Susan Nichol
CEO, Cold Craft

We have all heard “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” but there are a couple of things in the HVAC world that are right in front of our eyes and we just get used to them being there.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide detectors detect harmful levels carbon monoxide gas. These do not work like smoke detectors do.  Smoke detectors have a signal and sensor configuration and when the signal is blocked by smoke it alerts.

Fire sprinkler activation is based on heat – when it gets too hot  sprinklers are activated. However, Carbon Monoxide (CO)detectors are completely different as they test by ‘sniffing’ for carbon monoxide.  The carbon monoxide detectors are required in CA for multi-family residences and there is a verification for any mortgage transaction including refinancing to make sure that there is an active CO sensor.

These guidelines are a good start at protecting people but the carbon monoxide detector had a specific working life because it works on sniffing there is a cumulative effect to the sensor. When the usable life has passed, they are useless.  Many carbon monoxide detectors have a useful life of about 5-7 years.  Read the manufacture information to determine the usable life of your carbon monoxide detector.  Alarms after 2009 have an end of life notification on the label to alert the resident when it should be replaced. Since CA law from 2010 required CO detectors, most in dwellings that were not sold or refinanced likely have expired CO detectors.

Thermostats

Thermostats for your heating and cooling system have a lifespan too.  Some say replace them every 5 years others state 10 years.  The replacement is to help in a couple of instances.  Calibration is important.  If you are comfortable at a specific temperature and your thermostat is off by 3 degrees as humans we can tell it is not right.  It’s important to have the thermostat as accurate as possible. Another issue is energy efficiency.  New thermostats are really required for nicer HVAC equipment to operate at peak efficiency and to use all the stages of heating and cooling that the equipment was built for – also the type of fan.

There are several telltale indications when it is time to replace that thermostat.

• First about calibration, if the thermostat is registering the wrong temperature its likely time to replace it. Having it calibrated will likely cost more than the value of the ageing thermostat.
• Another sign might be that the HVAC system cycles on and off for no reason
• If you experience high energy bills and the thermostat can’t be adjusted to efficiently regulate the temperature it may be time. Sometimes the thermostat will call for heating and air conditioning at the same time. If the setting is not the issue, it might be time for replacement. (Check the settings first especially during the shoulder seasons, there needs to be a range of comfort, not to cool at 70 and heat at 69).
• If the temperature is not a consistent level throughout the house and it once was consistent, it could be the thermostat, but this can also be ductwork, or excessive weather outside. If the upstairs is hot in the summer, it might be that you may need a zoning system to be comfortable.  A heating and AC contractor appointment can help determine the issue.
• Of course, if the thermostat won’t turn on and there is a blank screen, and it isn’t the batteries you might need a new thermostat.

Frozen AC coil or wine cellar coil

When you see ice forming on the AC or wine cellar cooling coils (inside or outside) … DO NOT try to scrape it off!  I know that is our first inclination but the equipment that is freezing up is VERY delicate and removing the ice might damage the equipment and result in a costly repair (such as creating leaks in the system for refrigerant to escape).  Instead turn the cooling portion of the AC off and continue to run the fan.  It can then defrost.

This ice up will likely occur again, especially when the equipment has a bigger cooling job to do (like when it gets warmer out).  The best advice is to contact a professional when this happens – especially when it happens more than once.  You might find that if you wait for that warmer weather, you will be put in queue with everyone else, suffering in the heat.  The professional will be able to determine the cause and get a plan for repairing/replacing the equipment.  Don’t wait on this issue unless you want to wait without AC for a technician, or part.

There is something that you should be aware of and that is maintaining your equipment to keep them at tip top shape for when the extreme temperatures come. The HVAC equipment is likely the most expensive and most used of all of the residential equipment. If there should be a problem when you are in a maintenance agreement with Cold Craft, there is a lower hourly rate should repairs be needed and you get priority treatment. Now that’s a comfort knowing that we are here for you.

Cold Craft is the leader in HVAC R temperature control for heating, cooling and wine cellar refrigeration.  At Cold Craft, a full-service heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration company, the professionals can work with you to install and service wine cellar refrigeration, heat pumps, standard heating and AC to your exact needs.  Call us for heating, cooling and wine cellar refrigeration needs.

• Cold Craft, Inc
• Silicon Valley
• 408.374.7292
• www.coldcraft.com