Your HVAC system along with your water heater makes up 60% of your home’s energy costs! It is important to make sure your AC system is properly charged with freon, otherwise your system could work twice as hard to cool your home and will lead to an early exit for your compressor. Most repairs on heating and cooling systems are performed on units that have not had an annual tune-up.

An annual spring start-up by a certified technician is a great way to make sure your system is working properly and won’t let you down on the hottest days. Units that are properly charged with freon cool better and save you money along with keeping you cool and comfortable.

Ask your Oehlert Bros. Technician about UV Lights that keep fungus and mold from growing in your AC system!

Steve Oehlert is the owner and President of
Oehlert Bros. Inc., Limerick, Pa

Summer means barbecues, family gatherings, evenings with friends on the patio, and a cool home to step inside to cool down. Did you know that using an evaporated cooling system will ensure your home is cooled effectively for a fraction of the cost of a refrigerated system? If you have not checked your air conditioning unit here’s how to get your air conditioner ready for summer.

• Check The Fan Belts On The Condenser and The Fan: These can easily be replaced, just do not tighten too much otherwise you can damage the shaft bearings.
• Replace or Clean the Filter at Least Once a Month: This is very important since the filter is what catches dust, pollens and other allergens, preventing them from entering your house. If the filter is clogged with dust and pet hair, it slows down the cold airflow, making the system run harder and longer costing you more money in the long run.
• Clean the Coils: You can obtain a commercial coil cleaner at any hardware store that you apply with a sprayer, following the manufacturer’s directions.
• Oil the Bearings: Put five to ten drops of light machine oil in each hole and rotate the shaft three or four times to make sure it is distributed properly.
• Examine the Condenser: Make sure the condenser is clear of leaves, debris, and vegetation, otherwise the air flow will be restricted.
• Insulate the Cool Line: This runs from the condenser to the compressor. Make sure it is insulated with snap on urethane or other high R-value insulation.
• Check the Temperature: Use two thermometers at the same time to measure the warm return air entering the evaporator coil and the coil discharge air entering the house. The difference between the two measurements should be at least 12F to 16F or greater. If a lower temperature difference is indicated, you should have the refrigerant checked by an HVAC professional.

Other steps to take in order to reduce your energy bill are to keep the windows closed in hot weather with the blinds tilted to block direct sunlight. Turn up your house thermostat as high as you comfortably can and open your windows at night to allow the cooler air to circulate in the house.