Life Cycle Maintenance Costs You Can Expect Over the Life of Your AC System

Date: May 16, 2022

Topics: Blog Article, Frequently Asked Questions

Customers often ask us how they can keep their air conditioning and heating system working at its best for as long as possible. Though it is true equipment does not last as long as it used to, there are plenty of things you can do to protect your investment. Here is a general guideline of what we recommend customers do each year. Please keep in mind your technician may recommend something a little bit different depending on your specific home and application. We always suggest you follow the recommendations of your technician since they are most familiar with you and your system.

• Year 1:
  • Monthly: Pour 1 cup of vinegar down your drain line(s) and flush with hot water.
  • As needed or every 3 months: change your filter(s)
  • Annually: Schedule a time for us to come out and maintain your air conditioning system. If you had a new install and your drain line was not replaced, we recommend you purchase Dain Solve treatment at the time of this maintenance.
• Year 2:
  • Monthly: Pour 1 cup of vinegar down your drain line(s) and flush with hot water.
  • As needed or every 3 months: change your filter(s)
  • Annually: Schedule a time for us to come out and maintain your air conditioning system. If you had a new install and your drain line was not replaced, we recommend you purchase Dain Solve treatment at the time of this maintenance.
• Year 3:
  • Monthly: Pour 1 cup of vinegar down your drain line(s) and flush with hot water.
  • As needed or every 3 months: change your filter(s)
  • Annually: Schedule a time for us to come out and maintain your air conditioning system. Even if you had your drain line replaced with your new install, we recommend you purchase Drain Solve treatment every year at your maintenance appointment starting in your air conditioning system’s third year.
  • Depending on your system, we may recommend installing a Compressor Saver Kit. This is an electrical component that benefits the compressor (the heart of your system, and the most expensive part in your system). This component allows the compressor to start easier and use less power. The benefits of a compressor saver can be electrical savings, increased longevity of the compressor, and protection from electrical short cycles caused by power surges.
• Year 4:
  • Monthly: Pour 1 cup of vinegar down your drain line(s) and flush with hot water.
  • As needed or every 3 months: change your filter(s)
  • Annually: Schedule a time for us to come out to maintain your air conditioning system and perform a Drain Solve treatment.
• Year 5:
  • Monthly: Pour 1 cup of vinegar down your drain line(s) and flush with hot water.
  • As needed or every 3 months: change your filter(s)
  • Annually: Schedule a time for us to come out to maintain your air conditioning system and perform a Drain Solve treatment.
  • We recommend replacing your float switches at least every 5 years.
  • At your maintenance, your technician may recommend a pull-and-clean of your blower wheel or evaporator coil.
• Year 6:
  • Monthly: Pour 1 cup of vinegar down your drain line(s) and flush with hot water.
  • As needed or every 3 months: change your filter(s)
  • Annually: Schedule a time for us to come out to maintain your air conditioning system and perform a Drain Solve treatment.
  • At your maintenance, your technician may recommend a pull-and-clean of your blower wheel or evaporator coil if you have not had this done in prior years.
• Year 7:
  • Monthly: Pour 1 cup of vinegar down your drain line(s) and flush with hot water.
  • As needed or every 3 months: change your filter(s)
  • Annually: Schedule a time for us to come out to maintain your air conditioning system and perform a Drain Solve treatment.
  • At your maintenance, your technician may recommend a pull-and-clean of your blower wheel or evaporator coil if you have not had this done in prior years.
• Year 8:
  • Monthly: Pour 1 cup of vinegar down your drain line(s) and flush with hot water.
  • As needed or every 3 months: change your filter(s)
  • Annually: Schedule a time for us to come out to maintain your air conditioning system and perform a Drain Solve treatment.
  • At your maintenance, your technician may recommend a pull-and-clean of your blower wheel or evaporator coil if you have not had this done in prior years.
  • We recommend beginning to budget for a new air conditioning and heating system once your current system is 8 years old.
• Year 9:
  • Monthly: Pour 1 cup of vinegar down your drain line(s) and flush with hot water.
  • As needed or every 3 months: change your filter(s)
  • Annually: Schedule a time for us to come out to maintain your air conditioning system and perform a Drain Solve treatment.
  • At your maintenance, your technician may recommend a pull-and-clean of your blower wheel or evaporator coil if you have not had this done in prior years.
  • Continue budgeting for a new system.
• Year 10:
  • Monthly: Pour 1 cup of vinegar down your drain line(s) and flush with hot water.
  • As needed or every 3 months: change your filter(s)
  • Annually: Schedule a time for us to come out to maintain your air conditioning system and perform a Drain Solve treatment.
  • If you replaced your float switches at year 5, replace them again in year 10. We recommend replacing your float switches at least every 5 years.
  • At your maintenance, your technician may recommend a pull-and-clean of your blower wheel or evaporator coil if you have not had this done in prior years.
  • Continue budgeting for a new system.

Air Conditioning and Heating Maintenance, Service, and New Installations

Our team is ready to help you keep your air conditioning and heating system running for as long as possible. Learn more about our membership plans, or schedule service, by calling 941-485-2222 or schedule an appointment online!

How to Protect Your System and Maintain Excellent Indoor Air Quality

Date: Feb 18, 2022

Topics: Blog Article, Frequently Asked Questions

The condition of your HVAC system has a direct impact on indoor air quality. Poor drainage can reduce performance and allow for mold and mildew to grow. Clogged/dirty filters, air ducts, and A/C components can contribute to poor air quality as well. You can protect your system to avoid these problems, humidity issues, and concerns over viruses, bacteria, dust, particulates, and a host of pollutants.

Having clean air at home is extremely important. Pollution can affect your comfort, health, and well-being as well as strain your cooling and heating system. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to protect it that are very effective at improving air quality in your home. We will explain a few key areas where you can start.

Protect Your Drain Line

If you find your system regularly shuts off or is dripping water at your air handler, you may be suffering from a clogged drain line. This issue is very common and also very easy to prevent on your own. The following steps will protect your drain line, keep your air conditioning system working efficiently, and may also reduce service calls:

• Pour 1 cup of distilled white vinegar down your drain line each month and flush with hot water.
• At your regular maintenance appointment, your technician may recommend treating your drain line with Drain Solve or another drain line deep cleaning agent. The frequency recommended will change based on your specific application, the age of your drain line, and how it was installed.

Install and Maintain UV Lights

UV Lights, installed on the return side of the evaporator coil and in the blower compartment of your air handler(s), prevent mold and mildew buildup inside your air conditioning system. Mold and mildew thrive in dark, damp environments like that found inside your air handler, especially in Florida.

Installing and maintaining UV lights keep mold and mildew at bay, which keeps your air conditioning system clean and working as efficiently as possible. Remember, a clean air conditioning system is one aspect of great indoor air quality.

Install Surge Protectors

Surge protectors should be installed on both the air handler and condenser to prevent equipment failure due to power surges. In your HVAC equipment, there are various sensitive electronics, like motors, that are hyper-sensitive to power surges and lightning strikes. Often, equipment failure due to power surges are not covered under the manufacturer warranty and can be quite costly.

• One of the best ways to protect your investment in your HVAC system is to protect your HVAC system with a surge protector. Although not invincible, a surge protector is the best defense against power surges. It absorbs the surge and channels it to ground instead of having the surge hit your HVAC system.

Surge protectors are a common practice in protecting electronics. Many times, surge protectors are used to protect your TV, computer, and other household electronics. Why not have a surge protector that protects your comfort and indoor air quality?

Install Air Purifiers

An air purifier doesn’t only have to serve one small area. At Tri County Air, we offer more sophisticated air purification equipment for your air conditioning system that can work for your entire home. Here are some examples of our indoor air quality solutions:

REME HALO and REME HALO LED

The REME HALO and the REME HALO LED are in-duct whole-home air purification systems. They reduce both airborne and surface contaminants and pollutants through bi-polar ionization and REME technology in every cubic inch of air-conditioned space. The goal of REME products is to improve indoor air quality and eliminate sick building syndrome risks by neutralizing odors, particulates, air pollutants, VOCs, smoke, mold, viruses, and bacteria.

• Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 by 99.9%, commonly known as the coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19
• Kills 99+% of H1N1 Swine Flu on surfaces
• 99% reduction of surface bacteria/viruses
• Over 85% VOC reduction
• 99% of microbes in human sneeze killed at 3 feet
• 97% reduction of airborne bacteria
• 99% reduction in Ecoli, Listeria, Strep, Tuberculosis, Bird Flu, etc.
• 85% odor reduction
• 97% airborne mold reduction
• US Military approved for mold protection in field hospitals
• Hospital approved for infectious diseases – US and International –Achieved 99% reduction of Staph (MRSA) in tests
• Major US city schools have reported 20% reductions in absenteeism

Austin Air Purifier

The only clinically proven, medical-grade air purifier.

“There is no silver bullet for excellent indoor air quality, but the Austin Air HEPA filter works well and I highly recommend it. I’ve tested the majority of the air cleaners available on the market and this one is the best. I have personally been using the Austin Air Purifier in my home for nearly two decades!” -William Swanson, Owner of Tri County Air

Air Quality Solutions from Tri County Air

Our team is ready to help improve indoor air quality and protect the air conditioning system in your Florida home. Several options are available that can eliminate pollutants and improve the function and efficiency of HVAC equipment. We offer specials and financing options to help you afford to ensure your family’s health, safety, and comfort. Learn more about our air quality solutions, maintenance plans, and duct insulating/replacement services, or schedule service, by calling 941-485-2222 today!

Why Is My Heat Pump Not Heating?

Date: Nov 13, 2021

Topics: Blog Article, Frequently Asked Questions

A heat pump not heating usually means you have a dirty air filter, low refrigerant levels, or a blocked outdoor unit.

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