How to Ensure the Best Air Conditioning Efficiency - A Consumer's Guide to Central Air Conditioning

One of the most common mistakes made when installing a central air conditioner is assuming that the higher the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), the higher the efficiency of the system. Not so fast. Yes, the higher the higher the efficiency of the air conditioner, the better. However, a factor of primary importance is the indoor evaporator coil (the indoor coil). These coils have huge efficiency differences between them and the SEER of your air conditioning system needs to be calculated in terms of the air conditioning system as a whole. The outdoor unit is only one piece in the system

Consider the following performance measurements.

A Lennox 14 SEER air conditioner combined with a C33-48+ indoor coil operates at a combined system efficiency of 13.0 SEER. Yet that same Lennox 14 SEER air conditioner combined with a C(A,C,D,E)36C34+ operates at 13.5 SEER. Again, that same 14 SEER unit will only reach 14 SEER with a A(A,B)W364+ indoor coil or something similar. SEER ratings as high as 14.5 and 15.0 can be achieved if this air conditioner is used in combination with a variable speed DC blower motor.

This variation in real efficiency holds true throughout all makes, models and brands, The Lennox 14 SEER was used solely for illustrative purposes - I could have chosen any unit from Carrier, Amana, York, etc., and had the same differences in efficiency. The effects on efficiency due to coil type are even more pronounced in heat pump systems than on air conditioners.

So why would an air conditioning installer use a lower efficiency coil? There are a few factors, the main one of which is that the higher the rating of the indoor coil, the larger it is. A bulkier unit can be more cumbersome to install and is often not used because of this. Should this be happening? In my opinion, no, However, considering that the chances of a consumer knowing this information is next to zero, it occurs quite regularly.

If you're considering installing a new air conditioning system or replacing an old one, ask for a high-efficiency coil. They only cost about $45.00 more. You'll save your money back in the first few months.

Two other ways to increase the SEER of your air conditioning system are to have a TXV and TDR installed. A TXV, or thermostatic expansion valve, modulates the flow of refrigerant gas inside the cooling system. A TDR, or time delay relay, controls the timing of the indoor blower fan to maximize cooling and efficiency. Many manufacturers build TDRs into their furnaces, while good quality thermostats also have them included. Just make sure that your ac installer turns them on.

Home Air Conditioner Troubleshooting and Maintenance Tips

All central air conditioners require air conditioning service by a professional each year. Some regular maintenance and home air conditioner troubleshooting can be done on your own to keep the unit running appropriately. These are things such as replacing blown fuses, changing filters, and cleaning dirty parts. Regular maintenance can prevent specific parts from getting dirty and reduce the amount of repairs required for a unit during use. Below are some tips on home air conditioner troubleshooting and determining if an air conditioning expert is needed to fix the problem.

A condenser may not run due to many reasons. Some of the most common are blown fuses or tripped breakers that cut the power to the unit. High thermostat settings are another cause and reducing the temperature by five degrees can result in the condenser running again. A faulty motor or compressor may be the problem and needs to be looked at and replaced by a professional. An unbalanced distribution system results in uneven cooling and must be balanced to eliminate the problem. This requires a professional as well.

When the unit is not cooling, check simple items first and then call a professional. Once again, a thermostat that is set too high might be the problem. Try lowering the temperature. A dirty condenser or evaporator may also be the cause. Clean the condenser coil and evaporator. Then clean and straighten the fins on the condenser. The condenser unit can become blocked. Remove all debris and cut down weeds and grass around the unit. Other causes for this problem include a faulty compressor, low refrigerant, or a refrigerant leak. These types of issues require an air conditioning service for evaluation and repair.

If the condensing unit is repeatedly kicking on and off, the condenser could be dirty or blocked. Remove anything blocking the unit and then clean the coil and fins. The evaporator could also be dirty. Try cleaning it and if these steps do not resolve the problem, call a qualified repairman. In many cases, the most common problem is the evaporator being dirty. You can attempt to clean the unit and perform simple home air conditioner troubleshooting to determine if the issue is easily fixable. When it is not, always call someone who specializes in air conditioning repair. Do not attempt to perform major repairs yourself, because this can end up being more expensive.

Yearly maintenance can prevent many of these issues from occurring and decrease the amount of work and repairs that must be done on a unit. Common maintenance procedures performed by a service and installation company include: checking refrigerant levels, checking electrical components, cleaning the evaporator coil, cleaning the condenser coil, oiling all motors, calibrating the thermostat, and cleaning or replacing filters. Each of these maintenance functions has its own significance. Low refrigerant levels are the most dangerous and can result in very expensive repairs. Efficiency is reduced by dirty parts and filters. Cleaning and replacement will keep energy costs low and ensure it is running at its best. Change filters regularly and have it serviced yearly to keep it efficient and prevent pricey repairs from popping up.

Cooling Your Offices and Homes With a Central Air Conditioning System

As temperatures start to climb outdoors, it often becomes very uncomfortable indoors for working, relaxing and sleeping. At these times there is generally a surge in interest in finding ways to cool down homes, apartments and offices. Often, this is when people decide that central air conditioning would be an attractive choice, because it offers a convenient way to control the indoor environment, as opposed to single room air conditioners that might not be the most efficient way to go.

A centralized cooling system does its job by utilizing a "split system," which is able to condense the air as well as compress it. Additionally, these systems use an evaporator that is connected to the mechanism that handles it, such as a forced-air furnace. The entire unit is then put together as one complete system and installed exteriorly, usually on the roof of a commercial building or in a mechanical unit outside of a house.

As the central air conditioning begins to work, the cool air is sent throughout the building through a series of ducts that allow airflow into different rooms. The temperature in rooms of a house or different parts of a building is achieved by setting the system controls that come with the unit.

However, there is also the possibility that some centralized air conditioning systems do not come with such controls. In these instances, the controls must be purchased at an additional cost and should be installed at the same time as the complete unit. It is important to clarify this upfront with company that is selling and installing the unit so that there are no surprises during the installation process.

One of the reasons why most homeowners prefer centralized, air conditioning equipment is that these systems are able to keep the noise associated with running the air conditioning outside. Even the newer room air conditioners can be rather noisy, especially when running at night in bedrooms.

Such systems position the equipment that is responsible for the majority of the noise on the outside of the house. This allows the interior of the home to stay nice and quite even though the air conditioning unit might be working hard to keep things cool.

Central air conditioning tends to be a fairly complex system and the equipment is typically installed when a building is under construction. These heating and air conditioning systems supply the heating, cooling, air filters or air purifiers, and ventilation as needed to keep the environment of the home or office building comfortable and healthy. A centralized system utilizes supply and return ducts that are placed throughout the structure in order to properly circulate air.

If you are considering installing a new central air conditioner or simply need to replace an existing one, then make sure that the contractors who bid on the job perform a detailed "cooling load calculation" so that the proper system for your home will be installed. It is best not to use a simple "rule of thumb," which tends to result in oversized equipment.

At the same time, they should not simply replace the old system with a new unit of the same size. The reason for this is because the existing system may have been the wrong size to begin with, or the home may have had added insulation or more efficient windows put in since the original system was installed.

All of the air conditioning manufacturers must have the equipment they produce rated for efficiency, according to the law. The rating for a central air conditioning unit is called the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER. Heat pumps carry an HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, rating. The higher the number of the SEER/HSPF rating, the more efficiently the equipment uses electricity.

Tips to Keep the Appearance of Your Hair Thick - Home Remedies to Make Your Hair Look Thicker

Beautiful and thick hair symbolizes elegance. It can enhance your appearance. One should have proper curls for flaunting a graceful look. Usually due to aging, people experience graying and baldness, but we can also see premature hair loss and other problems which can be caused due to various factors such as pregnancy, menopause, water and air pollution, usage of medicines such as birth control pills, day-to-activities such as using harsh shampoo and conditioners. You can even experience hair fall due to depression, stress, anemia etc.

Your tresses are your assets and you should take requisite care for maintaining long and thick curls. You should preferably cleanse and moisturize your scalp regularly for stimulating growth.

Various types of Curls

* Straight tresses: This type of tresses exudes maximum sheen. They are less prone to damage. It is the most oily hair texture of all.

* Wavy curls: This type of tresses comes between straight and curly. It reflects enough shine.

* Curly tresses: There are various types of curly hairs. These types of tresses look stylish and unique too. Nicole Kidman flaunts a curly appearance.

* Kinky curls: This type of locks appears in a zigzag pattern. They are dry which makes them prone to breakage. You should preferably use creamy shampoo and conditioner for retaining the moisture in this type of locks.

Home Remedies To Make Your Hair Look Thicker

* Nutrition plays a major role in maintaining thick and beautiful locks. You should consume lots of high fibrous foods such as fruits and vegetables because they rich in anti-oxidants which helps our body to flush out toxins. You can have sufficient proteins for stimulating hair growth.

* Most people out of desperation carry out hair transplantation for retaining their charm, which can be extremely dangerous. One should always take up nature-based methods. You can also try out snake oil for nourishing your scalp and hair growth.

* Drink plenty of water. It is advisable to drink 10-12 glasses of water for preventing loss of curls. Water hydrates your skin and promotes growth.

* There are various products in the market, which claims to nourish your curls. One of the most effective anti-hair loss technique is Smart anti-hair loss system. It contains natural ingredients such as Apple Polyphenols, red tea or Rooibos and green tea. You can easily order its 14 days risk free trial kit for understanding the product and its benefits. It is advisable to undergo a scalp analysis for knowing the reason behind your hair loss.

Tips on Cooling Down Your Garage in the Summer

As summer bounces in, it's time to brace ourselves for rising temperatures and extreme heat and humidity. It's going to get mighty uncomfortable and if your garage isn't optimized for the heat, you can count on feeling as if you're being baked alive (think 110 degrees and above). If you're planning to spend some quality time doing your personal projects and/or repairs, you'll want to explore cooling solutions to make the time you spend in there more tolerable. Here are some ideas on how you can cool down your garage in the summer.

Work with the garage door open. It's the easiest and cheapest solution - keep your garage door open while you're inside.

Install insulation. Many homeowners neglect to insulate their garage, making it the single largest non-insulated space the home. Did you know that insulation is actually an energy saving solution? Proper insulation will help to drastically bring down your electric bill. It will keep your garage warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. If you haven't insulated your garage yet, consider doing this as a first step. If you haven't had your insulation checked for some time, now is the time to do it. Think about insulating your walls, your roof, and your garage door as well.

Install a ceiling or attic fan. This kind of fan operates by drawing hot air from inside the garage and exhausting or blowing it back outwards. The fan should be situated near the ceiling or higher than 4 feet above the floor. This will involve creating an opening on the wall of your garage, and you'll need a nearby electric outlet to plug the fan in.

Bring in an electric fan or evaporative cooler. You can put in a stand fan inside the garage. This will help to blow air towards you, but if the garage door isn't open it won't remove the hot air from the room; it will just blow it around. An evaporative cooler is a low cost alternative to an air conditioning unit. You put ice or water inside the unit and the machine blows cool air from the ice/water. Remember, though, that this may not be an entirely ideal solution - since you're blowing moist air it may cause rusting on your equipment and gadgets.

Consider putting in a whole house fan. If it's the entire house and not just your garage that's suffering from the heat, a whole house fan - the kind with the insulated duct that runs across the inside of your ceiling - is a great idea. You may need more than one fan depending on how many square foot of space you want to cover.

Install an air conditioning unit. If your garage is in the path of the afternoon sun and becomes really hot in the summer, an air conditioning unit may be your best solution. A/C units can cover bigger spaces and because they operate through Freon, they provide the coolest air.

De-clutter. When there are too many things in a room, there is less space for the air to circulate in. If you've been making your garage a store room, consider doing a thorough cleaning and get rid of stuff that you hardly use, aren't likely to use anymore, or that you don't need. Organize things neatly on shelves. If your garage doesn't have enough shelf space, consider installing shelves and/or cabinets. Storage space with doors will look neater and when the doors are closed there will be less crevices for the air to circulate in. The more free space there is, the better.

Don't park a hot car inside immediately. If you've been out in your car and are now coming home, park your car on the driveway for an hour or two to let it cool down before bringing it inside the garage. The metal parts of the car will radiate heat and add to the blistering heat inside.

There are many solutions for cooling down a garage. Study the differences in cost in order to find one that won't kill your budget. Remember to consult a garage specialist too to make sure that you're making the right choices.

Low Electric Bill Even With an Air Conditioner

Split system air conditioners are known to originate in Japan and were introduced to other countries as well like the United States only recently. Office buildings, theatres, schools, auditoriums, and restaurants generally use this type of air conditioning.

A split air conditioner is also known as mini split types and this is because they have central systems with two units. One is the air-handling unit (or a furnace) for encompassing the fan and evaporator. The second on is the compressor and condenser considered as one unit. It is usually placed outside the area of installation. Both units are connected by using a conduit, which is two copper pipes and a control wife that sends electronic signals back and forth. This includes tubing, drain, and power cable.

Split system air conditioner installation is easy and the air conditioner can help save energy since it is able to provide zone cooling. This is done through the unit's thermostat, which helps control the zones. The exact amount of electricity the unit will require is usually mentioned in its box or the user manual that comes with it. Checking for the unit's star ratings is an alternative; an energy star rating is a program approved by the government. It gives a seal of approval to products that uses high levels of energy.

Multi splits are at times combined with window type air conditioning systems in order to have an alternative for saving energy. It is easier to obtain better cooling capacity when multi splits are combined with central air systems.

A split air conditioner does not need ducts on walls and they also do not produce as much noise as other air conditioning systems units. They are also the safest type of air con to use. If you're having a hard time deciding on which type of air conditioner you should install, there are numerous manufacturers and businesses that offer services, assisting their customers with different concerns.

Split air conditioners not only let you save money on your bill, but also provide cleaner and safer air. They can also discard various types of odors emanating from cooking, pets, and cigarette smoke. This in itself lets you and your entire household gain health benefits especially if a person has respiratory problems like bacterial pneumonia and asthma. Split types AC can minimize pollutants such as pollen or dust that can have an effect on a person's health.

Choose Underfloor Heating With Natural Stone For Complete Luxury

Underfloor heating with natural stone is not a particularly new idea, though some salesmen may want you to think so. The enterprising Romans are known to have devised a form of early underfloor heating for the natural stone and tiled flooring of their houses.

That was some 2,000 years ago. They built their homes with specially designed channels running under the floors. Heated air from wood burning furnaces was made to flow through the channels, thereby heating the rooms above.

Today's underfloor heating methods are broadly similar in purpose, though technology has of course moved on. The efficiency of modern underfloor heating systems is naturally far ahead of the relatively crude Roman invention.

Natural stone is a natural choice for underfloor heating. It does of course take a while for the heat to seep through after the system is initiated as stone is slow to warm up. But once it gets going it stays as hot as you need it to be for as long as you need it. No more agonising tiptoeing over cold floors on cold winter mornings; underfloor heating with natural stone is a luxury to be savoured and appreciated.

Underfloor heating has many advantages over the more traditional radiant heating or convection heating, or even forced air heating. Radiant heating from a relatively small unit tends to be directional and takes time to warm a room thoroughly, while convection heating is great for producing a hot ceiling, but usually there's no one is up there to appreciate it.

Underfloor heating on the other hand, especially when natural stone is the floor covering chosen, heats a room more evenly and more thoroughly. It's a natural choice for anyone who detests cold winters and cold feet.

Heating a room or a whole house from under the floor has distinct advantages from the point of view of distribution, noise and cost. When properly designed the heat is distributed evenly from every part of the floor, thereby producing an evenly heated room. There is no annoying fan noises switching on and off at regular intervals, and the cost of operating an underfloor heating system can be surprisingly low.

There are basically two different types of heating systems positioned underfloor: a dry system and a wet system. The dry system uses electricity as the power source. This is a radiant system, but as the entire floor is the radiant source, the heat is evenly distributed.

The wet system utilises a radiant heated water system, a bit like a huge underfloor radiator if you like. There are pros and cons of both systems and it's really a matter of weighing them up and deciding which one works best for you.

Another consideration for underfloor heating with natural stone is to allow for the expansion and contraction of the stone due to heating and cooling. It is always best to install the natural stone and the heating system together as an integrated unit, rather than adding the heating system later. Improperly installed systems can crack stone tiles, or cause other damage. Always consider the overall effects to save yourself time and money.

How Demand Response Controls Heating and Air Conditioning Systems

Demand Response (DR) is a recent trend utilized by utility companies with the help of third party technologies to help manage and control the amount of energy provided to a specific source. This amount of energy, often referred to as load, is the amount of energy supplied to a residential or commercial entity to power, for example, its heating and air conditioning system. Many utility companies often seek out software solutions to help identify peak load times throughout the day, providing them with a bird's eye view of the energy they are providing to a specific source or group of buildings within its market jurisdiction.

At the advice of Demand Response companies, electricity providers often approach their customers to persuade them to sign up for special demand response programs. Utility companies often mention a decrease in price for customers as an incentive in signing up. Once a customer signs up, the electricity provider will take control of their heating and air conditioning system after installing a specialized Wi-Fi-controlled thermostat device within the home of business. During parts of the day, week, or month, electricity providers can analyze how much load is being sent to a specific area on its grid, and automatically adjust the thermostat by a few degrees to affect the amount of electricity is being sent to a group of buildings.

Because heating and air conditioning systems often consume the majority of load provided to residential areas, it is in both the interest of the consumer and utility company to sacrifice by a degree or two. This not brings the cost of energy down for the consumer, but it also means that the electricity company will burn less coal, decreasing costs and carbon emissions across the board. The markup for electricity still exists, so the electricity company is still making a profit by continuing the load-albeit not as much-to a residential or commercial area.

This is precisely how Demand Response companies have marketed themselves to utility providers across the nation. Some DR companies have even gone as far as maintaining Network Operation Centers for utility providers, controlling load provisions by a formula that is agreed to upon by the electricity provider and the Demand Response provider. If customers have a problem, some DR companies have taken it upon themselves to offer their own customer service, thus taking on any additional work that would otherwise have needed to be serviced by the electric company.

The industry for this technology has become so popular that several trade shows and conventions take place each year specifically for the sole purpose of showcasing the latest developments in Demand Response innovations. One of the largest trade shows is called Distributech, which takes place annually in various cities throughout the United States. Each year, hundreds of companies converge under one giant roof to showcase this new side of business. Multinational conglomerates like AT&T, General Electric, and Lockheed Martin are present each year, attempting to showcase and leverage the latest and greatest Demand Response technologies.

How to Clean a Window Air Conditioner Effectively

Air conditioners do come in different sizes and types but they all are composed of same components. For their efficient functioning, it is important to maintain them properly. By cleaning it regularly, you not only increase its efficiency but also prolong the life of the unit and its parts. In order to clean window air conditioner, you do not require any technical knowledge, just common sense would be sufficient.

Always unplug your conditioner and make sure you wear your safety glasses and gloves before starting with it. The most crucial part of an air conditioner is its condenser coil that needs to be treated gently. In window units, as evaporator coil is placed much closer to the condenser coil, you need to take care while cleaning. Since the former one is placed outside, it maybe difficult to clean them as most of the dirt will be accumulated on it. So, in order to clean window air conditioner thoroughly, you should remove its front and back panel and keep it in a dry flat surface.

You can easily brush on both the coils using a soft coil brush. If you want to use a vacuum cleaner, always use a soft brush since these parts are highly delicate. After removing the dirt, you can also clean them with water using a spray or hose. Make sure you do not wet the motor or any other electronic wire in the unit. The pressure used should be very light and so should be the water force since you do not want to bend or damage the fins. If you find any of the fins damaged, you can easily replace them or fix them using a fin comb. You can use different coil cleaner concentrates available in the market to clean them from inside. They are available at your air conditioner dealer.

The coils will get dried in about 5-10 minutes. You can rinse them again using gentle water force. This will ensure that the dirt has been removed completely from the coils.

In continuation with your session to clean window air conditioner, you can even apply coil coating treatment that would be helpful in keeping the dirt away from these coils for a long period of time. Next step would be to check your filter. You can clean it with water, but again be careful with electrical parts attached near it.

You can now fix the covers back to their panels. These are the basic steps to have a clean window air conditioner that would be helpful in increasing the efficiency to a great extent.

Air Conditioner Repair

Most problems that people face with air conditioners can be solved by simple maintenance and cleaning. A regular cleaning of the air conditioner grille and filter helps to increase its longevity and make it more efficient at cooling. Sometimes particle aggregation inside the air filter chokes the ducts and makes the air conditioner ineffective. This can be solved by a simple cleaning of the air filter.

The common problems with air conditioners are faulty cooling, collection of water pools below the air conditioner, rattling sounds when the unit is shutting down, dysfunctional temperature control, etc. Some of these problems can be repaired by the owners themselves without calling for technical help. The air conditioner manual carries solutions to minor problems which can be easily implemented.

Before attempting Air Conditioner Repairs, it is most important to turn the power off. Removing the grille is an easy task, but care should be taken if the fan is attached to the grille as in some central cooling systems. Also, no wires should come loose while removing the grille and disconnecting the fan. If there are any wires connecting the fan to the main board, their sequence should be remembered so that they can be reconnected later.

Sometimes the air conditioner may not turn on at all due to a tripped or a broken fuse. The fuse is simple enough to be replaced by anyone. Instructions to replace fuses are mentioned in the manual. Hence, before calling a technician, it is advisable to check if there is a fuse problem.

Another common problem is the accumulation of water under the front portion of the air conditioner. This may be due to leakage of one of the ducts. Simple replacement solves the problem and instructions are mentioned in the manual.

Problems with thermostats are trickier to solve. Thermostat problems cause the air conditioner to cool the room unexpectedly. Even the heat pump may cause unexpected temperature swings if it is broken down. Thermostats and heat pumps should only be repaired by skilled technicians from the companies themselves.

Air Conditioner Repair is not a very difficult task, but people who are not confident with electrical appliances may contact the company to send their technicians. Technicians from the same company should be preferred over other repairmen.

How to Choose a Cheap Portable Air Conditioner

There are many reasons why people decide to purchase a cheap portable air conditioner. These are typically used to cool areas of homes and offices that do not seem to get cool enough with a central air conditioning unit. For example, some houses have additions that were made, but there may not be a ventilation system in the additional rooms. This means that the central air conditioning unit will not work in these areas. This is when you will have to use another way to cool down these areas because you will not be able to use your central air conditioning unit to cool these rooms properly.

You should think a few different factors about when you are choosing a cheap portable air conditioner. One step that you should take before you even start looking for one of these items is to decide on a budget. You should have an idea of how much money you are able to spend on a portable cooling unit. Of course, if you do not have a lot of money to spend on one of these items, then you will have to take the time to find one that is within your budget. You can easily do some comparison-shopping if you search for your portable cooling unit on the Internet. You will be able to narrow down many of the choices that are available to you by choosing those that are within your price range.

Once you have a list of portable cooling units that you can afford, you will then have to start looking at the different features that you would like your cheap portable air conditioner to have. You should know that these items are available in many different sizes. You should have an idea of the size of the area that you would like to cool. You do not want to purchase a cheap portable air conditioner that will not be large enough to cool the area that you would like it to. You also do not want to purchase one that is too powerful to cool a small area. Of course, you can be sure that it will be able to cool the area that you would like it to, but you do not want it to use more energy than it has to. If you take the time to learn about the many different features that are available on these items, you can be sure that you are making the right decision when you make your purchase.

Air Conditioning Brands

Be a wise consumer. You should consider several factors when selecting or buying air conditioner or brands. These factors will help you determine which unit is better and which is more efficient. First on the list is the size of the space you desire to cool. Second is the amount of money you would like to save. But if your concern is in saving the environment, then it is apparent that money is not a factor. It is really what is best suited to your situation that matters in considering air conditioner brands.

Other factors to considers are the size and energy efficiency of the saidunit. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is the standard by which air conditioning units are categorized. The SEER rating of an air conditioning unit is the output in Btu (British thermal unit) divided by the total electric energy input in watt-hours during the same period. The unit gets more energy efficient whent its SEER Rating is higher. Before, the typical standard for calculating the SEER was factor of 9 which was not a very efficient unit; but nowadays, factor of 14 is easily achieved due to all of the technological advacnes and considerations for the environment.

There are different air conditioning types. These include window air conditioner and central air conditioning units. The window air conditioner is one of the most common types. It is versatile and easy to install. It is usually used to cool a single space or room.

On the other hand, the central air conditioning unit normally provides a central unit that is used to heat or cool an entire building. These units range from single home use to large industrial plants, warehouses, schools, and malls.

When you have decided which home air conditioning is to be purchased, it is advisable to look for the Energy Star rating symbol. The latter is a government sponsored program that offers tax incentives to those who support using the environmental resources wisely. Likewise, it ensures that you are getting the most efficient and effective unit for your budget.

Indeed, the invention of air conditiong units was a technological breakthrought. This invention has enabled man to assist in health care, better preserve food, and provide a comfort living. The success of the air conditioning unit can be contributed to the invention of electricity, the motor, and compressor.

How Often Should You Carry Out an Air Conditioning Service?

It is difficult to give a cover-all figure when it comes to air conditioning service intervals. Thanks to modern innovations and energy efficiency, some home A/C systems require little more than a once-yearly service, while dated and inefficient home air conditioning systems can often demand two or even three services annually.

It all comes down to how you use it. Most air cooling systems are built for routine use, created for year-round cooling and designed to withstand even the most intense heat wave. It is not so much the endless operation that leaves many air coolers in need of a service, but the conditions that they are operated in.

Does your living room feel a little humid? Our summers are not exactly cool and crisp, and each drop of airborne water is one that can wear down your homes air cooling system. Manufacturers are aware of the maintenance needs faced by those in humid climate zones, suggesting that users within the tropical and subtropical bands service their air conditioners more often than those in temperate areas.

But it is not just humidity that makes servicing a necessity. Airborne grit and salt can cause problems for users, often to the point of rendering dated equipment useless and unusable. Air cooling systems can suck in salt and sand, leaving those located near the beach with a gritty air filter and questionable home air quality. It is uncomfortable, potentially dangerous for people with health condition issues especially for people who are asthmatics, and best prevented through regular servicing.

Finally, there are reasons beyond the environmental for keeping your air-conditioner maintained and regularly serviced. Efficiency experts have found that unserviced or not regularly maintained air cooling systems use more electricity than those which are routinely maintained, leading to higher power bills and a greater environmental impact.

Research would suggest that they are also less effective at keeping your house cool. Worn equipment tends to perform poorly, leaving your homes air supply less breathable than it could be. We suggest calling a professional whenever your air-con unit begins to pump out harsh or uncomfortable air, but it is often best to prevent it entirely by pre-emptively servicing your home system.

While there's no all-encompassing guide to keeping your air conditioner fresh and operational, these strategies can ensure that you're never far from fresh air and comfortable temperatures. As always, it's best to have a professional carry out your air conditioning service to ensure that your equipment and home ventilation system remain free of damage.

Air Conditioner Duct Cleaning - Rotobrush Business Opportunity

Air conditioner duct cleaning when combined with cleaning coils, is said to improve energy efficiency by 30 percent. If you clean the clothes dryer vent and remove blockages during the same service call, you can eliminate a fire hazard and cut the time necessary to dry clothes as well. Rotobrush duct cleaning machines operators can earn significant income even part time. What else will you need to know to evaluate the benefits of central air duct cleaning?

Benefits of Cleaning Air Ducts

Rotobrush International, LLC is headquartered in Grapevine, Texas and has been manufacturing duct cleaning machines for over twenty years. They are a manufacturer, not a franchisor. Lane Jeffryes, a 15 year Lennox veteran is the new CEO and President.

In addition to air conditioner duct cleaning, to improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency, Rotobrush operators may also install additional insulation where needed and seal ductwork. According to Rotobrush, 25-45 percent of heating and cooling energy is lost due to leakage, and 45 percent of a home's heat loss comes from inadequate insulation.

You may also notice an improvement in indoor air quality.

Rotobrush Business Opportunity

Rotobrush claims annual income available from working part time with 1-3 jobs per week, can amount to $25,000-$75,000. A typical initial investment of $15,000 is required and financing is available with $5,000 down payment, putting the initial outlay lower than most business opportunities.

Duct cleaning machines use a motor to turn a belt driven cable that runs through the vacuum hose to spin the brush. Operators report their sales increase significantly when also purchasing a camera attachment to show prospective customers the inside of the ductwork.

The length and vacuum power of the Rotobrush equipment is suited to residential use, but you will probably need to look at different equipment for commercial applications. The duct cleaning machines can be operated by a single individual on the job site.

Rotobrush offers RotoConnect, an online forum where members in related fields can ask questions, share ideas and help each other.

The central air conditioner duct cleaning machines do come with marketing materials and ideas, but you really need to do your own market analysis, and create a more comprehensive marketing plan, to develop enough new customers to support and profit from your investment.

Insights About Split System Air Conditioner

A split system air conditioner simply implies that the condenser is separated from indoor unit. There is at least one unit that sits in the room and a compressor on the outside at a convenient place either on the ground or hung to the walls in a group. Each model comes with unique features as some have multiple indoor units and a single compressor.

One requires to consider some factors before choosing the size of the air conditioning. One of them is determining the number of indoor units required. At normal conditions each room uses a single unit although in homes with open areas one is able to cool multiple rooms.

This technique of air conditioning employs a copper connection pipe and an electrical wiring in order to connect the outdoor to the indoor unit. A gas refrigerant is then pumped from the condenser coil and a compressor through the pipe connection up to the inside units. A fan then distributes cool air quietly across the evaporator coil.

This method of temperature regulation is able to control the quantity of cold air getting in a room with the help of a thermostat or an infra red remote. A single room or area of a house maintains a different temperature from others within the same building. This technique is a perfect solution in residential houses that require only certain rooms to be cooled.

It is used to regulate the temperature levels in large structures like supermarkets and retail stores since they can be too hot or cold. It can also be used to condition the living room throughout the daytime and the bedroom at night. Due to space demands on recent buildings, modular and exceptional purpose offices may be necessary to installed.

The split air conditioners work great as the condenser can be located outside the office and wires with connection pipes be run into the room. The ceiling units or inside wall are extra cost effective as they distribute air with precision. The system can be installed in several places since with it no duct work or distribution techniques are required.

The split system air conditioner have currently been installed everywhere the world in several places including large and small offices, hotels, institutions of higher learning, shops and other areas. This technique has a number of benefits in comparison to others as it is cost effective, cheaply maintained, and quiet in its operation, easily installed and is designed in an attractive manner. These systems have washable filters which only require periodical cleaning.

Life Without Central Air Conditioning Is A Less Than Existence

A central air conditioning system for the modern home isn't considered a luxury any more. Only people from generations past still hold this belief. So what changes have occurred to make the average home a refuge from the temperature highs and lows?

Increased efficient manufacturing processing as well as offshore placement of the facilities have dramatically improved the manufacture of machines as well as increased the technical ability of the air conditioner. Modern central air conditioning systems are able to adjust to temperature fluctuations, keep operating at extreme temperatures and deliver all this at a less cost to the home owner.

Having decided to install a central air conditioner in their home most owners are at a loss to know where to start in their decision process. This situation is not alleviated by the plethora of detail and technical jargon being poured onto the decision maker. But if you can find the right company to align yourself with the process is not as dire as one would think.

Which central air conditioning system is right for you?

Everyone's home is different, and as a result everyone's quoted price and type of unit will differ slightly. But some aspects will always be the same. Knowing how many rooms are to be conditioned, how large the rooms/house is, and where in the world you are living are some of the basics that will aways be taken into account in the quoting process.

So which contractor should you choose?

Air conditioning contractors are all over the place, it seems that when you finally decide to allocate the funds to the project you start to see them everywhere. But which are good and which will offer you a white elephant. Firstly your best option is to never go with the smallest company and the cheapest quote. Although this is a given to most people it can be alluring to some to see the low installation quote being offered by some companies. Do not be fooled by this. Secondly, try to get some testimonies from people who have already been where you are now, but do not accept a competing company's customer testimony as it will always be a glowing account of a perfect trouble free installation. What you need is someone who had a few problems and how the installation company responded to them.

After all the dust has settled the customer should have an environment in their home that will provide comfort and respite from the ravages of the climate we live in today. Central air conditioning industry is a billion dollar industry which employs many thousands of people around the globe. It will always be around doing it's best to gain your respect and patronage. If you have decided to install a ducted system in your home do it right from the beginning and all the rest will fall in place from there.

Solar Air Conditioning (SAC) - Guilt-Free Comfort for Summers

Early summers usually bring a pleasant relief from the bone chilling winters, but come April & May, the summer heat starts taking its toll, both physically as well as mentally. And when it's a tropical climate, as in most parts of India, the hot days can be all together stressful. The energy levels of individuals go down and so does their productivity.

This is when the modern day Air conditioning comes as a God Gift. A very large no. of Offices, laboratories, hotels, public buildings are nowadays fitted with air conditioning systems. Centralized Air Conditioning Systems ensure cooling in every nook and corner of the working space.

While this all sound hunky dory, its not. Extensive air conditioning is synonymous to heavy power consumption (and wastage) leading to not just heavy electricity bills but also the dreaded frequent power outages. The next step is - of course - DG sets, to bring the desired comfort indoors, while puffing out clouds of black smoke with terribly high levels of sound pollution for the outside world and the environment to endure.

In the midst of saving ourselves from the fury of the nature, we are inadvertently attacking the nature more and more, which keeps returning even more furiously every now and then. One of the biggest points of concern thus is the impending danger due to the rising world temperatures (Global warming!!). So what shall we do to survive and survive with comfort?

Let's not forget we have an immense source of energy in the very Sun that we're shielding ourselves from. One answer is Generation of power using sun's energy. It's free and for now we can safely assume, unlimited. Yes, solar energy can light up our homes and cook our food. But can it also cool our houses? The answer again is yes. Solar air conditioning, a revolutionary and upcoming technology, provides the answer.

Solar air conditioningrefers to any air conditioning (cooling) system that uses solar power. A liquid or a gaseous substance either accumulates on the surface of a solid, porous substance (adsorption) or is taken up by a liquid or a solid substance (absorption for providing the necessary cooling). In some processes supply air is directly conditioned, i.e. treated in terms of temperature and humidity

This thermally driven cooling and air-conditioning process is at the heart of every solar cooling system. The main principle of Sorption Assisted Air Conditioning is shown in the graphic here. The solar energy is used to dehumidify the sorbent.

This is a 9 stage process. In Stage 1 to 2, Sorptive dehumidification of outside air takes place with simultaneous rise in temperature through the freed adsorption heat. Then the air is cooled in the heat reclamation rotor in the countercurrent to the exhaust air (stage 2 to 3). Air is further cooled (Stage 3 to 4) through evaporation-humidification; Thus the air inflow to the building has a lower temperature and less water vapor than the outside air. In Stage 4 to 5 Heating of the air takes place, and if necessary addition of water vapor. Then during Stage to 6 building's exhaust air temperature is lowered through evaporative cooling in the humidifier. This exhaust air is heated (Stage 6 to 7) in the countercurrent to the air inflow in the heat reclamation rotor. The exhaust air is further heated (Stage 7 to 8) through external heat sources (i.e. solar thermal system). Finally in Stage 8 to 9 Sorption Rotor is Regenerated through the desorption of the bound water.

Open and Closed cycle Air Conditioning Systems:

Open-cycle systems are more beneficial in buildings with high humidity loads and high air exchange rates. The installation of ducts for the supply air and the return air, as well as a heat recovery unit is required. In this, the outside air is dehumidified through sorption and is then brought to the desired temperature by heat recovery as well as direct and indirect evaporative cooling. Usually dehumidifying is achieved in a rotor containing the desiccant material silica gel or lithium chloride, but increasingly liquid desiccants (desiccant material: lithium chloride) are being tried. In these systems the solar heat is required for the regeneration of the absorption/adsorption unit.

Closed-cycle desiccant evaporative cooling systems are based on the processes of Adsorption (based on solid desiccants like silica gel or Zeolites with water as refrigerant) or Absorption (where desiccants are liquid ex. material pairs of lithium bromide as desiccant and water as refrigerant, or water as desiccant and ammonia as refrigerant, where sub Zero temperatures may be required).

For cooling and acclimatizing of buildings, only solar-thermally driven processes are used.

In actual practice, solar collectors are used to convert solar radiation to heat that is then fed into a thermally driven cooling process or into a direct air-conditioning process. Particularly in special applications, for example for cooling medicines in remote areas that are not connected to the grid, a photovoltaic generator transforms solar radiation to solar power that then drives a refrigeration process - usually in the form of a compression chiller.

There have been considerable developments in the field of solar-assisted heating and cooling and world over this technology is being rapidly tried and adopted.

Recently Solar thermal World Magazine reported that India's latest and probably largest solar thermal based air-conditioning system went operational at Muni Seva Ashram (MSA) in Goraj, situated in the Vadodara district of Gujarat state in western India. A total of 100 parabolic dishes (Scheffler type) by the Indian company Gadhia Solar Energy Systems (GSES) - each 12.5 m2 in size - now supply the already existing 100-ton air-conditioning system of the 160-bed hospital at Muni Seva Ashram. [i]

Performance of Solar Air Conditioning

While designing a SAC system and for judging its performance the key points to observe are the Load Profile, Outside temperatures & humidity.

The decision whether solar cooling is sensible at all is influenced strongly by the load profile. Solar irradiation and cooling demand must be correlated, since the use of fossil fuels for the operation of the chiller is disadvantageous from a primary energy point of view and should be avoided.

In order to achieve the highest possible degree of utilization, applications that also require heat for heating water or for the heating system outside the cooling season must be explored. Thus residential buildings and small office buildings are most suitable. If cooling is required throughout the year (process cold, server rooms) the solar cooling system can be used merely as a fuel-saver for conventional air-conditioning. In such a case free cooling directly through the heat rejection unit might be an option in the cooler seasons.

Heat rejection rate greatly affects the performance and efficiency of the chiller. In most systems the waste heat is released into the environment by dry coolers or wet cooling towers. The former are suitable for moderate climate zones that only occasionally have high outside temperatures (>30簞C). Wet cooling towers have the advantage that cooling water temperatures below ambient temperature can be obtained. However, it only works if the relative high humidity allows for evaporative cooling. In regions with a shortage of water it is also unsuitable. In addition, some countries have imposed strict hygiene regulations on wet cooling towers which make the operation of small systems economically unviable.

It is essential to be aware of the fact that boundary conditions other than the nominal conditions, can negatively affect the performance of the cooling machine. If the system is not designed for the nominal operation point, the relevant operating data must be requested from the manufacturer. Then, for example, a dry reverse cycle chiller can also be used in warm climates if the solar thermal system is adapted accordingly.

Utilization of efficient EC motors in the SAC set up helps to reduce the energy consumption. To further reduce electricity consumption, these should be controlled according to operating conditions and cooling demand. Depending on the respective local conditions waste heat can also be rejected of in other ways, e.g. through boreholes, swimming pools or ground water. Ideally the heat can be used in other places.

The Advantages of Solar Air Conditioning

In comparison to conventional, electrically driven compression cooling technology, solar cooling has a no. of advantages. These systems are most useful when the sun shines the strongest - in summers. The machines generally utilize environmentally friendly refrigerants, leading to lower green house gas emissions. In most cases water is utilized which, compared to refrigerants used in compression cooling machines, has no greenhouse potential. Significant power savings can result from the fact that these systems merely require auxiliary energy for the operation of pumps, heat rejection, etc. if the systems are designed correctly. In addition to cooling, the solar collector system can also provide thermal energy for domestic hot water preparation and heating support which leads to a further reduction of emissions. SACs are also ideal for hotels, supermarkets, schools, factories, and large office premises etc. Furthermore, noise emissions are significantly lower since the machines work without compressors.

Solar based AC systems thus can offer a reasonable alternative to the conventional ACs. In addition to drastically reducing or even eliminating current air conditioning bill, in many regions, one can receive a huge cash rebate as well as a tax credit by powering his air conditioner with solar air conditioning systems. As of now, the capital investments are high but the system can justify its worth in the long run. It is just a matter of time when this technology would be mass produced, bringing down costs to affordable levels for the common man. And then, the days that pose the maximum cooling requirements shall be the very same days when maximum energy could be extracted from sun while pocketing all the resulting benefits. The choice would really be ours!

Understanding Your Central Air Conditioners SEER Rating

Every central air conditioner has a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating that is regulated by the U.S. Department of Energy. According to U.S. regulations, no central air conditioner unit currently being manufactured can have a SEER rating lower then 13. Most central air conditioner units usually have SEER ratings ranging from 13 to about 20 SEER.

Unfortunately, most consumers don't really understand what a SEER rating really means. The easiest way to explain it is to compare an A/C units SEER ratings to an automobiles estimated MPG. Some cars get 15 miles per gallon and others get 30 mpg. All other things being equal, most people would probably prefer buying the car that gets 30 mpg over the one that gets 15mpg. Why, well the car that gets more mpg is going to end up saving the consumer more money in the long run even though it may cost a little more money in the beginning.

Purchasing a newer air conditioning system with a higher SEER rating can also create a substantial savings on your monthly energy bill as the newer systems are much more efficient at cooling. By upgrading your A/C unit from a SEER 9 to a SEER 13 system your power consumption will be reduced by approximately 30%. This can result in an energy savings of up to $300 or more per year depending on your usage rate and the cost of electricity in your area.

Remember depending on the climate and location of where a consumer lives, your air conditioner can be one of the most essential things for a home. For instance, a person that lives in Florida needs to take an air conditioners SEER rating very seriously when thinking about purchasing a new system. Nine out of the 12 months in a year it is hot and humid in Florida. The air conditioner is going be used almost non-stop most of the year. This is why it is crucial to understand the SEER rating and buy the air conditioner that best suits you and the climate you live in.

So the next time you're in the market for a new A/C unit, remember to factor in the cost savings of a unit with a higher SEER rating. While you may spend a little more money up front for the unit, you will more than likely make up and exceed that extra cost in just a few short years.

Importance of HVAC System Maintenance in School Buildings

Even more so than in the home, the proper maintenance of an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system is important in school buildings. There are a number of reasons why it's vital that a school keep its HVAC equipment well maintained and cared for. Any school facilities administrator needs to stay on top of the status of HVAC units in the school and ensure they are working properly.

One important factor to consider is that school buildings are generally much larger than personal homes or apartments. That means that HVAC systems in school buildings are going to have to be larger as well. With more area to cover in terms of ductwork and a more powerful unit needed to heat, cool, and ventilate a school, there is also a greater chance of something going wrong.

Also, when a problem does occur it may be harder to track down its exact source since the system is so large. That's why it's a good idea to do regular preventative maintenance on an HVAC system so that problems can be detected and fixed early.

It's a major problem if any element of an HVAC system fails while school is in session. If the heating fails during the winter, then the students will get cold and could even get sick if they're stuck in the cold for too long. The school will no doubt get some complaints from parents if their children come home sniffling because the heating system broke.

It's equally important that the cooling and ventilation systems work properly. Most school classrooms have anywhere between 20 and 40 people packed in to a relatively small space. If the cooling system fails on a hot summer day, those classrooms can practically turn into saunas. The body heat of so many people all in the space can really ramp up the temperature.

Ventilation problems can also be made more severe by the sheer number of people who are often in classrooms. It could lead to students getting really uncomfortable, and potentially even cause problems for people with asthma or similar conditions.

In order to keep on top of HVAC system maintenance in a school building, there are a few important steps that should be undertaken. The filters in the units should be replaced once every couple of months in order to ensure that they stay clean and don't become a breeding ground for mold and fungus. The filters will need to be changed more often in dirtier environments.

Also, the evaporator and condenser coils should be cleaned once or twice each year. Evaporator coils are pretty much always damp, making them a likely spot for mold or fungus to grow and affect the air supply. Condenser coils are easily damaged and degraded by dirt buildup. Routine cleaning of these key components of the HVAC system will not only extend the life of the system, but will also make it run more efficiently.

These key steps, along with routine inspections, will help make sure that a school's HVAC system stays in good shape.

Central Air Conditioning Improves the Comfort and Value of Your Home

There are plenty of options for people who want to upgrade their homes. You can do something as simple as painting or installing new carpet, or you can completely remodel the kitchen of the bathroom. When making your decision about what upgrades to make, think about how long you plan to continue living in the home, if space is an issue, and how you spend your time in the home. If you entertain and host dinner events frequently, a new kitchen may be a great investment. But if you are thinking about selling the home in the next few years and there is only one bathroom, consider adding a bathroom to your master suite. If the house has plenty of space, consider other upgrade options.

Does the exterior of the home need work? Would a new roof increase the value of the home or is a new furnace in the works? If you live in Kentucky, you can speak to someone from a local heating service company for advice about upgrading your furnace. They may be able to offer affordable heating repair and save you money on not having to invest in a whole new furnace. However, if your heating is a good shape, but you live in a climate that tends to be uncomfortably warm during summer months, consider upgrading your cooling options.

Window unit air conditioners can be very comfortable, especially in rooms meant for sleeping. The motors of the machines blot out other noise, and they tend to cool the individual room to a very comfortable, sometimes chilly, temperature. However, as far as cooling an entire home, they are very inefficient. Once you open the door of the room you are cooling, that room warms, and the unit usually does little to cool off too far beyond that immediate area. You could install a window unit air conditioning in every room, but your energy bills will soon sky-rocket to an unaffordable rate. Instead of using inefficient window cooling units, consider installing central air conditioning.

Depending on your current ventilation system, installing air conditioning may be fairly affordable. However, if a new duct system is needed, it can be a pricey investment. If you are planning to stay in the home for some time, and you are able to make due with your current cooling techniques, it may be better to save over a few years until air conditioning is more affordable. You may also want to consider your other options and invest in an attic fan or a swimming pool.

However, if you do not plan to live in your home for the rest of your life, air conditioning adds a lot of value to a home, especially in warmer climates. Potential home buyers will factor in how much they will save on the summer energy bills by not having to use window units. If you are selling your home in the summer, it will be especially inviting when potential buyers walk in from the blazing heat and your home is cool and comfortable. Central air conditioning is a big investment, but it is one that will pay off in the long run.

How Hidden Air Leaks Can Cause Big Trouble

How and Where to Look for Hidden Air Leaks in Your Home

Wasting energy and money at home is about 50% the homes fault and about 50% human fault. How we live in the home, our power lifestyle, has a great effect on the power bill at the end of the month.

It helps to have worked as a home builder when it comes to looking for hidden air leaks. It helps even more to have the use of a blower door, an instrument that measures whole house air leakage. A home builder with a blower door is very effective when it comes to looking for those air leaks that drain a wallet, month after month, without leaving a clue as to where all the money is going. Just a guess, but I bet you don't have a blower door and my guess is your not a home builder. In this article I will discuss one area of a home that spells trouble. If you have this area in your home, watch out, the air leak thief has been stealing dollars from you for years.

Recently, I visited a home built in 1996 to evaluate the home for high utility bills. The home is a two story with central gas heat and central air conditioning. The kids had recently left for work or college, so this couple had the home to themselves. No teenage daughters taking long showers. The blower door was set up and a test was run, the infiltration rate was nearly 3,200 (cfm) cubic feet per minute. For this home, the infiltration rate should be closer to 1,400 cfm. Heating ducts that leak air contribute to high air leakage readings during a blower door test. One thing for sure, the house is swiss cheese or the heating ducts are practically disconnected.

To save time and money during a homes construction, the heating contractor will often use framing structures as heating ducts. Instead of installing actual heating and return duct work, the contractor will pull a short cut and use a joist space or wall cavity, a soffit or furring chase to carry the air from or to the furnace.

Register in Side of Stairway Means Trouble If you live in a two story home and you have a heat register or return air grill that is installed in the wall framing of the stairway, you are possibly living with a major hidden air leak. Chances are, the heating contractor used the whole space under the stairway as a heating passage way. The problem gets more serious when the stairway cavity is open to the underfloor space and/or the attic.

In this home, I went under the floor so I could look at the insulation that was under the stairway. Sure enough, the insulation right under the stairway was almost black instead of being it's normal yellow self. Insulation will turn black when it is being used as an air filter. Black insulation occurs when air is passing through the insulation and the dust, dirt and lint in the air is being filtered out turning the normally yellow or pink insulation black. If you look at the insulation under your floor or in your attic and some of the insulation appears to be a lot darker than other parts, the dark area has air passing through it which deposits the dirt in the air on the insulation for all to see. Dark insulation means air leak.

The floor of this house was framed with tongue and groove 2 x 8 boards. There was no floor underlayment installed on the section under the stairway. When the furnace came on, the furnace fan sucked air from under the stairway. The return air grill, in the side of the stairway, supplied some air from the hallway, but the rest of the air feeding the furnace came from under the floor.

Problem:

1. The air under the floor is cold, so during the heating season, the furnace has to heat up cool air instead of the warmer air that is in the house. The furnace has to work harder.

2. The air under the floor is dirty, it plugs up furnace filters fast and contributes to poor indoor air quality. People with asthma can experience difficulty.

3. The air in the house does not get to circulate throughout the house and through the furnace filter as often.

4. When the furnace fan comes on, air from under the floor causes the air balance within the whole house heating system to pressurize. The house does not heat up as evenly or effectively.

5. The problem can go undetected for years.

The fix:

An insulation contractor was called that specializes in heating system duct sealing. The contractor performed a duct leakage test before and after repairs to the system. The duct leakage loss was reduced by 72%.

1. The return air register was removed from the wall of the stairway and the hole entering the stairway cavity was enlarged. This allowed a person to enter the area.

2. Half inch particle board was installed over the 2 x 8 tongue and groove. The edges and the joints of the particle board were caulked.

3. A round flexible heating duct was installed from one side of the stairway cavity, attaching to the furnace return air plenum on one side and attaching to the return air register on the other. Now when the furnace comes on, return air was drawn directly through the new heating duct from the hallway to the furnace.

4. The floor was sealed under the stairway so the dirty air from the crawl space could not get into the house.

Sure hope this was helpful, particularly to those that live in a two story home. For now, thanks for stopping by, hurry back, but I won't leave a light on for you...

Installing a Portable Air Conditioner in a Room Without Windows

I live in Texas, where air conditioning is an absolute must for modern folks like us. We all have them, but most of us are pretty ignorant when it comes to how they actually work. That knowledge is beyond the scope of this article, but we should all understand that ventilation is vital to any air conditioner. Basically, ventilation means air movement between the room being conditioned and somewhere outside of it. The air conditioner itself moves the air, and should be able to without too much resistance. Free air movement is not desirable because that would allow the temperature inside and out to equalize too quickly, and what we are trying to do is create a temperature difference between the two spaces.

Portable air conditioners are no different in basic function, but have different concerns because the entire unit resides in the room being conditioned. All other types have a component outside, including window and through-wall air conditioners, which are half in and half out of the room. So a portable air conditioner needs a connection to the outside. This is done with 5 foot long, 5 inch ducts, one or two depending on the type of unit. All portable ac's come with window adapter, basically a flat piece of foam or plastic with one or two ventilation ports, which will fit into a sliding window. The hose then attaches to the adapter and the ventilation pathway is established. This is the typical recommended setup. It is easy to install and works well. Duct tape may be used to improve the seal and secure the adapter in place. These vent kits come with the unit at no additional cost. Since they use an existing window, they do not require changes to the structure of the building. But what about the room without a sliding window?

Several options are available, and I'm sure that a little ingenuity could provide more. What is needed is just a communication to somewhere outside the room, to which the hose can be attached. One option is to go through the ceiling. For rooms with a standard nine foot high office-type ceiling with 2 x 2 or 2 x 4 drop tiles, kits are available consisting of a steel panel with a ventilation port and a hose long enough (9 feet) to reach the port. The panel replaces a single 2 x 2 tile, or half of a 2 x 4 tile. The hose is attached to the port and to the portable ac, and wallah! Ventilation established! These kits are popular for computer server rooms, which commonly have no windows, but could be used in any room with an appropriate ceiling. The steel panel has only one port, so if a dual hose setup is desired, two kits would be required. There are portable air conditioners, such as the EdgeStar Server Cool, which can be used in either single or dual hose setup. Now this kit is designed for drop tile ceilings, but I see no reason it couldn't be used for other ceiling types. With a sheet rock ceiling, for example, if a hole was cut just large enough for the connection port, and the panel placed above the ceiling, that should work too. The main problems with ceiling ventilation are twofold. First, if the ambient humidity is high, a lot of moisture is going to be pulled out of the air. This would normally be blown or pumped outside, but in this setup, it's going into the attic. In the case of a unit that pumps out condensate, the drain tube should be diverted somewhere else, like into a plumbing drain or through a wall, because otherwise it will accumulate and can ceiling tiles to discolor or even sag and fall. Units that re-evaporate and blow out condensate do better here, but it brings up the second issue, space. One will only want to use this method if the available space is large enough to allow the humid, hot air to dissipate and leave the attic. Otherwise you will be pumping a lot of heat and moisture into a small space, and wind up with an attic even warmer than normal, and may still have problems with wet tiles.

Another alternative is a dryer vent, installed just like it would be for a dryer. Two can be installed side by side for dual hose units. This is a nice setup, because it establishes a ventilation portal that is inconspicuous, permanent, and easy to reach and use. Of course, it does require a hole in the wall. With this setup, the unit can be placed pretty much where desired, unlike with the window kit, where the unit must sit near the window since the hose supplied with most units is only 5' long.

Casement windows create another type of problem, and I know of no commercially available products to ventilate a portable air conditioner through a casement window. But I have seen plexiglass panes people have constructed, cut to fit into the casement window frame with the window open, with a hole cut in the plexiglass for the hose to connect. The pane is screwed in place to the window frame, and caulked as necessary to seal it. As you can see, sliding windows are not required to use a portable air conditioner. Alternate methods of ventilation require a little more work and cost, but should result in years of comfort without further issues.

Where to Find the Best People Carrier Hire

If you are one of those families that likes to travel with everything but the kitchen sink, why not consider a people carrier hire for your holiday in Spain. People carriers come in a variety of shapes and sizes and all have air conditioning as standard in a hot country such as Spain.

People carriers can be fun to drive and if you don't have one at home, do not be put off by thinking they are more difficult to drive. Most people carriers for hire are higher off the road than a normal car, giving you a better all round view. This makes the driving easy and allows you to enjoy more fully the lovely scenery that Spain has to offer.

A people carrier car hire would give the family that extra bit of space, allowing everyone to travel in comfort, with more than sufficient room for all your luggage, plus any other essentials that you need to take with you for your holiday in Spain. The extra internal space that a people carrier can offer will make travelling around the Spanish countryside all the more pleasurable.

You may be going on holiday to Spain with another family or with friends. Instead of hiring 2 smaller cars, why not experience the fun of travelling together in a people carrier hire ? If you are all together in one vehicle, it cuts down on petrol, making a people carrier more economical and reduces the extra stress involved in driving on unfamiliar roads, trying to keep together and read a map at the same time. Why not check the price of a people carrier car hire for your holiday in Spain and see how it compares with hiring a smaller saloon type car?

A lot of the newer people carriers for hire come with automatic gearbox transmission, so if you have preference for automatic or manual gear change please ensure you book this when you arrange your people carrier car hire. The problem will obviously rear its head if you only drive an automatic car, and you turn up to presented with a manual change gearbox. Be sure to order your preference.

If your trip to Spain is to enjoy some of the excellent sporting facilities that the country has to offer, you may like to consider hiring a people carrier to transport all the equipment that you need, such as golf clubs, tennis rackets and surf boards. Spain has an abundance of lovely golf courses and the glorious weather there means that you can enjoy a round of golf all year-round. A people carrier car hire would offer space for you and your friends, plus all their clubs, without having to travel with luggage inside the vehicle, or having to hire a roof rack to fit everything in.

Some people carriers for hire can also be provided with a roof rack, which comes in very handy if you are skiing or have golf clubs or even just a lot of luggage. My experience is that people carriers do not have very large boots or luggage space, so a roof rack would be very useful. Once again it is important that you order your roof rack in advance, it may well be too late to order a roof rack when you arrive at your destination.

To hire a people carrier in Spain is simple, but they are extremely popular so we would recommend early booking, in order to avoid disappointment. Many people leave their car hire until just before they travel and then find that all the people carriers have been reserved already, so dont delay, book your people carrier for your holiday in Spain today.

Home Heating System: Boost the Heat in a Cold Bedroom

Homeowners know when they're cold and they know where their cold. They may not know how to light a pilot light, or air seal an attic floor, or balance a home heating system, but they know when they are cold. Bedrooms are often the coldest room in the house and most often people just live with it. Stick the kid in the cool bedroom, throw a couple extra blankets on the bed and tell them to finish their homework.

Dealing with a cool bedroom is frustrating. If you turn up the heat to warm the room, the rest of the house gets too warm. Shut all the heating registers except the bedroom and it puts too much back pressure on the furnace. Too often I see a household try to adjust the temperature of one room by closing heating registers in other rooms and soon they have half the registers in the house closed and the home heating system working overtime to satisfy the heating request at the thermostat.

Usually, the home heating system is designed by a professional Heating Contractor that went to HVAC school for several hours a week for a number of years. A Heating contractor must pass an apprentice program before he or she can even take the test for their journeyman license.

HVAC Education

During the educational phase of the heating and cooling training, they are taught how to do a heating load calculation on a home. They take the heating load and develop a designed heating system that includes furnace size, fan capacity, duct size, air flows, and register size. In other words, heating systems are designed to heat all rooms evenly and to work as a system with all registers open.

If you have one bedroom that is cooler than the rest of the house, one of two things has happened:

• The heating system was designed by a contractor that barely passed the test, or


• the heating system is broken.

Recently, I had a homeowner complain that they got very little air flow out of the heating register in their dining room. The dining room was cooler than other parts of the house. With a flow hood, I registered a 75% decrease of air flow at the register as compared to the register in the living room. I removed the register grill, took a flashlight and mirror and looked down the inside of the heating duct.

With the mirror to see around the initial elbow, I could see that a flow damper valve was installed in the heating duct. Further inspection showed that all the heating ducts in the home had a flow damper installed near the registers. The damper in the dining room was the only one that was closed most of the way. The homeowner was not aware that flow dampers were a part of the homes heating system.

Heating Duct Damper

Flow dampers are a bit unusual in my neck-of-the-woods, I don't see them very often. Flow dampers are added to a heating system to allow manual adjustment of the flow of air to the registers. With dampers, the flow of conditioned air can be balanced so warm and cool areas of the home can be eliminated. To keep from putting increased pressure on the furnace fan motor, when one damper is closed down another damper should be opened up.

Sometimes, I believe a heating contractor may throw in a bunch of flow dampers when he looses his pencil and can't be sure of how big to make the heating ducts or how many registers need to be in a room.

6 Ways to Boost the Heat in a Cold Bedroom.

Repair Heating Duct:
There is always the possibility that the duct system has a problem that can be fixed. Ducts can become partially or totally disconnected and flexible ducts can become pinched off or collapsed. This is the first and most important fix considering the cold bedroom. This fix will not only warm the bedroom, but also increase energy efficiency and energy savings.

The first step is the inspection of the duct leading from the plenum to the register to be sure it is securely connected. Also, look for holes, crimping, or collapsed areas. Heating ducts damaged by animals is also a possibility that you should be looking for.

Disconnected heating ducts can be reconnected, but damaged heating ducts most often need to be replaced as they are difficult to repair.

Check for a Damper:
The sneaky heating contractor may have placed a damper in the heating duct and kept it a pretty good secret. Look and feel inside the duct by removing the register cover. Also, remove insulation from the outside of the duct, especially near the register and check for the telling signs of a damper. A metal rod with a small handle and a few anchor screws indicate a damper inside. Open the damper and your cool room problems maybe over.

Balance Room Pressure With a Cross Over Duct:
Now we need to talk about room pressure and balloons. Crack the bedroom door open about an inch, turn the furnace on and see if the pressure builds up in the room and closes the door.

The heating system is a circle of air. Air is heated in the furnace, pushed through the heating ducts into a room and then sucked by the same furnace, out of the room, back through the return air duct to the furnace. If the air in the room cannot get back to the furnace, the room builds air pressure, like a balloon, which restricts the flow of conditioned air into the room in the first place.

With an increase of pressure in the bedroom, the conditioned air is forced through a different duct and into an adjoining room.

To fix the potential problem, many homes have cross over ducts installed in the ceiling or over the door that allow the air in the room to get back into the hallway even when the door is closed. In some larger, higher priced homes, they may have eliminated the room pressure problem by installing a return air register in every room.

To balance the room pressure and stop this problem, the two most used repairs are installing a cross over duct through the wall over the door or simply cutting the bottom of the door off so there is a wider gap between the door and the carpet.

Increase the Size of the Duct:
Maybe the Heating Contractor ran out of 8 inch ducting so he decided 6 inch was close enough. There is a real possibility that the back bedroom is cool because the heating duct system was not engineered correctly. When this happens, the best fix is to correct the mistake and replace the duct with a larger one. If the home is fairly new and the Contractor is still around, you might get this done as a freebee.

In this way, the cool room will get a larger share of the air coming from the furnace. This repair can still be a do-it-yourself'er if your willing. Heating duct material, both ridged and flex, can be purchased at your favorite home store. Some zip ties, a few sheet metal screws, a sharp knife and a pair of tin snips should do the trick.

If the heating duct size is simply too small to service the room, besides replacing the duct with a larger one, the only other fix that might work is installing a booster fan in the duct or adding a complete second duct and register.

Duct Booster Fan
Place a baffle in the heating plenum:
This adjustment can be very effective - especially in a manufactured home. A section of the main heating trunk ( the plenum ) needs to be opened up so a metal baffle or shield can be placed in the main trunk line that will direct more air into the heating duct that goes to the cold room. This is a very effective way to grab more of the conditioned air that passes down the main heating trunk and direct it in the direction you want it go. This is an inexpensive and permanent fix that works very well.

Install a Booster Fan in the Duct:
This $30 part won't create more heat, but it will pull more heat to the cool room. The booster fan should be installed as close to the offending room as possible and can be wired directly back to the furnace fan so the booster fan will run each time the furnace comes on. Installing it can be a pain. A section of round metal duct either needs to be dropped down or added to the system. Be sure the duct system is air sealed or this added fan will pull unconditioned air into the system and lower your energy efficiency.

I know dealing with a cold spot in your home can be a frustrating ordeal. Hopefully I have provided some solutions to the problem that will work for you and your home. The home heating system was designed to provide the comfort you are expecting and deserve and, with a little T.L.C., will provide years of energy efficient service.

Thank you for stopping by Detect Energy, hope to see you again soon, but I won't leave the light on for you...Don Ames

The Affordability of Haier Air Conditioners

Haier air conditioners are designed for both residential and commercial uses. They are available in various models such as commercial cool portable and casement and slider. Almost all Haier air conditioning units have exhaust hose to allow you to save time and effort in removing and throwing out the water taken from the units.

Some of the useful features of Haier air conditioners are evaporative function, energy efficiency and moisture removal. Start you search for the best Haier air conditioners by reviewing several models featured at airconditioneranalysis.com.

Haier ESAD 4066 Eco Series Air Conditioner:

This air conditioner series features 6,000 BTU cooling capacity and 12 energy efficient rating. It features an ultra violet air filter to purify the air by removing the allergens, odor and pollution. It purifies the air by filtering the pollen, dust and smoke. Other standard features are environment-friendly refrigerant, digital time and temperature display, 4 fan speeds, cooling settings, auto restart option, energy saving mode, automatic swing and remote control for additional comfort and convenience.

Haier ESA 3259 Energy Star Air Conditioner:

Looking for the best energy-efficient replacement ideas that will benefit your modern home? Think no further than this unit which has Energy Star qualification, 25,000 BTU cooling capacity, 9.4 energy efficiency rating and dehumidification mode. It features a moisture removal function, contemporary design, 3 fan speeds, 3 cooling settings, remote control and all top discharge air movement pattern. This unit comes with a warranty for defective materials and workmanship. The overall dimensions are 25 and 21/32 inches deep, 18 and 21/32 inches high and 26 and 9/16 inches wide.

Haier ESA3186 Electronic Control Air Conditioner:

This Energy Star qualified air conditioner has a cooling capacity of 17,000 BTU and energy efficiency rating of 10.7. This unit is ideal for central cooling any residential setting or a large room. This versatile and stylish air conditioner with affordable prices performs multiple functions of cooling, cleaning the air and dehumidifying. Some of its remarkable features are indoor coil coated with hydrophilic resin for corrosion resistance, electrostatic air filter and 3-speed fan.

Haier ESA3159 Electronic Control Air Conditioner:

This 10.7 EER air conditioner with 14,700 BTU is best for maintaining the right temperature at your home. It dehumidifies, cool and cleans the air and is safe to use daily. Some of the salient features are dehumidification mode, electrostatic air filter, 24-hour timer, Enviro-Clean coil, slide-out chassis, remote control, 3 fan speeds, 3 cooling settings temperature display and digital time display. The overall dimensions are 25 and 3/8 inches deep by 16 and 職 inches high and 24 and 3/8 inches wide.

Haier ESA3125 Electronic Control Air Conditioner:

This 10.8 energy efficient rated air conditioner has multiple functional-cooling, dehumidifying and cleaning. The dehumidification mode helps prevent the growth of mold inside your home or office. It condenses the moisture on a cold surface, thus removing it from the air. It comes with digital time display, temperature display and thermostat. You have a wide range of cooling options as it provides 3 fan speeds and cooling settings.

Haier ESA 3089 Air Conditioner:

This air conditioner has met the strict energy efficient standards to prevent greenhouse emissions. It features 7,800 BTU cooling capacity, 10.8 energy efficient rating, light weight for easy window installation and electrostatic air filter. It measures 18.5 inches wide by 15 and 11/32 inches deep by 12 7/16 inches high.

The Internet is still the best source of Haier air conditioners because many online retailers are offering various models, tax credit, rebate and competitive prices.

Air Conditioners Make Life in the Desert a Breeze

I'm writing this article from my home in sunny Arizona. It's the middle of April, and we're supposed to hit 90 degrees this weekend. Some years, we've already hit 100 by this point in spring. Summer temperatures surpass 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which melts my brain just thinking about it.

One would think that with temperatures that high, being a year-round resident would be impossible for anyone that isn't a cactus. But as long as you have a good air conditioning unit that doesn't need any repair, living in the desert, or any other hot climate, is definitely manageable.

The concept of air conditioning is nothing new. The basic premise uses evaporation as a means of cooling air. In ancient Rome, wealthy individuals ran aqueducts through the walls of their homes to cool down the air inside. Giant fans were used in ancient China to circulate and cool down air, and in the medieval Middle East, the concept of rotating air was added to water for increased effect. Fans and other wind sources were directed over indoor pools of water. This caused the surface water to evaporate, and pushed that cooler air from the evaporation on through the building.

A major step toward our modern air conditioning was discovered by Ben Franklin and John Hadley in 1758. They experimented with the evaporation of not just water, but other liquids, including highly volatile ones such as ether and alcohol. Using a mercury bulb thermometer, they were able to evaporate these other liquids and cool the thermometer well below the freezing point of water, despite the warm temperature of the room they were in.

Approximately 50 years later, Frederic Tudor of Boston, began harvesting ice from frozen lakes in the winter. He eventually developed an insulated ice box for customers to store their ice in, and established a profitable world-wide trade business, earning the nickname of Ice King. While ice was used mainly at that time to cool food, in the 1840's, US Physician and scientist John Gorrie, used ice to cool down ambient temperature as well. He suspended blocks of ice from the ceiling in a basin, and since heat rises and cold air sinks, the cooler air then settled down to where the patient sickbeds were.

Then in 1902, the first modern electrical air conditioner was invented in Buffalo, NY by Willis Carrier. This machine differed from other air conditioners of the past in that it controlled not only temperature, but humidity levels as well. From window units to central air conditioning systems, swamp coolers to whole house fans, over a hundred years later, we still use a variety of machines to change the temperature and humidity of our air. And as spring gets hot, it's a good idea to contact your local HVAC contractor to make sure whatever machine you have will keep you cool in the summer so you can survive, and even thrive, in whatever temperature or climate you choose to live in.

Air Conditioning Throughout History

It's hard to imagine a modern world without air conditioning. There would be no refrigerators to store food, so grocery shopping almost every day would become necessary. An icebox would only keep food good for 2-3 days, so there would always be a higher risk of food poisoning. Skyscrapers would certainly not be very comfortable places in which to work. Many people living in hotter climates like Phoenix, Arizona would not be able to stand the 100-degree heat and probably would have to move up north, at least during the summer months. People with asthma and migraines would have a hard time living in Washington DC, where they need clean indoor air quality to escape the airborne impurities.

There hasn't always been air conditioning available, especially not to those who were less than wealthy. How was air conditioning ever invented? Was there any way to cool a home before electric air conditioning? There is a rich history behind the evolution of air conditioning and it spans more than just the last century, making the modern comforts we enjoy today possible.

Cooling as Done By the Ancients

Using machinery to cool the air has been a recent technology, but cooling homes has been done throughout history. During the time when the Roman Empire dominated Western culture, wealthier Romans enjoyed cooled homes in the summer months. They used aqueducts, or channels, that moved water from one part of the house to another. Full-scale aqueducts would send drinking water to all parts of the city, but used within a home, these aqueducts evaporated air as it moved and could cool the rooms.

The Romans weren't the only ones in the world working on the development of cooling technology. The Chinese were inventing rotary fans powered by water to provide air movement within a building. The Persians would dig large cisterns, or pools, in their courtyards. When this water evaporated, it cooled the surrounding area. These may seem like rudimentary methods now, but they were effective means for providing relief during seasons of intense heat.

The Beginning of Air Conditioning as We Know It

Michael Faraday, a British chemist and physicist, discovered how to use machinery to provide air conditioning in 1820. By compressing and liquefying ammonia, the air that evaporated from the liquid would be cooler than the normal air temperature. These principles were used early on to produce ice in large quantities. In the 1830s, a physician named John Gorrie adapted this principle and used a fan to blow over a bucket of ice, producing cooler air for those confined to the hospital.

In order to cool printing plants, which were made extremely hot by the intense machinery and equipment, the first electric air conditioner was made in 1902 by Willis Haviland Carrier. By lowering the temperature in the factory, this cooling system saved paper from being warped as it was being printed on. He called it, "The Apparatus for Treating Air." Stuart Cramer patented the term "air conditioning" in 1906 when he used Carrier's cooling system to condition yarn as it was being used in the textile plants.

From the beginning, electric air conditioners could be quite dangerous because of the chemicals they utilized. The initial designs for electric air conditioners used ammonia and propane. In 1928, scientists began using Freon as a refrigerant because the chemical was found to be much less dangerous to people. With these modifications, people were using air conditioning systems in their cars by the 1940s.

Continuing Advances in Air Conditioning Technology

As time went on, it became more and more apparent that Freon, though not as dangerous to people as ammonia, was quite harmful to the environment. In 1987, the United Nations issued the Montreal Protocol to make known the harmful qualities of chlorofluorocarbons. The US abandoned the use of CFCs entirely in 1995 after finding alternative chemicals that did not emit CFCs. New technologies are being developed all the time to save the environment, improve the efficiency of the equipment, and improve air quality all at the same time.

Today, technicians can go to school to develop their education around HVAC technologies and take courses to see how the designs have changed throughout history. Air conditioning diplomas are useful tools for a career in the thriving HVAC industry.

Don't forget, the space suits that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin wore as they walked on the moon utilized principles of air conditioning in order to cool them. Many great achievements in the last century have been made possible with the advancement of air conditioning and refrigeration technologies. Imagine where we will be in another hundred years.

Central Air Vs Wall Unit Air Conditioner

A properly functioning, new air conditioning unit adds not only tremendous comfort to any home, but it can also increase the home's value so it can also be looked at as an excellent investment. There are many different types of air conditioning units on the market, but there are certain proven features and elements to consider when deciding which one will best suit an individual's specific needs.

Cooling Capacity

One of the most essential things to keep in mind when deciding on what kind of AC to purchase for either a residence or a business, is just how much cooling capacity is truly required to keep the interior premises as comfortable as possible. The key here is that a person should not always buy the most powerful air conditioner system out there simply because he can afford it or because he desires it. There are plenty of air conditioners that will cool most efficiently without having to choose the very highest cooling capacity possible. If too powerful an air conditioner is chosen compared to what's necessary for the interior square footage of the particular dwelling, then electrical costs will be unnecessarily excessive, and that's not an intelligent decision.

Price

Most people interested in purchasing an air conditioner have a budget they need to stay within, so the cost of the unit is definitely an important factor. It's important to comparison shop both online and in brick and mortar shops that sell air conditioners to locate the one that best suits a buyer's most appropriate financial circumstances. So price is an essential factor in deciding on a person's air conditioner's needs.

Brands

Another fundamental factor in selecting which new AC best suits a buyer's needs is which specific brands he favors over others. Some top brands have been manufacturing air conditioners for many decades longer than others and have built a stronger reputation of reliability, dependability, quality and performance standards. So it's up to the buyer to do some homework to research which brands will be most efficient and durable so his purchasing decision will be the wisest one possible.

Central Air vs. Window Units

Some homeowners and business owners prefer central air conditioning systems while others are satisfied with individually installed window units. This is a personal choice. Many people enjoy the option of being able to set each room to different temperatures and that's why they prefer window units. Moreover, central air conditioners tend to cost much more to buy and repair than individual units, so this is another essential element to consider when deciding which type best suits a person's needs.