Why does my unit freeze up in the summer

I get asked this question alot and get alot of service calls for this. The two most common reasons for units to freezing up is dirty filters and units being low on freon. Always check your filter montly. Be sure and have a good filter that will keep your system clean. The only thing you can do about the freon is to have your system checked annually. This way if your unit is low on freon, the tech can charge the unit. If your system needs freon every year then you need to have a leak search done on your system. The only way the unit looses freon is if there is a leak. These two are the most common reasons for units freezing up, a couple of other reasons is a dirty indoor coil and indoor blower motor not working.

How to choose a service company

The most important thing to look for is"customer service". A company should treat you with respect, what I mean is if they tell you a certain time that they will be at your house then they are running late they should call you and let you know so that if needed you can reschedule the service if needed. This really shows that they really care and value you as a customer.
The tech who comes out to your house should explain to you what he found wrong with your system and give you options on what needs to be done to fix your system. If he tries to pressure you into buying a new system then this should be a warning to you and you may want to get a second opinion. To help find a good service company, ask friends and family who they use.

Water Leaks

Water leaks can be one of the most frustrating service calls I get. Sometimes it is as simple as a clogged drain line,but sometimes it can be more involved.
Sometimes it is a installation problem,drains ran uphill or double trap. Sometimes it is a manufactures problem.
I will focus on the first sitution of clogged drains. What can a homeowner do to prevent waterleaks? If you have access to the drain line you can pour a mixture of bleach and water in the drain line. You will need to have a pve tee in the drain line to do this. I also suggest the pve tee is capped off. Before you pour any of the bleach/water mixture make sure the water level is not to high in the drain line this could mean the line is clogged.
If you pour the mixture in,it may backup and leak the bleach onto your carpet or flooring. The other suggestion is to have the system checked in the spring/summertime. The tech should blowout the drain and add algae tablets to the drain system. If you have these things done it,will decrease the chance of a water leak.
The last suggestion is to keep your filter clean,if a filter gets real dirty it can cause the unit to freeze up. This can cause a water leak when it melts.
Maintenance is the key to preventing water leaks. Find a good service oriented company and get on a maintenance plan. Next time I will discuss about what to look for in a service company and what I try to do for my customers.

How to Install a Thermostat

How to install a thermostat: "Before you start

Before you head to the store to buy a new thermostat, take a minute to check the number and type of wires attached to your old unit.

If your old thermostat is connected to thin wires coming directly out of the wall, it has low-voltage wires, which don't present a shock hazard.

But if the thermostat is wired into an electrical box, then it's probably running off 120-volt current. Don't try to replace it until you’ve consulted with a licensed electrician.

If you’re replacing a thermostat that contains mercury in a sealed tube, don’t just throw it away. You’ll need to contact your local waste management agency for instructions for proper disposal."

Compressors

The compressor is the heart of the system. The compressor is what pumps the Freon around. If the compressor dies then you will have no cooling. If the compressor is out of warranty then you are looking at a major expense. Now what can a home owner do to prevent a compressor from failing. The first and most important step for a home owner is to have a good filter and to change it when needed.

When filters get dirty it restricts air flow through the indoor unit. When cooling with a very dirty filter it can cause your unit to freeze up. If this happens overtime. I can guarantee you the compressor will die. With a heatpump in the heating mode a dirty filter will raise pressures too high and damage the compressor,which will also cause premature failure and other problems.

A second suggestion is to get a digital thermostat. You may be wondering how a thermostat can help. A digital thermostat usually have a five minute delay built into it so that the unit cannot be short cycled by the homeowner or due to power flickering on and off. Short cycling causes undo stress on the compressor. If the power is flickering,turn off the unit until the storm passes.

The third suggestion is to have the unit checked out at least once a year, it would be best to do a twice a year maintenance. Find a good service company,ask friends,family who they use. Once you find somebody to service your system ask questions on what they check and clean under a maintenance plan. Make sure they check the compacitors for the compressor and motors,as discussed before,a copacitor is very important and can cause problems for the compressor. Next time I will discuss water leaks.

Contactors

A contactor is a control that brings on the compressor and outdoor fan motor of a heatpump or air conditioner. They are also used sometimes to bring on heat strips. Contactors have what are called "contacts" this is where the electricity flows through to bring on the unit.
These contacts will pit and burn up at sometime, this is normal wear and tear. So at some point you will need to replace the contactors, if you want, ask the tech. to show you the contactor just so you know what contactor looks like.
To prolong the life of the contacts of the contactor,do not mess with your thermostat to much. Set your temp. and leave it alone and another suggestion is to get a digital thermostat. These thermostats usually have a built in time delay to keep the unit from being short cycled due to the occupants of the house plus if your power is flickering on and off due to a storm.
Next time I will talk about compressors.