Dogs and Air Conditioning

Dogs kept in the same areas as the outdoor Air Conditioning Condenser Unit often pose threats to system function and longevity of the outdoor unit useful life. I often see 2 types of problems:

1. Chewing of parts of the unit. This includes chewed up thermostat wires, copper line sets, and the deadly 240 volt electrical voltage wires. These often show up in the spring when the air conditioning is first turned on. Fuses are blown and the thermostat often will not operate the system.
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2. Constant urination by the dogs on the units. Copper is prone to damage, but aluminum is highly susceptible to these problems. We run into this damage (see image above) throughout the year, especially in yards with male dogs.

Fences or other similar barriers seem to be the easiest and most cost effective measure to protect the unit.

Some of this damage - like the urine damage above - leaves a homeowner with no choic but to replace their Condenser.

Are you looking for a trusted Air Conditioning and Heating Company?  Give us a call today to perform a complete A/C Tune Up in time for Spring!

When Avery Park was built, it seems everyone got a General Electric refrigerator with icemaker in the door.  This morning, one of the neighbors who has lived here about 4 years said her refrigerator was not working well.  It was making a lot of noise and was blowing a lot of heat from under the bottom towards her kitchen.  During the repair, she committed that her electric bills were running $20.00 to $30.00 dollars more this year than last. 
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When we pulled the refrigerator out of the space between the cabinets, we found the vent holes on the cardboard backing on the bottom of the refrigerator were completely covered with lent and dirt. 

After unplugging the refrigerator from the wall, we vacuumed the cardboard backing off.  There was a lot of dirt in the canister on the vacuum cleaner.  The homeowner said she had just emptied it just before we started.  When I emptied the refrigerator dirt from the vacuum cleaner canister it contained a little over 2 cups of dirt and lint.  I then disassembled the cardboard backing from the refrigerator by removing 4 screws. 

Next, I removed the fan.​

​To do this I simply unplugged the plastic Molex plug from the wiring pigtail, and removed 2 screws and then pulled out the fan.  

​I carefully removed the compression ring that holds the fan blade to the fan shaft.

Then using a paintbrush and the vacuum cleaner, I proceeded to vacuum and brush clean the fan shroud and motor to remove the dirt.  With the dirty plastic fan blade removed from the fan motor, I simply washed it in the sink with dishwashing soap and a kitchen scrubber.  Afterwards I reassembled the fan assembly making sure the compression ring was reinstalled. 

​ Next, using the vacuum cleaner and paintbrush, I gently started to clean the condenser coil.

I was able to remove most of the dust and dirt this way.  Finally to get rest of the dirt off the coil, I simply sprayed the coil off with some slightly soapy water then rinsed with clean water. 

The pan under the coil and compressor is designed to take the overflow water from the icemaker and the defrost water and allow it to evaporate as it is exposed to the heat from the compressor and condenser coil.

​I mopped up the water I could get to from the water pan.  I reassembled the fan to the condenser coil, plugged the Molex connector back in, replaced the cardboard backing, and after mopping the floor behind the refrigerator, slid the refrigerator back into the space between the cabinets.  The final picture is of the dirt I was able to remove just from the coil, the fan assembly, and the water pan.  

The quarter is for size comparison.

Performing this deep clean restored the fridge to its original cooling ability, reduced the noise it was creating and prevented the fridge from expelling hot air from the front.

We also anticipate the customer seeing a reduced energy bill and a longer refrigerator lifespan.

We encourage each of our customers to perform a cleaning like this every few years.  If you don't have the time or prefer to hire a professional, give Clear Springs Air Conditioning & Electric a call.  We're happy to help you out!

One of the most common electrical devices I replace in a home is the GFI. The GFI or GFCI Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter device's only reason for existence is to prevent electrical shock or worse, electrocution. The definition of electrocution is death by electrical shock.

Technically, the GFCI senses the electrical current flowing between the electrically hot wire and the ground wire. This electrical current should be equal. If the electrical current flow is not equal, even 3 to 4 milliamps difference, it will trip in less than 1 second.

For example, if you are using a hair dryer and because it somehow gets wet and some small part of the electrical current flows through your body instead of through the GFCI, then it will open the circuit and shut off current flow to the hair dryer.

You should find these devices where ever there is a chance you may come in contact with electricity and water, such as the kitchen, bathroom, unfinished basement, outdoors, and in your garage.

There are 3 main types in use in homes and businesses today. The 1st is the wall plug (see photo). The second is a device used on extension cords and is mobile and easy to use anywhere, and the third is in your breaker panel.
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My final comment on these lifesaving devices is that they should be tested monthly. To test them, trip the button marked test, and then reset it with the button marked reset. If it will not trip, or it will not reset, have a qualified electrician check it out for you. These devices are often at the head of a circuit that controls many other receptacles, if they are not wired correctly into the GFCI, it and they will not be protected.

Today, many homeowners are trying to do more of the repair and maintenance tasks on their homes.  One of the easiest and least costly tasks to do is changing the filters in their home Air Conditioning System.  Often though, this task is one of the most overlooked and misunderstood jobs.  I hope to help remedy this over my next few blogs.

Here’s some quick tips to get started:

• Though it is a basic principal for air conditioning, I often get asked are filters really necessary?  Yes, they should be checked often and replaced regularly.
• I get asked how often should the filters be checked, and how often should the filters be replaced.  For any one inch or two inch filter, I recommend the filter be visually checked every month and changed at least every two months.  If it is even just a little dirty after one month then replace it monthly.  A new filter allows better airflow and helps the system last much longer.  A new filter will often slide into the filter rack easier than the old one too. 
• Clean the return filter grill and the area behind it at least once a year. 
• Have the return duct from the filter grill to the air handler or furnace checked for leaks into the system.  Any leak that allows air to bypass the filter is getting unfiltered dirt and possibly dangerous contaminants such as blown insulation into your system and home.  These circulating particles can cause system deterioration, allow dirt to be introduced and circulate throughout your home, create health issues, and can greatly increase your utility bill.  
• If your supply grills or the area around them look dirty, then dirt, smoke, mold, or some other substance is circulating in your system.  Have the system serviced. 
•  Have a licensed and competent Air Conditioning Company service your system at least twice a year.  A good service technician can help your system last longer, help make your home atmosphere cleaner and more comfortable, and save you money in the long run.

At Clear Springs Air Conditioning and Electric, we pride ourselves in the quality of service we provide.  We are committed to being a service organization first.  Many so called service companies focus on sales not on service.  We do not.  We will not hurry through your service or repairs so we can make a sale elsewhere.  We are as happy to do your twice yearly system service checkup as we are to install a new system.  Please follow us on Facebook as we delve further into filters and other home improvement matters.