ELM Air Conditioning Corp.

Use & Care

Air Flow

• A dirty air filter will cause excessive strain on the compressor and blower motor. This can cause the components to overheat and automatically shut down.
• In the extreme case, the components will fail and need to be replaced. To avoid inefficient or failed operation of your unit, Check the filters every 3 to 4 weeks. Replace filters when necessary. If you have a electronic filter, clean the pre-filter every 4 weeks and wash cells in dishwasher every two months. If you have a Carrier or SpaceGard mechanical filter it must be changed every heating and every cooling season. Replacement filters are available at our office, or can be shipped by the case via UPS.
• Supply-Air and Return-Air Registers should not be blocked.
• Drapes, furniture, and toys are some of the items commonly found obstructing registers. Restricted airflow lessens the unit's efficiency and life span.

Outside Unit

• The outdoor unit must have unrestricted air-flow.
• Never cover the unit during the cooling season. Do not lean anything against it, or stand on it. Do not allow grass clippings, leaves, or other debris to accumulate around or on top of the unit. Maintain at least 6-inches minimum clearance between the outdoor unit and tall grass, vines, shrubs, etc. Please keep service doors free of trees, bushes, and obstacles, for ease of service.

Humidity

• Your air conditioner will remove humidity from your home during the cooling season.
• After the unit is operating for awhile you should see water dripping from the downspout if your air handler is in the attic or into the condensate pump if your coil is in the basement. On very humid days it is not unusual to see some condensation around the outside unit.

Operating Your A/C

The operation of your air conditioning system is controlled by the indoor thermostat. You simply adjust the thermostat and it maintains the indoor temperature at the level you select. Most thermostats have 3 controls: the temperature control selector, fan switch, and system switch. The temperature control selector is a dial, lever, or button that allows you to set the temperature that you wish to maintain for your personal comfort. There is no set temperature that will satisfy everyone so you should set it where you are most comfortable, but never, never below 68 degrees for air conditioning. Setting the thermostat below 68 degrees could ice the coil and create a water leak or damage the unit.

PLEASE NOTE: Most digital thermostats have built in time delays to protect the compressor. This delay can prevent the system from starting for up to 10 minutes. Many outdoor units also have this feature in their control circuit.

Indoor Fan

You may find that you can maintain greater personal comfort by running the fan continuously so that "air pockets" cannot form. Due to the structure of the house, placement of registers, etc., these air pockets may be too cool or too warm for your liking. Continuous fan operation minimizes any temperature differences. This function is extremely beneficial in homes with cathedral ceilings and skylights. Also, systems equipped with electronic air cleaners and/or humidifiers offer the added benefit of having the air continuously cleaned year-round, and humidified during the winter season.

Fan Position

The fan switch offers 2 options for controlling the blower, Auto and On. When set to auto, the blower will only run when the thermostat calls for cooling. When the fan switch is set to the on position, the blower will run continuously, even though the outside unit is not running.

Thermostat Settings

Typically, the system switch on your thermostat offers the following selections: cool, off, and for some, heat.. If the system switch is in the off position you still may use the fan to circulate the air in the house, by putting the fan switch to on. If the system switch is in the off position neither the heating or cooling will operate no matter where you set the temperature dial or lever. If you have a Programmable Thermostat you should never make the temperature change more than 3 degrees in the Air Conditioning Mode. More than 3 degrees will cost more in electricity than you can save, due to the longer recovery time. In the Heat Mode you can use an 8 degree set down and still save on the cost of operation.

Air Conditioning Running Excessively

When operating in the cooling cycle, your air conditioner will run until the indoor air temperature is lowered to the level you have selected. On extremely hot days, your air conditioner will run for longer periods of time and have shorter off periods than on moderate days.

Other Cost Factors

The following are typical conditions that add extra heat and/or humidity to your home and force your cooling unit to work longer to keep your home comfortable:

• entrance doors are frequently opened and closed.
• laundry appliances are being operated.
• more than the usual number of people are in the house.
• more than the normal number of electric lights are in use.
• drapes are open on the sunny side of the house.

BEFORE CALLING FOR SERVICE BE SURE TO CHECK THE FOLLOWING:

• Your Filters
• Thermostat is set at least 3 degrees below house temperature
• Your Circuit Breakers

SINCE WE INSTALL A TIME DELAY IN OUR UNITS, WHEN CHECKING CIRCUIT BREAKERS, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS:

• Turn system off.
• Switch circuit breaker off first to off and then back on.
• Turn system to cool and wait 10 minutes