A central air conditioner contains two main segments, the outdoors condensing unit and indoors air handler, and each segment contains a variety of parts that work together to move a chemical fuel through to provide the cooling your home needs. The process starts at the thermostat, which sends a signal to the condensing unit and powers up the compressor. The compressor squeezes out the refrigerant gas that will move through the whole system in various phases.…
The air handler portion of your central air conditioner is inside your home, normally in the furnace, and contains the parts that make up the final stages of the cooling cycle. The parts include the evaporator coils, which receive a liquid refrigerant from the outside condensing unit and perform a phase change that both makes the refrigerant a gas and makes the surface of the coils cold. The cold coils chill the circulating ambient air that is then passed back into your home.…
If you are a frugal homeowner who is also concerned about the environment and your impact upon it, then you may find yourself constantly thinking about the ways in which you can prevent the various systems in your home from using up too much energy. This includes the cooling system in your home. When you are looking at ways that you could possibly save money as well as energy with your home cooling system, there are numerous ways that you can go about it.…
If you use an air conditioning unit to cool yourself off during warmer temperatures, you most likely want to keep the appliance in good working order to avoid unnecessary downtime when the unit is needed most. One hazard to an air conditioner is when birds use it as a nesting place. Nests built on an air conditioner can lead to inadequate airflow due to obstructions caused by twigs and grass. Bacteria can also become present within the unit, leading to compromised airflow into the home.…
Energy-efficiency is an important trend today among homeowners, not only because energy-efficiency is better for the environment but because it’s also better for your wallet. If you’re getting ready to replace your furnace this fall before the cold weather starts, you may want to consider a hybrid model. These are some things to consider before you start.
Do you have a somewhat unpredictable climate?
If the most reliable thing about your weather is that it will probably change in the next hour or two, a hybrid furnace system with a dual-speed fan could be a big energy and money saver.…
A good HVAC technician will recommend a furnace that’s correctly sized for your home. However, some homeowners demand a larger furnace because they (falsely) believe it will keep their home even warmer or will operate more efficiently. This is just not a good idea. If your HVAC contractor recommends a furnace of a certain size, trust that that is the size you need. Installing a furnace that’s too large can cause the following issues.…
Portable and window air conditioners are two alternative cooling options to central air conditioning systems which are designed to cool a much smaller area. Because they each possess their own unique method of operation, portable and window air conditioners also have a distinctive set of features and drawbacks. Understanding what each type of air conditioner has to offer you can help you choose the one that best fits your needs.…
You know how comfortable your home can feel with an effective air conditioning system. But, your comfort level is not the only reason why maintaining your air conditioner is a good idea. The following are 4 healthful reasons you should keep your AC in tip-top shape.
1. Protection Against Excessive Heat
Heat, especially excessive heat, could possibly lead to ailments like heat exhaustion, which is characterized by the following:
A feeling of confusion or dizziness Your urine might appear darker than usual You could faint or feel very tired Pains like headaches or abdominal cramps You might feel the urge to vomit or will do so Your AC can help prevent the ill effects of excessive heat.…
If you have a traditional HVAC system with a ventilation system that spans your building, then then you might have worried about dirty air ducts from time to time. However, you might not be sure exactly how dangerous some dirty ducts can be. Are they a serious health hazard or would you just be wasting your money by hiring a cleaning service? To help give you some guidance on what to do in your situation, here is a list of common dangers associated with dirty ducts:…
Sky-high heating bills can completely undermine your budget in the winter. But so many methods for saving on heating require you to spend money in order to save! Instead of spending hundreds on special insulating curtains or spray foam insulation, try implementing some of these cheap, easy ways to save on heating. They all cost less than $5!
Replace your furnace filter.
If your furnace filter is clogged and dirty, your furnace filter has to work extra hard to push air through it.…
