Page 67 - KHovanian Homes - Pathway to Homeownership

Section 9 | Home Care & Maintenance Maintenance Guidelines • Air conditioning and heating units cannot be turned off during the day and then be expected to cool the home quickly when turned on late in the afternoon or early in the evening. A home and its furnishings absorb large quantities of heat or cold that must be removed. Typically, there is no savings in power by turning the heat or AC off during the day. Regardless of which thermostat you have, your heating and cooling system will not heat or cool your home any faster by setting the thermostat really high or really low. Set your thermostat at a level that is comfortable for you and leave it alone. Your systems will run more efficiently and you will reduce the chance of a breakdown. • Tomaximizeenergyefficiencyandminimizeutilitybills set the thermostat to a comfortable level, normally between 68°F to 71°F for heating, and between 76°F to 78°F for cooling, and leave it there. • Inthewintertimeitisestimatedthatforeverydegree that you lower the temperature, you will save 2-3 percent off your monthly utility bill. HVAC - AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM Air conditioning is a great addition to your home and can keep you cool during hot summer days. It is important to know that the system designed specifically for your home can only keep your home approximately 12 degrees cooler than the outside temperature. It should be noted that the level of humidity in your home will affect cooling efficiency. Your home air conditioning is a closed system which means that the interior air is continually recycled and cooled until the desired air temperature is reached. Warm outside air disrupts the system and makes cooling impossible. Therefore, you should keep all windows closed. The heat from the sun shining through windows with open drapes is intense enough to overcome the cooling effect of the air conditioning unit. For best results, close the drapes of these windows. Maintenance Guidelines • Keep the exterior condensing unit level and keep the area surrounding the unit clear to allow unimpaired airflow. • If your A/C unit freezes try the following: turn the selector switch from “Cool” to “Off” for a few minutes. Try “Cool” again and if the system does not operate normally switch from “Cool” to “Heat” for 15 minutes to defrost your system. Your unit should begin to operate normally. • During hot periods be aware that it can take your system up to 24 hours to properly cool your home. We recommend that you leave your unit on all the time instead of turning it on in the morning and off in the evening. Allowing your system to run continuously will actually result in lower operating costs. You will also have better humidity control and you will reduce the chance of system failure. • Because sunlight generates so much heat keep your doors and windows shut and keep shades drawn during the day to reduce the strain on your system. • While using your air conditioning system you may hear some popping or pinging sounds. These are normal and a natural result of ductwork cooling in response to air flow as the system operates. • Ifyoursystemfailstooperateafterturningitonatthe thermostat check the circuit breakers at the electrical panel box. Are they tripped? Reset if needed. Also, your system may have a secondary breaker box located above the exterior condensing unit. Check the fuses. Is the condensing unit free from debris, such as leaves? Plastic and other materials will also impede the system performance if they are placed over the unit. • Most HVAC systems have a full two-year (2) warranty and a limited five-year (5) manufacturer’s warranty. Please take a moment to read your manufacturer’s information. System Maintenance: • Keep debris and other materials away from the condensing unit. Do not plant bushes near the unit and be careful that dirt, leaves, and grass clippings are cleared away. Do not build a deck around or over the air conditioner unless there is an 18.0 inch clearance on the sides and a 6.0 foot minimum clearance on top. • The blower door panel must be positioned correctly for the furnace blower (fan) to operate. The door Edition July 2019 | 49