July 2, 2025 • 19 mins
Joseph Long from Relief Heating and Air joins us to discuss how to maintain your AC system during scorching Louisiana summers while keeping energy bills manageable. We explore maintenance essentials, temperature management strategies, and how to determine when it's time to repair versus replace your aging AC unit.
• Annual AC maintenance checks are crucial for maximum efficiency and preventing costly breakdowns
• Air filters should be changed monthly or bi-monthly, with standard pleated filters sufficient for most homes
• Setting thermostats between 75-78 degrees significantly reduces energy consumption
• Smart thermostats offer convenient temperature control and scheduling options
• Warning signs your AC needs attention: unusual noises, constant running, or requiring frequent repairs
• AC systems typically last 10-15 years before replacement becomes more economical than repairs
• Refrigerant should never need recharging unless there's a leak that needs repair
• Keep blinds closed during hot days and minimize opening doors to maintain cool temperatures
For AC service or maintenance in the Louisiana area, contact Relief Heating and Air at 225-244-0520. They offer $95 maintenance services to keep your system running efficiently.
Have an idea for a show or a question for Kim? Send us a text message
Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that focuses on how to use the money you have, make the money you need and save the money you want – brought to you by Neighbors Federal Credit Union.
The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that
focuses on how to use the moneyyou have, make the money you
need and save the money you want.
Now here is your host, ms Kim.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Chapman, welcome to another edition of Money Matters
.
Are you hot?
I'm definitely hot.
This Louisiana heat is stifling, but what can you do about it?
Is your AC?
Is it running all the time?
Are your energy bills throughthe roof?
Are you just at wit's endtrying to figure out what to do,
because turning off the AC isdefinitely not an option?
(00:34):
Well, today, joining me isJoseph Long with Relief, heating
and Air.
He's going to give us some tips.
He's going to help us out withthis AC unit issue.
Right, welcome, mr Lone.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Hi, how are you doing ?
Speaker 2 (00:47):
I am doing great, so it's so hot I don't think my
unit ever turns off, and so I'mafraid to look at that energy
bill.
So I hope today you can give ussome useful tips about what we
can do just to kind of keep theenergy bills down, maintain our
AC units, just so that we canget a lot of efficiency.
(01:08):
So you've got some goodinformation for us.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Yes, ma'am, I sure do .
Speaker 2 (01:11):
So give us a little information about you.
And Relief, heating and Air.
How did you even get into thisbusiness?
I mean, I imagine if you have awife, she loves you because she
never has to worry about cominghome and worrying about the AC
being off.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Yes, ma'am.
Well, it was something I wantedto start later on in life, but
it started a little bit earlierthan that.
I just kind of jumped in and doit myself.
I started out doing it straightout of high school, though, and
working for some refrigerationcompanies and some other smaller
AC companies as well, butwhenever I decided to make the
jump, it's something that it wasscary at first, but I think
(01:48):
it's well worth it in the end.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
But your house stays cold.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Oh, yes, ma'am.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Of course.
So let's talk about maintenance, because I'm sure it's
important.
Tell us how important is it tohave your AC unit maintenance.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
So what's important about having an AC unit
maintenance is going ahead andhaving it checked on a tune-up A
lot of times.
I find it dirty whenever Ifirst pull up to a house and do
my first tune-up on it, and it'sbeen neglected for X amount of
years and it just needs a full,deep clean to have it running at
(02:24):
its maximum efficiency.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
So what's really involved in that maintenance
checkup?
Speaker 3 (02:28):
So the first thing we usually do is we'll head into
the attic or into a closet space, wherever it's set up at.
We'll go ahead and check forany signs of air leaks.
Make sure there's no air leaks.
Make sure it's getting at itsmaximum efficiency throughout
your home.
We want to make sure that allthe wiring and all your
(02:51):
electrical components andeverything are all intact and
not messed up no burnt marks orno exposed wiring or anything
like that.
We want to make sure yourblower wheel is clean, just so
you don't have to deal withallergens or anything.
And we also make sure thateverything's running smoothly in
(03:11):
an attic or in a closet space,just because if things start
ramping down, sometimes it couldbe a struggle on coming down on
temperature.
The other thing we'll check isyour outside components and
everything too.
Um, you will have the outsideunit most likely dirty from a
lot of grass and stuff as well.
(03:32):
Um, and then also checkingmaking sure you have your air
filter changed out, and you wantto have those changed out
usually, hopefully, monthly orbi-monthly, and you kind of can
judge it upon yourself wheneverit mainly gets dirty.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
All right.
So how often should you haveyour AC unit maintenance?
Is that something yearly, oreven more frequently than that?
Speaker 3 (03:57):
It's typically more yearly.
You know we usually go aheadand have a spring or summer
check for the AC and we'llusually get into the whenever it
gets cooler outside during thefall and wintertime we'll go
ahead and do the heater checkand everything.
So we come out usually twice ayear for that.
What we expect every singletime we go to a tune-up is to
(04:20):
make sure that we're not dealingwith having to return back
until that following year.
But we can't control if there'sany hiccups in between.
So we go ahead and make surealso your pressures are good on
the system and everything too,because you shouldn't have a
loss of refrigerant pressures.
It should always stay withinrange.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
So let's talk about those hiccups.
What are some warning signsthat you're about to have a
problem with your AC or we needto have you come back out and
look at it again?
Speaker 3 (04:52):
So a hiccup you have on AC is like I can check if a
condenser fan motor is going bador blower motor might be going
bad.
I can tell you, keep an eye onit for a while.
Or it's your choice if you wantto go ahead and change it out
at that time, or it's yourchoice if you want to go ahead
and change it out at that time.
Um, but if it's doing fine atthe time, sometimes that heat
can really do some damage to it.
(05:13):
Also, uh, some capacitors I'veseen swell up, even though
they'll check out good.
Um, also, if you go ahead andlet's say, there is a leak from
a vibration or something, uh,over time on how age that coil
might be in the attic or maybesomewhere down the line, if
something happens outside and itjust springs a leak somewhere
(05:36):
for the refrigerant, then I willhave to come back out and nest
whenever those hiccups mighthappen.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
All right.
So what are some of the do'sand don'ts?
What are some of the thingsthat, as consumers or homeowners
, that we're doing wrong, thatwe could be contributing to the
downfall of our AC unit?
Speaker 3 (05:52):
So I would think the main thing is making sure the
filters are changed and makingsure you stay on top of it as
best as you can.
I know a lot of people tend toforget about it, to forget about
it um.
And then also, whenever it islike I was saying, um, around
the summertime area, you will goahead and have, you know,
(06:18):
people cutting grass and stufflike that for the outside unit.
Just try to cut away from thegrass.
Or if you have a lawn care guy,just make sure they're cutting
away from the grass and it kindof eliminates that uh area where
it will have a chance of havinga whole bunch of buildup of
debris in your condenser and itwill help it not struggle as
much on cooling down.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
So you talked about AC filters.
Now I've been to Walmart onthat aisle and it's just rows
and rows of filters as little as$2 and then up to $25, $30.
Of course I thought I was doingthe right thing and I was
buying the expensive one, allwhite and pretty and thick.
And I had an AC guy.
Tell me this 99 cent, one willdo.
What do you say about filters?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
So I say use it to your own perspective.
Some AC filters are notdesigned to be in every system.
Some of them say they protectfrom allergens, bacteria and
everything, but it reallydepends on the thickness the
thickness.
You don't want to wear out yourACE system at all.
That's why I say it's better tochange it out if you're going
(07:20):
to do it monthly or bimonthly.
They say every three months,but it typically ranges
depending on how dirty and howfast it gets.
I normally stay with theregular pleated filters, and I
mean it doesn't have anythingspecial to them at all.
It's just to protect you fromthat dust and debris getting
(07:41):
into the system and protectingyou from allergens.
Already A lot of people wouldget those like like little mesh
filters, the cheap ones, 99 centones, and those work out fine
too.
You just got to make sure youkeep them changed out more
frequently and make sure there'snothing getting past that.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
So I got a question.
If you change it because I'llchange mine Sometimes.
I try and do it monthly, justkind of depends on if the mind
is working and I remember.
But most of the time when Ichange mine I don't see anything
on it.
I don't see any dust.
So is that an indication?
Should I leave it in a littlebit longer, or is it good to
just change it regardless?
Speaker 3 (08:18):
So typically I would say this If you hold it up right
next to a new one versus theone that's already been in there
and you see a slight little bitof change in color in it, I
would go ahead and just replaceit anyway, because you're really
protecting yourself fromallergies more than anything at
that point.
If it's not that clean evenafter a month, then I would go
(08:40):
ahead and think about replacingit All right.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
So with the stifling temperatures you know we can't
keep our air set at a certaintemperature.
It just seems like it runs allday.
What is the best thing tomaintenance your AC?
Because I can remember twoyears ago when we had those
triple digits.
You know, for days and days ina row it just seems like it may
be 9, 10 o'clock at night beforeyou could get your AC to really
(09:06):
shut off.
Is that doing your AC harm byletting it run all day?
What do you recommend we do tocombat these stifling
temperatures?
Speaker 3 (09:14):
So I would go ahead and set your temperatures
between 75 to 78 degrees 78?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
I know it's a lot If you go ahead and have it at that
high and then, whenever you'reabout to come home, they even
have Wi-Fi thermostats.
You can go ahead and getinstalled if you wanted to
nowadays, and you can actuallyset it where you want it to, and
then by the time you get homeit should be cooled down to that
(09:42):
temperature.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
I will say, in terms of technology, that is the best
purchase I think I've made inthe last year or two.
I absolutely love it,especially ladies.
I'll just throw this out thereIf you go to sleep, you're hot,
then you're cold, then you'rehot, then you're cold, you can
control it from your phone, youcan turn it back on, you can
turn it back off Best purchaseever.
So since we're saying that, isthere any particular remote or
(10:08):
digital or Bluetooth device thatyou recommend?
Speaker 3 (10:11):
I've been seeing a lot of people wanting the
Honeywell home thermostats.
Usually they'll buy it onlineand ask me to come install it.
It definitely is sometimes alittle bit cheaper than going
ahead and getting the company togo ahead and buy the
thermostats and themselves,because the upcharge is on them
and everything, so it does helpsave a little bit of money yeah,
I tell you I absolutely love it.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
But I do have to ask am I doing any harm?
Because sometimes I feel like alittle kid.
One minute I'm like, oh, up twodegrees three, which I know I
wouldn't do if I had toliterally get up out the bed and
go and turn it off and on.
It would would stay at onetemperature.
But because I have access to it, am I doing any harm to my unit
?
Because maybe one minute I'm up, the next minute I'm down?
Speaker 3 (10:55):
I would go ahead and try to regulate it as best as
you can and not try to mess withit as much.
There is also set schedules youcan put on your thermostats as
well.
Some thermostats have a setschedule where you don't even
have to touch it at all, so itkind of helps out where you
(11:15):
don't even have to really worryabout even what the temperature
is in your house.
You know it's going to be thattemperature and whenever you do
have that problem, you knowwhenever it's time to call All
right.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
So he gave us the devastating news of trying to
keep that AC set at about maybe78 degrees.
I'm going to have to reallythink about that one.
But what are some things thatmaybe we can do in addition to
that to help keep the home coolso that we're not working that
unit so?
Speaker 3 (11:41):
much.
I would go ahead and just tryto.
I know a lot of people like thewindows open during the day and
everything.
I would try to eliminate that alittle bit.
Just because I mean, we're inLouisiana, it's a lot of heat
coming through those windows.
So just try to keep thoseblinds and curtains closed a
little bit more.
Just make sure you don't have alot of traffic going in and out
(12:08):
and keeping the door open allthe time.
You want to keep it closed asmuch as possible.
You want to also make sureeverything is staying up to date
on your system and you'rehaving those yearly checks,
because if you don't have thoseyearly checks, nine times out of
ten you're going to wind upwith a problem.
I go to a lot of people'shouses for tune-ups and
everything and I'll go there.
Let's say, if they do have ahiccup on their system, I'll go
(12:30):
there months later and theydon't have a problem.
They say that it's much cooler.
They got to even run thetemperature a little bit higher
because of how cool it feels intheir home.
They also have Some people thatI don't even have to see until
that following year to do an ACcheck on it.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Now I know that AC units are not the most
inexpensive item that you canpurchase, so how can you
determine at your AC it's timeto replace it, versus putting a
Band-Aid on it?
Speaker 3 (13:09):
band-aid on it.
So at that point where youwould see that you need ac
replacement, then keep onrepairing.
It is if I come out there every, let's say, week or two and
something's going on, or likeevery few months and something's
going on.
You know it's getting to thatpoint.
You might hear noise changes inyour system.
It might sound a little louder,a little rough whenever it
starts up or stops.
Um, you might seem like it isrunning all day.
(13:32):
Um, that's due to agedepreciation and everything too.
Um, then you will also have itto where you're spending more
out of your pocket where, assoon as you use all that money
to spend on repairs, you couldalready probably had another ac
system installed.
Um, typically they range fromabout 10 to 15 years.
(13:54):
Now I know they used to be with.
The older system is used tosurvive 20 to 25 years somewhere
around there.
Um, now all these systems comewith warranties and stuff like
that, so it really really helpsout on money costs.
So the most effective partyou're going to have is going to
(14:15):
be coming from the parts.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
So I want to ask you a question in terms of home
warranties.
I know there are a lot ofdifferent companies out there.
I get different reviews.
Some people say, oh, I love myhome warranty company, and I
have people that say you know,it's worthless, it's a piece of
trash.
They never fix anything.
What is your take on homewarranties?
You know, in terms of whenyou've had to go out to see
(14:38):
clients, have you had anysuccess?
Are you better off just payingfor it yourself?
Speaker 3 (14:44):
I didn't really have any success with home warranties
too too much.
I've had some customers.
They usually try to use homewarranties, but I offer them.
You know it's better to goahead.
If you're going to go ahead andreplace something and try to
offer a home warranty, you mightas well go ahead and get just
your system replaced and youhave a warranty on your system.
(15:04):
Typically, systems come with10-year warranties.
Now go ahead and get you justyour system replaced and you
have a warranty on your system.
Um, typically systems come with10-year warranties.
Now if it goes ahead and isregistered whether you're
registering it or the company isregistering it that's
installing it for you um, but Ithey even have some of them that
are even 15 years on certainparts in their systems as well.
(15:25):
So I mean you really can taketheir pick on it, but they don't
really help out too too much.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
So I know that this is your busiest time of the year
, but I have to ask thisconspiracy question why is it
that it seems like the AC alwaysbreaks on Friday, saturday or
Sunday?
Do you find that that's yourbusiest days?
Speaker 3 (15:48):
I find that that is my busiest days, that's for sure
.
I feel like it's just becausepeople are just out at work most
of the time and then they'renot really focused on it as much
.
So whenever they're at home andfinally relaxing, they just
seem like the temperature is notgetting down to what it needs
to be at, and that's wheneverthey try to really call somebody
out to get somebody to fixsomething, and then sometimes
(16:10):
it's depending on the heat.
It's not really what's wrongwith your system, it's just
trying to cool down and it'sjust the heat that's happening,
because I know we've been havinga bad heat index in Louisiana
here lately.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
When don't we have a bad heat index Two days in
January?
That's probably about it.
Oh my God, it's just been so,so hot I almost lost my train of
thought.
So when we're talking aboutrefrigerants, let's talk a
little bit about that.
How often, if you don't have aleak just assuming you've got a
perfectly good working unit Iimagine the Freon runs out
(16:46):
regardless.
Like, how often should youexpect to need to have
refrigerant replaced in yourunit?
Speaker 3 (16:53):
So the only time you should have a refrigerant
replacing your unit is if we'regoing ahead and changing out a
coil or compressor or anythinglike that messing with the
refrigeration system.
You should never have to goahead and recharge your system
up.
If you have to recharge yoursystem up nine times out of ten,
you have to look for that leakand you have to find it to get
(17:15):
it replaced.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Is there anything in particular that causes leaks
that we could do to prevent that?
Speaker 3 (17:22):
Not really too much.
A lot of it's just wear andtear over time and just off a
vibration of the system wheneverit's up and running and it
could have weak joints oranything.
That's why they have warranties.
I mean it can be something evenas simple as from the factory
and the joints are not justwelded together real well.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Well, good information.
Any final tips that you want tobe able to give to our
consumers in terms of how we canbeat the heat, how we can
decrease our energy bills?
Speaker 3 (17:55):
I would just say go ahead and keep up with your
system and make sure it'schecked yearly and that your
filter stays changed out monthlyor bimonthly.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
All right and, of course, if they need more
information, if they want tohave you come out and check out
their system, go ahead and do aplug for relief.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
All right, you can go ahead and tune in and call us
at 225-244-0520.
And we offer $95 maintenanceand we can also do any kind of
blower wheel cleanings oranything for you and we can
service, do any kind of blowerwheel cleanings or anything for
you and we can service all yourneeds.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
All right, well, mr Long, thank you so much.
I don't know if I can do that78 degrees, but I'll definitely
make sure I'll change thefilters.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
Yes ma'am.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Thank you for coming.
Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
It's time for Blueprint Building Blocks Small
changes that lead to bigfinancial wins.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
Let's stack up for success.
Check and replace your airfilters.
Dirty filters strain yoursystem and they can actually
increase your utility bill.
Adjust your thermostat settingswhen you're away.
You heard it here somewherebetween 72 and 78 degrees is
ideal, and then clear debrisaround your outdoor unit.
Keep leaves, grass and dirtaway to ensure an efficient
(19:14):
airflow.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
That's a wrap on today's Blueprint Building
Blocks.
Stay on track with yourfinancial journey.
Subscribe to the Money Matterspodcast and visit
neighborsfcuorg slash financialwellness for more tools to help
you build a strong financialfuture.
Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that
focuses on how to use the moneyyou have, make the money you
need and save the money you want.
Now here is your host, ms Kim.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Chapman, welcome to another edition of Money Matters
.
Are you hot?
I'm definitely hot.
This Louisiana heat is stifling, but what can you do about it?
Is your AC?
Is it running all the time?
Are your energy bills throughthe roof?
Are you just at wit's endtrying to figure out what to do,
because turning off the AC isdefinitely not an option?
(00:34):
Well, today, joining me isJoseph Long with Relief, heating
and Air.
He's going to give us some tips.
He's going to help us out withthis AC unit issue.
Right, welcome, mr Lone.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Hi, how are you doing ?
Speaker 2 (00:47):
I am doing great, so it's so hot I don't think my
unit ever turns off, and so I'mafraid to look at that energy
bill.
So I hope today you can give ussome useful tips about what we
can do just to kind of keep theenergy bills down, maintain our
AC units, just so that we canget a lot of efficiency.
(01:08):
So you've got some goodinformation for us.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Yes, ma'am, I sure do .
Speaker 2 (01:11):
So give us a little information about you.
And Relief, heating and Air.
How did you even get into thisbusiness?
I mean, I imagine if you have awife, she loves you because she
never has to worry about cominghome and worrying about the AC
being off.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Yes, ma'am.
Well, it was something I wantedto start later on in life, but
it started a little bit earlierthan that.
I just kind of jumped in and doit myself.
I started out doing it straightout of high school, though, and
working for some refrigerationcompanies and some other smaller
AC companies as well, butwhenever I decided to make the
jump, it's something that it wasscary at first, but I think
(01:48):
it's well worth it in the end.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
But your house stays cold.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Oh, yes, ma'am.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Of course.
So let's talk about maintenance, because I'm sure it's
important.
Tell us how important is it tohave your AC unit maintenance.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
So what's important about having an AC unit
maintenance is going ahead andhaving it checked on a tune-up A
lot of times.
I find it dirty whenever Ifirst pull up to a house and do
my first tune-up on it, and it'sbeen neglected for X amount of
years and it just needs a full,deep clean to have it running at
(02:24):
its maximum efficiency.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
So what's really involved in that maintenance
checkup?
Speaker 3 (02:28):
So the first thing we usually do is we'll head into
the attic or into a closet space, wherever it's set up at.
We'll go ahead and check forany signs of air leaks.
Make sure there's no air leaks.
Make sure it's getting at itsmaximum efficiency throughout
your home.
We want to make sure that allthe wiring and all your
(02:51):
electrical components andeverything are all intact and
not messed up no burnt marks orno exposed wiring or anything
like that.
We want to make sure yourblower wheel is clean, just so
you don't have to deal withallergens or anything.
And we also make sure thateverything's running smoothly in
(03:11):
an attic or in a closet space,just because if things start
ramping down, sometimes it couldbe a struggle on coming down on
temperature.
The other thing we'll check isyour outside components and
everything too.
Um, you will have the outsideunit most likely dirty from a
lot of grass and stuff as well.
(03:32):
Um, and then also checkingmaking sure you have your air
filter changed out, and you wantto have those changed out
usually, hopefully, monthly orbi-monthly, and you kind of can
judge it upon yourself wheneverit mainly gets dirty.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
All right.
So how often should you haveyour AC unit maintenance?
Is that something yearly, oreven more frequently than that?
Speaker 3 (03:57):
It's typically more yearly.
You know we usually go aheadand have a spring or summer
check for the AC and we'llusually get into the whenever it
gets cooler outside during thefall and wintertime we'll go
ahead and do the heater checkand everything.
So we come out usually twice ayear for that.
What we expect every singletime we go to a tune-up is to
(04:20):
make sure that we're not dealingwith having to return back
until that following year.
But we can't control if there'sany hiccups in between.
So we go ahead and make surealso your pressures are good on
the system and everything too,because you shouldn't have a
loss of refrigerant pressures.
It should always stay withinrange.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
So let's talk about those hiccups.
What are some warning signsthat you're about to have a
problem with your AC or we needto have you come back out and
look at it again?
Speaker 3 (04:52):
So a hiccup you have on AC is like I can check if a
condenser fan motor is going bador blower motor might be going
bad.
I can tell you, keep an eye onit for a while.
Or it's your choice if you wantto go ahead and change it out
at that time, or it's yourchoice if you want to go ahead
and change it out at that time.
Um, but if it's doing fine atthe time, sometimes that heat
can really do some damage to it.
(05:13):
Also, uh, some capacitors I'veseen swell up, even though
they'll check out good.
Um, also, if you go ahead andlet's say, there is a leak from
a vibration or something, uh,over time on how age that coil
might be in the attic or maybesomewhere down the line, if
something happens outside and itjust springs a leak somewhere
(05:36):
for the refrigerant, then I willhave to come back out and nest
whenever those hiccups mighthappen.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
All right.
So what are some of the do'sand don'ts?
What are some of the thingsthat, as consumers or homeowners
, that we're doing wrong, thatwe could be contributing to the
downfall of our AC unit?
Speaker 3 (05:52):
So I would think the main thing is making sure the
filters are changed and makingsure you stay on top of it as
best as you can.
I know a lot of people tend toforget about it, to forget about
it um.
And then also, whenever it islike I was saying, um, around
the summertime area, you will goahead and have, you know,
(06:18):
people cutting grass and stufflike that for the outside unit.
Just try to cut away from thegrass.
Or if you have a lawn care guy,just make sure they're cutting
away from the grass and it kindof eliminates that uh area where
it will have a chance of havinga whole bunch of buildup of
debris in your condenser and itwill help it not struggle as
much on cooling down.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
So you talked about AC filters.
Now I've been to Walmart onthat aisle and it's just rows
and rows of filters as little as$2 and then up to $25, $30.
Of course I thought I was doingthe right thing and I was
buying the expensive one, allwhite and pretty and thick.
And I had an AC guy.
Tell me this 99 cent, one willdo.
What do you say about filters?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
So I say use it to your own perspective.
Some AC filters are notdesigned to be in every system.
Some of them say they protectfrom allergens, bacteria and
everything, but it reallydepends on the thickness the
thickness.
You don't want to wear out yourACE system at all.
That's why I say it's better tochange it out if you're going
(07:20):
to do it monthly or bimonthly.
They say every three months,but it typically ranges
depending on how dirty and howfast it gets.
I normally stay with theregular pleated filters, and I
mean it doesn't have anythingspecial to them at all.
It's just to protect you fromthat dust and debris getting
(07:41):
into the system and protectingyou from allergens.
Already A lot of people wouldget those like like little mesh
filters, the cheap ones, 99 centones, and those work out fine
too.
You just got to make sure youkeep them changed out more
frequently and make sure there'snothing getting past that.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
So I got a question.
If you change it because I'llchange mine Sometimes.
I try and do it monthly, justkind of depends on if the mind
is working and I remember.
But most of the time when Ichange mine I don't see anything
on it.
I don't see any dust.
So is that an indication?
Should I leave it in a littlebit longer, or is it good to
just change it regardless?
Speaker 3 (08:18):
So typically I would say this If you hold it up right
next to a new one versus theone that's already been in there
and you see a slight little bitof change in color in it, I
would go ahead and just replaceit anyway, because you're really
protecting yourself fromallergies more than anything at
that point.
If it's not that clean evenafter a month, then I would go
(08:40):
ahead and think about replacingit All right.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
So with the stifling temperatures you know we can't
keep our air set at a certaintemperature.
It just seems like it runs allday.
What is the best thing tomaintenance your AC?
Because I can remember twoyears ago when we had those
triple digits.
You know, for days and days ina row it just seems like it may
be 9, 10 o'clock at night beforeyou could get your AC to really
(09:06):
shut off.
Is that doing your AC harm byletting it run all day?
What do you recommend we do tocombat these stifling
temperatures?
Speaker 3 (09:14):
So I would go ahead and set your temperatures
between 75 to 78 degrees 78?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
I know it's a lot If you go ahead and have it at that
high and then, whenever you'reabout to come home, they even
have Wi-Fi thermostats.
You can go ahead and getinstalled if you wanted to
nowadays, and you can actuallyset it where you want it to, and
then by the time you get homeit should be cooled down to that
(09:42):
temperature.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
I will say, in terms of technology, that is the best
purchase I think I've made inthe last year or two.
I absolutely love it,especially ladies.
I'll just throw this out thereIf you go to sleep, you're hot,
then you're cold, then you'rehot, then you're cold, you can
control it from your phone, youcan turn it back on, you can
turn it back off Best purchaseever.
So since we're saying that, isthere any particular remote or
(10:08):
digital or Bluetooth device thatyou recommend?
Speaker 3 (10:11):
I've been seeing a lot of people wanting the
Honeywell home thermostats.
Usually they'll buy it onlineand ask me to come install it.
It definitely is sometimes alittle bit cheaper than going
ahead and getting the company togo ahead and buy the
thermostats and themselves,because the upcharge is on them
and everything, so it does helpsave a little bit of money yeah,
I tell you I absolutely love it.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
But I do have to ask am I doing any harm?
Because sometimes I feel like alittle kid.
One minute I'm like, oh, up twodegrees three, which I know I
wouldn't do if I had toliterally get up out the bed and
go and turn it off and on.
It would would stay at onetemperature.
But because I have access to it, am I doing any harm to my unit
?
Because maybe one minute I'm up, the next minute I'm down?
Speaker 3 (10:55):
I would go ahead and try to regulate it as best as
you can and not try to mess withit as much.
There is also set schedules youcan put on your thermostats as
well.
Some thermostats have a setschedule where you don't even
have to touch it at all, so itkind of helps out where you
(11:15):
don't even have to really worryabout even what the temperature
is in your house.
You know it's going to be thattemperature and whenever you do
have that problem, you knowwhenever it's time to call All
right.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
So he gave us the devastating news of trying to
keep that AC set at about maybe78 degrees.
I'm going to have to reallythink about that one.
But what are some things thatmaybe we can do in addition to
that to help keep the home coolso that we're not working that
unit so?
Speaker 3 (11:41):
much.
I would go ahead and just tryto.
I know a lot of people like thewindows open during the day and
everything.
I would try to eliminate that alittle bit.
Just because I mean, we're inLouisiana, it's a lot of heat
coming through those windows.
So just try to keep thoseblinds and curtains closed a
little bit more.
Just make sure you don't have alot of traffic going in and out
(12:08):
and keeping the door open allthe time.
You want to keep it closed asmuch as possible.
You want to also make sureeverything is staying up to date
on your system and you'rehaving those yearly checks,
because if you don't have thoseyearly checks, nine times out of
ten you're going to wind upwith a problem.
I go to a lot of people'shouses for tune-ups and
everything and I'll go there.
Let's say, if they do have ahiccup on their system, I'll go
(12:30):
there months later and theydon't have a problem.
They say that it's much cooler.
They got to even run thetemperature a little bit higher
because of how cool it feels intheir home.
They also have Some people thatI don't even have to see until
that following year to do an ACcheck on it.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Now I know that AC units are not the most
inexpensive item that you canpurchase, so how can you
determine at your AC it's timeto replace it, versus putting a
Band-Aid on it?
Speaker 3 (13:09):
band-aid on it.
So at that point where youwould see that you need ac
replacement, then keep onrepairing.
It is if I come out there every, let's say, week or two and
something's going on, or likeevery few months and something's
going on.
You know it's getting to thatpoint.
You might hear noise changes inyour system.
It might sound a little louder,a little rough whenever it
starts up or stops.
Um, you might seem like it isrunning all day.
(13:32):
Um, that's due to agedepreciation and everything too.
Um, then you will also have itto where you're spending more
out of your pocket where, assoon as you use all that money
to spend on repairs, you couldalready probably had another ac
system installed.
Um, typically they range fromabout 10 to 15 years.
(13:54):
Now I know they used to be with.
The older system is used tosurvive 20 to 25 years somewhere
around there.
Um, now all these systems comewith warranties and stuff like
that, so it really really helpsout on money costs.
So the most effective partyou're going to have is going to
(14:15):
be coming from the parts.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
So I want to ask you a question in terms of home
warranties.
I know there are a lot ofdifferent companies out there.
I get different reviews.
Some people say, oh, I love myhome warranty company, and I
have people that say you know,it's worthless, it's a piece of
trash.
They never fix anything.
What is your take on homewarranties?
You know, in terms of whenyou've had to go out to see
(14:38):
clients, have you had anysuccess?
Are you better off just payingfor it yourself?
Speaker 3 (14:44):
I didn't really have any success with home warranties
too too much.
I've had some customers.
They usually try to use homewarranties, but I offer them.
You know it's better to goahead.
If you're going to go ahead andreplace something and try to
offer a home warranty, you mightas well go ahead and get just
your system replaced and youhave a warranty on your system.
(15:04):
Typically, systems come with10-year warranties.
Now go ahead and get you justyour system replaced and you
have a warranty on your system.
Um, typically systems come with10-year warranties.
Now if it goes ahead and isregistered whether you're
registering it or the company isregistering it that's
installing it for you um, but Ithey even have some of them that
are even 15 years on certainparts in their systems as well.
(15:25):
So I mean you really can taketheir pick on it, but they don't
really help out too too much.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
So I know that this is your busiest time of the year
, but I have to ask thisconspiracy question why is it
that it seems like the AC alwaysbreaks on Friday, saturday or
Sunday?
Do you find that that's yourbusiest days?
Speaker 3 (15:48):
I find that that is my busiest days, that's for sure
.
I feel like it's just becausepeople are just out at work most
of the time and then they'renot really focused on it as much
.
So whenever they're at home andfinally relaxing, they just
seem like the temperature is notgetting down to what it needs
to be at, and that's wheneverthey try to really call somebody
out to get somebody to fixsomething, and then sometimes
(16:10):
it's depending on the heat.
It's not really what's wrongwith your system, it's just
trying to cool down and it'sjust the heat that's happening,
because I know we've been havinga bad heat index in Louisiana
here lately.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
When don't we have a bad heat index Two days in
January?
That's probably about it.
Oh my God, it's just been so,so hot I almost lost my train of
thought.
So when we're talking aboutrefrigerants, let's talk a
little bit about that.
How often, if you don't have aleak just assuming you've got a
perfectly good working unit Iimagine the Freon runs out
(16:46):
regardless.
Like, how often should youexpect to need to have
refrigerant replaced in yourunit?
Speaker 3 (16:53):
So the only time you should have a refrigerant
replacing your unit is if we'regoing ahead and changing out a
coil or compressor or anythinglike that messing with the
refrigeration system.
You should never have to goahead and recharge your system
up.
If you have to recharge yoursystem up nine times out of ten,
you have to look for that leakand you have to find it to get
(17:15):
it replaced.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Is there anything in particular that causes leaks
that we could do to prevent that?
Speaker 3 (17:22):
Not really too much.
A lot of it's just wear andtear over time and just off a
vibration of the system wheneverit's up and running and it
could have weak joints oranything.
That's why they have warranties.
I mean it can be something evenas simple as from the factory
and the joints are not justwelded together real well.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Well, good information.
Any final tips that you want tobe able to give to our
consumers in terms of how we canbeat the heat, how we can
decrease our energy bills?
Speaker 3 (17:55):
I would just say go ahead and keep up with your
system and make sure it'schecked yearly and that your
filter stays changed out monthlyor bimonthly.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
All right and, of course, if they need more
information, if they want tohave you come out and check out
their system, go ahead and do aplug for relief.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
All right, you can go ahead and tune in and call us
at 225-244-0520.
And we offer $95 maintenanceand we can also do any kind of
blower wheel cleanings oranything for you and we can
service, do any kind of blowerwheel cleanings or anything for
you and we can service all yourneeds.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
All right, well, mr Long, thank you so much.
I don't know if I can do that78 degrees, but I'll definitely
make sure I'll change thefilters.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
Yes ma'am.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Thank you for coming.
Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
It's time for Blueprint Building Blocks Small
changes that lead to bigfinancial wins.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
Let's stack up for success.
Check and replace your airfilters.
Dirty filters strain yoursystem and they can actually
increase your utility bill.
Adjust your thermostat settingswhen you're away.
You heard it here somewherebetween 72 and 78 degrees is
ideal, and then clear debrisaround your outdoor unit.
Keep leaves, grass and dirtaway to ensure an efficient
(19:14):
airflow.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
That's a wrap on today's Blueprint Building
Blocks.
Stay on track with yourfinancial journey.
Subscribe to the Money Matterspodcast and visit
neighborsfcuorg slash financialwellness for more tools to help
you build a strong financialfuture.
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