One unfortunate aspect of life is that most of us have to contend with drastic changes in the external air. Temperatures sometimes get quite high and during the cold months temperatures plummet, with high humidity making the environment feel warmer or cooler than the thermometer claims. To help alleviate the problem, almost every commercial and residential building owns an AC unit. Air conditioning systems work efficiently to maintain the air within the room at comfortable levels.

What you may not know however is that heating ventilation and air conditioning systems use the fresh air from outside for providing your desired quality of air inside. This begs the question of how changes in outdoor air affect the functioning of the AC units. Here are some of the ways your AC unit is being impacted by outside conditions.

Outside Temperature

The AC unit is made of coils that pick up heat from the outside air, but have nowhere to get rid of it. Therefore, the temperature of the system increases gradually. A heat exchanger is, therefore, required to get rid of the extra heat. A high-temperature difference between the outside air and the refrigerant will affect the amount of heat transferred with the unit and the rate at which it is transferred. Even perfect systems decrease in efficiency with outside temperature rising about 2 degrees. This drop in efficiency is quite dramatic in the real world. You will notice that your air conditioner seems to be working harder as the outside temperature increases.

Poor Air Quality and Pollution

Many factors affect the quality of air we breathe. Pollen, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide are just but a few pollutants that affect us today. With all technological advancements today meant for improving the quality of our lives, it is unfortunate that air quality is not given due attention.

Diminished air quality is bad for everyone, but it can be particularly bad for the AC equipment. Particles of polluted air such as smoke and dust accumulate in the AC unit and these particles will hinder the operation of the AC unit. After some time, the efficiency of the unit is reduced. This is why it is always important to keep on top of making sure that the AC equipment is cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. Regular cleaning removes any such dust and particles that could collect with time.

Humidity in the External Air

Since one of the primary functions of the AC unit is to remove excess moisture from the air, the process can be made much more difficult when the external humidity is high. The efficiency of the AC unit is thus affected when we approach the warm weather months. A high amount of moisture in the air can also carry a larger amount of dust that settles in the unit’s fins and coils. When the humidity is high, the AC systems have to use more energy and work harder to keep the home cool. If you have an older and inefficient system, it may not be able to handle the job quite well. It may be time to consider an upgrade to a more modern solution.

Heat, humidity and air pollution can affect the AC unit. Long and irregular run times of the unit can also affect it significantly. Since your AC unit represents a significant investment, you will want to make sure that you protect it by scheduling appointments with certified technicians that can be found at www.bobheinmiller.com on a regular basis for cleaning, maintenance and inspection. You can also clean the unit yourself using a coil cleaner so as the system can be efficient in its operation. Removing debris and dirt allows the system to work more efficiently and will lead to lower utility bills.

The writer, Edrick Hypolite, is an Orlando resident who always strives to keep his home comfortable and keeps track of everything that could compromise that. If you wish to learn more about Edrick you can visit on Google+.

Your central air units are like any complex mechanical system. If you have the basic knowledge of how to see their symptoms, you can save yourself big dollars on major repairs by proactively maintaining your system. Monitor the performance of your system and you will know when it is time to call a specialist such as the professionals at Facemyer Air Conditioning and Heating.

Cycles

Air conditioning systems work to remove humidity from the air and thereby bringing the temperature down. When you set the thermostat to a particular temperature setting, it will set a cyclic rate for your system to cycle on and off for a specific duration of time. The longer the cycle, the more humidity is being removed from the air. In converse, the shorter the cycle, the less humidity removed from the air and the higher the temperature remains. Remember, temperature is a measure of how rapidly particles move about in the air. By removing particles, i.e. water, from the air, the air feels cooler. A tell-tale symptom that there is something wrong within the ac unit is a noticeably short or long cycle. If the AC system has to work too hard to remove humidity, there is a reason for it. The first step for you as a homeowner is to check your air filter and make sure it is not in need of replacement. If the filter is fine and there doesn’t appear to be excess water laying in the filter area of the central air unit, it is time to call your AC specialist. If there does appear to be water laying in the filter area, you will need to check the drain and make sure it is not clogged, which may also require a repair specialist if you are not comfortable with that level of maintenance.

If your unit cycles for extended periods of time and struggles to get the temperature down, which is one of the most common problems, it is vital to get your technician on site. Aside from filter or drain problems, longer cycle rates can be an indicator of a more severe problem. If your unit is getting low on refrigerant, but is not low enough to kick on the failsafe sensors, it will cause your system to cycle longer. Think of it like your car. If your car is low on oil it will still run, but if it loses too much oil it can cause the motor to blow. On newer cars, there are sensors that will shut your car down in the event of a major loss of oil pressure. On older cars, you hear a loud noise and the motor has just experienced major failure. Your ac systems work in the exact same way. If your unit is older or has a pressure sensor that is malfunctioning in the worst way possible, you can cause severe damage that will multiply the costs of repairs. Not only will you have to purchase more parts, but you are more than likely going to have to wait days for them to come in and pay much more in labor costs. Being proactive isn’t easy, but it is certainly cost effective. When the ac coolant (Freon) gets low from a hole in the suction side of the system, it will pull in outside air or dirt and contaminate the entire system. Replacing a compressor, the condenser, and vacuuming the lines are worst case scenario in terms of cost of repair for the outside unit.

Noise

Sometimes the need to call a technician to your home is obvious. There is nothing like a loud shrieking noise to say, “hey, I need some attention over here!” Fortunately, noises in ac units are not typically expensive noises if you address them quickly. To begin your assessment of the situation, follow your ears! If the noise is outside of your home, there are two likely culprits. Best case scenario, it is the fan on top of the unit with some sort of debris that is rattling. If you hear a steady hum and the fan is not moving, call your ac technician. There are several electrical issues that can cause engagement failure of the fan. On the other hand, if you hear a noise in the outside unit and the noise is not coming from the fan, the only other moving part is the compressor. Hopefully, you have a clutch assembly that can be replaced without replacing the compressor. There is a possibility that they must be replaced as a unit and it is also possible there is a problem with the compressor itself. In either case, if you hear a noise in the outside unit and it is not the fan, call your tech immediately.

If you hear a noise in your central air unit, most often located in the garage or a closet, there is a fan assembly that pushes the air through the duct system in the house. This noise may travel through the house and be audible in the vent system in every room. Do not be fooled into buying a completely new central air system over a noisy fan. Deal with a reputable air conditioning repair company that will not try to take your money at every turn. The fan assemblies can be replaced in most cases without replacing the entire unit, especially on newer units. Mobile homes and specialty systems normally make up the exceptions to this rule. Noise problems are typically one of the best problems to have to deal with. They are easy to troubleshoot and can normally be repaired quickly.

Miscellaneous

There are a number of indicators showing you that it is time to call your ac specialist. If your thermostat has lost power or does not reflect the actual temperature of the room, it needs attention. If you smell electricity or other odd smells in the ventilation systems it may be a good clue, a precursor to a larger problem to come. It is a good idea to inspect your home annually. Make a checklist of items that you can personally inspect and make sure they are in good working order. For a system like central air cooling and heating, doing a general walk through every quarter is not a bad idea or doing a spot check when you change the filters monthly. You can visually inspect for any type of damage that may result from animals, kids, weather, or general wear and tear. Keep your eyes and ears open for anything that looks like it is in need of further inspection.

As the ancient proverb goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In trying economic times, it is even more critical to squash little problems before they become larger ones. The AC system in your home is not like a broken window or garage door. It is going to effect the immediate needs and attitudes of the people you live with and life can get very miserable. While it is not always feasible to fix and know everything yourself, it is always prudent to plan for problems. Give yourself the opportunity to get ahead of the game by being proactively engaged in the maintenance of your home and especially your ac system. Establish a relationship with a local ac repair company that you can trust. The smallest amount of effort will result in the largest payoff. When you can trust your repair technician and learn how to listen to your system when it signals problems to you, the whole experience will be less traumatic for your wallet and your standard of living.

Ray Donato, the author, does everything he can to keep his home safe and comfortable, but understands there are things he can't always do himself, and so tries to remember when he needs to call in an expert. If you wish to learn more about Ray you can visit Google+.

Tightening the monetary belt is something everyone is partaking in given the instability of the economic climate. Saving money when possible provides more opportunities for individuals to put cash away for a rainy day or invest in the future.

Some of the best ways to save money are home improvement projects, home maintenance projects, and personal lawn care. If you are a homeowner, there are many chores that can be done to lower your overall maintenance costs. Probably the most expensive of these ventures is your air conditioning unit.

Solving your own A/C problems may save you a ton of money, but if not done properly, could end up doing more harm than good. With technology and internet communication, the access to accurate knowledge is endless – here are five sources that are reliable for DIY AC maintenance.

5 Sources for DIY AC Maintenance

YouTube – Prior to YouTube and self-help videos displayed by users on the site, most AC units scared the average person because of the complexity of components. DIY repairers would have to read a paper manual 30 pages long just to get started, without even seeing the system prior to attempting work on it. YouTube has changed everything for the average DIY person because it provides visual guides and simple interpretations for many maintenance and home improvement projects. Some video posters even create channels geared towards repairing equipment or maintaining home appliances. When you are trying to understand, learn, and apply a series of steps, visual representation is usually the best route for efficient results. Just type in: DIY AC Maintenance, along with your AC unit specs, and you’ll be surprised what you can find.

Quora.com – This is a relatively new informational search engine that incorporates many aspects of specific knowledge, not just AC maintenance. In fact, Quora.com will help you answer just about any question in the world, specifically questions involving professional or modern social problems. Just post your question, follow various professionals, or browse different categories. You’ll find enough information to get you started, although most of that information will not be visual.

Visit Manufacturer’s Website – Sometimes the best way to accomplish a task is to gather information from the foundational source. Rather than searching all over the internet for various forums and chat rooms related to AC maintenance (your model/make specifically), it may serve you better just to visit the manufacturer's website. Most manufacturers’ these days provide contact information for contractors, handymen, and other various installers to better assist proper usage of the product. From the installation to repairs, you’ll be able to find a phone number for help during DIY maintenance.

Discussion Boards & Chat Rooms – Although this is not my favored option, as most information provided through these sources is unverifiable, there are a few spots where you can find answers. Quora.com is essentially a blog or discussion board, but sometimes quick answers are hard to find. By just typing your model/make in the google search bar with a phrase like, “How to maintain [your model/make goes here],” you’ll be amazed the amount of information comes up.

EnergyStar – I could not complete this list without talking about EnergyStar. This government-funded appliance certification house is one of the best resources for increasing efficiencies throughout your home. From your refrigerator to your A/C unit, EnergyStar is an excellent secondary resource to have in any DIY project – specifically projects involving maintenance. If maintenance is not done properly, the power output will be affected, causing energy bills to skyrocket each month.

Matthew Hall is a freelance writer and do-it-yourself enthusiast who is always striving to keep up on home maintenance. However, he can't do everything himself, to resolve AC problems he's not qualified to handle he turns to Facemyer AC. You can learn more about Matthew by visiting on Google+.

When it is working correctly, the AC unit is one of the most overlooked home appliances, but when it is broke, well then it becomes the number one concern, especially if you live in the hotter climates like Florida, Texas, or any other southern heat magnet. There are only a few maintenance issues that the average homeowner can manage on their own, those mainly being the AC filter and the often overlooked drain line. Filters will be discussed in a different article, for this article the attention will be focused on prevention of clogging in the AC drain line.

Where it is and what it does

AC systems vary in style and type, but they are all designed with the same basic functional characteristics. The basic premise of air conditioning units is to remove the moisture from the air, thus making the homeowner feel cooler. To remove moisture from the air means that parts of your AC unit are going to gather water and that very same water has to go somewhere. While there are different parts of the AC unit that may have condensation, the Air Handler is the part of the AC unit that condensates enough to warrant the installation of a drainage system that collects the water and discharges it through a sewer line, often made of PVC pipe. Most homeowners who have walked their property and seen their AC unit outside have noticed the PVC pipe that is always dripping water as the unit runs. This pipe is the AC drain line. Accurately identifying the drain line is the first step to performing any maintenance on it.

When is maintenance necessary?

Most people do not perform maintenance on their AC units until they stop working. The first recommendation for any maintenance on an AC system is to call a certified and licensed technician. For Orlando area residents, I highly recommend going to www.facemyeracorlando.com to find that technician. Before that call is made, take a quick peek at your system to make sure the call is necessary. The AC drain line in modern systems is equipped with a kill switch that is activated when water backs up and triggers the sensor. By simply going outside and inspecting the drain line for problems, you may be able to get your AC system going again. If you look at the drain line and notice that the area around the drain is excessively dry then you may have a clogged pipe.

How to prevent your line from clogging?

Regular maintenance on the AC system is vital. The central air unit of a home is a big complicated system integrated with highly dangerous electrical parts and sophisticated refrigeration components. The best way to keep it in excellent condition is to perform maintenance twice a year in addition to regularly changing the AC filter. Part of that maintenance should include cleaning the drain pipe. The most common offender in clogging the pipe is the excessive buildup of algae combined with dust and moisture forming blockage inside the line. As with most fungus, flushing with a simple bleach solution or vinegar mixed with a little water will do the trick. If you want to make a small investment, there are algae prevention tablets that you can line the base of the collection pan with that will inhibit the growth of algae before the water starts to travel down the AC drain line. Keeping your filter changed will prevent excess moisture from collecting that also prevents the spread of algae as well.

Most homeowners are happy to save money and who wants to pay someone a service call fee when he or she can solve the problems themselves? If the line is already clogged you may have to borrow or purchase a wet vac if you don’t already have one so you can vacuum out the clogged debris from the bottom of the drain line. Another option is to blow compressed air through the top side of the drain line and force the clog out with air pressure. Whatever method you use, they are all relatively easy and could potentially save you big money and keep you cool while doing it. Like they say in the medical field though, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, keep it clean!

The author, Ray Donato, is studying to become an electrical engineer at Valencia College in Orlando. To help supplement his income, he writes articles such as these on a number of topics related to his field of study including home maintenance of electrical appliances.