Tag Air Conditioning

Your thermostat should be properly calibrated. This will ensure accurate temperature control and operating cycle. This will save you on operating cost and assure your comfort level.

Improper refrigerant charge can damage your compressor, which is the heart of your air conditioning system; this is an expensive air conditioner repair. Systems improperly charged will cause increased electric bills because this will reduce the efficiency of your air conditioning system. The proper refrigerant charge will provide longer equipment life, lower your utility bills and reduce the need for air conditioning service.

A dirty condenser coil (outside unit) will reduce your air conditioning systems ability to remove and reject heat from your home. This will cause your system to run longer and increase your electric bills. The benefit of a clean condenser coil is proper heat rejection, reduced run time and lower energy bills. A dirty air conditioning condenser can lead to system failure and the need for you air conditioner to be repaired.

Dirt and house dust that escapes through your air conditioning filter can cling to the cold moist coil. This will restrict the air flow through the coil reducing your air conditioning system of performance and capacity. Maintaining the evaporator coil will ensure that proper air flow is delivered to all areas of your home, increase comfort levels, provide better dehumidification, and a cleaner healthier indoor environment. Inspecting and changing your air filter on a monthly basis will help prevent air conditioner repairs.

As your air conditioning system removes heat from your home, humidity is extracted from the air. The condensation created by warmer air passing over a cold coil must be drained from your system. This is done through a condensate drain line. The drain must be checked and cleared of algae build up or foreign particles clogging the drain, which could cause water damage to the ceiling or floors of your home. By keeping your air conditioner drain line clear you will reduce the need for air conditioning service and overflow problems which can result in water damage. Proper draining will also aid in maintaining indoor humidity levels.

Dirty blower wheels can affect the air flow to your home; limit your air conditioning system’s capacity and your comfort. It can also spread dust particles which irritate sinus and allergies. A clean blower wheel and fan motor will provide maximum air flow, improved comfort levels and proper cooling. Most of air conditioner repairs are caused by dirt and the lack of maintenance.

Moving parts in need of lubrication can cause increased electrical consumption and air conditioner repairs. This is due to additional power required to overcome the resistance in motors and drive shafts that are not lubricated. Proper system lubrication will offer smooth motor and shaft operation, extended part life and less air conditioner repairs.

The electrical components on your air conditioning system should be inspected regularly for signs of wear. Faulty electrical components can lead to very expensive air conditioning repairs. A thorough inspection will reduce the need for air conditioner service if the faulty or worn parts are replaced when found.

Following the above tips will help reduce the amount of air conditioner repairs you will encounter over your air conditioning systems lifespan. If you are in need of air conditioner service make sure the company you choose is licensed and insured to do the required work.

Source by Mike Strobel

Residential A/C and Heating Systems in the San Antonio, TX Area

In San Antonio, as a matter of fact, throughout Texas and the whole United States, air conditioning and heating units are the norm in any home or business. In certain parts of the country, one will notice different types of cooling and heating systems used because they are most safe and economical. In Texas, the predominant unit used for home air conditioning is called the split system.

The split system has two parts – the inside unit, which can be an air handler or a furnace, and the outside unit, called a condenser. These two parts of your air system are connected by two copper pipes and a 24 volt control wire which sends electronic signals back and forth between the two units. Both of the copper lines carry refrigerant in different phases. When you look closely, you will notice that one of the copper lines is larger in diameter than the other.

The larger line is called the “suction” line. It has this name because the refrigerant in this line is being “sucked” into the condensing unit by a compressor. The refrigerant in the suction line is in a gaseous or vapor form. The refrigerant is then pulled into the compressor in the condensing unit, where is compressed back to liquid form. When the gas is compressed, the heat it picked up from the inside unit becomes apparent. Next, the hot, compressed refrigerant travels through the condensing coil, which disperses the heat by a fan pushing cooler air through the fins of the coil. That’s why you feel hot air coming from your outside air conditioning unit when it’s running (in most cases).

The smaller copper line is called the liquid line. When the compressed refrigerant finishes running through the condensing coil, it enters the liquid or low pressure line. The refrigerant from the liquid line travels to the evaporator coil where it picks up heat from the air being pushed through it by the blower. Once the heat has been drawn out of the air, cold air is discharged from the unit to the duct-work and ultimately to the vents. The refrigerant cycle starts over again at that point.

Source by Ron S. Carter

Chilled water air conditioning systems, more commonly known as ‘chillers’ are a great choice for large commercial spaces like hospitals and schools. If you own a commercial property and you’re thinking about your future cooling needs, chilled water systems should definitely be on top of your list.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some advantages and disadvantages of chilled water air conditioning systems so you can get the right cooling system for your commercial space.

Advantages

They Are Cost-Effective

Hands down, one of the greatest things about chilled water air conditioning systems is that they can reduce your energy costs by half, especially if they come with the latest high-efficiency equipment. Since water is known to be better at absorbing heat than air, chilled water systems are instantly better than air-cooled systems. Moreover, water is quite cheap and plentiful and you won’t need to use costly refrigerant lines to keep your space cool, so you’ll end up contributing to overall cost savings.

They Contribute to Indoor Air Quality

Air ducts keep indoor areas connected in a building and this can cause unpleasant odors and air pollutants to spread easily from one room to another. The great thing about these systems is that you have to install a separate air handling system in each air which prevents the spread of odors and pollutants. This leads to a significant improvement in indoor air quality.

They Operate at Much Quieter Levels

Another benefit is that they operate at quieter levels than traditional air-cooling systems. This is particularly ideal for buildings with sensitive environments like hospitals and fancy restaurants where noise could be very distracting and unhealthy for the occupants.

Disadvantages

They Come with Added Maintenance Needs

Because chilled water systems utilize water to transfer heat, this may expose the water to various conditions that can lead to scaling. Scaling, if you weren’t aware, is basically where deposits get accumulated on metal which can ultimately lead to corrosion. Corrosion can significantly affect the efficiency of your system.

To prevent scaling, the water that’s used in these systems needs to be treated first to remove impurities that can lead to scaling. This means that you’ll have to take care of additional maintenance needs and their respective costs as well.

They Aren’t Ideal for Places with Water Shortage

Needless to say, chilled water systems require a good amount of water to operate. This means they aren’t ideal for areas where there’s constant water shortage. If your company pays water costs, you can expect these costs to rise when you install a chilled water system.

They Aren’t as Effective in Humidity

Another important thing to note is that chilled water systems don’t work as effectively in humid environments. Higher levels of humidity lead to an increase in the wet-bulb temperature that indicates how efficiently water can absorb heat. This increase can result in lower comfort levels and increased operating costs.

If the levels of humidity get too high, the occupants may experience a cold and clammy feeling. Air-cooled systems work significantly better in humidity because they can extract moisture from air more efficiently.

Source by Mike Petty

Commercial cooling desires are clearly growing throughout the world. Air conditioning was once measured as a luxury and is now more of a necessity. Reputed and expert manufacturers have played a good part in making units more reasonably priced. They have increased their competence and improved technology as well as commercial air conditioner accessories. The increase in the competitiveness of the industry has simply produced more and more superior products.

These appliances differ significantly in size. They obtain their energy from several different sources. The attractiveness of commercial air conditioners has augmented dramatically with the arrival of central air. The strategy utilises ducting for both cooling and heating. Air conditioning systems with a heat pump is a central air conditioning as well as heating system. In one of the modes, it performs the conditioning function. In the turn round mode, it becomes a heater.

The commercial variants, almost every one of them, have altered a lot as energy costs continued to rise and power sources continued to change and get better. Let us look at the air conditioner components.

A) Outdoor Components

1. Condenser Coil – stays outdoor

Condenser coils are a system of tubes filled with the refrigerant. The function is to eliminate heat from the hot gas refrigerant and change the refrigerant into a fluid form. The surplus heat rises into the outside air, therefore making the condenser coil an outdoor air conditioner component.

2. Compressor – stays outdoors

A compressor is clearly the heart of the air conditioning system. This component of the system circulates the refrigerant in an enclosed loop between the evaporator and condenser coils. You can get compressors in more than one variety. There are scroll type and reciprocating ones. Scroll type compressors can be costlier but are generally elevated in efficiency and less noisy than reciprocating compressors.

3. Fan – stays outdoors

This air conditioner component takes in air through the condenser coil so that heat dispersal can take place.

B) Indoor Components

1. Evaporator coil – stays indoors

Evaporator coils are a system of tubes filled with the refrigerant. The function is to eliminate heat and moisture from the air so that the refrigerant can evaporate into a gas again.

2. Air filters – stays indoors

This element traps dust, other airborne particles as air moves throughout. This component is necessary to improve the cooling operation as well as ensure our health.

3. Air handling unit – stays indoors

This component is the blower of the central air conditioning system. It passes air through the air ducts.

You can find stocks of all the necessary air conditioner components and commercial air conditioner accessories online. These components are needed for putting together a cooling or heating system. Whether you are changing your old one or need a whole air conditioning system, the online sellers provide all major air conditioning products of different quality brands. A simple organic search will yield your stocks of the best grade air conditioner components available. You can choose your pick!

Source by Rohit Bisht

Air conditioning systems are one of the most popular lifestyle gadgets all over the world. These products are widely used at both homes and workplaces. If you’re planning to purchase air con units for your home, there’re certain factors that you should take into consideration to make a better decision. Specially, if you’re under a budget constraint, go for portable air conditioners. Considering the greater convenience of customers, various models of portable AC units have been introduced to the market by the manufacturing brands. Now, you may ask how the portable variety is better than the rest?

Portable air cons are ideal for homes because of their unparallelled flexibility. Moreover, the cost is another positive aspect of the range of products. As compared to the conventional variety, portable HVAC systems cost almost half. However, the non-portable air conditioners are also a good choice, provided you take into account certain factors:

While installing an AC, consider the following factors to ensure safety in your home and the running efficiency of the system.

Dimension of a room: Determine the physical dimension of the room, where you plan to install the AC. You can choose the air con with the adequate capacity, once you know the length and the breadth of the room. The bigger the room is, an AC with larger the capacity you need. Else, if you go for an AC with smaller capacity in a larger room, it won’t be able to provide with the necessary cooling.

HVAC Kilowatt rating: Kilowatt rating is another vital factor to consider, when it comes to choosing an air conditioner, irrespective of its make or model. The higher this rating is, the greater amount of heat it will be able to remove from the room where it’s installed.

The number of windows: The number of windows also play a role in this aspect. The more rooms you’ve in a room, more heat enters inside. Thus, an AC requires more time to drive away the heat from the room to facilitate effective cooling. On the other hand, the bigger your room is, the cost of running the system will be more.

EER or energy efficiency rating factor: While making the purchase, you also need to check the EER or energy efficiency rating of the product. Ideally, you should go for the product having the highest EER number. This ensures, your domestic air conditioning system runs with greater efficiency on a minimal cost.

Properly insulated home: It’s important to ensure, your home has the proper insulation system in place to support safe running of the HVAC unit. If your home is properly insulated to trap the cold air in summers and hot air in winters, the running cost of the HVAC unit will further be reduced.

Installing an HVAC at home is really not that easy. You’ve to make sure, there’s no loophole anywhere, else it may take a toll on your life and property. Follow the tips discussed above and all the risk factors will automatically be resolved.

Source by Rick Oogle

Growth in population and rising income level of the middle class has resulted in an unprecedented demand for food, consumer goods, and many more things. Consequently, industries are nowadays using the latest available technologies to meet the evolving needs. For the same, industrial heating and air-conditioning has become a matter of paramount importance. Industries have a dependence on the generation and efficient use of heat since time immemorial, but the recent surge in demand and technological advances have pushed them to go for industrial heating and air-conditioning services from the companies that provide the same in a competent manner.

Industries Demanding a Heating System

A large number of industries today have such kind of system to have heat efficiency and less heat wastage. Some of them are the following ones:

Chemical – For many processes in this type of industry, steam is used, which needs to be regulated via an efficient heating system. As this steam is generated in boilers, heating systems are a prime requisite not only for maintaining a precise temperature as per the manufacturing requirements but also for the reduction of any loss of energy during the steam generation process.

Waste Treatment – Here, there is a use of hot water in order to eliminate the trace of any microorganisms, as they cannot survive at extremely high temperatures. Moreover, controlled combustion is essential for the treatment of solid waste in such an industry.

Food Processing – For ensuring the safety of food, a heating system is a part of this type of industry. It is used for pasteurization, heating of large ovens, food sanitation, sterilization, and many other purposes.

Biodiesel – Circulation heaters are always an integral part of the biodiesel production process. Be it the transesterification process to speed up the reaction or other vital processes, the industrial heating system found a wide application here.

Paper – It consumes a lot of energy and efficient heating systems are hence an absolute requirement to ensure less energy waste.

Industries Demanding an Air-Conditioning System

Air-conditioning has found a common application in households and offices all over the world, but for some industries, it is an absolute necessity for safe production as well as storage of the manufactured goods. Some of the listing includes the following:

• Hospitality
• Pharmaceutical
• Agri-food

The future of the industrial heating and air-conditioning is bright, as extreme weather challenges have further increased the demand for such systems in numerous industries on a global basis.

Source by Frank Shan

The inside of even a small machine shop can quickly heat up because of the operation of industrial tools and the friction that is generated when working with metal. The proper cooling of a machine shop is vital to the operation of a business, since an unventilated space can be hazardous to the workers, the tools and the building itself. Portable air conditioning units that handle this type of industrial space are one part of the solution for a machine shop. It can sometimes take four or more cooling units to maintain a good temperature inside of the building. There are several elements in a shop that can contribute to the amount of heat that must be managed.

Machinery

Large shops must often deal with dozens or even hundreds of machines that are each contributing to an increase in the temperature. This can be caused by multiple turning centers or other tools that use hydraulics and powerful engines. A number of these engines operating at the same time can quickly cause hundreds or thousands of gallons of oil to rise in temperature. This heat is dissipated into the air and can start to affect the performance of other machinery. Shops that do not manage the temperatures around machinery can potentially see interruptions in work because of overheating that locks the tools until the area can be cooled. Portable air conditioners can be used as a cooling solution in targeted areas that might contain high concentrations of machinery that become very hot while in use.

Steam And Moisture

Computer numerical control (CNC) tools come in many different designs. Some of these use water-based coolants to help keep cutting heads and other components cool while a program is running. The result is that the hot components cause the water in the coolant to turn into steam. This steam is then released into the air and can cause the temperature to rise in the machine shop. There are certain systems that can be installed that can help to mitigate some of this release of steam. Portable air conditioning units can be used as a permanent or temporary solution to this problem by providing the ability to reduce the amount of humidity that is created while simultaneously cooling the entire area.

Improper Insulation

Nearly all machine shops require some type of insulation to keep the space warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. Improperly installed insulation or buildings that have no insulation can begin to act like ovens in the summer when the sun hits the exterior walls. Portable air conditioners can be used to negate this increase in temperatures in order to keep the shop at a comfortable level where employees and equipment can operate without problems.

Source by Jeremy P Stanfords

When your air conditioner or furnace breaks down, your home immediately goes from being a comfortable environment to being too hot or too cold. As a result, many people open the phone book and call an HVAC repair company without performing some essential research that can determine whether or not their heating or cooling situation will be responded to in the proper manner. While each domestic heating and air conditioning repair service will offer to address your problem, choosing a service that will address it in the optimal fashion requires the following considerations.

Does a Service Specialize in Repairs?

While all heating and cooling companies will be able to diagnose your problem, you want to ensure that a company specializes in heating and air conditioning systems repair. Although most HVAC specialists offer heating and air conditioning systems repair, some companies earn the majority of their profits from replacing faulty heating and cooling elements, which could mean their first inclination is replacing your air conditioner or furnace instead of repairing it. Considering the significant price of replacing heating and cooling systems, the primary focus should be on evaluating whether you’re furnace or air conditioner isn’t suffering from a bad part or a system of parts that appear poised for more beak downs.

The Quality of a Service’s Technicians

When you read about tips for hiring the best HVAC repair technicians, you’ll encounter a myriad of cautions that range from being obviously sensible to bizarrely personal, such as the idea that you should determine whether or not a technician is an alcoholic. But unless you feel like hiring a private investigator, the best way to hire a quality HVAC technician is to make sure that he or she is licensed, bonded and insured and possesses NATE certification. Technicians that are licensed, bonded and insured display that they passed an HVAC certification test and are covered by insurance in the event that damage occurs to your person or property as a result of HVAC work. NATE certification shows that a technician possesses up to date knowledge of best HVAC practices.

Time Sensitive Service Agreements

Depending on your air conditioner or furnace’s repair issue, a technician may not be able to repair it on the same day that the problem is diagnosed, in which case you should insist on a time sensitive agreement before making payments. A time sensitive service agreement should state that, unless the repair is completed by a certain date, you are absolved of the responsibility to pay for the project, regardless of its completion status. Most air conditioning service providers complete repairs on time even without a time sensitive agreement. But there are also cases of HVAC companies taking weeks or even months longer to fix a problem than anticipated, which is something that you can’t afford in the heat of summer or coldness of winter.

Source by Brian Figlioli

Car air conditioning systems that blow warm on one side and cold on the other side usually have one of two problems. In this short auto repair article, a master automotive technician shares his experience, derived from working on air conditioners in Florida for the last couple of decades. This free information can be equally helpful to the do-it-yourselfer as it is to a consumer that knows the value of being informed when it comes to dealing with car repair shops. Read on for free car A/C help when the air is blowing warm on ONE side.

Usually cars that blow cold on one side of the dash and warm on the other side, are typically equipped with a dual zone climate control system. Dual zone systems allow the driver and front passenger to adjust respective temperatures to their comfort levels. There are two common causes of a temperature difference when both sides are set at the coldest settings, lets cover the first one.

Low Refrigerant

Automotive air conditioners which use 134A, usually hold a small amount of refrigerant compared to older automobiles that use R12. Car and truck air conditioners today are much more efficient than their older counter parts. The fact that 134A systems use less freon, means that a leak can more quickly affect the performance of an HVAC (Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning) system. Due to the design of dual AC systems, low refrigerant is the leading cause of drastic temperature difference from one side of the dash to the other. Even well experienced car mechanics may be surprised to learn that as little as 4 to 8 ounces undercharged of 134A can make such a huge difference. The temperature from the left vent to the right vent can vary 10 to 20 degrees. The easiest thing to try is to top off the system or better yet, remove all freon and recharge the unit with the factory specified amount. In most cases after the proper charge of Freon is in the car, the temp will blow equally as cold like it should on BOTH sides!

What if that didn’t help? Read on to learn of another possible cause of the problem.

HVAC Door Issue

Dual zones supplying different temperatures from vents on either side of the dash is achieved by the use of small doors within the HVAC housing. By controlling the doors, the temperature of the air on the left and right can be adjusted to the desired comfort level. Many times the motor (or actuator) that controls the door for either side can fail or the door itself can break and prevent the temp. from being adjusted. Diagnosing this problem is more complex and can be a subject for another article. Thanks for reading. Hopefully, the free information provided here will help to remedy the problem of “AC’s blowing hot or warm from one side of the dash.”

Source by Dennis Bandy

Thermostats: Tools That Manage HVAC Performance

In basic definition, thermostats and advanced A/C system controls function as simple on/off switches. The switch trips whenever changes in the indoor air temperature of a structure nears the associated thermostat’s set point. But modern HVAC performance involves much more the simplicity of an on/off thermostat control function.

The following overview reviews the power of thermostats and advanced A/C system controls.

Basic Thermostat and A/C System Control Processes

In 1883, Warren S. Johnson invented the first electric room thermostat. The Johnson Controls technology used mercury and electrodes inserted directly through the glass. The systems were accurate within one degree of temperature.

Skip ahead. In modern technology, most 2014 air conditioning and heat pump thermostats operate on low voltage control circuits that pull 24 volts AC from a control transformer installed within the home’s heating or cooling equipment. Low voltage control technology provides a safety advantage that enables the thermostat to operate multiple electromechanical contractors, relays and sequencers at inherently safe voltage. Modern systems also include an integrated “anticipation” function that activates the contacts in a manner that prevents room temperatures from overshooting the desired temperature settings. And all this excludes the growing range of features associated with modern programmable thermostats & controllers.

Pre-digital Heating and Air Conditioning Thermostats

In 1953, Honeywell introduced the T-86 “Round” thermostat technology. This bimetallic-spring regulated room thermostat still controls millions of home heating and cooling systems throughout the world.

Typically mounted on a central wall within the home, the traditional Honeywell thermostat uses a basic dial-type round-controller design that includes two temperature scales and two temperature pointers. The top scale and pointer provides the adjustable components of the system. The bottom scale shows the actual physical temperature in the chosen area of the home. Rotating the pointer in the top scale to the right increases the desired heating requirements. Rotating the pointer in the top scale to the left decreases the desired temperature setting.

In the early years, thermostats designed to control both cooling and heating included a manual setting switch at the base of the unit. This switch, also seen in rectangular units of the pre-digital era, can be moved from heat-to-off-to-cool or back again. The temperature sensor within the units compare the air temperature near the thermostat to the settings of the system and turn on or off the associated heating or cooling equipment as appropriate. The heat/cool/off control switch assures that only the selected equipment can activate at any one time.

Digital Era Thermostats and Controllers

By the year 2005, nearly 97% of U.S. households used installed heating systems. During the same time frame, only 75% of the U.S. households used air conditioning. But the world is changing and the changing climates associated with global warming continue to press upward the demand for installed air conditioning.

Modern programmable thermostat and controller technology bestows a dramatic increase in features and capabilities. From simple on/off heating and cooling to controlled ventilation systems and from manual settings to controllers that respond to electricity price-signals the home air conditioning and heat pump management system engages in a whole new arena of thermal comfort and energy savings.

And then along come thermostats and advanced air conditioning controls that link directly into the home Internet networking system. Wonder what comes next?

Source by RM Harrington