So it started out as a way of making people comfortable. Right? Well, not exactly. In 1882, thanks to Thomas Edison, the first electric power plant opened in New York making it possible for the first time to have an inexpensive source of energy for residential and commercial buildings. And by 1889, central station refrigeration was used in large cities to preserve foods and documents. It was well known that a cool surrounding could preserve foods and other perishables for a long time. But what was not well known was how humidity and heat were related. Then in 1902, Willis Carrier built the first air conditioner to combat humidity inside a printing company. Controlling the humidity in printing companies and textile mills was the start of environment management.

A/C Maintenance Tips

02/06/12

Although working on heating & air conditioning requires a trained and certified technician, there are some things that you as a home owner can do to keep you system operating efficiently. Warning! Air conditioners use high voltage. Never attempt repairs or maintenance you are not trained to perform. Call a licensed contractor for repairs or maintenance beyond your knowledge.

Filters - First and foremost, change your filters regularly, at least every 60 days. Las Vegas has a substantial amount of foreign particulate in the air. You'll notice this at your windows, doors and other openings of your home. This dust, dirt and allergy matter will all end up in your filters and it doesn't take long for them to become clogged. Your system must circulate air freely and clogged filters will cause many operational and maintenance problems. Use good Air conditioner filters. Although a $1.00 filter may seem like a bargain, they simply won't do the job. Never operate your system without filters! If you do, your evaporator coil will become clogged requiring a service call by a qualified technician. The cost can exceed $200 to correct this problem. For an optimal Air conditioner system and particularly if you suffer from allergies, ask us about our Lifetime Electrostatic Filters. These filters are guaranteed for life and remove particles down to .01 microns by their inherent charge of static electricity that continually renews itself by the air passing over its content. You'll never have to run to the store to buy filters again and you'll maximize your comfort and system efficiency.

Cleaning Electrostatic Filters - Remove your filter from its rack. To avoid dirt in your face or on the floor, hold a trash bag over the filter while removing and transport it through your home in the bag. You clean your filter by simply washing it out with water. Outdoors works fine but you can also do it in the sink or shower. Do not use such a strong water pressure as to damage the filter. A spray works fine. On the frame of the filter will be two arrows. The arrows point opposite directions and one says "air flow" and the other "clean". Spray water through the filter in the direction of the "clean" arrow until all dirt is removed. Stand the filter on one corner for a few minutes to let the water drain off. Then reinstall the filter in the filter rack. Be certain the "air flow" arrow is pointing the right direction (same as the air movement). You can also coat your filter with deodorizer, disinfectant, etc. Just spray on the filter area. This adds a nice smell to your home.

Covering Air conditioner Ducts - Never allow furniture or other household contents to cover or restrict either supply or return air ducts. This is the same as a clogged filter and will cause operational and maintenance problems.

Air conditioningObstructions - If your condenser unit is on the ground outside your home, never allow debris, grass, shrubs, or other stored items to restrict airflow through the finned coils. Never allow the fins to be bent over, also forming a restriction. This equipment circulates a large volume of air through it and this air is at the heart of the operation of your system. Hosing off the coils with your water hose will help keep them clean, although coils should be cleaned by a trained technician at least once a year.

This is about all you as a homeowner can do to maintain your system but there are many other preventative maintenance items that should be performed by a qualified technician. The answer is a Guardian Priority Plus Service Plan. We come to your home twice a year in the spring and fall and perform a comprehensive inspection, cleaning and maintenance of your system. It's very affordable and can prevent expensive repairs before they happen. If you have a home warranty, maintenance of you system is required or you may be denied coverage. And, when you have a service plan with Guardian, you'll receive priority scheduling in the event of a breakdown.