Tag Air Conditioning

Central air conditioners are considered to be more efficient than room air conditioners. It is important to have the right size air conditioner to meet your home’s needs. Larger units, while thought to be generally more efficient, will not operate efficiently if they are over-sized. This will cause them to cycle on and off more frequently rather than running for longer, more efficient periods.

High efficiency units generally cost more, but these units can pay for themselves overtime by reducing your energy consumption, helping keep those bills lower. Newer air conditioning units can use up to half the electricity that older air conditioners use.

Helpful Tips to Help You Save Money

Homeowners can save money by setting the thermostat on the air conditioning unit at 25°C or higher. Each half-degree setting below 26°C will increase your energy consumption by approximately 8%. Keep the indoor and outdoor coils clean and free from dirt and dust build up, as this is the most common cause for poor efficiency. Be sure to check the refrigerant charge, if you are unable to do this, you may need a service contractor to check the fluid to adjust it properly for maximum cooling efficiency.

Other Tips to Help Keep Costs Down in Summer

To help keep costs down and help to keep cool in the summer months, try not using dish washing machines and other heat generating appliances until later in the evening as the temperatures cool down. Keep the house closed tight during the day, and shading the east and west windows in your home can help considerably to keep things cooler.

It is always important to have your unit maintained regularly by cleaning and replacing those air filters. A clean air filter means less air resistance for the air conditioner and makes a big difference in the air quality of your home.

Another good way to keep those costs down on your cooling bills is to refrain from cooling empty rooms. You can save money by turning off the unit when no one is home, and if you must keep the air conditioner running while you are away, use a timed thermostat to help instead of running the unit all day. It is not going to help by cranking the unit on maximum, as this will not cool a room in your home any faster.

The best and most efficient way to cool your home is to set the thermostat at 78F and give it time to cool down.

Heat Sources to Keep in Mind:

There are many heat sources around your home that can keep your air conditioner from running at peak performance, and steal your cool air. Incandescent light bulbs are one of those sources which give off heat; it is a good idea to switch to fluorescent bulbs or the more efficient LED light bulbs. Another common source of heat are those long, hot showers that raise the air temperature inside your home, and add humidity to the air which makes it feel even warmer. Just by trying a few of these helpful tips can save you substantial money in your wallet, and help to keep your home nice and cool this summer.

Source by Donna Kshir

In commercial setups as well as homes, there is a vital need of fresh, uncontaminated and temperature controlled air. It forms the basis for a suitable environment to perform a particular operation. Generally, industrial complexes have various equipment installed to control the quality of air such as air conditioners, heaters and ventilators. An essential equipment mounted to operate in conjunction with these devices is an Air Handling Unit or an AHU. It is a very significant device that can modify and condition the air as per needs. These days, many Air Handling Unit manufacturers produce these devices with varying capacities and unique features such as smoke detecting systems and more.

The Air Handling Unit or an AHU is designed by incorporating different functional units that perform specific jobs. If you are planning to integrate an AHU into your commercial plant or home premises, here is some basic information about the device for you to know its functionality.

Mixing chambers – The important task of exhausting the air from the inside of the building and mixing the air from the outside is performed by the dampers installed inside the mixing chambers.

Conditioning element – Just like the air conditioners used in homes do, the conditioning element does the task of conditioning the air and adjusting its temperature to hot or cold. Components like heating coils and cooling coils are used to achieve the desired level of temperature. The elements like water at high

temperature, a stream of hot or cold air and cold water are commonly used in this part.
Filters – Filters take the vital responsibility of cleaning the air present in the atmosphere. Air Handling Units consist of filters that perform the task of removing all the dust and other contaminants present in the air. The air stream coming out of the filters is absolutely sanitized and dry.

Humidifier – As the name suggests, the task of this part is to humidify the air. In applications where extremely dry air results due to regular heating, the humidifier performs the task of adjusting its moisture content.

Blower – The chief purpose of this part of the AHU is to recycle the air present in the area. For enhanced functionality, more than one blower can be integrated into the unit.

Apart from these major components, there are many other smaller modules such as sound attenuators, vibration suppressers, heat recovery device, duct pressure control devices and smoke detectors present in an AHU. These devices are equally important in ensuring the overall functioning of the device. According to the application, different sizes, shapes and installation type of the AHU equipments are available.

Before contacting Air Handling Unit manufacturers for purchasing the device, you should know your requirement. For the premises where the unit is to be used is smaller in size, a low capacity AHU would be enough. If the installation space is a constraint, opt for the equipment with compact shape and small size.

Source by Sumit Awasthi

At one time or another, you may need to implement various types of HVAC repairs. The initials “HVAC” stands for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems. They are the systems that help to keep you comfortable by regulating the air flow and temperature and help to control the climate in the home. HVAC repair can range from something simple that the homeowner can take care of to serious problems that a licensed professional will need to fix. The repairs can include work that will need to be done to your vents, boiler, ductwork, or furnace.

One thing that a homeowner can do is to make sure that the filters are replaced regularly because they can become overly dirty or clogged. This problem can hinder the performance of the HVAC system drastically. If you have a closed internal vent or leaky ductwork, they can also affect the performance of the system but these problems have to be checked out by a professional.

One serious HVAC repair that requires a professional would be the replacement or repair of the furnace or boiler. If you have an older system, you should be aware that they are prone to having problems with the boiler or furnace. When you call a professional to check what is wrong they will use diagnostic software to help them diagnose exactly where the problem is and what the problem is. Sometimes it will take just a replacement part but there are times that it will have to be replaced entirely.

Two other repairs include ductwork and blocked vents, which usually can be repaired by removing the blockage from the vents or replacing the bad parts of the ductwork. These two problems need to be fixed by a licensed professional because if the homeowner tries to fix them more damage can happen and cause more problems. Another HVAC repair is the central thermostat but before you call your repairman you should do some troubleshooting. You should check to see if the batteries in the thermostat need to be changed. You also want to check all the settings and buttons to see if they were not incorrectly set by mistake. If none of these is the problem then you will need to call the HVAC repairman.

Other things that can be done to help prevent having an HVAC repair later is to make sure the insulation was installed correctly and it should also be kept up-to-date to make sure that air and heat are trapped sufficiently in your home. You should also make sure that all windows and doors are sealed completely to keep out the outside air.

Source by Lora Davis

An air conditioner is a device which is meant to primarily provide a low degree of temperature in order to enhance the level of comfort. This line can be termed as the most lucid description of the purpose of an air conditioner.

However, there have been many modern developments that have taken place over time and most of them have been for the better. Therefore, the level of customer satisfaction derived from the usage of these devices has also seen a remarkable level of improvement.

There have been many companies in this world that have done wonders when it comes to making fantastic air conditioners. However, only a select few have made that all too important difference between being part of the best and being part of the conventionals.

One of those companies is Whirlpool and Whirlpool air conditioners have certainly made quite an impact in the market. These devices have certainly made it big in the air conditioners market and, therefore, they have clearly turned into nothing but ‘cash cows’ for the company.

This company deals both the manufacturing of window air conditioners and split air conditioners. Some of the products that come under the category of window ACs are as follows:

1. WAWR09G20

2. WAWR12G20

3. WAWR18G10

4. WAWR18G20

While some of the products that come under the category of split air conditioners are as follows:

1. WASR12K30

2. WASR18B28D0

3. WASR12K20

4. WASR09K20

The superior product quality of Whirlpool air conditioners can be understood when one takes a look at the features that are present in any of these ACs. Hence, the following paragraphs describe the features that are present in the WAWR09G20 and the WASRI12K30.

The WAWR09G20 is an air conditioner having a capacity of 0.8 tonne and it is vested with many advanced technologies and features. One of the technological marvels that is present in this device is the 6th sense MPFI cooling system. This technology enables this particular air conditioner to operate at low power intakes while giving an enhanced level of cooling at the same time.

Another wonderful feature that is present in this air conditioner is the spectra wide heat exchanger. These exchangers, increase the surface area so as to effectively provide an enhanced level of air distribution. This leads to a remarkable degree of improvement in the cooling that is given by this device.

Another fantastic member of the impressive assortment of whirlpool air conditioners that are there in the market today is the WASR12K30.

This device is, perhaps, nothing but the best in the product sector of split air conditioners and the reason for this is its ability to provide fantastic level of cooling by virtue of technologies like :

1. 6th Sense Air flow system

2. 6th Sense Sleep

3. 6th Sense Quick Cool

4. 6th Sense MPFI Cooling system

Apart, from the technologies that have been listed in the above list, this split AC by whirlpool also has other technologies like the Anti freeze thermostat, which prevents the formation of ice at the evaporator. Ice formation in this part of the AC is quite detrimental to the health of the compressor which is the most important part of any AC.

Whirlpool certainly has taken on the act of utilisation of the platform of online shopping in India in quite an effective manner and this can be seen when one looks at the number of Whirlpool ACs that are sold nowadays. This company is certainly establishing a prominent presence in the Indian subcontinent.

Source by Shefali Roy

Change of seasons sometimes reveals problems with a vehicle that would otherwise go unnoticed. If you have a Jeep Grand Cherokee or a Ford Explorer that has an outside air leak behind the glove box, then you may have a broken fresh air door (AKA Recirculate Door or Max Door). The fresh air door is used to either recirculate air in the passenger compartment or allow fresh air to enter the HVAC (Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning) system. Surprisingly the Explorer and the Grand Cherokee share a common flaw in the heating and AC system. The fresh air doors are weak plastic that many times under the stress of the control actuator can break. When it’s cold outside this problem makes itself very apparent. In hotter climates in the summertime, a broken fresh air door drastically reduces the air conditioning’s efficiency.

Checking it is easy by operating the fresh air door and listening for increased airflow. When the climate control setting is moved to max, the sound of the air blowing through the vents should be louder because the fresh air door is sealing off the outside air, forcing the inside air to recirculate. If the sound is not louder, you can open the glove box door and look behind it for the operation of the door when switching the setting from normal to max. If the door is not visibly moving, it is likely that it has broken. The door sometimes can even fall to the bottom of the case, positioned right above the blower. It may not be in sight, sometimes you can stick your fingers through the plastic grate and feel the door laying loose on the bottom.

Replacement of the door is not a do it yourself job. The dash needs to be swung out and the HVAC case removed on Grand Cherokees. On Ford Explorers the job can be done without the removal of the case, but the assembly must be replaced. Obviously if the case needs to be removed, the refrigerant must be recovered, which requires an ac machine. So if you are mechanically inclined the one that may be done at home might be the Explorer, of course this depends on your mechanical ability. Even if you are not going to do this job yourself, this information can be used to help explain to the repair shop what the problem is. By providing more information to lead the technician to the problem area, diagnosis time can be reduced.

Source by Dennis Bandy

The air source heat pump’s conception resulted from the invention of air conditioning units. It was Willis Carrier, a mechanical engineering graduate who initially came up with the first drawings for an air conditioning unit in 1902. In 1914 Willis Carrier lost his job due to cut backs as World War 1 began. It was than that Carrier and seven fellow mechanical engineers set up their own company, the Carrier Engineering Corporation

The air conditioning units employed a ‘refrigeration cycle’ in order to produce cooler air, therefore de-humidifying and cooling the environment. Air source pumps adopt a similar process in reverse, therefore emitting heat instead of cooler air into the environment.

Theses pumpa are more commonly used in milder climates where temperatures are more consistent although there have been recent developments as in 2007 an Oklahoma inventor developed an ait to air heap pump defrosting system, allowing for their use in colder climates.

There are now many companies producing these heating machines such as the Mitsubishi Ecodan heat pump. Heat pumps also come in numerous sizes and power variations now meaning that there are models to fit several sizes of household or even for corporate use.

In recent years, due to natural depleting natural resources, many people are looking for greener home heating solutions. There are many options available on the market, but in European countries the air source pump has been favoured. Suited to the most climates now the air source heat pump systems are fitted to the exterior of the residence and can provide up to a 40% saving on energy bills, 50% reduced carbon footprint and increased energy efficiency.

Although relatively new within the UK market, there is a huge adoption in Europe, 300,000 units were sold in Germany and France in 2008 alone. With the large environmental and monetary benefits it is predicted that air source heat pumps will become more widely used throughout the UK. To find out more about the Mitsubishi Ecodan air source heat system please visit the Green Air Central Heating website for more information.

Source by Nikki Maidment

Our current application of Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning systems (HVACs) is a crucial concern for our environment. HVAC systems are one of the largest contributors to pollution and greenhouse gases, and they consume exceptionally high levels of both electricity and fossil fuels. One can see the indications as to the extent of the strain HVAC systems place on our energy resources in the brown outs and rolling blackouts in the state of California in the early 2000s, which were caused primarily by electricity demands from air-conditioning units. Moreover, central heating accounts for 69% of the natural gas usage in the United States. Fortunately, there are, however, several excitingly innovative, energy efficient, environmentally friendly HVAC options available for consumers who are looking to reduce their energy bill and help save our natural resources.

One of the functions of AC units is to filter water vapor from indoor air. Before discarding the water vapor, more efficient AC units use the liquid water as a coolant to keep the unit at a safe operating temperature. In some high-efficiency, environmentally friendly AC units, rather than discarding that coolant after use, the unit is equipped to condense this moisture and reroute it back into the system as cooled water in order to be reused, creating a water vapor-coolant cycle.

Systems with programmable thermostats have been available for quite some time now. These thermostats are becoming more sophisticated with more functions and options to fit a variety of lifestyles and air treatment needs. The advantage with these systems is that you can set your thermostat to heat, condition, or ventilate the air on a need-only basis. Need-only basis air treatment is one of the easiest ways to drastically reduce your energy bills. In fact, this savings potential was largely the initial reason for developing programmable thermostats-the low environmental impact being only a fairly recent (though genuine) advertising point.

Another form of need-only air treatment is the Off-peak cooling systems (OPC), which uses the refrigerant-filled coils to cool water well below its freezing level during hours of low demand, to store this ice in this condition, and then to use the ice to remove thermal energy from hot indoor air during the day.

In order to obtain heat from the outside air, many air-conditioning units are capable of reversing the air-conditioning process. This form of heating is achieved via a heat pump. These types of air-conditioning units are often called reverse cycle air-conditioners. Reverse cycle air-conditioning systems tend to be more economical and practical, and, when used during the winter months for heating, these systems are vastly more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable than standard HVAC systems.

Freon is the most common refrigerant used in HVAC systems. Freon was developed by DuPont and is scientifically known as chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), with a subclass known as hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC). CFC and HCFCs have unequivocally been proven to contribute directly to ozone depletion. Simpler compounds with similar thermodynamic properties that do not contribute to ozone depletion have been developed as environmentally safe alternatives to CFCs. Both the Montreal Protocol and the Kyoto Protocol have established guidelines against the use of CFCs. The European Union has already begun a phase out of CFCs, and, after extreme resistance, the United States signed an agreement to phase out CFCs by 2020. This agreement means that non-CFC HVAC systems will probably become standard code in the near future, and buildings with CFC containing HVAC systems will be no longer pass building inspection.

With all of the developments in money-saving, environment-saving HVAC systems and the changing regulations and building codes that have been brought about by these innovations, it is probably time for you to have your HVAC system evaluated and to consider making some updates. When consulting an HVAC specialist, ask about the efficiency ratios of different systems, some HVAC systems have seasonal efficiency ratios as high as 12 and general efficiency ratios as high as 11, which could save at least a quarter of the cost on your total annual energy expenses. Monetarily, that’s like skipping on your energy bills for three months out of the year.

Source by James Eberly

Air handling units, or AHU, are essential to heat or cool the atmosphere. All air conditioning systems, heaters and ventilators have AHU to condition and purify the atmosphere. These units have a number of important components which have specific functions. There are various types of air handling units which include the terminal units or the small units, large AHU and packaged units.

Functions of Different AHU Components

Different components are included in the AHU which are essential for the smooth functioning of these units.

Filters: The most important element in the AHU includes the filters which are mainly used to clean and filter the atmosphere. Filters are essential to condition the atmosphere.

Blower: Another important component includes the blower which helps to recycle the air present in the building. Blowers collect the air from the building; it is then conditioned and released back into the building through ducts. It is either cooled or heated according to the different requisites. Large commercial buildings with huge AHU have many blowers for better and efficient performance.

Mixing chambers: The mixing chambers in the AHU absorb air from the outside and exhaust it from the interior of the building with the help of dampers. This helps to condition the atmosphere more quickly and efficiently.

Conditioning elements: Different conditioning elements are present in different types of AHU. Cooling coils are present in the air conditioners and hot coils are used in heating systems. The various conditioning elements include steam, hot water and cold water.

Humidifiers: One of the most essential components present in the AHU includes the humidifiers which help to control the level of humidity in the atmosphere. Constant level of heating can cause the atmosphere to become dry in cold places. This can result in severe discomfort which can be prevented with the use of humidifiers. Different AHU units have different types of humidifiers and vaporizers.

Vibrator isolators: Most of the AHU are prone to vibration and high level of noises while functioning. The vibrator isolator helps to reduce unwanted vibration and noise emancipating from the unit.

Pressure control devices: There are various dust pressure control devices which controls the speed of the blowers.

Other Important Devices

Various other devices are used to augment the performance level of the AHU. Different types of AHU are available for various purposes. It can be installed in large commercial buildings and homes according to the availability of space. These units are available in different sizes. There are packaged units which are available in small compact sizes. It can be moved around easily in rooms. As these units are small, it is less efficient and can be used to heat or cool small areas.

The mini cabinet fan is another variety of the AHU which can be installed on the ceilings of the rooms. Ample amount of space can be saved with the installation of these units. Various air pollution control devices are also available in the online markets at reasonable price rates. All these units can be obtained in different sizes to suit large and small spaces.

Source by Vaiv Jais

A condenser is a device that is used to liquefy gas by cooling it. In HVAC equipment, hot discharge gas (refrigerant vapor) from the compressor enters the condenser coils at the top and is condensed, drains out of the condenser to a receiver located near the bottom. The condenser coil is located along with the compressor and controlling devices in the condensing unit. In a remote or split system air conditioning installation, the condensing unit is located outdoors. Condensers are available in a variety of sizes and designs that include plain tube, finned tube and plate type, series-pass and parallel pass units.

Condensers are classified by their cooling method. The three main types are broken down to:

1. Air-cooled condensers
2. Combined air and water-cooled condensers
3. Water-cooled condensers

Air-Cooled Condensers

An air-cooled condenser consists of a coil of ample surface that air is blown by a fan or induced by natural draft. This type of condenser is universally used in small capacity refrigerating units. Mostly designed for residential or small office air conditioners.

Air-chilled condensers should be kept from free from dirt, lint and other foreign materials because they tend to reduce the airflow around the tubes and fins if they are allowed to accumulate just like evaporators.

Combined Air- and Water-cooled Condensers

This type of condenser is also know as an evaporative condenser and consists of a coil cooled by water sprayed from above and then cold air enters from the bottom and is blown across the coils. As water evaporates from the coil it creates a cooling effect that condenses the refrigerant within the coil. The refrigerant gas in the coil is hot which changed to the liquid state by combining the sprayed water and the large column of moving air supplied by the fan. The water that does not evaporate is recirculated by means of a pump.

Water-Cooled Condensers

A water-cooled condenser is similar to a steam surface condenser in that cooling is accomplished by water alone that circulates through tubes or coils enclosed in a shell. IN a water-cooled condenser the refrigerant circulates through the annular space between the tubes or coils. Because of its construction, a water-cooled condenser is also referred to as a double-pipe condenser.

Because an evaporative condenser is not wasteful of water, large compressor installations are possible in areas where water is scarce. Tests have shown that the amount of water required will not exceed the.03 gpm per ton of refrigeration. This is one of the eco-friendly reasons to use this type of condenser. Evaporative condensers also eliminate water water disposal problems and provide the most economical means of cooling refrigerant gases of standard air conditioners.

Source by John Stackson

A home’s heating ventilation and air conditioning system can be extremely costly both for the system itself and in terms of the energy it uses. A quality HVAC system should be able to keep a home at a comfortable temperature without being extremely expensive to operate. Choosing the right HVAC system is therefore one of the most important financial decisions a homeowner has to make. Keep in mind that price is not the only factor as an HVAC system is what keeps the temperature within the home stable and comfortable. The ability to enjoy the comforts of home to a large extent rests on the quality of the indoor air and the effectiveness of the HVAC system.

What to Look For in a New HVAC System

Factors that should be taken into account when deciding on a new HVAC system include:

• The power requirements of the system. This will depend on the size of the space that must be conditioned. An undersized air conditioner will struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature; if it is too large it will cycle on and off too quickly without properly dehumidifying the air. The homeowner gets either a home that is too hot, or one that is cold and damp. In both situations, the units will undergo additional wear and tear; this may make them fail sooner than if they were the right size for the home.

• The warranties and services contracts that go with the HVAC system. The homeowner will naturally want to choose the option that will save them the most money over the system’s lifespan. Choosing a recognized brand-name manufacturer can sometimes ensure that they get the best value for their money.

• User-friendliness. The instructions for maintaining the system and for programming the thermostat should both be clear and easy to follow.

• The noise factor. An HVAC system should run quietly.

• Features. These include humidifiers and dehumidifiers as well as HEPA filters to ensure good air quality indoors.

• The condition of the home’s existing ductwork. Prior to installation it will be important to inspect the ductwork for cracks and holes. Ducts with cracks or holes allow air to escape and may reduce the system’s efficiency by as much as 20 percent.

Benefits of Zoning

A zoned HVAC system can provide warm or cool air to particular rooms in a home by controlling airflow. This means that the homeowner can cool some of the rooms in their home without cooling all of them. Zoning makes an HVAC system much more efficient, thus saving the homeowner money.

Furnace Efficiency

The main option for a furnace are single-stage and two-stage. With a single-stage furnace, there is only one option as far as temperature so that the unit is either on or off; the user has no option to change to a lower setting. With a two-stage furnace, they have a low setting and a high setting. The fact that it has two stages allows the furnace to use less energy since the high setting is reserved for very cold weather.

SEER Rating

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is a method of determining the efficiency of an air conditioning system. A higher SEER rating indicates greater efficiency and thus a lower cost to cool a home. In most cases, older air conditioners will have a lower SEER rating than newer models. A number of other elements also affect SEER rating, including the home’s insulation and the whether or not the ductwork is properly sealed. New air conditioners are required to have a SEER rating of at least 13.

Once an appropriately sized and rated HVAC system has been chosen, the next consideration is installation. The homeowner will need to find a skilled and reputable HVAC contractor. A large part of how well a new HVAC system will work has to do with how well it is installed. An HVAC contractor should be able to provide clear answers to all of their customers’ questions. If they are not able to do so, the homeowner should seek another contractor.

Source by Peter David Wendt