As with all electrical devices, air conditioning units can only withstand a certain level of heat before suffering damage. In air conditioners, the most common problem this causes is blown fuses.

Understanding Why Fuses Blow

A fuse protects the electrical appliance on its circuit. If the device attempts to draw an amount of amps which is higher than it can handle safely, the fuse will blow and the amps will not reach the device.

On hot days, air conditioners work extra hard to attempt to compensate for the high temperature. This can lead to them attempting to draw a high amperage and blowing their fuse.

Checking for Blown Fuses

When a fuse blows from the air conditioner, it shuts down. A slight humming may come from the outside equipment, but it will do nothing else. Ensuring the problem is a blown fuse is most easily done with a voltmeter. To check for a blown fuse with a voltmeter:

1. Find the disconnect. This is usually a grey box mounted on an exterior wall of a home near the outdoor A/C unit.
2. Open the outer and inner disconnect coverings. This will expose the wiring of the disconnect. Remember that live electricity is running through this and be very cautious.
3. Zero-out the voltmeter. Ensure the voltmeter is functioning and reading zero volts (or infinity, depending upon the model).
4. Test the incoming voltage. There will be two sets of wires in the disconnect panel. One should be labeled “line” and the other “load.” The line wires carry incoming power and the load wires send it out. First, connect the voltmeters leads to the lugs connecting the two line wires. The voltmeter should read roughly 220-240 volts. This means power is coming as far as the fuses. If the voltmeter reads nothing on this side, the problem is not with the fuses.
5. Test the outgoing voltage. After testing the incoming wires, connect the voltmeter’s leads to the load wire’s lugs. If you have a zero volt reading, then you know you have a blown fuse. Otherwise, the problem is elsewhere.

How to Safely Replace Fuses

Fuses may be in the same area as the wiring or may be located in the “T” handle of the disconnect. Either way, pulling the handle is necessary to stop electricity from running through the fuses while replacing them. That only affects the load side, however. To stop electricity coming in the load side, someone must throw the circuit breaker connected to the A/C unit.

Removing the fuses once all the power is off can be done with bare hands or a pair of insulated pliers. New fuses (of the proper amperage) can just as easily be popped back in where the old ones were removed.

Blown fuses can be a hassle in hot summers, but they are easy to detect and fix. The fuses themselves can be removed and replaced with great ease, restoring the unit to working order. If you need assistance diagnosing or repairing a blown fuse, call Woodacre today.

A Guide to Finding and Replacing Blown Fuses
agreenwood

Summer is winding down, and soon people across the country will begin cranking up the heat. Every year around this time, people ask: How can I save on heating costs?

How to Save on Heating Costs

Here are a few simple but effective methods you may want to consider:

1) Plug holes in exterior walls:
Often times, pipe and cables entering your home will leave gaps around them that have been improperly filled. These gaps will allow air to flow in and out of the house, raising your heating costs. This can be fixed by filling in these gaps expanding foam.

2) Get a new thermostat:
A good way to save on heating costs during the colder months is by upgrading to a programmable thermostat. These thermostats can be set to lower the temperature when nobody is home, and to begin raising it before anyone gets home. This way, your home is always warm when you’re there, but you aren’t wasting money by running the heater when you’re gone. This strategy can also be utilized when you’re asleep.

3) Utilize Mother Nature:
Most people don’t think of this, but a good option for saving on heating costs is to utilize the sun’s heat. If you keep your windows open and allow sunlight to come into your house, you can run your heater less often and still keep your home warm.
4) Get new windows:
If you live in an older home with outdated windows, it is highly likely that a lot of heat is escaping through them. By upgrading to more energy-efficient windows, you will be able to keep heat trapped inside your house and save a lot of money on heating costs.
5) Get glass doors for your fireplace:
If your home has a chimney, a lot of heat is probably escaping your home through it. In order to rectify this and save a lot of money, install fitted glass doors in front of your fireplace and keep them closed whenever the fireplace is not in use.
6) Bundle up:
This suggestion is simple, yet effective. During the colder months, instead of running your heater all day, you can simply bundle up in warm winter clothes. When you’re lounging around the house, cover up with warm blankets! In order to make this easier for you and everyone in your home, keep blankets and coats stashed around the house so there is always one close by!
7) Don’t heat unused rooms:
If there are rooms in your home nobody ever uses, you can save a bunch on heating costs by sealing off the vents in those rooms and increasing energy efficiency throughout the rest of the house.
8) Invest in better insulation:
If you’re worried about heat escaping your home, you can buy inexpensive insulation from any local hardware store and cover up any areas you’re worried heat may be escaping from.
9) Buy a humidifier:
Have you ever been to the Deep South in the summer time? If you have, then you understand this suggestion. Humid air traps more heat, and increasing the humidity in your home will make your home feel a lot warmer for a much lower price!
For more information on energy-saving HVAC options, contact us today.

Don’t Go Broke Like Last Year: Save on Heating Costs the Easy Way
jbenbrook