_,'_,-u'_, Time to get air conditioners in ship-shape ti) Fall is the best time to do routine maintenance on your central air condi- tioning system, but few of us work well without some sense of urgency. Air conditioning is not uppermost in our minds in October and fortunately spring is almost as good a time to tend to the air conditioner. These warm days of snring brine the comfort of cooled air Better is a simple roof made out of a single sheet of plywood that sheds rain and snow but leaves the unit open to the drying effect of wind and sun. spring bring the comfort of cooled air into our consciousness. About the only attention a central air conditioning compressor unit (the one that sits outside the house) needs is pro- tection from winter weather. Experts have told me the plastic hoods that cover the whole unit are not best because they have a tendency to trap moisture inside, to the detriment of the met After removing the cover (plastic wood) from the unit remove the four so screws that hold the metal cowling I CALL TODAY FOR YOUR NEXT MOVE 338-9000 (mum nun-1%.:Im PM. Tidal-Why: In: a mph Ind-and hm " m VI In (em urhen, Kath: 01mm m-er duh can!" laps. Hulk nttT "-th lulu l MW.- .tear .trN. iuu.ottueseloser3grointstt.-i3tta_rirett. . - CG.INVIDIATA swam $593,000 Ideal hum we??? GGGiGlGitGGrue 3.1 WWIMWU he “with. tttttttgh"'?:,',',,';,',';';,,?,',"') mmlnmamhbp-n'm W oiotperdes2atrtrtra-rs _ CG. I?0TDIATA HARBOUR VIEW SLOAKWLLE or or or 338-9000 $9000 $349,900 coil The function of the coil is to transfer to the outside air the warmth the liquid inside it has picked up while passing through the coil inside the furnace duct. Notice the coil is made of copper pip- ing, which is an excellent conductor of heat, and it is attached to thin fins similar to those we see in a car radiator. Any dirt that accumulates on the sur- faces of the coil or the nns reduces its ability to transfer heat to the outside air. In fact, a few thousandths of a inch of dust or dirt can reduce its efficiency up to 15 per cent. That translates into more use of electricity and a shorter life for the compressor. So one of the most important parts of the maintenance exercise is to see that the coil and fins are squeaky clean. AND that you don't do anything during the course of your summer activities to dirty them. cover and lift it off. Inside you will see a rounded black compressor, very similar to those in refrigerators, a large fan and a condenser I), upgrades 73 PURSYTHE OAKVILIE 2111 BENMNmON' GATE OAKVIILE S159,900 The most obvious no-no is to pass close by the compressor unit with a lawn- mower discharging grass clippings against the unit. Another way you can assist the com- pressor is to remove any source of pollu- tion nearby, e.g. the exhaust from a clothes dryer. It should be at least six feet away to minimize the amount of lint that may get on the fins. Another unwanted obstruction to the free flow of air could be shrubs of flow- ers nearby. Ruthlessly trim them back at least three feet from the unit. To clean the coil, direct a strong jet of water from inside the unit across the coil. This will drive dust and dirt out through the fins so both coil and fins are clean. This method is effective because you are forcing the dirt out the way it came in when sucked in by the large fan whose job is to get lots of air passing over the coil and fins. Some models will have Around oil cups on the The furnace filters, however, are deliberately getting filthy both summer and winter (it's their job) as dusty air in the house passes through them and loads them up. The dirtier they get the less efficient the air movement, hence heating or cool- ing, will be. Change them every couple of months summer and winter. After replacing the cowling over the outside unit you can test the unit but ONLY if the outside air temperature is above 70 degrees F. Some units can be damaged if operated below that tempera- fan shaft. if yours does, add a few drops of light engine oil each spring, Now, you can think of any reason why you should not seasonally service your own air conditioning unit? It is simple, quick, and you will know it is done cor- rectly. ture Tl