Tag Archives: AC Unit

Central Air Conditioner

There are several facets of a central air conditioner when it comes to its impact on efficiency and more importantly, the size of the unit. The type of insulation you have in place and the height of the ceiling can also plays an integral part to the extent of how your home is cooled.

Technical Ranting

Many HVAC technicians often tend to go off on technical ranting if you were to ask the question: “Why is it so important to have the right size air conditioner unit?” They may want to explain R values and load calculations, which you can understand is the precise details that they received in training. However, most homeowners and business owner will want to hear the explanation in layman terms instead of the technicalities.

Size Matters

It is safe to say that the size of your air conditioner does matter. Bigger does not mean that it will be better. This has always been the common misconception by many outside of the HVAC field. It is not conventional wisdom either to think that if a 3 ton A/C unit works well, the 4 ton A/C unit could do the same. Of course, this concept was on the basis of the older central A/C units that were used in the 1980s. These air conditioners used up a lot of energy, even though, they had the capacity to cool a large arena in fifteen minutes. One thing to remember is that during those years, electricity was cheaper than it is today. In addition, there was minimal insulation at the time too.

Energy Efficiency

Today, there is a heavy reliance on energy efficiency in the modern central AC units, which operate in cycles as it slowly and steadily lowers the temperature in the home. It is no longer necessary to rapidly run your air conditioner in cycles. If you purchase an air conditioning system that is overly big for the house, then it is going to operate in the same efficiency as did older systems in the 1980s. It will quickly turn on and cool the house at the same space and then it will shut off. Yes, the house will still be cool, but soon after, heat will infiltrate the house because the air conditioner was not able to finish the full cycle that it was specifically designed for. For that reason, you would have to turn it on again, which is what will increase your electric bill.

Smaller A/C

If the AC unit is too small, then it will constantly run as it tries to get caught up with where it should actually be. Again, you will have a cool house, but not to the capacity that your AC unit was meant to cool the entire home.  More importantly, it will be more difficult to cool the whole house and your energy efficiency will be reduced.

Conclusion

With the appropriate sized air conditioner, you can guarantee that the entire cycle will run, ultimately cooling your house and improving efficiency. In the summer months, the right central air conditioner unit size is extra important. Speak to your local HVAC contractor to find out which size would best suit your home or business.

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Air Conditioner

Air conditioner units are considered closed cycle system because of the condensation of coolant that transforms to liquid, forcing coolant to expand and then vaporize, after which it uses heat from its transfer coils to pump into the cooling tower. Subsequently, it re-condenses and passes through the same closed cycle system again.

The Vaporization

When vaporization of the coolant takes place, it does one of two things:

1. Absorbs the necessary heat for vaporization
2. Changes its pressure to the energy that is needed

As the air begins to cool, humidity lessens, but whatever humidity comes from the air will condense on the coils, considerably cooling the air in multiple ways:

• The coils get cold and so the air becomes cool
• The condensed water and the air combine to provide generated heat, which condenses the water

For that reason, the water gains additional thermal mass more than the air that remains. The additional thermal mass energy is eliminated from the coils in the water.

Leaking AC

Whenever you notice water leaking from your AC unit, you shouldn’t assume that the unit is operating at its full capacity. There is several times that water leaking from the HVAC system will reveal that some of the elements in the air conditioner unit may be broken or has a malfunction. To avoid a high air conditioning repair bill, you must either have an AC maintenance service in place or watch to see when problems arise, which is never easy.

Leaking Condensation

It is possible that on a very hot day, the air conditioning unit in your home will continue to run throughout the day to keep the home and its occupants comfortable. If you see water leaking out of the AC unit after running your AC for long periods of time, the leakage is normal. It means that the air conditioner unit is experiencing condensation as a result of the evaporator coils being excessively used, dehumidifying the air inside the home as it is supposed to do. As the humidity is reduced, dryer and cooler temperature is pumped out, circulating the interior of the home. On days where the temperature is really high, it will also increase condensation, resulting in an overflow inside the drain pan. When this happens too often, you may want to call a HVAC contractor for help.

Conclusion

If your AC filter is clogged with dust, small particles or debris, it may also restrict the air flow inside the home. Overtime, this can build up and make it even worse. Filters have to be changed on a regular basis. It may be best to have air conditioning maintenance service prior to the summer months so that your AC unit will be working efficiently. Whatever is resulting in leakage from your AC unit, a skilled HVAC technician can assist you.

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HVAC Systems

Did you know that your heating and ventilation and air conditioning system provides your home with about 30% energy? This is common for small offices and residential homes as well. When you have a well-designed air conditioning system, it does adequately cool a building, but it also reduces the energy consumption. In addition, it also improves the building’s air quality without causing any damages to the environment.

Industrial and Manufacturing

In a manufacturing warehouse or industrial building, the HVAC system has various combinations of devices for heating and cooling. Some of these devices include:

• Electric heat
• Heat pump
• Rooftop unit
• Furnace
• Chillers
• Boilers
• Central AC units

For the commercial HVAC system installation, there are various system designs to choose from. For this reason, the installation should be done by an HVAC technician with industrial installation experience because some of these designs can be complicated while others are simple.

Industrial Plant

In the industrial plant, a basic system would be utilized in a single zone. Modifications are made when necessary to offer coverage to multiple plants or other large areas. For the basic industrial system, the air comes in from the air intake feature, which is usually found on the side or top of the building. Through atmospheric pressure, the forced air goes through a damper. The air is regulated to take in the amount that is required to cool the building. The air that previously went through the HVAC system will subsequently join with the external air.

The Combination

This combination is then filtered through the air filter, removing any large particles in it such as bugs, leaves and dust. After this, there is a second filtration process that handles the smaller particles prior to going through the fan. Once the air comes through the fan, it is then cooled or heated by the coils. If there is any condensation, a drain pan does the collection from the coils. The air then goes through the air duct to heat or cool the building, after which it returns through the air registers to be combined with newly created air or it goes out the building.

Conclusion

A basic HVAC system offers comfort to a specifically small space while a commercial HVAC system covers a wider space and has elements that consist of:

• Packaged units
• Window units
• Heat pumps

You will find a commercial system with evaporative coolers, chilled water systems and direct expansion coolers. So, if you own an industrial plant and need to have your HVAC installation done, the complex nature of it will require an experience and specialized HVAC technician. With a bad HVAC installation, you can end up paying higher cost in energy and have terrible air quality.

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AC Brand

It is quite difficult for someone to feel comfortable during the summer months without having air conditioning in the home. It is also difficult when your air conditioning unit breaks down and you don’t know a good HVAC contractor to call for repair services. It is even more difficult when you have upgrade plans for the home and are getting ready to purchase a central AC unit, not having a clue on which brand to purchase.

The Pros and Cons

Each air conditioning brand comes with different pros and cons. Even for a specialist or expert in the industry, it is a tossup at times to suggest the ideal brand for a customer without first inspecting the home and discussing the client’s needs. There are several critical aspects to consider when choosing the right AC brand whether you are upgrading or making your first purchase.

Longevity

When you are trying to select the ideal air conditioning brand, lifespan and longevity should be your first concern. You want to buy an AC unit that can stand the test of time and still operate efficiently over a number of years. The earlier AC systems will tend to last longer, usually about twenty years. However, the advancement and development of more sophisticated systems and mass production may not hold true to the same longevity of the past. For example, you may find the thermostat on one AC brand works better than on another. Contact a HVAC contractor with the knowledge and experience to advise you on which of the AC brands will last longer and work more efficiently. It is good to also note that most air conditioners that are the most recent models will come with five year warranty on servicing of parts, labor and compressors.

Energy Efficiency

Even if durability is not one of the advantages of newer models of air conditioner units, energy efficiency tends to be an area of strength. This could be due to the interest that consumers now have in energy saving devices. Manufacturers have answered the call in making appliances with the energy star score in mind. Most of the leading AC brands have up to a seven star rating. This significantly reduces the amount of energy air conditioning units required for use. So, when you are looking to choose the best brand, pay attention to the energy star score. This will help you to save on your utility.

The Features

Look for the features on the brand that you are interested in. Some of these features will give you a better cooling performance. This could include:

• Inverter
• Compressor size
• Timer control to preset the on and off times
• Thermostat
• Zoning – dividing the home into different zones
• Advanced and sophisticated climate control to regulate the temperature in each room
• WiFi and remote access to turn on the air conditioner several minutes before getting home

Conclusion

When selecting your AC brand, you should also consider the reputation of the company and if there will be any additional support offered after your purchase. Most of the well-known brands are Toshiba, Samsung, Mitsubishi and Carrier. However, consult with your HVAC contractor before you make the purchase.

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HVAC Contractor

The efficiency of your HVAC unit can be increasingly improved if you adapt to the idea of regular maintenance. In addition, in so doing, you will end up saving on energy costs and avoiding costly replacements and repairs. Many homeowners don’t realize the dramatic results that can be gained from regular maintenance.

General Services

There are some general services that the HVAC contractor can perform in your home to make sure that your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system remains efficient. For that reason, you will feel warm inside your home when it is cold outside and cool when the weather is warm outside during the hot summer months. If regular maintenance is not performed, then your HVAC system will be overworked and eventually run into instances where repairs and parts replacements are unavoidable.

Poor Maintenance

When your HVAC system is poorly maintained or not maintained, it will use more energy to regulate the necessary temperature. If you already have an inefficient AC and heating system, it could be that you have not had them regularly maintained. It is then time to call on a HVAC technician for an inspection and assessment. Let’s take a closer look at the type of general services that you should consider with regular maintenance of your HVAC system.

The Inspection

An HVAC contractor will start by giving you a free estimate for an inspection. The technician will evaluate the system and the space where the system provides ventilation. If you have a centralized air conditioning and heating system, the contractor will have to do a more intense inspection, which will take more time. Find out if your HVAC contractor offers free inspection estimates or a special package.

Repair and Cleaning

If you have an HVAC system that is fairly new and in good condition, your technician may only need to clean and repair your system. Some HVAC companies will utilize advanced and sophisticated technology with specialized tools. So ask about the pricing first before moving forward.

Installation and Replacement

If you have had your HVAC system for a while, you may need a replacement or possible repair. If you have to replace your system, then the HVAC contractor can usually do the installation of any brand. Your contractor may be able to suggest a specific brand selection for more efficiency and energy saving. It is best to have a professional do the installation because of the technicalities involved in the process.

Continual Support

After the installation of your HVAC system, you should consider employing the services of the contractor for continued support and maintenance. You will be able to get answers to pertinent questions and have your cleaning and repair done.

Conclusion

Be sure to use the services of a reputable HVAC contractor, one with years of experience and the right licensing and insurance. Regular maintenance will ultimately extend the life of your HVAC system.

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A/C Maintenance

As with any equipment or appliance in the home, the air conditioner is a system that will ultimately need to be repaired due to wear and tear from being used regularly and possibly due to its age. When an air conditioning unit starts to lose its efficiency and capacity, most owners will be at a loss of what to do; whether to spend money on A/C repair or purchase a new air conditioning unit.

Efficiency and Comfort

Air conditioning maintenance is important throughout the life of your unit if you want to enjoy optimum efficiency, savings and comfort. In the meantime, it is best to take several preventative steps to avoid certain air conditioning problems, reducing recurring issues and allowing you and your family to enjoy the proper functioning of your A/C unit.

Finding a Solution

Air conditioning maintenance is essential to identifying problems and finding the right solution. First, though, you have to be aware of the common problems that could arise with your air conditioning unit. That way, you will know when to call an HVAC technician to assist you.

Common Problems

If your AC unit is not cooling as it should be, there is obviously a problem that you have to possibly repair. There are several things that could cause the AC unit from cooling:

• It could be that debris or dirt has restricted the flow of air, resulting in blockage and therefore, a decline in the cooling capacity. The best solution for this is to do a periodic check of your AC filters, cleaning them or replacing them as frequent as every three months or according to the recommendations from the manufacturer. You could also schedule air conditioning maintenance with an experienced, professional and reputable HVA contractor.
• Another possible cause for your AC not cooling properly is clogging of the heat exchanger. This subsequently results in the reduction of efficiency. The HVAC contractor, if called, would clean your radiator, but would first plug out the AC for safety.
• In addition, your AC unit needs the right amount of refrigerant gas to operate properly. If not, then the excess heat in the room cannot be removed. The HVAC technician will identify if there is any leakage of refrigerant gas and may suggest that you schedule air conditioning maintenance to keep this from happening again.

Other problems to look out for are the inconsistency of your run cycles, which could result from debris or dirt in your air conditioning unit. The dirt will cause the temperature sensor to rapidly cool and result in longer or shorter run cycle. The evaporator coils could also be affected.

Conclusion

An HVAC technician will check for corrosion in the plugs, terminals or wires of your air conditioning unit, inspecting also for electrical issues in the connections. If you believe that there is a problem with your AC, contact a professional AC technician for air conditioning maintenance.

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Air Conditioning Unit

Air conditioning and heating are essential to a person’s comfort. It is also important to energy efficiency. Therefore, if you have a heating and air conditioning system, it is best that they cover these two things. If you really want to know the facts about HVAC, then you also have to become aware of some of the common myths that people have spread as it relates to your A/C and heating system. Let’s explore some of these myths.

Temperature Adjustment

Some people will say that temperature adjustment to your A/C unit and heating system is not necessary when you leave your house. However, this is not true. Paying attention to the temperature is important if you want to save on your utility bill. To save on energy during the winter months, it is best to lower the temperature and during the summer months, the opposite is true. You could invest in a thermostat that you can set to automatically adjust on schedule.

Regular Maintenance

Some homeowners don’t place a lot of emphasis on regular maintenance of their HVAC system. However, this is necessary if you want your units to last you for a longer period of time and operate efficiently. Don’t wait until your HVAC system breaks down to call a contractor. If your system is properly and regularly maintained, it could save you the headache.

Higher Temperatures

Don’t believe the myth that if you turn up the heater temperature, the entire house will heat up faster. The same thing is true for your air conditioning unit. The temperature will reach to the desired threshold in the same time period, no matter what you set it at. So, don’t waste your energy by setting it at high temperatures.

Standing Fans

Some people believe that using both the standing fan and air conditioner unit will lower the energy used. That is not true. Fans only circulate air and not keep the area cool. Therefore, the energy expended to circulate air carries no weight, if you are looking to cool your home. Moreover, you would be using unnecessary energy to operate the fans.

Flexibility

An A/C is not only beneficial if you want to keep an area of your home cool. No, an air conditioning unit does much more. In fact, it helps to lower the humidity in the air, making cooling more effective.

Using Space Heaters

There are people who genuinely think that the use of space heaters in a few rooms is less costly than operating a gas heater. A space heater only heats up a small portion of the space in comparison to your gas heating system. The best option is to have one heating system in a home instead of several space heaters.

Conclusion

If you have any issues with your air conditioning system or heating system, it is best to get the facts from a reputable and experienced HVAC contractor and not listen to what others say. Before making any decisions as it relates to your A/C and heater, it is best to speak to a professional.

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Its rare today to find a home that doesn't have air conditioning. We have all become so accustomed to having cool air on demand that we seldom think about the unit that creates that cool comfort until it no longer works. Air conditioning units are mechanical devices and, as such, need a little thought and routine maintenance to keep them working properly. The best time to think of this is before problems arise. Replacing a unit that could have been saved with just a little effort is both expensive and time-consuming.

Just as you go to a doctor for routine yearly exams, a qualified AC professional should be called in to give your unit a thorough check. By doing this, small issues may be found and corrected before becoming larger, more expensive to repair issues. The best time to schedule the yearly check is before hot weather arrives. Most AC technicians aren't as busy and can get to you faster, plus any needed parts are easier to come by than when demand is higher.

Good air flow is essential to the efficient working of an AC unit. Filters should be changed monthly or more often if there are animals or a large amount of dust in the area. Filters are cheap but can help prevent major problems with the unit. Be sure not to block the filter area.

A simple quick vacuuming of the indoor part of the unit keeps the coils clean and better able to cool. Think about doing this at the same time as your filter change; it only takes minutes but can help save you hours or days of uncomfortably waiting for a repairman.

When outdoors, think about spraying the outside part of the unit with the water hose. Again, this cleans the coils of dust, dirt, and any yard debris that may be blocking air flow. Once a week is not too often to do this during hot, dry weather.

If your thermostat is old, it may need to be replaced as it has a direct effect on the unit as a whole. Thermostats are affordable and easily replaced here at National Air Warehouse. The newer, digital thermostats are proven to work better and more efficiently. Some are programmable to raise or lower the temperature at certain times - there's no need to keep the house at 72 degrees if no one's home!

Air conditioning units are designed and built to withstand many years of use with just a little thought from you about the small do-it-yourself things you can do to keep it at peak performance.

Determining the right size air conditioning unit for your home can help you to have trouble-free climate control without frequent breakdowns and shortened lifespan. Bigger is not necessarily better in air conditioning, and the right unit will help you to save money and frustration as time goes on. Although a number of “rules of thumb” exist for choosing the right size unit, other factors may also be involved in efficient air conditioning operation.

House and Room Size
Careful measurements of the size of the house and each individual room must be done to determine the square area that is to be climate controlled. Although you may think that having more air conditioning capacity than is required by the house, the wrong size unit will cause greater wear and tear on parts.

Ceiling Height
The ceiling height in your home will have a significant effect on the amount of wear on the unit. A unit will have to work harder to fill the space in a room with a higher ceiling than standard height. Sloped ceilings may require increased operation than standard height ceilings.

House Wall Area
The exposed wall space on each side of the building exterior will also have an effect on air conditioning sizing. The number of doors and windows that allow air leakage is calculated into the number of BTU’s needed to cool interior areas.

Type of Construction
The type of construction of your home can affect how the air conditioning system operates. Factors such as the location of the unit, the length of ductwork, type of connections and number of floors in the home will affect the efficiency of operation of the unit.

Insulation Level in the Home
Many newer homes have a high level of insulation of attics, windows, doors, basements and other areas. The ability to keep cool air in the structure will also factor in the size of the air conditioning unit you choose.

The Home’s Air Leakage Rate
The home’s air leakage rate will also factor in the size of the air conditioning unit. How well windows and doors fit, the amount of caulking to seal air leaks and the condition of certain construction features can make a significant difference in how much cool air escapes from the interior and how hard the unit must work to replace it.

The Home’s Duct Leakage Rate
A professional heating and air conditioner contractor will have the equipment necessary for measuring the amount of leakage in the home’s ductwork.

All of these factors can be computed by a professional heating and air conditioning contractor to ensure that you have the right size air conditioning unit for efficient operation in your home. A trained technician can perform a Manual J, D, T and S to properly design and measure the right amount of cooling and heating that your home needs. You can learn more about the Manual calculations if you click here. If you would like additional information on sizing you current or new AC system, please call one of our friendly staff to help guide you on determining the correct AC system size.

People are exposed to pollutants in the environment by the air that they breathe indoors. These pollutants can come from anywhere – daily use products, materials and activities. As compared to outdoor air, the air indoors is said to be more polluted by about 2 – 5 times. In schools and offices situated in polluted areas, this could even be as much as 100 times. The importance of proper in-door air quality cannot be underestimated because it can lead to sickness, allergies and an uncomfortable environment.

The following are some important points about proper in-door air quality:

• Health Problems Can Be Avoided – Various health issues occur because of poor air quality indoors. This can lead to irritation and dryness in skin, throat, eyes and nose. Headache, fatigue, allergies and hypersensitivity are also common symptoms. Other symptoms include nausea, dizziness, sneezing, coughing, sinus congestion and fatigue. All these problems can be avoided by simply maintaining air quality indoors.

• Air Contaminants Can Be Cleaned – The indoor air has many contaminants like carbon dioxide, asbestos, fiberglass, dust, VOCs, toxic vapors, odors, gases, dust mites, bacteria, fungi and other microbial contaminants, and ozone. These air contaminants might occur in small quantities but for children and people with a weak immune system, they can cause a lot of problems in a short exposure time.

• Serious Conditions Can Be Avoided – Sick Building Syndrome or Tight Building Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and Building Related Illnesses are a common result of poor indoor air quality. These are serious health conditions which come with clinical symptoms. For example, Legionnaire’s disease is a BRI that is caused due to the bacteria that clogs ACs in a building.

• Avoidance of Mold Growth – Every homeowner knows how, once mold starts growing in your house, you have to go through a proper cleaning and decontamination process to get rid of it. Mold is attracted to areas that have a lot of moisture, and this’s why the pipes and ducts of ACs and ventilation systems need to be cleaned regularly. Avoiding mold growth can make the entire family healthy.

The best way to keep in-door air clean is to get air filtration systems which include:
• Humidifiers
• Dehumidifiers
• Germicidal lights
• Ventilation systems
• Filtration systems
• Air purification systems

These systems are installed at the appropriate place and their job’s to keep the indoor air clean and germ free, replace stale and contaminated air with fresh air, and improve circulation of clean air. It’s important to look for air filtration systems that are up to code and certified. There are various great systems in the market and the situation of indoor pollution should be properly examined before buying an air filtration system.