People don't tend to think much about their cooling system till something goes wrong. As with the majority of things, preventative attention can go a long method. Of course, our Airmaxx specialists are happy to think of this stuff for you. We're readily available 24 hours a day for emergency repair work if anything goes wrong with your HVAC systems. Still, a little standard understanding can save you a great deal of time and money.
Air Conditioning History
Ancient Egyptians used to cool their indoor air by hanging wet mats on their doorways. Even Benjamin Franklin - the innovator whose kite experiment exposed much of what we now understand about the nature of electrical energy - dabbled in the air conditioning world, working with colleagues to figure out how to control liquids that have cooling homes. Despite these, and other, contributions, the innovation of the first contemporary air conditioner in 1902 is credited by a lot of to Willis Carrier, an American engineer.
2. A/C Anatomy
It's handy to know how the a/c works in the first place. This will help all other information to make sense, and will give you an enormous appreciation for the professionals whose job it is to keep you're A/C in working order. The little things make a huge difference.
- Inside your A/C, there is a set of pipelines filled with refrigerant, which (just as it sounds) cools-- or cools-- the air around it. The set of pipes is also called an evaporator coil.
- Hot air from outside is pumped into your a/c by a blower (or fan), running the air over the cooling coils, and blowing it into your house.
- The refrigerant in the evaporator coil modifications from a liquid into a gas while taking in heat from the air.
- At the exact same time, the hot air inside your home is being pushed outside with another fan.
- The refrigerant is pumped outside your house to another coil (called a condenser), launching its heat and altering back (condensing) into a liquid.
- The refrigerant is moved back and forth within the ac system by a pump called a compressor, which regulates the rate of movement so that the refrigeration and condensation happens within the ideal coil.
- Your A/C likewise has a motor, which runs the compressor.
3. Set The Right Temperature
As a basic rule, your a/c unit can keep indoor temperatures about 20 degrees cooler than outdoors. This means that on a 100-degree day, your A/C may have a hard time to cool your home below 80 degrees. Setting the thermostat any lower than that will strain your system needlessly, and will most likely lead to it constantly running in an honorable effort to reach the cooler temperature. If the heat is excruciating, try using a ceiling, table, or other kind of fan to keep the air moving.
If you have a central system, you can purchase a thermostat with a timer that can be set to adapt to greater temperature levels when you're gone, and cooler temperature when you're house. It's not a good concept to turn your unit off totally unless you're going on vacation. Turning it off will result in the system needing to work additional difficult to cool the house at a later time.
4. Change Your Filters
If you have a main or window unit, you require to change your filters about when a month throughout the cooling season. In-home filters have a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV), which is a number in between 1 and 12. A greater MERV ranking methods greater purification, and it is typically advised that you use filters of a 6 or greater.
Modification Your Filters
If you're wondering why the filters are important, here's a fast description. They have a dual function: 1) they keep particles from accumulating on the evaporator coil, which might ultimately stop the unit from working, and 2) they avoid particles from being launched into the air inside your home.
The longer you keep a filter, the more particles it captures. If you wait too long to alter it, then the filter itself ends up being a toxin because it can no longer hold the new dirt being blown around. Houses situated around construction or dirt roads tend to require filter modifications more regularly, as well as those with animals. Filter gunk (not a clinical term) will avoid the air from streaming freely, which will prevent you from optimizing your convenience. Modification your filters to keep the breeze ... and keep the peace.
5. Tidy Your Outdoor Condenser
Your condenser needs to survive a lot being exposed to the elements throughout the year. If you discover that your unit is not cooling also, it might be due to the fact that the condenser requires cleansing. Leaves, branches, grass, and other debris can get caught in its fins, and this will obstruct its cooling ability.
Clean Your Outdoor Condenser
Before you get started with the cleaning, make certain to turn the condenser off. This can be done by pulling out a fuse block connecting the unit to your home, or moving the switch to the "off" position. Be sure that the temperature is at least 60 degrees outside so that you can check the ac system to be sure that it works.
If you discover that they are bent, attempt using a butter knife from your kitchen area to push them back into shape. Keep in mind to refer to your owner's manual for instructions that are specific to your system.
That looks after the outside. Now let's talk about the condenser's withins.
6. Inspect Your Coolant Levels
The amount of refrigerant in your A/C unit is called its "charge." If there's a leakage and the refrigerant charge decreases, you will have issues. A leak will lower your system's ability to work correctly, and your home will not get the cooling it needs.
Because of global warming, discovering the best cooling gases to use in property and industrial residential or commercial properties has been a pretty big deal. Some have actually been identified to be ozone-depleting substances by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and are for that reason banned from being utilized in new units. Here's a run-down of what's ok and what's not:
- HCFC-22: This gas was prohibited in new devices in 2010 by the EPA. It is only readily available for older model A/C systems.
- R-410A: This is one alternative to HCFC-22, and is being used in the United States. Although it has a high international warming effect, it triggers no ozone deficiency.
- R-32: This gas is being examined by the EPA, and is known for being mildly flammable. Its worldwide warming result is moderate, and it causes no ozone deficiency.
- Hydrocarbons: These are being used in industrial refrigeration, but not yet in houses, unless systems have actually been upgraded. The global warming effect is low and there is no ozone exhaustion.
It's not a terrific concept to try managing any of these coolants by yourself, so call your HVAC expert if you suspect that something is amiss with your coolant levels.
7. Maximize Your A/C's Effectiveness
Your A/C could use some assistance, so there are methods for you to optimize its efficiency. Keep your blinds near trap cool air inside throughout the day. If you have a fan, run it when content your A/C is on so that the cool air can flow more easily. You need to likewise keep all doors in the house open so that air can stream freely. If you require privacy, try to keep the door cracked.
If you need to make house repair work, such as replacing your windows or your roofing system, make decisions with the knowledge that insulation is everything. A home that is not well insulated will result in air leaks ... which force your a/c to work more difficult than it would usually need to. Proper insulation might cost more on the front end, however gradually, the savings will be considerable.
Some other tricks to optimizing your air conditioning system's efficiency include:
- Using your washer/dryer during cooler times of the day.
- On cooler nights, opening windows so that the outside air can fill the house.
- Making sure your ducts are sealed to prevent air leaks. You can seal them yourself with mastic-- the thick, white, waterproof sealant that can be painted over them. Small ducts leakages can be sealed with foil tape.
- Keep the blinds on the west side of your house closed on hotter days.
8. Focus On Efficiency Rating
If you have a main A/C unit, examine the seasonal energy-efficiency ratio, or the SEER. In a window unit, it is called the energy-efficiency ratio (EER).
Purchase a system that is a good match for your environment. If you live in a damp area, find an A/C that likewise dehumidifies.
9. Get An Air Conditioning Check-Up Annually
Much like our bodies and cars and trucks need check-ups, air conditioning unit gain from them as well. Make sure your expert looks at the following: Get An Air Conditioning Check-Up Annually
- Inspecting and cleaning coils,
- Replacing fan belts if needed,
- Checking refrigerant charge and pressures,
- Cleaning or replacing filters if you're unable to do it,
- Lubricating motors and bearings,
- Cleaning and examining blowers and fans,
- Inspecting controls and safeties, and
- Checking temperature level controls.
10. Humidity Matters More Than Heat
If you've ever observed the condensation that can collect around air conditioning vents, you are aware of the dehumidifying properties that a lot of A/C systems have. They actually pull the wetness out of the air.
So that your A/C does not need to do all the work alone, be sure to utilize your exhaust fans when bathing, showering, and cooking. You can likewise use a fan to help blow a few of the air outdoors. If these choices aren't working as they should, acquire a different dehumidifier to assist things along. Sticky skin is the least of your issues when thinking about the threats of mold and damp environments. It can cause upper breathing system problems, coughing, wheezing and inflammation of asthma symptoms.
11. Select A Unit That Makes Sense For You
The size of your air conditioner should be proportionate to the size of the area you want to cool off. Energy Star offers a chart that will help you choose how much cooling capacity, measured in British thermal systems (BTU), you will need per hour.
Another thing to consider is the perks that come along with your purchase. When working out costs, focus on whether or not the price consists of a service plan, discounts on repair work, or a labor guarantee. Buying is only he primary step ... maintenance soon follows.
12. Pick The Right HVAC Professional
The Air Conditioning professional you pick must be accredited by a respected company such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). When you contact them to come to your house make sure to have information about your system's brand along with the level of cooling and comfort you are desiring.
Real professionals will make certain you understand precisely what is going on with your central air system and will patiently take the time to address all your questions.
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