This Blog was posted by Smithson Valley Services Air Conditioning. We serve the Texas Hill Country, including Blanco | Bulverde | Canyon Lake | Fisher | Kendalia | New Braunfels | North San Antonio | Sattler | Sisterdale | Smithson Valley | Spring Branch | Startzville

Air Conditioners

How to Clean your Air Conditioner like a Pro

Jack Frost is nipping at our nose, and Santa Claus has just left. So, who in their right mind would be thinking about window air conditioners at this time of year?

Call me crazy, but I am.

It is a good time of year to start this project. First, it is a good winter project because, by spring, you will be too busy to think about this job.

Very little is required to clean a window air conditioner, except lots of patience. If patience is something you lack, then it is a job you should turn over to the local appliance serviceman.

Tools:
·Tin can or container (old muffin tin works well also)
·Vacuum cleaner
· Long-handled brush (an old toilet brush works well)
·Oil can
·Rags
·De-greaser or spray detergent
·Selection of screwdrivers (Philips, Flat bladed, 1/4″ socket head)
·Fin tool (optional)
·New filter (if disposable type)

Let’s get started:

1. Start by removing the filter from the front grille. If it is hidden behind the grille, proceed to step 2. If it is a disposable filter, replace it with a new one. Other types are made in a plastic frame and can be cleaned and reused. To clean a filter, lay it flat in the sink and sprinkle the surface with powder laundry detergent. Then cover with about one inch of hot water. Just enough so the filter is submerged, and soak for 15 minutes. Remove from water and rinse with warm water. Hang up to dry while proceeding to the next step. See more here for: Air conditioning service New-Braunfels

2. Next, remove the front grille from the main body of the air conditioner. They usually pivot on two spring clips at the bottom. It is usually removed by pulling the grille gently forward while pushing it down simultaneously. If there is resistance, then look for hidden screws. Look near the top edge of the grille or behind the control knob door. Once removed, place the grille aside until later.

3. Carefully remove the metal cover of the air conditioner to expose the inner workings. Once all the screws are removed, lift the cover straight up. Do not let it hit the other parts, as it can have sharp edges. This is where the old can comes in handy (an ice cube container or muffin tin works well also). Use it to keep track of all the screws you will be removing. An air conditioner will often use several different types and sizes of screws. Segregate them from each other, or confusion will result when we start reassembly.

4. Check the fan motor for any oil holes or oil plugs. If the motor has oil plugs, they are usually rubber. Use caution when removing because the rubber may have become brittle. Often they will break off in the oil holes resulting in a blockage. If this occurs, try to remove the broken plug by using a pin on the tip of a small screwdriver. Once the fan motor oil holes are exposed, add a few drops of oil to each end of the motor body. Use a general purpose (3in1) oil or clean motor oil. A #30 oil is sufficient. The natural tendency is to over-oil. Too much lubrication is as harmful as not enough. Therefore only 3 or 4 drops on both ends of the motor body are sufficient. Add the oil slowly, pausing a few seconds between each drop. If you add it too quickly, over-lubrication will result.

5. Use the brush to remove surface dust and dirt from the evaporator (front fins). Use an up-and-down motion. Do not go side to side or allow the fins to be bent. The fins are very soft aluminum and can be damaged easily. Once surface dirt is removed, spray with a de-greaser or cleaner. There is a good product on the market called HVAC cleaner. As the name implies, it is meant for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioner coil cleaning. If this is not available, the Fantastic Spray cleaner used in kitchens and bathrooms works quite well.
Let stand for about 15 minutes or as per instructions on the de-greaser can. This will allow the cleaner to loosen any hidden dirt. Remove dirt and excess cleaner by slowly pouring warm water into the fins. Do not allow the water to enter electrical connections or components near the coil. As an added precaution, cover the motor with one of the cloth rags. to protect it from the water.
Do not use any form of high-pressure air or water because this can drive dirt farther into the fins. Also, use extreme caution as these coils are filled with high-pressure refrigerant.

6. Straighten any bent fins. Use a fin comb if available. If there is no fin comb, use something soft such as a Popsicle stick. Straightening the fins will increase the airflow efficiency through the coils. This adds to the overall cooling effect produced by the air conditioner.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the condenser (rear fins) coil. A plastic cowling usually surrounds the condenser fins. If so, check the top edge to see if it will lift or open. If it opens, this will allow easier access to the condenser fins. Again use caution because the condenser coil is filled with high-pressure refrigerant.

8. Wipe any dirt buildup from both fan blades using a soft rag. Do not bend blades. This would cause a vibration that would harm the motor.

9. Vacuum all surfaces, including the front and back of the grille assembly. Do not forget to vacuum the underside of the metal-air conditioner cover. If the cover contains air holes, clean them thoroughly. If necessary, use a damp rag.

10. Drain any water left in the base and allow it to dry for a few hours.

11. When completely dry, plug in the air conditioner and test the operation. If everything appears okay, unplug and begin reassembly.

Reassemble and test:

12. Once reassembly is complete, retest the operation to ensure replacing the cover has not affected anything. Adding the cover will often twist the frame and cause interior parts to move out of alignment. This may cause the fan to become noisy. To correct this problem, remove the cover and realign it to the main body of the air conditioner. Reinstall the cover and test for noises every time 2 or 3 additional screws are added to the cover. Spinning the front blade by hand will let you know if anything is rubbing against the fan blades.

13. Install the front grille with the new or cleaned filter.

14. Lastly, cover the air conditioner with plastic wrap or an old blanket. Store in a warm, dry area. Raise it from the floor slightly by placing it onto a couple of pieces of wood. This will protect the floor from the metal edges of the air conditioner and the air conditioner from moisture.

You’re Finished!

Repeat this simple procedure every year. The machine will be ready for many more years of dependable service if you do.

Addendum ——————-

The filter inside the front grille should be removed and cleaned (as in step 1) every month throughout the cooling season. If you are a smoker, it should be cleaned every week.

DIY Plumbing-It’s Better to Call the Experts

Plumbers appreciate do-it-yourself homeowners. You may perhaps think this sounds a little bit peculiar. After all, a plumber could lose cash if these handy homeowners did all their plumbing repairs themselves. Plumbing companies need consumers in order to gain a profit. So, why would plumbers love this kind of homeowner?

The answer lies in what generally occurs when a homeowner attempts a challenging plumbing repair. The easy repair ends up becoming a larger, more expensive job, and that is when the plumber swoops in, solves the problem, and ends up with a much bigger paycheck.

Not all DIY plumbing jobs end this way. Quite a few plumbing repairs are effortless to accomplish. Plumbing companies do not delight in homeowners’ plumbing repairs failing either. Plumbing companies know that some jobs are much easier to deal with, but some may need the services of a professional plumbing company.

A plumbing service worth hiring establishes a business relationship built on trust and integrity. Trustworthy plumbers want to build a happy customer base, and they know that supporting the do-it-yourself homeowner can yield more than just the value of a single service call. If you are a regular homeowner, a plumbing company will offer advice as to the intricacy of the repair. They may even be inclined to sell you the parts needed to do the repair yourself. The following are also essential to contemplate when deciding on professional plumbing services.

Reputation – A company builds its reputation throughout years of service. Make sure the company has kept the same owner all through its years of operation. Do not ignore small, family-owned businesses. These “mom and pop” companies have connections to the neighborhood and are more likely to depend on customer loyalty. They have built their business reputation by delivering good quality, personalized services.

Testimonials – Reputation built by “word of mouth” promotion has turned out to be “word of mouth” with the advent of social media and websites promoting businesses and their services. While it is a great idea to peruse these websites that advocate businesses, get your information from a variety of sources. Start with the Better Business Bureau for any problems. Local restaurants are beneficial sources for finding a reliable plumbing business. The high-traffic restroom facilities and industrial-sized kitchens make for a plumber’s dream. Maybe you can trade a completed restaurant survey for this nugget of information from the restaurant manager.

Finding a trustworthy plumbing company that looks out for the best interests of its consumers is worth its weight in gold. 

This Blog was provided by Coastal Breeze RV Resort in Rockport, Texas

When you think of the advantages of RV camping, what do you think about? If you are like most people, the ability to get up off the ground and away from the critters is one of the best things about sleeping in an RV. Even if you love nature and the outdoors, it is still nice to get inside for a quality night’s sleep. However, if some of that nature has made its way into your RV – specifically, ants – one of the big benefits of RV travel will suddenly be gone.

Unfortunately, it is very much possible to get ants inside your RV during a trip (or even while it is being stored). To reduce the chances of this happening to you, use the simple tips below.

Don’t Build a Bridge

This might seem obvious, but ants need a path to get from the ground up into your RV – so don’t give them that bridge. While there are inevitably going to be points of connection from the ground up into your RV, such as the tires and some hoses or cables, you can prevent ants from following those paths by using an ant powder. There are products on the market today that are meant to be sprinkled around your RV in places where ants may attempt to travel. As long as you cut off these ‘bridges’ effectively, you should be able to enjoy an ant-free vacation.

It’s All About the Source

Your goal should always be to make sure you cut off the ants at the source, long before they make it inside the RV. Once they are in the RV, it will be difficult to get them out. Even if you are able to kill the ones you see, there are always many more waiting behind the scenes. Cut them off at the pass by keeping them outside to begin with whenever possible. If you do find yourself in a position where you have ants inside the RV, do your best to track their trail until you figure out exactly how they got inside to start with.

Seal Up Tight During Storage

Make sure your RV is sealed up tightly while it is being stored to prevent ants from taking up residence during the off-season. By simply checking around your RV for any possible openings, you can pretty easily keep ants on the outside where they belong. Also, make sure you aren’t parked under any long, overhanging branches which could offer the ants direct access to your rig. Of course, no old food scraps or anything of that nature should be left in the RV during the off-season, as that would just serve as motivation for the ants to find a way in.

Ants inside of an RV is no one’s idea of a good vacation. Fortunately, it isn’t all that hard to keep the ants out of your RV, as long as you pay attention and have a plan. Simply by being observant and keeping your rig in good condition throughout the year, you can probably avoid the pain of having to fight an ant war inside of your RV.

This Blog was provided by Coastal Breeze RV Resort in Rockport, Texas