Window Air Conditioning Units: Inefficient Eyesores, or Capable Coolers?

Window air conditioners are the most common type of home cooling system sold today. When you are driving through a neighborhood and see a large box sticking out of a window that's what you are looking at. They contain all of the functional parts in one single, compact box. Window units are an inexpensive way of cooling your home, and are easy to install.

The first window units were inefficient and noisy contraptions. However technology has progressed so that they are able to cool our homes quietly and efficiently. They are readily available at any appliance store and can be purchased straight off the shelf. Once you get them home, installation is simple. All you have to do is open your window and place the unit in the space. If you purchased the appropriate size it should fit perfectly in window. The window is then pulled down so that it touches the top and that should be all that is needed to hold it in place. After the window unit is in position, simply plug it in and turn it on to begin cooling your house! Sometimes it is necessary to fill a small space if the units size does not quite match the window, but this is easily taken care of.

When you purchase your window air conditioner, it is important to take the time to determine the right one for the space you are cooling. To do this, measure the area of the space and reference a BTU chart so see what you need. Single rooms can be cooled efficiently with about 6-10000 BTU's while multiple rooms will require more. If you purchase the wrong BTU, your unit will not work efficiently. If you purchase a unit that is too small, it will strain due to constant running in an attempt to keep the space cool. Larger air conditioners will cool turn on and off frequently and the air won't be circulated enough to be dehumidified. In order for proper and efficient cooling, moisture needs to be removed from the air.

In order to keep your window air conditioner running properly, it is important to keep it cleaned and serviced. Changing the filter is an important maintenance requirement that will help your unit to run more efficiently. If it is not cooling properly for any reason, usually a simple Freon charge will get things back up to standard.

If you are looking for a low cost way to cool your home, consider a window unit. They work great and almost anyone can install them with ease.

Auto Air Conditioning Repair 101

When your car or truck A/C is not blowing "cold air", the first thought is to panic. $$$$ signs are going through your mind. Your A/C is broken and the repair is going to be expensive. This article takes the mystery out of automotive air conditioning and serves as a primer so that you can make common repairs yourself and save MONEY on professional repairs.

A/C Principles

There are books and publications that contain volumes of information on the subject of air conditioning repair. This information is often too technical for the you to learn how-to fix your auto air conditioning system.

In the nutshell, here is all that you need to know about the fundamentals of refrigeration so that you can fix your auto air conditioning system yourself.

Air conditioning is the process in which air inside the passenger compartment is cooled, dried, and circulated. Heat is removed from inside the vehicle and transferred to the outside air.

All air conditioners whether, it is an auto A/C, household refrigerator or home HVAC, work on the same principles. Namely, a liquid refrigerant is changed to a gas and then back to a liquid. If a change-of-state of the refrigerant is to take place, heat transfer must take place. The two (2) rules that apply to refrigerant are:

1. Refrigerant in a gaseous state collects, absorbs, and holds heat.
2. Refrigerant in a liquid state releases that heat.

A/C Operation and Components

For your auto A/C to blow "cold air", R-134A refrigerant must pass through and change state in three (3) components, one (1) receiver-dryer, and one (1) expansion valve that makes up the closed auto air conditioning system. The components of the system are:

1. Compressor - A device that pressurizes the heated refrigerant..

2. Condenser - A radiator for refrigerant that transfers the heat that was absorbed in the passenger compartment to the cooler air.

3. Evaporator - Is a small radiator located under dash in the passenger compartment. Liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator creates a pressure loss. The liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the air blowing across the evaporator. It then boils and changes state to vapor before it enters the suction port of the compressor.

4. Receiver-Dryer - Is a canister that stores the liquid refrigerant when the compressor is not running. It contains a desiccant that removes moisture from the system.

5. Expansion Valve - Is a metering device that controls the amount of refrigerant to the evaporator.

A/C Quick Check

A check that can easily be made to check the health of the A/C system is the "feel check". With engine running, turn the auto A/C control to "ON" and the blower on "high". Take a test drive to warm the engine until the A/C system pressures stabilize. Raise the hood. With the A/C "On", locate the large tubing connected and routed from the compressor (low side) to the expansion valve (inlet side) of the evaporator. Next, locate the small tubing that is connected to the discharge-side of the compressor and routed to the outlet side of the evaporator. When you feel these two (2) lines, you should observe these results:

1. The low-side line should feel "cool" to the touch.
2. The high-side line should feel "warm" to the touch.

If the high-side tubing is not warm and the low-side is not cool, further tests will have to be made as the system is not doing any work. There is an internal problem; such as, a defective component or a leak in your A/C system.

Testing A/C System

Before system temperature tests can be made, a checklist should be followed (below) to setup for testing the A/C system:

1. Set the A/C "ON-OFF" switch to "ON".
2. Set the temperature control to "maximum cooling".
3. Set the blower on "high" or the highest number on the control switch.
4. Temperature inside passenger compartment should be stable and getting cooler.
5. Engine speed must be a minimum of 1500 rpm's.
6. All windows should be be in the "UP" position.

Check Temperature

Your compact car or truck has a small capacity A/C system and a loss of "cooling" would be more noticeable than a larger capacity auto A/C system. If a noticeable loss of "cooling" capacity is noticed, a temperature check at the vent registers should be made. This check can be made with an instant read or digital temperature thermometer.. The discharge air from the vents in the passenger compartment should range from 38 to 42 degrees F.

A/C System Diagnosis

Assuming that the discharge air test measured at the vent registers is out-of-range, a system pressure test will have to be made. Professional A/C technicians connect a tool known as the manifold gauge set to the "low" and "high" side service valves of the system. For you to diagnose and look inside the A/C, it will be necessary to become proficient in the use of the manifold gauge set.

A manifold gauge set that is suitable for the needs can be purchased at most auto supply stores and Internet A/C tool and supply store fronts for less than $50.00. TIP: Look for a gauge set that has a built-in sight glass.

Locate the "low" and "high" side service valves.. Connect the hoses (they are a snap connector fit) to the service valves in the following manner:.

1. Connect the blue hose of the gauge set to the "low-side" service valve of the compressor.
2. Connect the red hose of the gauge set to the "high-side service valve of the compressor.
3. The yellow hose of the gauge set is connected to a vacuum pump or a refrigerant can to add refrigerant to the system. The yellow hose is not connected to the system at this time.

Static Test

If you find an out-of-range temperature reading, the manifold gauge set should be installed on the "low" and "high-side" service valves. With the engine "OFF" and the compressor and clutch not engaged, the blue "low-side" and red "high-side" gauges should show equal readings of approximately 80 to 120psi. These readings would indicate that there is a refrigerant charge in your A/C system. If the readings were 50psi on each gauge, this would indicate that there is refrigerant in the system but a LOW CHARGE. If the readings were 10 to 20psi on each gauge would indicate that there is little or no refrigerant in your A/C system.

Engine Running Test

Start the engine,.turn the A/C switch"ON" with the blower on "high" and run for a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes. Observe the reading on the manifold gauge set. TIP: A manifold gauge set with a built-in sight glass (mentioned above) will save you diagnostic time as most A/C systems do not have a sight glass built-in the receiver-dryer on the high side of the system.

With this feature, you look for bubbling refrigerant oil and refrigerant in the sight glass on the manifold. Oil moving through the glass would indicate that the compressor and clutch are engaged. Refrigerant is being moved from the low-side throughout the A/C system in the refrigeration cycle.

Low Charge

With the engine running, A/C switch "ON", and the manifold gauge set installed, a "low-side" pressure reading of 20psi over 150psi would indicate that your A/C system has a LOW CHARGE. The low reading of 150psi on the "high-side" gauge would be the tell tale that the system is doing very little work. A LOW CHARGE usually is an indicator that there is a refrigerant leak from a component on the "low" or "high-side" of the A/C system. A refrigerant leak in the system would have to be repaired for the A/C system to blow "cold air". TIP: REFRIGERANT DOES NOT WEAR OUT, IT LEAKS OUT. Some symptoms to look for a LOW CHARGE condition are:

1. Compressor clutch short cycling.
2. Clutch will not engage.
3. Little or no cooling.
4. Oily residue on hoses and components.

Leak Checking

For your A/C system to blow "cold air", refrigerant leaks will have to be found and repaired. Usually, leaks in an A/C system are minor and can be fixed with a screwdriver or hand tools. Most A/C systems use schrader valves for easy connection of the manifold gauge set. That said, these are no more than overgrown bicycle valves that use a valve core. When you are checking a system, the valves are the first place check for a leak. Other targets; such as, oil residue on hoses connected to the compressor is the second place that should be checked. TIP: When tightening the bolts to the suction and discharge ports of the compressor with hand tools, do not over tighten. Rubber 0-rings are placed on the suction and discharge ports of the compressor for sealing. The seals will create a leak when over tightened. Only tighten snug.

When your A/C system has a LOW CHARGE, a refrigerant charge will have to added to check for the leak. Refrigerant that contains a dye for leak checking a system is used for this purpose. The manifold gauge set, refrigerant, and a can tap valve will be needed to add refrigerant to check for a leak in the system.

Connect the manifold gauge set as discussed above. Connect the yellow hose to the can tap valve and front seat (turn clockwise) the valve. Close the blue gauge on the manifold gauge set. Open the valve on the can tap valve. Slowly open the valve on the blue or "low-side" gauge and let the refrigerant flow from the refrigerant can into the system until you see a reading of 60psi on the "low-side" gauge. TIP: Placing the refrigerant can in a pan of hot water will allow the vapor refrigerant to enter the A/C system quicker. WARNING: Do not invert the refrigerant can. Doing so will allow liquid refrigerant to enter the system resulting in a ruined compressor.

Professional A/C technicians use an electronic leak detector to find leaks in an system. Use a battery-powered UV leak detector kit and special UV glasses. This kit can be purchased at auto supply stores and Internet A/C supply store fronts.

The UV glasses should be worn when checking for leaks. Simply place the tip of the detector on a fitting or connection to each component to be checked in the A/C system. When a leak is found, a light greenish color will be seen through the UV glasses.

Air Flow

An often overlooked cause of your A/C system not blowing "cold air" is debris that clogs the condenser. Bugs, plastic bags, and leaves from city and highway driving will prevent air from passing through the fins of the condenser. The condenser should be cleaned with a cleaning solvent. Bent fins on the condenser should be straightened with a fin comb.

Restrictions

A restriction is a condition that is a blockage. Usually, it is traced to the outlet side of the condenser. Some form of debris has formed causing a restriction of refrigerant flow through the condenser tubes.. The passages in the tubes of most condensers that are used in compact cars and trucks are very small. An effective way to diagnose a restriction in your A/C system is the manifold gauge set. The "high-side" (red) gauge would move into the DANGER zone, over 300psi.

System Repairs

When a system has been opened, and a component removed, moisture has entered the system. For your A/C to blow "cold air", that moisture will have to be removed with the aid of a vacuum pump.

At this stage of the repair, you have two (2) choices to finish the repair of your A/C system. The first choice is take the car or truck to an A/C professional. At their shop, they will evacuate the system, check your work, and recharge the A/C system for a fee.

The second choice is to repair your A/C system yourself. You will need to borrow or buy a vacuum pump to finish the repair. A small 2-stage vacuum pump that is designed for automobile refrigeration systems is available for less than $100.00.

After replacing a component, moisture has entered the system during the repair. For the A/C system to blow "cold air" the moisture will have to be removed. Install the manifold gauge set to your car or truck service valves as described above. After repairs, your A/C system is evacuated and recharged by applying the below steps:

1. Blue hose to the "low-side" service valve.

2. Red hose to the "high-side service valve.

3. Yellow hose to the suction port of the vacuum pump.

4. Close the hand valve to the vacuum pump.

5. Back seat (open) the hand valves on the blue and red gauges of the manifold gauge set.

6. Connect the electrical power to the vacuum pump.

7. Open the hand valve on the vacuum pump.

8. Run the vacuum pump for three (3) minutes.

9. The needle on the "low-side" gauge (blue) show should be in a vacuum at 28.3hg.

10. A system with no leaks will pull a vacuum of 28.3hg in three (3) minutes.

11. If the needle of the blue gauge did not fall to 28.3hg, the evacuation will have to be aborted as there is a leak in your car or truck A/C system.

12. The leak will have to be found in the A/C system using the UV detector and UV glasses.

13. Once the leak has been found and repaired, continue the evacuation steps as described above for 25 minutes.

14. Front seat (close) the hand valves on the blue and red gauges and observe the needle on the blue gauge.

15. The needle should hold steady at 29hg, indicating a tight system with no leaks.

16. Any needle movement toward "0" on the blue "low-side" gauge would indicate a leak in the system and the evacuation would have to be aborted and conduct a search for the leak.

16.Look in the owners manual or service manual for the factory recommended refrigerant charge. It is usually from 16 to 28 ounces.

17.Attach the can tap valve to a can of refrigerant Make sure that the tap valve hand valve is front seated (closed).

18. Turn the A/C control switch to the "ON" position and blower switch to "high".

19. Start the engine and run at 1500rpm's.

20. Place the refrigerant can in a pan of hot water. Warning: Do not invert the can for this process as liquid would enter the system and ruin the reed valves of the compressor.

21. Continue this process until the factory charge (approximately 2 1/2 cans) has entered the system.

22. Shutoff your car or truck engine and let the A/C system stabilize. When the readings on the red and blue gauges are equal, remove the blue "low-side" hose from the service valve.

23. Restart the engine and remove the red "high-side" hose from the service valve.

24. Close the hood and take your car or truck for a three (3) mile test drive.

25. Place an instant read or digital thermometer in the vent register in the passenger compartment.

26. The temperature should range from 38 to 42 degrees F on a 90-degree day.

Tools and Materials

1. Manifold gauge set
2. Vacuum pump
3. Hand tools
4. Battery powered UV leak detector
5. Can tap valve
6. 134A refrigerant dye
7. 134A refrigerant
8. Instant read temperature thermometer
9. Digital temperature thermometer

Why We Need Air Conditioning and Heating Systems

Air conditioning and heating systems are also known as HVAC, now-a-days which means Heating, Ventilating and Air conditioning. This term mainly started in early second century when the Roman cities used it as a central heating system or a Hypocaust. Then this term got fame in Industrial era and now it is used as an integrated system for keeping the climate cool.

Uses of HVAC:

The first and the primary use of HVAC are to regulate the room temperature, humidity and air flowing to an amount suitable for the body to sustain in that environment. A suitable range of this environment should be ensured as it minimizes health risks which are:

1. A very humid atmosphere unable the body's activity to perform the function of evaporation of sweat and also causes fatigue due to which it is difficult for the body to perform various tasks
2. 2. Hypothermia and Heat Stroke are two major breakdowns caused in body when unhealthy surroundings affect people's thinking abilities.
3. Temporary HAVC units can also be used in case of emergency. It is used in extreme weather conditions for keeping the climate cool or hot and healthy. In many cases, it is the only invention used for survival and work. For example, a crewman working in a tunnel needs HVAC to keep the temperature at a suitable level.
4. In many situations HVAC have been used for saving lives. One incident occurred in Texas where a girl was fallen in a tunnel and was lodged there for a couple of days. So what the rescuer did was, they pushed a hose for her to respire fresh air and in the meanwhile found a way to rescue her.
5. Temporary HVAC are also used in schools, institutions, offices, homes, buildings and many other areas where it is necessary for temperature and humidity to be controlled.

Three Types of temporary HAVC units:

The three types of HVAC are which are mainly used everywhere are:

1. Generators:

In the present era, almost everyone requires a generator for carrying on their work because fossil fuel is getting becoming led in quantity day by day. This is mainly used in those countries where power grid is to expect to be down for a much longer time period. Generators are used for providing lighting and thermo-regulation.
Due to its massive use, generators now are manufactured in various models, brands and qualities. Customers are given an ample choice to select whatever type of generator they require for their usage.

2. Chillers:

HVAC system has introduced chillers for keeping the specific areas cool. They are large sized so they are mainly used in industries and for commercial uses. HVAC chillers require thermal, condensers, compressor, evaporator and stabilizers so as to perform the function in the best applicable way as possible.

3. Boilers:

Two types of boilers have been introduced by HVAC. That is Steam boiler and Hot water Boiler and whoever have used them, have praised their excellence.

What Is A Contactor In An Air Conditioning System? A Bad Contactor Can Lead To Major Failures!

A contactor is defined as an electrical relay used to control the flow of power in a circuit. Many people also refer to them as a relay. A relay is actually defined as a device that responds to a small current or voltage change by activating switches or other devices in an electric circuit. In the real world of heating and air conditioning, what this means is a contactor is capable of handling a higher current than a relay. Relays are usually reserved for small pilot duty applications. Most heating and air conditioning service technicians will not call a contactor a relay.

We will be discussing a typical single pole or double pole contactor as would be found in a modern home using a split system gas furnace with air conditioning or a heat pump. Single poles have only one set of contacts while double poles have two. Single poles are used by many manufacturers of equipment. Single poles only break half the power to the fan motor and compressor while double poles break it all. We feel most heating and air conditioning service technicians probably like breaking both sides, at least we do.

Contactors actually have at least two separate circuits in them. (Some commercial contactors have many circuits). One circuit is the low voltage coil circuit and the other is the load circuit.

The coil circuit in MOST home air conditioning or heat pump systems uses a 24 volt coil, however, there are some systems that use a 230 volt coil in conjunction with a small relay that switches the contactor on and off. These 230 volt coil systems are predominantly on older systems or commercial units these days. Before changing any contactor be sure the correct coil voltage is used or a burnt coil may result. The coil voltage will be marked on a small tag on the side of the contactor. The line/load circuit in the home contactor is used to supply 230 volts to the load side of the equipment from the line side. In other words, the main 230 volt power coming from the power source of the home flows across the contacts in the contactor to the line side (compressor, fan motor and any other component) when the coil is energized by a call from the home thermostat for cooling or in a heat pump for cooling or heating. When the thermostat isn't calling for the unit to be running, the coil releases and the contacts open causing the compressor and fan motor to stop.

Thousands of on and off cycles however, cause a couple of problems. The most obvious problem is that the contacts themselves get burnt from constantly arching as they open and close the 230 volt connection. Contacts can actually weld themselves closed after a period of time. These thousands of cycles also cause the plastic sliding mechanism to wear. This wear often causes the contactor contacts to stick closed even though the thermostat has stopped sending an electrical signal to the coil. When this happens it usually goes unnoticed by the homeowner and can quickly lead to a frozen evaporator coil and or compressor. When a frozen condition exists the oil in the compressor is also frozen and can't lubricate the internal parts inside the compressor. This conditions amounts to the same thing as running your vehicle with no oil! The other issue with burnt contacts is that there may be a voltage drop and added heat sent to the compressor and fan motor since the contacts are burnt.

To put things in perspective, changing a contactor is very cheap protection against having to replace a $1,000- $1,500 compressor. Contacts should be examined every year before operating the unit and usually should be replace every five years or so.

Air Conditioner Covers

Covers are used to protect air conditioners from unfavorable weather conditions such as condensation, dew, cold drafts, extreme heat, etc. They also keep dust and small insects away from the body of the air conditioner and its different components.

Dust Covers are made of synthetic material such as vinyl, plastics, terylene or Dacron. They are washable and are fastened and unfastened on the air conditioner by plastic zippers or Velcro fasteners. These Covers can be used to cover the entire body of the air conditioner, except the region which contains the duct and the button controls. They are available in a large number of sizes and colors. Mostly they are made in standard air conditioner sizes and can be bought directly from the shops. Some companies also manufacture Custom Covers after taking specifications from the ordering company.

Weatherizing Covers are more detailed in their design. These Covers are made of special plastics, such as polyurethane, or metals, and they can be fitted on the air conditioner. Most of these Covers have direct attachments with the front and back faces of the air conditioners. Others can be attached on the air conditioner using duct tape, caulk or mess. These Covers pack not only the air conditioner, but even the tiny gaps around it so as to prevent any cold drafts from entering inside the room. Some better-quality Covers can also absorb the vibration of the air conditioner, and reduce the noise it creates.

Portable air conditioners use Covers that envelop them completely. Zippers running through their entire length on one of the edges can secure them over the air conditioner's body. These are made of synthetic plastics and are available in most colors and sizes.

Some Covers are also available in aesthetic designs for use in living room air conditioners. There are lace Covers and Covers with various designs and patterns on them. More than protection, these Covers aim at rendering beauty to the room by disguising the air conditioner.

Simple Dust Covers are available at less than $20. But custom-designed Covers and Weatherizing Covers may cost much higher depending on the specifications required.

Mitsubishi Air Conditioning Units

Mitsubishi Electric began with a fan, a simple concept that helped fulfill a dream of making the world a more comfortable place, even on the hottest and most unbearable of days. A mere 10 years later, air conditioners were born and the world would never be the same.

Mitsubishi Electric

What makes Mitsubishi Electric such a remarkable company? From the beginning this is a company that stayed true to their goals of doing everything that they could to not affect the environment in a negative way with any of the products that they created. They were never only concerned with the product itself but also with the production to create such units. If a product doesn't meet their high standards, they will not sell it just to make a profit.

This is a company with a very strong, well-respected and trusted reputation. Mitsubishi electric is run by seven principles being trust, quality, technology, citizenship, ethics, environment and growth. They respect the environment, their employees and their consumers. They are a company who continues to research and develop new features and products and maintain high ethical standards in every part of their business.

Advanced Technology

Mitsubishi air conditioners feature their Inverter Technology, ensuring superior performance and optimum control. What this means to you is a maximum level of comfort at a minimal running cost. All electric devices in their air conditioners are controlled by these inverters including the compressor motor.

The air is regulated by sensors that are designed to adjust speed so the room remains comfortable at all times and you never use electricity that you don't need. Your home is not only cooled off faster, you never have that too hot or too cold moment that non-inverter systems often provide.

Mr. Slim

The Mr. Slim Split-ductless series offers a variety of units with various benefits, features and price tags. The Mr. Slim Split-ductless MSY-D30NA happens to be one of their most popular units because they feature an anti-allergy filter that traps mites, dust and pollen and reduces viruses and germs.

One of the most moderately priced Mitsubishi air conditioning units is the Mr. Slim split-ductless M-series MS-A09WA. It offers a 98 percent power consumption improvement and it features self-diagnostic function, automatic restart, dry mode operation, remote control and anti-allergen enzyme filter.

Starting Your Own HVAC Company

With summer time hitting hard, air conditioning is a necessity in many parts of the country. Individuals residing in southern states such as Arizona, Texas, and Florida simply cannot make it through without a working AC unit. Due to the fact that these devices are extremely expensive to replace, many homeowners choose to seek repair options before deciding to look into a new unit. Thus, the potential customer base for repair men is vast. Such is why having a place within the AC repair field is so desirable. In this article, we will provide a few tips to help you in starting your own HVAC company.

Step 1 - Contact your state board to inquire as to the necessary certifications and licensing that must be obtained in order to engage in HVAC repair. Most areas require certifications in installation and repair techniques for all employees who work in the field. In addition, your company may require a registered contractor's license.

Step 2 - Come up with a business name and register it. You should also hire someone to design an eye-catching logo to put on business cards and flyers.

Step 3 - Purchase the equipment you will require for the business to function. You'll likely need a truck or van in addition to the various tools necessary to performing your jobs. Other items include Freon and Puron refrigerant.

Step 4 - Consider a price list for your services. Some tasks will obviously cost your clients more than others, and it's important to know just what will be required of each job. Likewise, customers will many times be interested in up-front pricing prior to hiring any company.

Step 5 - Advertise in your area. Talk to various property management businesses around town in hopes of becoming a part of their vendor list. Also contact commercial property owners in regard to obtaining contracts with their businesses. Home warranty companies are also prime options to look into. Be sure to post flyers, pass out business cards, and list yourself in the local yellow pages.

Step 6 - As you get your feet wet, start by yourself. Add employees once the workload becomes larger than you can handle and make sure they are properly trained.

Step 7 - Treat your customers like gold. Show up on time, prepared, and well groomed. Word of mouth is effectively the best source of advertisement. Take advantage of this simple aspect, and watch your business flourish.

Advanced and Multi-Functional - Newair ACP-1400H Portable AC

Certain situations and climates may make installing standard air conditioning units impractical, cost-prohibitive, or difficult, and many consumers often turn to portable cooling solutions such as portable air conditioners to beat the summer heat. Portable air conditioners are great alternatives to window or wall air conditioners or even as a supplement to existing central air conditioning systems because they're mobile and don't require permanent installation. Therefore, these cooling devices are great for apartment buildings that do not permit window units or homes with windows that cannot properly accommodate permanently installed window air conditioning units, as well as for keeping computer server room temperatures stable.

Overall, portable ACs work very similar to traditional air conditioning systems, but they have the added benefit of being fully portable and mobile. Both the cold and hot sides of the air conditioning cycle are contained in the housing, and the condenser coil is cooled from the air in the room. An exhaust hose then expels heat and water is condensed out of the air. At that point, depending on the unit, the water is either collected in an internal drain bucket or mostly evaporated through the use of auto-evaporative technology. Furthermore, as an added bonus, because portable ACs cool the air via the refrigeration cycle, they remove moisture from the air and are thus great for those living in climates with high levels of humidity.

Because summer's approaching and a lot of us are already experiencing rising temperatures, our product team has been testing a variety of portable air conditioners and rating them based on their features, power, and ability to cool. One of the most advanced models we found was the NewAir ACP-1400H, and in addition to its powerful motor, what really impressed us was the fact that it was truly a multi-functional appliance and offered a portable air conditioner, heater, and even air purifier in one compact, easy-to-use unit.

We tested the NewAir ACP-1400H portable air conditioner in the 400 square-foot living room of our product editor's home on a scorching Southern California afternoon. Here are the details of our test:

At First Glance

Upon first glance, we were amazed at the design of this portable air conditioner. It was compact, weighed 77 pounds, and sported a unique, square-shaped design that we've never seen before. In fact, it fit in nicely into the corner of the room and wasn't obtrusive at all. In terms of its portability, it came with wide, rolling casters and we were able to move it from room to room without any trouble.

Cooling Capacity

Many portable air conditioner manufacturers nowadays overstate the cooling capacity of their units, and we've been wary of such claims with each portable AC we've been testing. Fortunately, we were able to contact NewAir directly and were reassured that the NewAir ACP-1400H portable AC boasted a verified 14,000 BTUs. Moreover, NewAir stated that this unit would be able to adequately cool a 400 square foot room, and we found this to be true. In fact, we think this portable air conditioner would even provide sufficient cooling for a small studio apartment.

Noise Levels

The NewAir AC-1400H had a decibel rating of less than 54 decibels, and this was supposed to be quieter than normal conversation. We left the unit operating at high speed with the television on and were not disturbed. Furthermore, this portable AC actually came with three fan speeds and a sleep mode function that would make it great for bedroom use.

Condensate Removal

Portable air conditioners are easy to maintain, but they do require initial venting and removal of condensate. In older models, the condensate is collected in a drain bucket that has to be periodically emptied, but new models, including the NewAir ACP-1400H, utilize advanced auto-evaporative technology. This eliminates the need to emptying annoying drain buckets, but keep in mind that if you live in an especially humid area, you still may need to occasionally get rid of this excess condensate. However, when we used in this in our Southern California testing location, we really didn't have to worry about this.

Additional Features

The real standout feature (or features, rather) of the NewAir ACP-1400H is the fact that it combined four different appliances in one. When not in air conditioning mode, this unit also worked as a dehumidifier or air circulator, and for the colder months, it could be used as a space heater. Moreover, this portable air conditioner came with a built-in air purifier complete with a washable air filter for large particles, ionizer for small particles, and an activated carbon filter for pesky odors.

Overall, we were really impressed with the features and performance of the NewAir ACP-1400H. While slightly more expensive than some other units we tested, we felt that because of its multi-functionality, the higher price tag was well worth it.

Mechanical Air Conditioners - Part I - Operating Principle

Common ACs, that we see almost everywhere on this globe, is actually, the mechanical type of AC unit. If we were to be very meticulous in the naming structure, we would have called it Mechanical ACs.

However, we just name it as air conditioner, or ACs, and everyone understands it.

One should not confuse the term between, air conditioning, and AC. Air conditioning means altering temperature, humidity, air filtration, movement and mixing. Whilst ACs are the equipment used to alter the temperature and humidity - in one package.

There are four types of air conditioners available for us. The,

• gas absorption AC,


• steam based AC,


• thermoelectric AC, and


• the mechanical AC

The first three AC types are mainly (if not totally) used in industrial applications. We'll go through the air conditioner operation, briefly, before concentrating on mechanical air conditioners.

Gas absorption AC

Uses, water as its refrigerant. The system uses the principle of vacuum, to encourage boiling of water at very low temperature. The water will be passed through cooling coil, for producing cool air.

Lithium bromide will be used as the absorption (or recovery) medium, once the water has passed through the cooling coil.

Steam based ACs

Is similar to gas absorption units, but it uses the brute power of steam, and venturi, to reduce the pressure of water (which is the refrigerant).

Water at low pressure will boil at low temperature, and becomes a refrigerant.

Thermoelectric AC

This AC uses the principle of thermocouple to attain heating and cooling effects at the same time. The beauty of this system lies in its simplicity of construction.

It uses electrical power, and thermocouple. As the electricity flows through the circuit, you'll get a hot region, and a cold region. Talk about killing two birds with one stone.

However, the major limitation of this concept is that, it can only produce a small cooling or heating effect, compared to other air conditioners.

Mechanical Air Conditioners

It is named mechanical, as it requires the continuous act of refrigerant compression for cooling, or heating effect. This concept was thought by Willis Haviland Carrier, when he created the first mechanical air conditioner.

Special refrigerant are used in order to achieve this. These are known as CFCs (already banned), HCFCs and, HFCs. Why use these? Because of very low boiling temperatures, at ambient pressure.

Details of this air conditioner operation,

• a compression process is required to raise the pressure of refrigerant. When this happens, you can liquefy the refrigerant (through condensation) easily,


• this is followed by refrigerant condensation. Condensation happens through heat exchange between refrigerant, and air (or water),


• an expansion device (or valve) will be placed after the condenser. This is a device to allow for pressure build up from compressor. This is also, the place where refrigerant will evaporate into low pressure region.

  When this happens refrigerant will start to boil at very low temperatures,



• finally, the refrigerant will be passed through another heat exchanger - to complete the boiling process. Heat exchange happens between air and refrigerant


• this process repeats at the compression side

Those are the processes involved in achieving cool air, through mechanical air conditioners - through continuous "supply" of refrigerant at low temperatures.

Part II is coming soon...

HVAC: Two Types of Conditioning Systems

When you are looking into improving your ventilation or air conditioning system, you are bombarded with information about HVAC. It is seen as the best in the business, so everywhere you go you are going to see the variety of options and know that professional installation and maintenance is the best way to insure proper use and lasting operation for the life of your system selection. But, what are the options here. There are different styles of homes that were built in different decades, can they use and HVAC just as well as a modern home in one of the newer subdivisions? Yes, they can because there are two different kinds that have their own plusses and minuses, depending upon your preference and home construction.

There are two processes that allow air conditioning and heating to affect the temperature of any home or office structure's rooms. The two types include radiant systems and force air systems. On one hand, the radiant HVAC system is predominately found in areas that experience intense cold weather. You can find these systems that provided heated and cooled water that loops through pipes to radiate temperature control into a space through the floor or a radiator in each room. You typically find radiators in older homes, historic fix ups and homes where the owners have specific taste he or she can appreciate radiant room conditioning as the best method available.

On the other hand, the second type of room temperature conditioning system is the forced air HVAC system. In this system a fan is used to drive furnace coil, temperature manipulated air through the ducts to enter the rooms or buildings it is intended. The only problem with this method is that some heat and air can be lost to the duct work. It can be fueled by gas or electricity. It is very popular in many residential and commercial properties, but radiant heat is gaining popularity too.

HVAC is a sophisticated system that allows for the high level of cooling, heating, and air transfer for any size space. The larger the space, the more involved the system has to be in order to provide temperature control for several different rooms in a building or areas of a home. So whether you are inspecting a new home for a move or looking to update your conditioning system, you can consult a dealer near you about installation and maintenance for your budget.

Air Conditioning Energy Saving Tips

It costs you more money and uses more energy to heat and cool your home than any other system in your home. Typically, 44% to 50% of your utility bills pays for heating and cooling your home.

Regardless of the type of home comfort systems you have in your house, you can save money and increase comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment.

Keep in mind that an energy efficient air conditioner alone will not have as great an impact on your energy bills as using an approach that involves the entire house. If you combine proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with appropriate insulation, weatherisation and thermostat settings, you can reduce your energy bills by up to 50%.

General Cooling Tips:

* Use house fans. House fans help cool your home by circulating cool air throughout the house. They are most effective when the outside air temperature is cooler than the inside and when operated at night. An attic fan can blow away hot air that accumulates in the attic. This can go a long way to help the efficiency of your air conditioning system.

* Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible. By maintaining a minimum difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, you'll lower your overall cooling bill.

* Don't reduce your thermostat setting to a colder temperature than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.

* Set the fan speed on high, except in humid weather. When it's humid, set the fan speed on low.

* Consider ceiling fans to help spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing your power use.

* Keep lamps and TV sets away from your air conditioning thermostat.

* Shade air-conditioning units by planting trees or shrubs, but make sure you do not block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses up to 10% less electricity than one operating in the sun.

* Close shades or curtains on east, south, and west-facing windows during the hours when the sun's intensity is at its peak. Open curtains and windows during early morning and overnight hours when the air outside the home is cooler.

* Turn off the air conditioner if the house (or air-conditioned rooms) will be unoccupied for an extended period. Use a programmable thermostat (link to product page) to turn Air off and on automatically when you know the house will be unoccupied.

Here are a few more steps you can take to substantially improve your home's energy efficiency.

Take a Holistic Approach to Total Home Energy Conservation

To achieve the maximum in total home comfort and energy savings, we recommend that you step back and look at the big picture of energy consumption in your villa. The fact is, your total home comfort and efficiency is the product of many systems: heating, cooling, lighting & electrical, plumbing and possibly others working together.

It is the interplay between these systems, combined with the size, age, physical features and location of your home, and even your lifestyle, that combine to produce the total energy efficiency of your home. Changing or upgrading one system, without considering the other factors will usually result in some improvement, but may not deliver the maximum possible benefit.

If you're building a new villa, or considering a major remodel or system upgrade, consider an Integrated Systems approach. It may cost a little more now, but will undoubtedly save you a bundle over time. Our skilled engineers and technicians will look at the big picture when designing a solution for your home.

Conduct a Home Energy Audit

The place to begin when evaluating your home's overall energy efficiency and deciding how to reduce consumption and costs is with a Home Energy Audit. This takes into consideration much more than just your heating and cooling systems, and will give you a benchmark from which to make decisions and measure your energy saving progress.

Here are some of the heating & cooling factors your audit should take into consideration:

* Insulation in walls, floors, and attic.

* Vapor Barriers in walls

* Quality of Windows - Single or double pane

* Heat loss around doors and windows

* Quality of insulation in doors

* Integrity of ductwork "- Any leaks

* Cleanliness of ductwork

* Use of "passive" solar energy

* Use of curtains and other window coverings to prevent heat loss

* Efficiency of heating and cooling systems - Condition of filters, etc.

Consider Purchasing an Annual Maintenance Agreement

You've heard the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it?" Well that doesn't apply to your air conditioner any more than it does to your automobile. However, when your system is operating properly, it is easy to forget. Regular maintenance will save you the time money and headaches of premature system failures and major repairs. It will ensure that your system is always working at peak efficiency and help you avoid excessive energy costs.

Make sure your Air Conditioner is properly sized

Bigger Is Not Necessarily Better - A bigger room air-conditioning unit won't necessarily make you feel more comfortable during the hot summer months and will most likely perform less efficiently and less effectively than a smaller, properly sized unit. Room units work better if they run for relatively long periods of time as opposed to being constantly switched on and off. The longer running time an air conditioner is allowed to maintain, the easier it is for the unit to hold a more constant room temperature. Running longer also allows air conditioning units to remove more moisture from the air, which reduces humidity and increases the comfort level in the room.

Check specifications carefully when choosing the right air conditioner for your space. Central air-conditioning systems also require proper sizing. Professionals, however, should perform the sizing of your central air system.

Also, do not use the system's central fan to provide circulation. Instead, use circulating fans in individual rooms. Make sure you set the fan of your central air system to shut off at the same time of your cooling unit (compressor).

Use an Air Conditioner with a high Efficiency Rating

Select a room air conditioner that has an A rating or 10 or higher.

What Are Air Source Electric Heat Pumps?

What are air source electric heat pumps? A heat pump in general refers to a device that moves heat from one location to another. The location for the desired change in temperature is called the "sink". Air source electric pumps work off electricity, though some models also work off gas. They come in a variety of sizes and are large enough and powerful enough to heat an entire home.

The size of air source electric heat pumps that you need will be determined by the size of the living unit. For the past part, air source electric pumps are used in locations that do not very often have extreme changes in temperature. Most of these pump systems are ideal for mild winters, with occasional freezing temperatures. This is contrast to other types of technologies like geothermal heat pumps and dual-fuel pumps.

One advantage of these types of pumps is that they are easy to install. This is probably why they are historically the most popular type of pump to use, because of the ease of operation and installation. The disadvantages of using such a system are related to the nature of the machine. Air source electric pumps operate by using the outside air as a heat source. Therefore, whenever there is an extreme temperature reported, the efficiency of the indoor unit is compromised.

In weather that is relatively cool, COP rate may reach 4.0. However, in freezing temperatures like below 20 degrees, the system may only reach a COP level of 2.5. The advantages of using this system are in a lower price--if not upfront then in the overall life of the pump. It is often recommended that if you use an air source electric pumps system that you ready a backup system in case of inclement weather (including freezing temperatures and strong winds).

Top manufacturers of air source electric pumps include Aire-Flo, Carrier Infinity, Friedrich, Rheem and Ruud. One of the top manufacturers is Rheem. Their Classic series of pumps are designed for year-round air, whether air conditioning or heating.

The Rheem Classic Series RPNL Heat Pump uses a powerful two-stage scroll compressor for returning precise temperatures. It also has quiet performance and energy-efficient operation. The product uses R-410A Earth-friendly refrigerant. Meanwhile the Ruud Ultra Series UPNL- JEZ Two-Stage Heat Pump provides on-board diagnostics and fault history for easy reference.

There are plenty of products to choose from, and these manufacturers are considered among the best in the field.

Car Repair: Keeping Auto Repair Costs to a Minimum

From a basic oil change to a tire alignment, keeping fluids at the correct levels or replacing filters when needed, it is necessary to do your part in keeping your vehicle running smoothly. However, despite one's most ardent attention, there are still things that happen that leave you heading to the garage for car repair. Fortunately, though, the savvy vehicle owner will do their part to keep car repair costs to a minimum. If you would like to keep the amount you spend at the auto repair shop low, then here are some steps you will want to take.

• On a regular basis, replace the spark plugs, as this will allow the air and fuel mixture to burn cleaner and more efficiently.


• Pay attention to the types of fluids in your car. Yellowish green, pastel blue or fluorescent orange colors often indicate an overheated engine or an anti-freeze leak. Be on the lookout for these fluids and take action sooner, not later. Often these are symptoms of a bad hose, water pump or leaking radiator.


• Use high quality or synthetic motor oil so you can reduce the amount of deterioration, thus reducing the need for frequent car repair.


• Make sure that the intake and outtake system is at its best so that gas can easily get in and exhaust gets out. Not only does this help keep car repairs at bay, but it will help your vehicle run smoother as well.


• Check your oil on a regular basis. When the oil is too low or is dirty then your engine must work harder and can result in more frequent car repairs.


• When was the last time you replaced your vehicle's filters? If your filters are dirty, it can increase the amount of fuel you use by as much as 10 percent. Given the cost of gas, this can be a significant amount.


• Be sure that the tire pressure is correct for your car that the tires are in alignment and that they are not worn too low. Each vehicle is different, so be sure you are familiar with the various needs related to the tires; after all, they are the first line of defense between you and the road.


• Keep your car's engine running smoothly by having regular tune-ups and vehicle maintenance checkups. As Ben Franklin said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." It is far better to pay for a tune-up than to replace an engine.


• Pay attention to any odd smells or sounds. Should you notice anything that seems "off" check it out immediately rather than waiting until a major car repair is necessary.

You don't have to feel as though every paycheck is destined to pay for yet another car repair. Simply invest some time in preventative maintenance.

Air Conditioning and Heating Companies Give Tips on Energy Savings

Hiring air conditioning and heating companies to replace your old and inefficient appliances with energy efficient models is the most effective way to save money on your heating and cooling bills. But there are still other ways to help keep your bills down in addition to having an air conditioning service company update your heating and cooling appliances to more cost effective models. Following a few key rules each day can help dramatically lower your heating and cooling bills.

The first step to a lower power bill is to leave your home's thermostat on one temperature for each season and leave it there. Sometimes home owners believe that if they set their thermostat to a very cold temperature that their home will cool down more quickly than it would if they would simply set it to the temperature they're going to be comfortable at. This is not the case, and an air conditioner will cool down a home at the same rate no matter what temperature the thermostat is set to. The same rule applies for heating homes in the winter. So find a comfortable temperature for you and your family for the hot and cold seasons, and stick to that temperature no matter what.

Air conditioning service professionals can tell you that though using natural light does help cut down on the energy used to illuminate your home, it also increases your air conditioning bill during the warmer months. Natural light is healthy and helps stave off seasonal depression, so it is good to enjoy the light if you are using a room. However, if no one in your family is in a room and there are no curtains drawn, heat is being created inside of your home without anyone reaping the natural benefits of the sunlight. Keeping your curtains drawn in the summer can especially help lower your air conditioning service bills if the rooms have windows facing the west or east.

Air conditioning and heating companies can also help suggest ways to circulate the air in your home in order to lower monthly bills. By simply turning on ceiling or floor level fans, you can effectively cool down a room without using nearly as much energy as a traditional air conditioner. Turning off the air conditioner at night and simply opening windows on opposite sides of your home can help promote cross ventilation which can cool down an entire home quickly. Exhaust fans should be used while cooking and taking hot showers in order to remove hot air from the home.

Using a dehumidifier can make your home feel much more comfortable during the hot summer months. Using a dehumidifier in addition to a fan is one of the best ways to keep a home cool during the summer without breaking the bank. Doing chores which create heat such as drying clothes, running the dishwasher, and cooking should be left to be done later in the day when the house is cooler. Instead of contributing more hot air to your home, you can do these while it is possible to open up a few windows to let this warm air escape.

Importance Of Having Energy Efficient Air Conditioning

Use Of Air Conditioning

The present environmental changes have influenced the life of the people. It is difficult to live without air conditioners due to the heat and pollution around us. Air cooling helps to maintain comfortable climatic conditions inside a room. The use of air conditioning takes up lots of energy and causes emission of carbon dioxide. Selecting energy efficient and eco-friendly air conditioners and using them wisely can reduce energy consumption and pollution. There is air cooling that use advanced technology and gives quality and energy efficient services. All you have to do is to select air conditioning units which are of correct size and has good features. Consider various necessary factors before selecting the air conditioners or your home and office.

Factors To Consider

Selection of energy efficient air cooling is not an easy task. You have to consider factors like the climate of the place, size of the house or the building, the cooling ability of the unit, energy star approval etc. it is necessary that you select air conditioners with proper capacity according to the size of the room in which it is going to be installed. Selecting the unit with proper size will help to conserve energy. Selecting too small conditioners for a larger room will drain power. You can get the help of professionals in identifying energy efficient air cooling units. Eco-friendly units can reduce the carbon di oxide emissions considerably. The features like dehumidifiers in the air cooling will allow maintaining comfortable environment without the need for high level setting of the unit which requires more power consumption. It is better to understand different features offer and select accordingly.

Energy Star Approval

If you want your air cooling to save energy and to reduce electric bills, shop air cooling with energy star approval. An energy star is an indication of the efficiency of the unit in using energy. These units also reduce carbon dioxide emissions caused by the use of energy. Air conditioners with higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio are the best units for energy conservation. Using energy star products for building house reduces the use of air conditioners. It is better to select air conditioning with programmable thermostats. With this type of air conditioners it is possible to reduce your electricity bills by 10 % per year.

Cost Effectiveness

People are replacing their old models of air conditioners with units having energy star. Though these units come with a high price range, they will be cost effective in the long run. You will be able to save lots of money on your power bill when you start using eco-friendly air cooling in your home and office. Another major factor which influences energy efficiency of the air cooling is the proper insulation of the building. If the cool air supplied by the unit escapes through the gaps in the walls and windows, the unit will have to work for longer duration to maintain the comfortable climate in the room.

Cyclone Technology for Central Heating Filtration

Many of these units rely solely upon magnets for the separation of debris from system flow. There is a concern that these filters do not also protect the boiler and other central heating system components (such as pumps and valves) from damage, as a result of non-magnetic debris and contaminants. The debris which can be found within a central heating system varies greatly depending upon factors such as the age of the system, the quality of installation and maintenance, the quality of component manufacture and more. The types of non-magnetic debris found within a system include but are not limited to; non-ferrous swarf, flux, casting sand and spalled scale.

It is for this reason that a greater emphasis on the removal of all types of system debris is required, and therefore a progression away from magnets towards a more advanced, all-encompassing method of filtration. Cyclones are used in both domestic and commercial environments to separate solid matter from liquid or gaseous mixtures. A popular domestic brand of vacuum cleaner makes use of cyclone technology for central heating filtration is the Sentinel Eliminator, which uses Quadra-Cyclone technology for the removal of all kinds of central heating debris.

Hydrocyclonic separation makes use of centrifugal force to separate heavy particles from liquids. It works by manipulating liquid flow into a cyclone or vortex. The resultant centrifugal force impels the heavier components -the system debris - towards the outer edges of the vortex. Once separated from the flow, gravity causes the particles to sink towards the bottom of the cyclone. Here, free of debris, the cyclone geometry squeezes the clean water towards the inner vortex of the hydrocyclone, exiting through the top of the separator unit.

Even though hydrocyclones take on the primary role of debris removal in this revolutionary new filter, cyclone magnets still play a part in retaining the debris, keeping it securely in place within the collection chamber. Unlike other filters which rely on a single, usually centrally located magnet assembly of cylindrical magnets, the Eliminator makes use of four separate bar magnets, providing an even magnetic field across the collection chamber strong enough to retain magnetic debris and prevent recontamination of the system flow. The debris can then be removed either via the anti-tamper flushing valve, or the removable collection chamber.

By making use of this Quadra-Cyclone technology instead of simply relying on a single cyclone magnet, Sentinel are revolutionising the way in which central heating filters are designed. As always, focusing innovative thinking to maximise energy saving through improving the efficiency of central heating systems.

Make Your Hair Come Alive With the Dead Sea Mud

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth but has the highest concentration of minerals. Although life dies inside the sea but outside life thrives off its invaluable resources.

The Dead Sea has a reference in the Old Testament as the "Salt Sea" and it is believed that Jesus was baptized at a place near the Jordan River which used to be a main tributary of the sea. Apart from the historic and religious value the sea has life giving qualities. People from all over the world flock to the resorts in the nearby areas to benefit from its air, water and mud; they soak up the sun here since the harmful UV rays are filtered because of the atmospheric pressure. A lot of ailments from respiratory to skin are believed to be cured by the water and the black mud which is brought from the bottom of the sea.

However there are still quite a few who are not able to go there due to the expenses involved and make do with the products made from refined dead sea mud, combined with a lot of other herbs and natural ingredients. The skin and hair care product manufacturers are taking advantage of the mud's therapeutic properties and using it as an ingredient in the natural care range. In order to take full advantage, compare products and choose the one with the higher concentration of the sea's mud.

Shampoos containing ingredients derived from the black mud:

• Detoxifies the scalp that is it cleanses and nourishes; it cleans all the chemical deposits left over from years of usage of harsh products.

• Provides moisture to all parts of hair.

• Penetrates roots and scalp with healthy minerals unlike the harmful coating done by other shampoos.

• Believed to prevent premature graying of hair.

• Has been seen to give relief to chronic sufferers of psoriasis, dandruff and other scalp problems.

The mud has been used by kings and queens of ancient times in their beauty regimen including Cleopatra!

Energy Audits and Commercial HVAC Services

In addition to your next scheduled industrial air conditioning service, consider requesting an energy audit as well. You spend money on commercial HVAC services regularly to ensure your HVAC system is running smoothly and not using energy inefficiently. Yet how much of that heated or cooled air is simply escaping out of the building? If your building has energy leaks, you're simply throwing away the money you spend on air conditioning service and heating service. If your HVAC system seems to be doing well each time you have an industrial air conditioning service inspection yet your energy bills seem a bit high, energy leaks might just be the main culprit.

Although energy leaks are mainly discussed regarding loss of heat during the winter months, it can also negatively effect the indoor temperature during the hot summer months of the year as well. A building energy audit is one of the most important commercial HVAC services you can invest in. It can detect exactly where in your building is lacking insulation and sealing. It can also show how to conserve money spent on hot water and electric bills. Heating and cooling a building which has not been properly weatherized is like trying to regulate the temperature in a room with an open window. To achieve a comfortable temperature, you have to spend a considerable amount more on heating and air conditioning service than if the window was closed.

Weatherizing a building is very affordable when you take into consideration how much money you'll be saving over time in heating and air conditioning. In order to determine what your building's specific weatherization needs are, a building energy auditor will use a blower door to see how much air escapes through a door and how tightly sealed the building is. Using a calibrated blower door can tell you and the building energy auditor exactly how much air is escaping. The blower door should also be used after the building is weatherized to ensure air is no longer escaping. Other tools which can be used to detect energy leaks are infrared cameras and infrared thermographs, which can show the temperature differences in areas of a building. By showing you where the hot and cold spots are in a building, you can then determine where your energy from your commercial HVAC services is leaking. These tools should also be used once again after the home has been completely weatherized to ensure maximum effectiveness. HVAC ducts should also be inspected for leakage and should be sealed in order to prevent energy losses.

Energy losses are common for any building. In homes, the largest energy leaks are usually attics and chimneys. Basement joists and plumbing can also be sources of lost energy. To prevent wasting more money on heating and cooling a building with minor leaks, be sure to close all doors and windows as tight as possible. Using a high efficiency boiler and chiller can help reduce any energy costs. Even minor fixes such as installing gaskets behind switch plates and electrical outlets can have an impact on lost energy.

How Air Conditioning Works

In a traditional refrigeration model process, a heat pump sends heat from a point that has lower levels of temperature towards another point that has higher temperature. Heat then naturally flows in the other direction. This is the most common manner in which most air conditioning systems are designed to work. Another major household appliance that works in a very similar manner is the refrigerator. This method employed by both of these appliances makes use of the manner in which phase changes work. In this system, latent heat is slowly released while maintaining it at a steady temperature. This happens while there is a phase change involving either liquids or gases.

A common way for a working refrigeration cycle to be created is by using an electric motor to operate a compressor. While this may sound like some sort of system that comes straight from the automobile industry, it is also something is the very core of all systems and applications that generate cooling in one form or another. While this mechanism of action may sound very complex, it is in actual fact not all that complicated. Air conditioning systems and appliance simply use the pre-existing laws of nature and manipulate them in order to generate condensation which in turn allows for the rapid cooling of air.

Service First is Australia's largest and most well renowned supplier of air conditioning parts such as compressors parts and so on. Service First is proud to offer the highest levels of customer service. Service First stocks most well renowned brands and also stocks smaller parts of compressor equipment that are not available anywhere else. Service First can undoubtedly help you to completely refurbish and repair your existing air conditioning system.

How to Produce Ductless Air Conditioning or Heat

Now a days, more and more homes are being fitted with heating and air conditioning without the use of duct work. There are several ways that this can be achieved with several different devices. These are also great for additions to a home or building to refrain from putting ductwork in.

First of all, a well known device that can assist with air conditioning in a ductless building or home is called a ductless mini split. And in most cases now, these devices can be ran backwards in order to provide heating to a home. If you live in an area that drops below freezing, you may need to add an additional source of heat as depending on your device, as most do not provide enough heat for extreme conditions. These are great at keeping the temperatures regulated to your preferences throughout the home. You can set up a multi zone mini split system with several units throughout your house that each run on its own remote, although all connected to the same outside unit.

Window air conditioners are a popular use for homes that don't have central air conditioners and air ducts are not needed. These may not be the more cost-effective solution, but as long as you are able to seal properly, this is a decent solution for those who can't afford a ductless mini split system. Just like portable air conditioners that sit on the floor, at least one is need per level and depending on the size of the house and the size of the air conditioner, it may only bring cool air to important rooms that you place them in.

As far as heating a home without ductwork, radiators are very common. A radiator can be something that sits upright on the floor or across the bottom of the wall towards the baseboards. Radiators throughout a building are connected to a central heating boiler that disperses hot water or sometimes steam by pumps to the radiators. As this circulates through the pipes, it heats up the room.

Wood fireplaces/stoves also provide decent heat for an entire home, depending on the layout of the house. There are unique ways to blow the hot air throughout the home to distribute it. These can be gas or wood and both produce different amounts of heat in different ways.

Now another solution to bringing heat or air conditioning into a building or addition that does not have duct work is to build small solutions by adding a lower drop ceiling throughout hallways and adding small duct work and fan coils in order to help distribute heat throughout a building.

The Importance of Heating Oil Tank Maintenance

As the nights begin to draw in and the temperature drops to an uncomfortable level, the attentions of the many that warm their house with heating oil turn to stocking up. However before making that call to your favoured supplier, it's important to ensure that your heating oil tank is serviced and properly maintained. In this article, we'll take a closer look at why it's important to maintain your tank before the winter sets in.

They say that time is a healer, however for many operational products, it's the complete opposite. Time, usage and the weather all combine to increase the probability of operational problems and reduced efficiency. Fuel tanks are no different and neglect will lead to an increased chance of something going wrong. However when handled the right way, noticeable decline in a tank's performance can be easily avoided.

Running an annual service on your heating oil tank is the obvious way to maintain its performance. While fuel tanks are designed to last a number of years, the peripheral parts that are in regular operation have a shorter shelf life and are prone to wear and tear. This servicing will pick up any signs of parts coming towards the end of their life, thus preventing future breakages or faults occurring. Often, the cost of replacing a worn part is less than locating and fixing it, should an issue occur caused by it being non-functional.

Ensuring that all parts are operating as intended will improve efficiency and guarantee you receive full performance. The service industry has reported a growing problem with heavy winters and wet summers corroding tanks and their lines, resulting in lost and spilled oil. As much as 5% of a tank's contents can be lost in this way, which equates to a sizable amount of money, given the price rises in heating oil.

Alongside the personal expense is the potential cost to the environment. Spills have resulted in contaminations that have affected local soil as well as rivers and ultimately drinking water. It is an owner's responsibility to ensure that spills don't occur and if they do, they are liable for its cleanup. Failure to do so can result in large fines and potentially the removal of the tank.

The best time to run servicing on your tank is when it's low on heating oil, often towards the end of the summer months. This is when you get better access to the working parts and can really test the lines for signs of leakages or damage. If the tank is external, it's best to carry out maintenance before the leaves fall from the trees, as this is all too often a cause for blockages and problems. During this season it's important to remember to clear away debris and ensure lines are clean and free from obstructions.

Similar to a car engine, a heating oil tank's efficiency will decline if it's not looked after, so careful maintenance will extend usage and reduce the chances of problems occurring as they begin to age. The small cost of an annual service will prevent larger costs occurring in the future.

Air Conditioners - How to Cut Running Costs in Half

In today's world, most people have invested in one form of an air conditioner or another. We have either window air conditioners in our homes or central air conditioners. They keep us cool in the extreme summer heat without fail; however, have you ever set back and looked at the costs of running an air conditioner? When compared to the common household fan the amount of electricity required to run an air conditioner is phenomenal.

When using an air conditioner there are many different factors that can directly affect the cost of running it. These factors include the geographical location of your home, where you live and the amount of work the air conditioner has to do greatly influence the cost. If you live in an area that has mild summers and extremely cold winters, obviously your air conditioner will not have to work as hard. However, if you live in an area, that has warm winters and boiling summers the air conditioner will have to work double time to maintain comfort.

The difference in weather conditions from year to year will affect the costs as well. This is basically geared towards the difference in costs per year. One summer might be cooler than the next, which will lead to a greater bill.

The efficiency rating of your air conditioner plays an important role in the amount of electricity used. Most all appliances in today's world are rated, when you purchase an air conditioner it will have a tag telling you the amount of electricity that appliance uses. Look for air conditioners that use minimal electricity, which will save you money each year. If you have a model that is 10 years or older, it is definitely time to consider a new one.

Another important factor is the size of the air conditioner versus the house-cooling load. All air conditioners come in different sizes, and each will state the amount of space it is designed to cool. For example, an apartment could do with just one or two window air conditioners, while a three-bedroom house could not. Closely consider the amount of space you need to cool when considering an air conditioner. While larger air conditioners will cost more money, it will typically save you money in the long run on usage.

The setting on your thermostat greatly effects the cost. A higher setting will result in the air conditioner running less, while lowering the setting will cause it to run more often. One electric company suggests keeping the thermostat above 78 degrees. This can save you 10 to 20% on cooling costs.

Finally, the local cost of electricity influences the general cost of running your air conditioner. This is something you have no control over, however, you can control your own cost by saving energy.

Here is a general look at the difference of running an air conditioner vs. running a Ceiling or oscillating fan, at medium speed.

Running a central air conditioner that is three ton (and of average efficiency) for 8 hours per day for 15 days per month, with the average rate per kWh (kilowatt per hour) being 0.17, the average cost per month for the air conditioner alone will be $97.92. Amazing isn't it? This does not even include washer, dryer, lights, refrigerator, or stove, only the air conditioner.

On the other hand, running a ceiling fan or oscillating fan at medium speed, for 8 hours per day, for a full 30 days, at an average rate per kWh of 0.035 is only $1.43. With this comparison you could run 68 ½ fans for a full month before you would reach the cost of the central air conditioning unit.

There are many other things you can do to lower you electric bill. Things such as, inspect, clean, or replace your air conditioner filters monthly. When you are not in your home, raise the temperature on your thermostat, keeping in mind pets when you do. Lower the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees, wash only full loads in your dishwasher or clothes washer, and use the energy saving cycle on the dryer.

Other steps you can take include, replacing incandescent bulbs with fluorescent lamps, this could save up to 75% on lighting costs. You should also caulk all windows, doors, and pipes to prevent air leaks in or out, use weather stripping around windows, doors and pipes as well. Have your ducts tested for air leaks; leaking ducts can reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner by up to 20%.

What Size Portable AC Does My Room Need?

Even though we're in a culture of "super-sizing", this is definitely not the approach you want to take when choosing a portable air conditioner. Though it may appear that bigger is better, choosing an air conditioner that is too powerful for your room will actually waste energy. On the other hand, choosing a unit that is too small for the area is also a waste because no matter how efficient and highly-rated the portable AC is, it will be completely ineffective.

For this reason, knowing what size AC your room needs is absolutely critical.

What you should know before purchasing a portable AC

There are many factors to consider when purchasing a portable room air conditioner. Do you need it to be multi-functional (since many units now pair as a heater, fan, and/or dehumidifier). Do you want it to have multiple modes?
Are there any special design elements you'd like, such as LED display, remote control access, or maybe even a timer?

As you can see, portable air conditioners feature many choices. But the one choice that consumers tend to ignore is the unit's listed BTU level. Since many consumers get intimidated by abbreviations they don't readily know, they make the mistake of ignoring important specifications that need to be taken into consideration before purchasing a portable AC.

Let's solve that problem right now. BTU simply stands for British Thermal Unit, which is nothing more than a unit of energy. A BTU tells us what an ACs power and cooling capacity is, and the higher the BTU the stronger the AC.

Portable air conditioners usually have a BTU of about 5,000 to as high, with some having as many as 30,000 BTUs! And just as you try to keep other appliances in your home in proportion to your needs, so should you do the same with your cooling unit. Now that you know a mobile AC with a 30,000 BTU is a highly powerful unit, you know such a unit is better suited for a much larger room, say a large iving room, rather than a very small bedroom.

What happens if I choose the wrong size AC?

Choosing the wrong size is not even so much about physical size, but about the BTU capacity of a portable AC unit. Now that you're a whiz on BTUs, lets take a look at what happens when the wrong AC is chosen.

The AC size you'll need depends on the size of the room you intend to cool. Choosing the wrong unit not only makes your air conditioner inefficient in cooling, it will also be inefficient in running. For example, if an air conditioner has a higher BTU rating than the room you intend for it to cool, the unit will cycle off too quickly and be unable to properly remove the humidity from the air.

On the other hand, if the portable AC has a lower BTU rating than the required room size, the unit will not adequately cool the room.

How do I figure out which portable AC I need?

Measuring square footage: The first step to finding out what AC is right for you is by figuring out the square footage of the room(s) you need the most cooling for. Once you have that in mind, measure the square footage of that room. You can calculate the square footage by multiplying the length of the room by the width of the room. As an example, let's pretend your room is 18 feet by 25 feet

Length x Width = 18' x 25' = 450 square feet

Matching square footage with the recommended BTUs:
Refer to the chart below and find the recommended BTUs for your square footage. To continue with our example, lets pretend that your room is 450 square feet.

Room Size and BTU Recommendation Ratio
150 sq. ft. --- up to 5,400 BTUs
200 sq. ft. --- 6,000 BTUs
340 sq. ft. --- 8,000 BTUs
400 sq. ft. --- 9,000 BTUs
450 sq. ft. --- 10,000 BTUs
550 sq. ft. --- 12,000 BTUs
750 sq. ft. --- 14,500 BTUs
850 sq. ft. --- 16,000 BTUs
1,000 sq. ft. --- 18,000 BTUs
1,400 sq. ft. --- 24,000 BTUs
1,520 sq. ft. --- 28,500 BTUs
1,600 sq. ft. --- 32,000 BTUs

If you don't think you'll have a chart on hand when making your purchase, you can always get an estimate for your recommended BTUs by multiplying the square footage by 35. Ideally, having a chart on hand is best. Just print out this page and keep it as a handy reference.

Factors to consider: Since this chart is designed for an average room under average conditions, it's advisable to consider if there are any special conditions or needs your room has.

* Add 10% BTU if your room is a sunny area, on the second story or in an elevated setting.
* Reduce the BTU by 10% for shaded areas/rooms.
* Add 600 BTUs if your room will host more than 2 people.
* Add 4,000 BTUs if you will be using the portable AC to cool your kitchen.

Once you have taken these simple steps to figure out your cooling needs, you're sure to make a much smarter investment in your comfort.

Keeping the Furnace Repair Company Away

When it comes to home ownership, there is always something to be done. Some jobs are simple and short causing minimal inconvenience and others can be difficult and a nuisance to adjust to while being repaired. Then there are jobs like furnace repair that must be addressed sooner rather than later-especially if the need arises during winter.

Unfortunately, things like plumbing problems, air conditioning and furnace repair always seem to occur at the worst possible time! Fortunately, though many problems can be averted with preventative action. Here are some tips for keeping the furnace repair company at bay.

Change the filter per manufacturer instructions. This could be as frequently as once a month to as few as twice a year. Not only will this help the furnace be effective but keep the air you breathe cleaner and healthier. Frequency may also be affected by the size of your home and whether you have indoor pets. A smaller home would need the filter changed less often than a large one, as will a home with pets.

If you have a gas furnace, it is vital that you take the time to clean the surrounding area from any excess dirt or debris. Be sure that you wipe the vents, as well!

You should also check to see that the pilot light is lit and working properly. If the pilot light is not working, you should follow the instructions on the furnace for re-lighting it. If the pilot light goes out frequently, then you should contact a furnace repair company, as there could be a more serious problem.

If the furnace fails to come on when it should, it does not always mean it is a major problem. Though it may seem obvious, it might be something simple like needing the breaker switched on or perhaps setting the thermostat at the right temperature.

Another simple step to take to ensure your home is as comfortable as you want is to be sure that all the registers in the house are opened and not blocked by furniture.

Make it a point to have the furnace serviced at least once a year to check for any problems. Consider doing this sometime after the end of cold weather season, rather than just before as this is when many companies are busier.

Furnace repair is never something you want to deal with, but it certainly worse when it is needed when the temperatures have plummeted. Take the time do some preventative maintenance so furnace repairs are kept to a minimum.

Air Conditioning - R-410A - The Benefits of This New Refrigerant

There are many efficiency and economical benefits to R-410A. It has become very important for techs to inform their customers of the many benefits of R-410A products. Some of the benefits of R-410A are low energy consumption, increased product performance, no ozone depleting chemicals (no chlorine), and improved product reliability. The new products that use R-410A are state of the art technology, feature enhanced heat pump and air conditioning performance and meet the clean air act requirements for 2010.

One of the best benefits of R-410A refrigerant is its exceptionally quiet operation. Other key benefits of R-410A and the air conditioning systems that use it are higher EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) better heat-pump performance, increased efficiency and reliability. There is also no ozone-depleting chemicals. R410A has the lowest global warming TEWI (Total Equivalent Warming Impact). Probably the most important benefit of R-410A is that it will still be available long after the production of R-22 units is stopped in 2010. Although contractors are still using the lower pricing of R-22 equipment as a selling point when talking to their customers, many smart ones are now also selling the environmental benefits of R-410A.They are also selling the benefits of the new technology and the improved comfort level of the new R-410A equipment.

For many years most air conditioners and heat pumps sold around the world used a refrigerant called R-22. Homeowners and business owners now have the ability to ask for an air conditioner or heat pump that uses the more efficient and environmentally friendlier refrigerant called R-410A. When you buy a new air conditioning or heat pump system by selecting R-410A you virtually eliminate the possibility that refrigerant leaking from your system could contribute to the hole in the ozone layer. You will also be investing in a new comfort system that will last you for many years to come. This is because R-410A (a chlorine-free refrigerant) complies with governmental legislation to phase out ozone-depleting refrigerants well ahead of the 2010 deadline. Another thing to consider is that the costs of R-22 will begin to rapidly rise when the production of R-22 units are phased out by January 1, 2010. Because of this there will be less R-22 refrigerant produced.

One of the greatest benefits of R-410A is that it will still be available for a long after the production of R-22 units ceases in 2010. If you are installing an air conditioner or heat pump in the near future, make sure that you specify that the unit uses R-410A refrigerant.

Do not allow the installation of a R-22 unit even if the pricing is much lower. The future costs of a repair to the unit will more than offset the savings now.

Have You Ever Wondered Why Bald Men Often Have Shiny Scalps?

Have you ever noticed that people who have lost their hair, particularly to male pattern baldness, tend to have shiny scalps? It looks as though they have had their heads varnished with a waxy polish. Yet if you observe a babies bald head it does not have that shiny layer on the surface. And the skin on a bald mans arms isn't shiny. So why does the scalp become shiny?

Why do bald adults tend to have shiny scalps?

The skin secretes an oil known as sebum. This protects the skin from air born microscopic invaders. Sebum secretes in greatest abundance on the forehead, inside the ear and on the scalp - where the skins pores are largest.

Sebum is good for the hair. It's like a natural conditioner. However, if the scalp is not washed well and sebum is allowed to build up and combine with other materials such as dead skin cells (dandruff) and other things like gel and hair spray, it can harden and form a dense, embedded layer of 'plaque'.

So, maybe people with no hair are bald because of the shiny scalp?

Well, actually there are more important causes of hair loss, such as 'DHT', a by-product of testosterone, which kills hair follicles. However there is some cause for concern over the sebum-based plaque.

Hairs shed naturally over a period of time. In fact on average approximately 50 - 75 hairs shed from the human head every day. Someone who is suffering hair loss may lose more like 100 hairs a day. Hair shedding is normal and is the body's natural way of growing hair. However, if your scalp is covered in a dense layer of sebum-based plaque, which fills in the pores, your scalp is going to have a hard time growing new hair.

Effectively what happens in some peoples scalps (usually people who have high sebum levels), is the plaque acts like a barrier preventing the hairs from growing after the old ones have naturally shed.

How do you stop this sebum based plaque build-up?

In order to stop hair loss caused by sebum-based plaque you need to remove the layer of sebum-based plaque from your scalp and prevent it from building up again by normalising your skins sebum excretion levels and caring for your scalp properly.

Common Air Conditioning Mistakes

1. Neglecting Filter Change and Maintenance
   Most manufacturers recommend changing / washing the air conditioning filter every 30 to 60 days. Changing the filter regularly not only improves the air quality but also helps you save electricity and can make your air conditioner last longer. Regular maintenance by your AC contractor not only ensures that your air conditioner is ready when you are ready to use it, but also keeps the efficiency up and prevents it from wearing out too quickly. Leaking refrigerant is a problem commonly detected by AC professionals. Even a loss of 10 % of the cooling substance (like R-410A or the older ozone-harming R-22) can result in a 20 % higher electricity usage and can reduce the lifespan.


2. Using the Thermostat Incorrectly
   This point is simple but often neglected. Why should your air conditioner run when you are away from home for the entire day? Setting the thermostat a few degrees warmer when you are leaving the house for a longer period of time can save you up to a couple hundred dollars per year. Also, consider upgrading to a programmable or a WiFi-enabled thermostat, to give you even more control over your home's temperature. Also, did you know that your air conditioner runs more energy-efficiently at night than during the day? This is just another reason to have the AC temperature set warmer during the day and cooler in the evenings and nights.


3. Using AC as a Ceiling Fan Replacement
   Making correct use of your ceiling fans can save you money on your electric bill. If you have a ceiling fan running in the room you currently occupy, you can probably set your thermostat 3 degrees warmer. Even though ceiling fans don't actually lower the room temperature, they cause the moisture on your skin to evaporate, giving you a pleasant chill. Although ceiling fans take electricity, they consume much less than your air conditioner. Just remember to turn off the ceiling fan when you leave the room.


4. Keeping the Windows Closed
   An air conditioner only cools the air in your room and doesn't bring in new air from the outside. Opening the windows occasionally welcomes in fresh air and oxygen. Also, ushering in the cooler air in the mornings or late evenings can help you save energy.


5. Thinking that Bigger is Better
   It is true that a bigger air conditioner cools your home faster than a smaller one. But having too large one has a couple of disadvantages. First, an oversized air conditioner will not run as efficiently because the cooling cycle is too short. This can also negatively influence the life expectancy of your cooling unit. Additionally, besides lowering the room temperature, it also lowers the humidity level. If the cooling cycle is too short, it cannot successfully lower the humidity. As a result, the air in your home will feel damp and moist.
   
   To find the proper size of air conditioner you need to know how much power (measured in Btu = British thermal unit) is needed to cool your home. Your local air conditioning contractor or an online Btu calculator will determine the right amount of Btu based on your room size and other factors.


6. Turning Off Your AC Completely
   This advice is especially important for snowbirds, or anyone who lives in their home only part of the year. If your house has been sitting there with no air movement or humidity/temperature control for half of the year, you should not be surprised to see mold when you return. So, be sure to keep your air conditioner running for at least a little while each day you are gone. You also might consider upgrading to a WiFi Thermostat. WiFi Thermostats allow you to control your air conditioner from anywhere you have an internet connection and an electronic device like a smartphone, tablet, or PC.

How to Get More Hair on Your Head Naturally - Top 5 Tips

With too much stress at work and at home, not only your health is suffering but also your mane. You used to get lots of praise for your crowning glory, but now that you have succumbed to the reality of most adult life, which is quite loaded with stress, what used to be thick and shiny tresses are now becoming ghost of the past. Before it gets any worse, you have to take action and find the best solutions. You can begin by learning about how to get more hair on your head naturally.

The strands on your mane grow slower naturally over time and it can get worse if you are exposed to various irritants, environmental pollutants, sickness and stress-related causes. These can contribute in the thinning of your mane and in making it unhealthy and brittle. While you cannot speed up the process of growing it, you can avoid the factors that affect it in negative ways to make sure that you won't contribute and add any more damage to it.

Here are some vital tips on how to get more hair on your head naturally.

1. The sun can be really damaging to your mane. If you cannot avoid getting exposed to it, you have to make sure that your head is always protected. Aside from using accessories like hats, caps or bandanna, you can protect your tresses by using the right kind of shampoo. For this purpose, you have to find the right product that is intended to protect your mane from sun damage and other environmental pollutants. Look for the types, which have marine botanicals and UV shield. Marine botanicals work by moisturizing your tresses, while the UV shield acts protect these from the harmful sun's rays.

2. You don't have to shampoo every day. There are people whose manes are quite difficult to manage. For this reason, they have no other choice but to use this kind of chemical on a daily basis. If this is not your case, it is recommended that you shampoo your tresses every other day. The chemicals in the shampoo can strip off essential oils from your tresses, making these dull, dry and weak, which can lead to the thinning of your top.

3. Using a conditioner after every shampoo will also help in making your mane healthier. To seal in moisture deep into the shaft of your mane, it is recommended that you do deep conditioning once a week.

4. As much as possible, do not use too many chemicals and do not expose your tresses to frequent heat when styling such. It is better that you let it air dry and try to find great styles that will fit right for your hairstyle without resorting to the use of harsh substances.

5. You must also eat right. To help you with the goal to have a healthier mane, your diet must include foods that are rich in protein, such as fish, eggs, fruits, milk, nuts and vegetables.

All these are necessary to succeed on how to get more hair on your head naturally. It is also essential that you take a breather every once in a while and do certain exercises that can help in relieving you of stress and problems.

HVAC - 7 Common Air Conditioning Repair and Heating Repair Problems

Whenever you own your own home problems are about to arise. Two of the top concerns within the home are air conditioning and heating. If either of those goes it can wreak havoc in your normal lifestyle.

Top 7 Concerns Regarding Air Conditioning and Heating:

1. Air Conditioners

Whole house air conditioning is normally the best way to provide cool air to your house. Common problems include the failure of the compressor to turn on, the cool air not coming out cool enough, insufficient airflow, and water leaks.

2. Furnaces

Furnaces force warm air through your house when needed. You should have your furnace serviced yearly to ensure proper functioning. If any parts need replacement a qualified technician can install new ones to keep your furnace operating correctly.

3. Heat Pumps

Heat pumps move heat from one place to another. Proper functioning of your system is important in achieving your home comfort levels.

4. Air Handler

The air handler is composed of various parts that keeps the air moving within your home. This is the primary air delivery system of your heating and air conditioning equipment.

5. Boiler

A boiler system delivers heated water or steam to radiators throughout your home.

6. Ductwork/Indoor Air Quality

Maintaining quality indoor air is very important to the health of your family. The supply air duct, the return air duct and return air intakes need to operating properly with a minimal amount of pollutants.

7. Thermostats

Thermostats control the amount of heating or cooling levels maintained in your home.

In general, most owners of residential and/or commercial property experience a heating and air conditioning problem at one time or another.

Most heating and air conditioning problems can be a result of flawed installation, insufficient service, and poor maintenance. There are many ways to check for and resolve problems related to your furnace and central air conditioning.

The first thing you can do if your air conditioner is not functioning correctly is to check the circuit breaker or fuse box servicing the unit. The circuit breaker may need reset or the fuse replaced. If the air conditioner turns off and on frequently, the compressor or fan controls may be worn out.

If your unit turns on, but the air isn't cooling sufficiently, your refrigerant may be too low. It is possible that your filter needs replaced. Clogged or dirty filters block normal airflow reducing a system's efficiency considerably. It may be necessary to clean the evaporator or condenser coils by using a brush or vacuuming on them.

Leaks are usually caused by refrigerant or a clogged drain pipe. Clogs are eliminated by clearing out the clogged pipe in the evaporator coil pan. Leaks should always be repaired by an air conditioning service expert.