Why You Shouldn’t Buy an R22 Air Conditioner
Updated: Mar. 10, 2022If you’re in the market for a new central AC system, don’t buy one that uses R22 refrigerant. As of January 1, 2020, production and importing of R22 refrigerant will be banned.
If you’re in the market for a new central AC system, don’t buy one that uses R22 refrigerant. As of January 1, 2020, production and importing of R22 refrigerant will be banned. It will still be available, limited to what is stockpiled and what can be recovered from old units. Eventually, there won’t be any R22 left to buy. A loophole in the R22 phase-out program allows units that are already manufactured, but don’t actually contain the refrigerant, to be sold to consumers as “dry units.” R410a, the new refrigerant, can’t be used in an R22 system, so if you’re having your system replaced, make sure the new unit uses R410a refrigerant or you’ll face expensive servicing issues in the future. Plus: Here are 10 more air conditioning mistakes you can’t afford to make.
These are the air conditioner maintenance and repair tips you need to know:
Understand How Your House Air Conditioner Works
Most central air conditioners have two basic parts: an outdoor unit (compressor/condenser) that sits next to your home and an indoor unit (evaporator) that's located in a central duct near your furnace. If you have a heat pump instead of a furnace, the indoor unit will be in the air handler. Use the same maintenance steps we show here. If your furnace looks different from the one shown or you have a heat pump, use the owner's manual to find your way around it. The basic parts will be the same. Check out our step-by-step guide for deep-cleaning your home air conditioner.
Fix Fins
Realign bent or crushed fins with gentle pressure from a dinner knife. Don’t insert the knife more than 1/2 in. Learn what else you should do to get your AC unit shipshape before it gets hot.
Keep it Clean
Vacuum the fins of your AC unit clean with a soft-bristle brush. Note: they’re fragile and can easily be bent or crushed. On many units you’ll have to unscrew and lift off a metal box to get at them. Check your owner’s manual for directions and lift off the box carefully to avoid bumping the fins. Follow these other steps to safely clean your home air conditioner for better efficiency.
Fix a Sinking Home Air Conditioner Pad
The concrete pads under home air conditioner and heat exchanger units tend to settle over the years. As long as there’s no strain on the copper coolant tubes and electrical lines, and the unit stays dry and level, it’s OK that the pad has sunk. But if it continues to sink and pulls the lines tight, or if water puddles around the unit, you’ll need to take action. Here's how to fix it.
Get a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is a must-have in today's state of AC technology. Programmable thermostats allow you to set temperatures for various times throughout the day and automatically lower the temperature when you most need it to help you save money and manage your cooling without constantly hovering over the dial. In this article, we'll walk you through installing a programmable thermostat in your home.
Add an In-Line Duct Booster for Home Air Conditioning Units
If you have forced-air cooling but there’s still a room that’s hotter than all the rest, a duct or vent booster fan can increase the flow of cool air into that room. Two types of booster fans are available. An in-line duct booster fan (shown) fits inside the duct of the room you’re trying to cool. You mount the fan near the outlet and it automatically kicks on when your cooling system runs. Vent and register booster fans sit directly on top of or replace ceiling, floor or wall registers. Depending on the model, you can set it to operate automatically, control it with a switch or operate it by a remote control. Check out more tips for cooling a hot room in your home.
Quiet a Noisy Air Conditioner
If you already have a newer condenser, the worst noise is probably coming from the compressor. (Fans on newer units are very quiet.) Contact the manufacturer to find a sound blanket for your model or buy a universal blanket (search online for “compressor sound blanket”). Installation is easy. Don’t bother putting a blanket on an old unit—you’ll still hear the noisy fan. Here are other possible solutions for a noisy air conditioner.
Unclog the Condensate Drain Tube
When you see water puddling around the furnace with the AC running, you have a clogged condensate drain tube. Condensation from air conditioning coils contains bacteria that can form slime and clog the condensate pan drain tube. You can prevent slime and eliminate drain tube clogs with these two easy steps.
Warm Season Checklist
Make sure your AC is in good working order to keep you cool. When it gets hot outside, you want it to be nice and cool inside your home. Use this handy checklist to assess your HVAC system and then schedule an appointment for any needed AC maintenance or repairs before summer heats up.
Replace the Filter
Turn off the power to the furnace at a nearby switch or at the main panel. Then pull out the furnace filter and check it for dirt buildup. Change it if necessary.
Is Your AC Unit the Right Size?
AC units are carefully sized to the amount of cubic feet they need to cool. That's particularly important when you are purchasing a new AC unit or renovating your house. If an AC unit is rated for a smaller space than you have, it will work too hard to cool the air, wear out more quickly and struggle to meet the demands of the thermostat.
Consider a Whole-House Fan
Whole-house fans have helped cool homes for a century. The basic design is simple: An attic-mounted fan pushes hot air out through attic vents and draws cooler, outside air in through open doors and windows. This rapid air exchange—large fans can purge a house of hot air in two to three minutes—not only removes built-up heat but also creates a pleasant breeze.
Control Heat Through Windows
A lot of heat enters the home through windows, especially open windows. If you really want to control heat in your house, pay attention to your windows, too. Keep them closed and covered with blinds or drapes during the hottest parts of the day—especially windows that are currently facing the sun.
Troubleshoot Repairs Yourself
When central air conditioning service fails during a heat spell, you may have to wait days for an HVAC repair technician to show up, and you’ll probably pay at least several hundred for the repair. But if you’re comfortable working around electricity and are willing to spend about $50 on parts, you can probably repair your air conditioner yourself in about two hours and save a lot of money on parts markup and labor.
Check the Insulation
You can improve your unit's efficiency by replacing damaged or rotted insulation around your outdoor AC lines. Here's how to do it yourself.
A Fin Comb Comes in Handy
Fin combs work perfectly for separating bent fins on a small room air conditioner. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands from getting cut!
Deep Clean with a Brush
Scrub crud off of a small room air conditioner using a plastic bristle brush and foam cleanser. Here are more tips for cleaning a small room air conditioner.
Time for a New Unit?
Don't just assume you can toss your old AC unit in the trash. There are likely rules about proper disposal in your city. Contact your local waste management organization to dispose of your AC unit properly.
Simple Way to Cool Your Garage
Don't let summer heat slow down your DIY projects. Keep cool in your garage workshop by installing a room air conditioner. It's easy to do yourself.
Find Air Leaks in Your Home
Close all the windows in the house, turn off all the fans and exhaust fans, and shut off the furnace. Light some incense and walk slowly around the outer walls of the house. Anywhere you notice the smoke blowing away from something or being sucked toward something, there's probably an air leak. Now that you've found it, seal it! Here's how. Here are more ways to improve energy efficiency in your home.
Why You Shouldn't Wrap Your Condenser
When it's time to pack up your home air conditioner condenser unit after the summer, cover it with weighted plywood. Don't wrap it with a tarp! Here's why.
Originally Published: July 13, 2018
