A/C TECH TIPS — Richard Worley, WHTC’s instructor for Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration has been in the heating and A/C business for 35 years.  After a three year stint in the Air Force, Richard returned home to join in his father’s business, Chipley Heating and Cooling. Richard eventually took over and ran the business until retiring and selling the business about three years ago. His retirement was rather brief.  Mr. Worley accepted the Heating and AC instructor position at Washington-Holmes Technical Center in the summer of 2007. 

Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology is a program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, install, service and maintain the operating condition of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. 

With our temperatures already creeping in the 90s, Mr. Worley offers the following tips to keep your AC system operating at peak efficiency and limiting the cost of an annual checkup: 

Change that Air Filter

Filters need to be changed when they are dirty!  Your air filter is usually located indoors in the main duct junction near your furnace.  If you can’t find it, have your HVAC contractor show you where it is and how to remove and replace it; or consult your system manual.  Remember to check you filter regularly – it should be changed monthly or quarterly.  By keeping filters clean it keeps the equipment operating at its optimum and saves on electricity. 

Clean the Condenser Coil

The condenser coil is located inside the large condensing unit that sits on a slab outside your house.  Important!  Make sure the circuit breaker that controls the power to the system is turned off!  You may have to unscrew the protective metal casing around the unit to get to the coils, which are a larger version of the aluminum fins found in a wall and window unit.  Vacuum the coils gently with a soft-bristle brush attachment or you may use a water hose on soft pressure (so as not to bend the coils) to wash out the coil.  Clear away weeds, grass and other debris that block airflow through the coil.  It is suggested that you clean you coil annually but if you live on a dirt road, you should clean it at least twice a year. 

Schedule an Annual Check-up

Subscribe to a maintenance program.  Your HVAC contractor should: verify proper operation…inspect for system design flaws…identify safety and code violations…replace hard-to-reach filters…recommend special filters for allergy sufferers…compare current and previous performance records.  Check-up/tune-up inspections will help prevent break downs (which are no fun in July and August!) and save you money in the long run.