds or leaves that will clog up the unit's parts. Plant plants 2-3 feet away from the unit, and keep them trimmed back for easy access.

Hide it.

Decorative garden elements can hide the unit. For instance, erecting a trellis and growing vines such as clematis, Virginia creeper or morning glory will help. You might also plant climbing roses, but make sure the thorns are far enough away where they won't trouble the technician. A wall in front of the unit or a wall around it might be another solution. If you're not handy enough to build these structures, you may find a pre-fabricated model at a garden landscaping supply or online. If noise is an issue, make sure you purchase a structure that muffles the sound, but doesn't restrict air flow.

We've got other solutions for hiding your outdoor HVAC unit at Air Assurance. We serve Broken Arrow and the surrounding 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). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.