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6 Things You Should Know About Air Conditioner Repair
When the summer heat wave arrives, the last item you want is for your air conditioner to fail you. And that’s why if you are looking for a Port St Lucie air conditioning contractor, there are a few things you should know about this equipment.
Your air conditioner effectively transfers interior heat to the outside environment. People used to cool their homes with large slabs of ice before air conditioners were introduced. When these cooling machines initially became popular, they were assessed based on how much ice they could melt in a day.
The term ‘ton’ refers to the quantity of cooling provided by an air conditioner. 1 ton = 12,000 British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour A window air conditioner normally has less than one ton of capacity, but a large home centralized air conditioner has a capacity of 5 tons or more. Air conditioners are sized to meet the cooling requirements of a specific home and contain a specific amount of refrigerant (charge) and airflow. All of these elements work together to create a cool, comfortable atmosphere.
Fire Hazards
Air conditioners are vital in many houses, but they can also pose a significant fire risk. Air conditioners, fans, and related equipment were responsible for 7,400 house building fires in 2010, according to the National Fire Protection Association. These fires claimed the lives of 29 civilians, injured 249 others, and caused $207 million in direct damage to property. Electrical or mechanical failure is frequently the source of these fires.
When operating air conditioning equipment, it is essential to keep fire safety in mind. According to the NFPA, cable or wire insulation igniting causes around one-third of all fires. Because these mishaps are most common in June, July, and August, it is best to invest in air conditioner repair or replacement early in the spring.
According to the NFPA, there are various measures to avoid air conditioner accidents:
- Choose and install cooling technology that is both safe and effective.
- Follow the manufacturer’s directions when using electric-powered equipment.
- Regularly inspect and repair electric-powered equipment for safety.
- Check that your equipment has a label indicating that it has been tested by a reputable testing laboratory.
Health Problems
We all know how critical it is to have a working air conditioner, particularly during the hot summer months. However, what many of us don’t realize is that poorly maintained or outdated air conditioning units can have a negative impact on our health.
The Huffington Post recently published an article highlighting some easy steps we can all take to ensure our air conditioners don’t adversely affect our health.
Mold and dust buildup can be a big problem in your home, especially during the summer. When your AC unit runs constantly, it can create the perfect conditions for mold to grow. And once it starts growing, it can spread quickly – affecting your respiratory system and creating a dirty sock odor. To prevent this from happening, regular duct cleaning is recommended. Keep an eye out for other signs of dust and mold, such as blower wheels and motors, and take action to clean them regularly.
As spring fades into summer, it’s time to start thinking about your air conditioner. To run at peak efficiency, it is critical to do simple maintenance on your air conditioner, such as changing the filter. A clogged filter can let allergens, chemicals, and other irritants into your house. You may also save money on your air conditioner by making sure your window units are properly sealed to keep warm air out. To keep your house safe, have an HVAC specialist do annual maintenance inspections on your air conditioner.
Leaky Ducts
Duct leakage can be a real problem for your air conditioner, costing you money and lowering the overall efficiency of your system. Up to 40% of the energy from an air conditioner can be lost due to leaks, so it’s important to ensure your ducts are well-insulated. You can use mastic, a sticky substance that can be painted on, to seal up any leaks. This may provide you with an extra half-ton of air conditioner capacity.
Clean the Coils
Cleaning metal coils can be difficult, but there are ways to make it easier. One method is to use a spray cleaner specifically designed for this purpose. Another way to keep your coils clean is by ensuring they don’t become dust-filled.
Purchasing a New Unit
When your home air conditioner isn’t working as it should, you may need to get a new one. But before you do, think about the climate where you live. It makes sense to check the Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) in hot, dry climates. This will tell you how well the system works in your conditions. You might even need a system that can dehumidify. Drier climates need higher airflow indoors, so pay attention to the evaporator coil.
In humid areas, it’s not always best to have high airflow. With increased airflow, less dehumidification is happening, so your home will likely stay just as sticky and uncomfortable as it is outside. However, too little airflow can cause the evaporator coil to freeze, worsening performance and potentially damaging the compressor. To avoid these issues, it’s best to purchase high-efficiency equipment at a SEER 13 level.
Increased Efficiency
Air conditioners work best when there is little pressure on them. Reducing the heat and humidity in your home can help take some pressure off your air conditioner. Some things that can help with this are increasing the insulation in your home, shading the windows, and using local exhaust fans to remove heat and humidity from kitchens and baths. Additionally, ensure your appliances are Energy Star certified to avoid wasting energy. Lastly, keep doors slightly ajar throughout the house to promote airflow.
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Technology Makes HVAC More Efficient
When it comes to HVAC systems, the efficiency of the main components has improved a lot during recent years, and new technology has also played an important role in increasing the overall efficiency of systems. Better-performing systems have also been manufactured with the use of computer-assisted design tools. Stricter requirements for the user and stricter guidelines for indoor air quality have meant that today’s systems are more environmentally friendly.Five major factors are responsible for much of the improved efficiency of HVAC systems, although many other factors have played a part too.
* The introduction and use of low kW/ton chillers.
* More widespread use of Boiler control systems that are more efficient.
* DDC (Direct digital control) systems are being used more widely.
* More use of energy-efficient motors.
* More effective use of variable frequency drives.For many years, an operating range of 0.8 to 0.9 kW/ton was considered acceptable for chillers; an operating efficiency of over 1.0 kW/ton at a full load was more normal for an older system.
Today, efficiency has increased by close to 50 percent, with current HVAC systems having chillers with a 0.50 kW/ton rating. Another bonus of the newer chillers is that the operating efficiency doesn’t decrease as quickly as before.
Chiller Design Changes
The size of the heat exchangers has also increased, a design change that has contributed significantly to the overall performance of modern chillers. More reliability, increased flexibility, and better precision can also be enjoyed due to the replacing of the older electromechanical controls with electronic controls that use a microprocessor. Due to the compressor’s speed being controlled by a variable frequency drive, part load performance is also better in today’s newer systems.
An improvement in refrigeration containment is also a benefit of using these new and improved chillers. The amount of refrigerant charge lost each year is typically less than 0.5 percent, a big improvement on older chillers that routinely lost between 10 and 15 percent in a typical year. And the chiller performs much more efficiently over time, thanks to fewer non-condensable gases, because of an improved purge system and lower leakage rates. Today’s boilers to are a lot more efficient than they were, partly due to a microprocessor-based control system replacing the older manual and pneumatic controls. In general, a newer system should save you between 5 to 7 percent in energy costs over an older pneumatic system. Because the operation of the boiler is regulated more precisely with a microprocessor-based system, you’ll enjoy these energy bills savings over an older system. The more precise modulation means that the load placed on the boiler is more precisely maintained, and the fuel to air ratio is better monitored. It means that less soot accumulates on the boiler tubes, and you won’t have to clean the system as much. Your boiler’s thermal efficiency is also greatly improved when the boiler doesn’t collect all that unwanted soot. The ability to operate your HVAC system remotely is another advantage of a more up-to-date microprocessor operating system. You can also monitor steam flow and enjoy the convenience of automated control sequences.
Direct Digital Controls
Over 15 years ago, the HVAC industry saw the introduction of DDC or Direct Digital Controls. With these, you can regulate the flow of water and air more precisely, and the system has become standard across the industry, a big improvement on the pneumatic and electric systems. A pneumatic system has problems with overshoot, hunting, and offset, and the implementation of DDC systems has eliminated these issues, allowing homeowners and businesses to save money. Control activities are also better coordinated because they can respond to an almost unlimited number of sensors. Over time, a DDC system won’t lose much of its accuracy or precision, and a range of more complex control instructions can be carried out than with an older pneumatic system. Another benefit of DDC systems is that they eliminate the need for potentially expensive changes to hardware when changing occupant requirements mean modifications to the system. And as mentioned before, the ability to operate the system remotely is a big plus.
Energy Efficient Motors
Although the level of operating efficiency is modest when your system uses an energy-efficient motor, it nonetheless makes a big difference. A standard 10 HP motor operates about 88 percent efficiency, although you can expect that rating to increase to about 93 percent with the same size energy-efficient motor. A 50 HP standard motor has an energy-efficient rating of about 90 percent, while the same energy-efficient motor has around 94 percent. However, it does mean a first cost increase for the motor and a boost in operating efficiency. The number of hours that the motor operates in a year and the loading will determine how quickly the extra first cost is recouped. The first cost differential will be recovered more quickly if a motor is used more hours in a year and operated at or close to its full load rating. You can assume it will take between 3 and 6 months to recoup the losses if the motor is constantly running near full load or close to it. Energy-efficient motors are especially well suited for use in HVAC systems because of the long hours of use and the continual loading involved. If you have a recently installed system fan or circulation pump, you may find that an energy-efficient motor drives it. If your system is operating all day, every day, or you run it a lot, you should enjoy a noticeably lower energy bill, thanks to the drive motor’s 4 to 5 percent increase inefficiency. An increase in power is another benefit of using an energy-efficient motor. It means fewer system distribution losses, extra capacity for distribution, and less drawing on the electrical system. Users of large amounts of electricity can benefit from this increased power, especially when there are limitations on system capacity. However, the increased power factor of a higher efficiency motor generally doesn’t justify the extra cost. In general, it will take you between 5 to 10 years to recoup the extra cost of replacing an older motor with a higher-efficiency motor. It makes it hard to justify using them in existing applications. Since being used in HVAC systems, variable frequency drives have been beneficial in lowering system energy requirements when operating in a part load mode. These drives have been responsible for providing the most significant results for new technology for boosting operating efficiency and have been used in various settings, from chillers to fans. And it usually just takes between one and two years to recoup the extra cost, when most systems are operating about 90 percent of the time with a part load capacity.
The savings are more with a larger motor, is the general rule of thumb. It generally makes financial sense to install a variable frequency drive in any system with a motor of at least 20 HP.
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Air Conditioning and Heating Tips & Tricks
Many people don’t know much about heating and air conditioning, but your home or office must be comfortable. It can also help you save money on electricity bills if you take the time to set up an energy-efficient system. This blog post will give you some great tips that will help keep your AC and heating running smoothly all year long!Change Your Air Filter
The first thing you should do is check your air filters and see if they need to be replaced. Most people don’t realize how much of a difference this makes when it comes to the efficiency of their heating and cooling system, but an old or dirty filter can lead to poor airflow, which in turn will make your HVAC unit work harder than necessary; wasting energy! It’s also important that you get replacement filters made specifically for your AC/heating system. Air filters can be made from different materials like fiberglass or charcoal, and you don’t want to get the wrong kind.
Check Your Vents
Venting is another important part of your heating and cooling system; it helps circulate air throughout your house. If furniture or other objects block vents, airflow will be restricted, which isn’t good for the system. You may also find that you have vents located in inappropriate places, like close to walls or ceilings where it gets too hot or cold and doesn’t circulate correctly.
Make Sure Your Ducts Are Free of Leaks & Obstructions
Check your ductwork to make sure there aren’t any leaks because this will lead to a loss of energy efficiency and poor air quality inside your home. It’s also important to look at your insulation levels. If they’re not high enough, it can cause heating issues during the winter months. Also, avoid putting anything near vents such as furniture, clothing racks, plants, etc.. because these objects block airflow, reducing efficiency and wasting energy!
Check Your System Regularly
The best way to avoid HVAC issues in general (not just during spring) is by checking on your system regularly. This includes ensuring that there aren’t any leaks around vents and ducts, replacing filters when necessary, etc. Doing these things might seem like a hassle but trust us, they’re worth it because if something goes wrong with your heating & cooling system while you wait until springtime, an emergency services call could be very expensive!
Clean Or Replace Dirty Cells
Cleaning or replacing your indoor/outdoor coils is all you can do to ensure that your system is working efficiently. Cleaning the unit’s interior will help with airflow, while new cells will allow for better cooling and heating overall. It’s a good idea to have this type of work done by professionals who know what they’re doing because you wouldn’t want your coils getting damaged during the process.
Check Filters On Furnace & Air Conditioner Units
Replacing furnace filters regularly is just as important as air conditioner filters; they both need to be checked at least once per month during the springtime (or more often if needed). It’s also possible to find electronic filter monitors that let you know when to change them, so you don’t have to remember yourself! If there aren’t any indicators, check every 30-45 days, depending on how frequently you use your AC and heating units.
Get An Annual Maintenance Check-Up
You should schedule an annual maintenance check-up once springtime rolls around. This is necessary to make sure that your heating and cooling systems are in good working order, plus it’s a great way to avoid any costly repairs or emergencies during the summer! Our professionals will check your system, clean it out if necessary (including the coils), and make sure that everything is in good working order. And see if they need to be replaced. Most people don’t realize how much of a difference this makes when it comes to the efficiency of their heating and cooling system, but an old or dirty filter can lead to poor airflow, which in turn will make your HVAC unit work harder than necessary; wasting energy! It’s also important that you get replacement filters made specifically for your AC/heating system. Air filters can be made from different materials like fiberglass or charcoal, and you don’t want to get the wrong kind. Getting local air conditioning services for your vents is another important part to keep your air conditioning up to speck.
Get Your AC Repaired ASAP If It Breaks Down During Summer Months
If you find yourself without air conditioning, then don’t put off getting it repaired because this could lead to serious problems down the road if not dealt with quickly. An air conditioner repair is expensive enough as it is, but leaving things to go too long can end up costing even more money than necessary since lack of proper A/C for an extended period won’t only affect you but also your home’s interior.
Keep windows and Doors Closed.
If you’re going to be away from home for a few days, then make sure that your windows and doors are closed. This will help keep the air in instead of letting it escape, which means wasting energy on heating or cooling an empty house. Having your windows open might seem like a good idea because it allows fresh air into your home, but you should try to limit this type of thing when possible. Air that comes from outside can be much hotter or colder than indoor air, affecting the temperature inside.
The best way to avoid HVAC issues in general (not just during spring) is by checking on your system regularly. This includes ensuring that there aren’t any leaks around vents and ducts, replacing filters when necessary, etc. Doing these things might seem like a hassle but trust us, they’re worth it because if something goes wrong with your heating & cooling system while you wait until springtime, an emergency services call could be very expensive!
Check Your Hot Water Heater
It’s easy to forget about checking things like water heaters over the summer months, but this is yet another important thing you should do at least once per month during springtime. The last thing you want is for something bad to happen while nobody is around, so remember that prevention does work when avoiding costly repairs down the road. Get Your HVAC System Ready For Spring When wintertime rolls around, most people tend to turn off their HVAC system until the warmer months, but this isn’t necessary. Instead, you should make sure that your system is in good working order before putting it away, which means checking things like filters and ducts for any damage or problems to avoid major issues next time around.
These are just a few of the many air conditioning & heating tips & tricks available which will help keep your house comfortable all year long! Whether you’re having trouble getting something repaired quickly or you want to save money on energy costs, then these simple steps could end up making a big difference when summer rolls around again!
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6 Things You Should Know About Air Conditioner Repair
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Your Blogging Needs
The importance of a HVAC system in your home is that it uses cooling and heating to regulate temperature and humidity levels within a specific range. It should be noted that this system affects not only the homeowners, but also the surrounding community.
As homes become more energy efficient, this can lead to the HVAC unit having to work harder than anticipated in order to maintain the desired temperature levels within the home. The HVAC system is not idle, even when we are at work or away on vacation. The effects of there being too much load on an HVAC unit can lead to expensive repairs or premature replacements. To make sure a home’s HVAC operates at its optimal efficiency, it is important for owners to follow HVAC maintenance tips and schedule regular tune-ups.
Even in homes with an efficient heating or cooling system, there are still a few steps that homeowners can take to ensure their unit is running at its top performance level. First of all, it’s important for owners to keep the filter clean on both the air intake side as well as the return side of any newly installed equipment. Second, they should make sure the airflow into and out from appliances like furnaces and heat pumps is not blocked by furniture or other objects. It would be wise for homeowners to also install programmable thermostats so they don’t have to constantly think about adjusting temperature levels themselves!
