What’s involved with Servicing a Central Heating System?

A large percentage of suburban American homes have central HVAC (heating and air conditioning systems) that use duct work to vent warm or cool air throughout the home as needed. Most of these central systems burn either oil or gas, but the basic service procedures are similar and should get an annual checkup.

Failing to perform a yearly cleaning and inspection can reduce the life of your heating system and reduce its efficiency or worse; a blocked HVAC system could cause carbon monoxide to be pumped into your home, creating unsafe living conditions, or your system could fail altogether.

Most central HVAC systems have fairly standard components and if you are handy with basic tools and home maintenance tasks you can do at least part of the work yourself.

Ten Ways to Lower Home Air Conditioning Costs

1. Watch the thermostat; keep it between 74 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit. If you set it any lower, you’re just throwing money away!
2. Check the weatherstripping on your windows and doors; even small cracks let the cool air escape.
3. Insulate your attic or add attic insulation if needed. Also, if your walls have inadequate insulation, your air conditioning savings could justify adding insulation throughout your home.
4. Install ceiling fans in your home and be sure they are directing the air in the optimal direction to keep your room cool. Heat rises, so rooms on the second story are prime candidates for ceiling fans.
5. Keep curtains and blinds closed during the daytime; especially windows that get direct sunlight.
6. Consider adding window tint to your windows.
7. Keep windows open at night to cool the house, closing everything up again when the sun beats down on your home.
8. If you have an older air conditioning unit, it may be worth upgrading to a new, energy efficient model.
9. If necessary, plan to be out of the house during the hottest part of the day and go to the mall, a movie theater or other cool place for a couple of hours.
10. Before the weather gets hot and your local serving company get busy, have your air conditioning unit checked and be sure all filters, air ducts and other components are clean and operating correctly.

Capacity and Efficiency of Central Air Conditioning System

An experienced H VAC contractor should be able to size and specify the equipment best suited to your home, factoring the age, quality of windows, insulation, number of floors, square and cubic feet of living space, and local factors such as climate, humidity, local energy costs and average number of days the system will be needed to operate annually.
If your system is too small it will work too hard and if it’s too large, it may cycle on and off too frequently, reducing efficiency and the ability to reduce humidity inside the home.

It takes years of experience to know how to properly size and specify a central air conditioning system so leave it to a pro. Consult several reputable H VAC contractors to compare their specifications, opinions and recommendations before you make a final decision.

Deciding how much efficiency you need is a matter of personal economics, comfort level and environmental concerns. You may or may not save enough on a SEER 15 or higher system to offset the higher installation costs versus the lower ongoing costs of operating a system with a lower SEER.

With rising energy costs, the economics are shifting, so that the additional $200 or $300 it costs to increase your system from one SEER to the next might easily pay off over the service life of the system, especially if you live in a very hot climate where air conditioning is needed frequently!

The other important factor to consider is the warranty terms; paying more up front could save you money down the road. Proper installation may be more important to getting the maximum service life than the system components, so be sure your H VAC contractor is trained and certified by the manufacturer whose equipment is being installed. Also consider purchasing an extended warranty or maintenance contract on your central air conditioning system.

The Components Central Home Air Conditioning Unit

H VAC system components may be generally divided between indoor and outdoor appliances, with the heat-producing, heaviest components such as the compressor and condenser coil located outside the home and the evaporator being installed in the plenum of the furnace, typically in the attic space, Gage or other service location indoors. These indoor and outdoor segments are connected a low-voltage relay cable and refrigeration lines.

In most cases, the cool air will be circulated into the home via insulated, flexible duct work installed in the attic space and/or under the sub flooring to vents in the ceilings, walls adorn floors inside the living space. This is very cost effective in a home that uses forced-air heating as well. If the home uses a radiant floor heating or baseboard heating system, the overall cost of installing duct work for central air conditioning entails additional expense since a dedicated blower and duct work are required for the central air conditioner only in this case.

Carrier Corporation and other manufacturers also offer a ductless system, which employs several smaller indoor evaporator coils, each with a blower to circulate air within a given portion of the living space. The units are installed in exterior walls, with refrigeration, condensation and electrical lines running outside the house from each evaporator back to the outdoor compressor unit.

The costs of a ductless versus traditional system must be weighed to determine which is more cost effective and will be based on the size of the home, cooling capacity required, number of evaporators required and distance from each to the compressor unit. A ductless system is typically only used in a home without forced-air heating; otherwise cost and simplicity make duct work the better route in the majority of cases.

How a Central Air Conditioning Systems Works?

The main idea behind any air conditioning system depends upon the law of thermal dynamics. It states that if any hot and cold spaces are separated by a “medium” the transfer through the medium is from hot to cold.

Heat follows cold, so a central air conditioner draws warm, humid air across fin tubes on the evaporator coil. This causes the air to condense. The moisture is collected in a pan below the coil and drained off, helping reduce humidity inside the living space.

The coil must be cooled, which is the function of the compressor and condenser coil in the outdoor unit; hot air is returned from the air handler to the compressor. The compressor pressurizes liquid/gas refrigerant, heating it to a gaseous state and sending it to the adjacent condenser coil, where it is cooled and returned to the evaporator unit indoors.

This repeated cycle of removing warm air from inside the house to outside and pumping in cooler air is, of course, what makes the temperature inside the living space more comfortable on a hot day! The amount of energy needed to cool your home is an important factor in determining the overall cost of operating your central air conditioner.

Friedrich 9500 BTU Window Air Conditioner

The Friedrich 9500 BTU Window Air Conditioner (SS10M10) works great to me. It cools my space quickly and quietly without any disturbance. The main reason I chose this unit was because of the programmable thermostat options. I leave town frequently but want to make sure that the air is circulated regularly. Because of the programmable thermostat, I can program the unit to run for thirty minutes twice a day.

I highly recommend this product.

Specifications:
1. Cooling Power: 9500 BTU
2. Refrigerant Type: R-410A
3. Air Filter: Yes
4. Number of Fan Speeds: 4
5. Cubic Feet Per Minute: 260 Cu. Ft. per Min.
6. Moisture Removal Per Hour: 2.0 pints

Soleus Air PH3-12R-03 Portable Air Conditioner and Heater

The Soleus Air PH3-12R-03 (KY-34) Portable Air Conditioner and Heater is a convenient 5-in-1 home comfort system that is ideal for keeping spaces up to 400 square feet comfortable regardless of the season. This portable air conditioner features an air conditioning mode, heating mode, dehumidifying mode, fan-only mode, and an intuitive auto mode. In addition to these five distinct operation modes, it also comes with a sleep mode that quietly maintains the comfort of your room even while you sleep.

Specifications:
1.Cooling Power:12,000 BTU
2.Refrigerant Type: R-410A
3.Particle Filter:Yes
4.Number of Fan Speeds:3
5.Hose:Single Hose
6.Controls:Electronic
7.Programmable Timer :Yes
8.Remote Control:Yes

Sunpentown WA-9040DH Portable Air Conditioner:

The features of Sunpentown Portable Air Conditioner WA-9040DH are self evaporating system, digital temperature display, 3 fan speeds, and 4100 BTU heating power.One of the best features of this model is its dual hose system.With one hose for air intake and the other for air exhaust, there is no negative pressure inside the room.The activated carbon filter helps to remove odor and the washable air filter collects dust particles. It also included a digital thermostat with remote control and a choice of programmable timer or continuous operation with a preset timer available, up to 24 hours service.There are also directional air discharge louvers and an extendable exhaust hose (up to 5.5 ft.). This unit is ideal for server room cooling because of its restart IC technology. This ensures your air conditioner will restart when the power resumes after an interruption.

specification:

1. Model: WA-9040DH
2. Brand: Sunpentown
3. Air Volume (CFM): 176
4. 3 Fan speeds - High, Medium and Low
5. Remote control
6. Window kit length: Minimum 28 1/4" and Maximum 81"
7. Ventilation Exhaust Hose: 5.5 Feet length, 5.25 inch Diameter
8. Sunpentown Portable Air Conditioner/Heater 9,000 BTU
9. Digital temperature display
10. Weight: 82 pounds

Things that are to be considered while buying a dehumidifier

Dehumidifier is a device which removes moisture from the air and thus reducing the humidity of the air.Excess moisture produces mold and decreases the rigidity of the structural member of your room like wood furniture,concrete wall etc.
1.Why do you need a dehumidifier?
Where there is a moisture problem a dehumidifier is needed there.A dehumidifier not only removes moisture and dust particle but also provides cooling effect.Thus a dehumidifier saves money and provides cooling effect.Moreover it guards against structural damages due to excess moisture and provide air conditioning effect.A study shows that 50% humidity is required to prevent the growth of molds and allergens.If the humidity become more than 50% then these harmful molds become active to grow.Now i think you can understand why should buy a dehumidifier.
2.How much area you need to humidify?
For best performance of a dehumidifier you need to choose right size.If the space to be humidified is larger than the capacity of the dehumidifier then it will not run efficiently.So the size of the space and the capacity must be matched for efficient running of a dehumidifier.The size may be based on square inches of the space to be humidified.
3.How indoor temperature and humidity level effects the performance of a dehumidifier?
If the indoor temperature is too low like a basement room.garage etc then you have to be sure that your humidifier is efficient to low temperature.If it is not able to operate at low temperature then the coil of the humidifier will freeze up.
3.What should be done to drain the reserved water?
All dehumidifier collects water from the air which is to be removed form the bucket.A bucket is a chamber where all water from the air is reserved.This water must be drained regularly either manually or automatically.In most cases a duct hose is attached to the bucket to drain the water.
4.What are the special features of your humidifier?
There are many features that come with a dehumidifier.According to your requirement you need choose your dehumidifier.For example if you need to humidify different space at the same time then you need to choose a humidifier with integrated duct system.Other features are control system, remote control, digital display etc.

Find the Perfect Air Conditioning System for Your home

Choosing the right air conditioner for your home is a big decision. A few key areas to consider when making a purchase include whether or not you should get a room air conditioner or invest in an HVAC system, then the size of unit, BTUs and overall energy efficiency. Room air conditioners range from portable air conditioner and to through the wall air conditioner and pejorative cooler but if you are looking to cool multiple rooms, an HVAC system may be a good alternative. Shop quality brands such as Whynter, Danby, GRE and LG

Air conditioners should also help preserve the air quality in your home, allowing for you to control humidity and overall air flow. The Home Depot carries all types of air conditioning parts and accessories including air filters HVAC parts.

Basic Air Condition Maintenance Tips

Everyone who uses air conditioner in home should know about the basic maintenance operation to save money.It is not at all a difficult task.Bellow i am mentioning three basic air conditioner maintenance tips.

Checking the air filter:
Each air filter has an average life of three or four months.But in summer season it become even lower than three months.During summer season the air conditioner removes more heat than winter season.Furthermore it takes more air from outside through the air filter.That's why many unwanted air particle clogs the air filter rapidly during summer season.For checking whether your filter is clogged or not you just put the air filter opposite to a light and look through the air filter.If you can see the light clearly then you don't need to change the air filter but if you can't see the light clearly then you have to change the air filter.

Checking the outdoor unit:
Before cleaning the outdoor unit at first you have to turn off the thermostat for safety.If all the switch are turned off then you go ahead to work.During summer season more air is pushed through the fin.So many dirt particle clogs the fin.Moreover many grass, small plants and other debris may grow on the top or sides of the air conditioner.Clean this all debris to work your air conditioner more efficiently.

Checking the drain:
The drain is actually originated from condensate coil and ends to the floor drain.Water from the cooling coil gets accumulated and needs to be cleaned by draining them properly.Clogs are created by many bacterial slime.You need to clean that condensate water properly for the efficient working of your air conditioner.

List of Top Brand of Dehumidifier

1. Alen
2. Aprilaire
3. Dandy
4. Delonghi
4. Dry-Eaz
5. Eback
6. Friedrich
7. High-E dry
8. Microban
9. Phoenix
10.Santa Fe

Above listed brand are the most wanted and reliable company for dehumidifier. After choosing the company then you have to consider where you are going to use this. The bellow mentioned classification are to be taken into consideration.
1. Basement
2.Crawl Space
3. Indoor pool
4. Whole House
5.Industrial Warehouse
6. Single house

Buying Guide Of Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers may be defined as a device which is used to remove excess moisture in the room or any closed space.Excess moisture in the room may lead the indoor air to mold,mildew,allergies and poor indoor air quality.Working principle of dehumidifier is very easy.During operation the dehumidifier draw the wet air and extract moisture from it and the moisture in the form of water is drawn throw a hose or pipe.When you will buy a humidifier you have to consider the size, pint capacity and other features.To buy a best dehumidifier you have to first choose a model for specific space.Now a days portable dehumidifier are more popular for extracting moisture for a small or medium space.Another popular option is to use a whole dehumidifier to control moisture through out the house.
To save money for cooling effect dehumidifier is largely used.For cooling effect two things have to be done one is lower the temperature of air and lower the amount of to feel comfort.Dehumidifier not only lower the temperature of the the air but also removes excess moisture from the air.A home dehumidifier not only keeps your air dry, but also helps control mold and mildew growth as well as prevent damage to supporting structures.Many people with common allergies such as pollen and pet dander are also allergic mold. Basements, bathrooms, and kitchens are three areas in the home that are especially susceptible to mold formation year-round due to the high humidity levels in these spaces. Using a dehumidifier to control the moisture in these areas can drastically reduce the likelihood of mold formation.
While buying a dehumidifier you first have to a size for your space.You can also compare the features such as Energy Star ratings, automatic shut-off, built in heaters, air purifiers, and more.Choosing the best dehumidifier for your space can effectively keep problem areas of your home, office, or warehouse dry, comfortable, and mold-free.

Portable Air Conditioner Buying Guide For Buyier

Portavle air conditioners are becoming more popular because of its light weight and easy movement ability. There are many apartments or spaces where window air conditioner are not compatible there we can easily install this portable air conditioner. Moreover the running cost of an portable ac is lower than the window ac. The size and maintenance cost is also lower. Each portable ac have BTUs . It is not always considered to buy a portable ac having higher BTUs. You have consider the surface area the room, presence of direct sunlight, position of kitchen, and many other heat source in calculating the required amount of air conditioning effect.All portable air conditioners vent hot air as a part of the cooling process. This hot air is generally siphoned out of the area being cooled using a hot air discharge,, hose. The exhaust hose can be vented out of a window, into a drop ceiling, or through a wall to an adjacent space. Depending on the PAC model you choose, window kits and drop ceiling panel kits may be available for purchase separately or included.

Window or Room AC Buying Tips

Buying guide for window type air conditioner:

Now a day’s people are seeking to more energy efficient home appliances as the demand of energy is increasing. In this respect people are preferring window air conditioner than their central air conditioner due to its energy saving property.

Most window air conditioner is installed vertically in the room wall. Sometimes it is installed in windows with some modification. Like all other air conditioner window air conditioner has the parts named a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion valve, a filter, a thermostat and a control panel. The working principle is also same like other conventional air conditioner like portable or central air conditioner.

Efficiency evaluation:

If you need to cool two or three rooms then you should definitely go for a window air conditioner. Because the initial cost of window air conditioner is low and is usable to long time with less maintenance cost. To buying an energy efficient room air conditioner you have to be familiar with a term called EER. EER may be defined as how many BTUs are required to cool a room using one watt of electricity. So everyone should buy room air conditioner having higher EER. The higher the EER value the higher the energy efficiency of the air conditioner.

While choosing a room air conditioner you must have to meet the exact amount of BTUs for the required space. If BTUs become more then the required amount then your cooling space will be dummy. On the other hand if BTUs become less then the required amount then the air conditioner will loss more electricity to cool the space and work overtime. So its an important factor to be considered while buying a room air conditioner.

Can really a portable Air Conditioner Save Money?

Yes definetely, a portable air conditioner can save money because of following reasons:

• Portable air conditioners are freestanding mobile air cooling units and need simple installation that costs much less as compared to window or split AC.
• Portable air conditioners are energy efficient and save money on your electric bill.
• Portable air conditioners are very easy to install and do not require money to changes your home interior.
• Portable air conditioners need less repairing and maintenance and saves money.

Portable Free Standing Air Conditioner

The demand of portable air conditioner's demand is increasing day by day.Air conditioning is demand of a hot and humid summer day. In addition to cooling, air conditioners also dehumidify and filter air, making it more comfortable and cleaner. Portable air conditioners also referred to as mobile air conditioner, have gained popularity over recent years.
There are many factors why portable air conditioners are in great demand:
A portable air conditioner is small and mobile and can be carried anywhere.

• A portable air conditioner is not a through the wall AC unit and can be placed or installed anywhere.
• A portable room air conditioner is a small free standing room air conditioner and is easier to maintain.
• A portable air conditioner can be easily stores when not needed.

Installation and Location of Air Conditioners

If your air conditioner is installed correctly, or if major installation problems are found and fixed, it will perform efficiently for years with only minor routine maintenance. However, many air conditioners are not installed correctly. As an unfortunate result, modern energy-efficient air conditioners can perform almost as poorly as older inefficient models.

Be sure that your contractor performs the following procedures when installing a new central air conditioning system:

• Allows adequate indoor space for the installation, maintenance, and repair of the new system, and installs an access door in the furnace or duct to provide a way to clean the evaporator coil

• Uses a duct-sizing methodology such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual D

• Ensures there are enough supply registers to deliver cool air and enough return air registers to carry warm house air back to the air conditioner

• Installs duct work within the conditioned space, not in the attic, wherever possible

• Seals all ducts with duct mastic and heavily insulates attic ducts

• Locates the condensing unit where its noise will not keep you or your neighbors awake at night, if possible

• Locates the condensing unit where no nearby objects will block the flow of air to it

• Places the condensing unit in a shady spot, if possible, which can reduce your air conditioning costs by 1%–2%

• Verifies that the newly installed air conditioner has the exact refrigerant charge and air flow rate specified by the manufacturer

• Locates the thermostat away from heat sources, such as windows or supply registers.

If you are replacing an older or failed split system, be sure that the evaporator coil is replaced with a new one that exactly matches the condenser coil in the new condensing unit. (The air conditioner's efficiency will likely not improve if the existing evaporator coil is left in place; in fact, the old coil could cause the new compressor to fail prematurely.)

An Efficient Central Air Conditioners

Central Air Conditioners

Central air conditioners circulate cool air through a system of supply and return ducts. Supply ducts and registers (i.e., openings in the walls, floors, or ceilings covered by grills) carry cooled air from the air conditioner to the home. This cooled air becomes warmer as it circulates through the home; then it flows back to the central air conditioner through return ducts and registers.

Air conditioners help to dehumidify the incoming air, but in extremely humid climates or in cases where the air conditioner is oversized, it may not achieve a low humidity. Running a dehumidifier in your air conditioned home will increase your energy use, both for the dehumidifier itself and because the air conditioner will require more energy to cool your house. A preferable alternative is a dehumidifying pipes, which can be added as a retrofit to most existing systems.
Types of Various Central Air Conditioners

A central air conditioner is of two types.They are either a split-system unit or a packaged unit.

In a split-system central air conditioner, an outdoor metal cabinet contains the condenser and compressor, and an indoor cabinet contains the evaporator. In many split-system air conditioners, this indoor cabinet also contains a furnace or the indoor part of a heat pump. The air conditioner's evaporator coil is installed in the cabinet or main supply duct of this furnace or heat pump. If your home already has a furnace but no air conditioner, a split-system is the most economical central air conditioner to install.

In a packaged central air conditioner, the evaporator, condenser, and compressor are all located in one cabinet, which usually is placed on a roof or on a concrete slab next to the house's foundation. This type of air conditioner also is used in small commercial buildings. Air supply and return ducts come from indoors through the home's exterior wall or roof to connect with the packaged air conditioner, which is usually located outdoors. Packaged air conditioners often include electric heating coils or a natural gas furnace. This combination of air conditioner and central heater eliminates the need for a separate furnace indoors.
Choosing or Improving Your Own Central Air Conditioner

Central air conditioners are more efficient than room air conditioners. In addition, they are out of the way, quiet, and convenient to operate. To save energy and money, you should try to buy an energy-efficient air conditioner and reduce your central air conditioner's energy use. In an average air-conditioned home, air conditioning consumes more than 2000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, causing power plants to emit about 3500 pounds of carbon dioxide and 31 pounds of sulfur dioxide.

If you are considering adding central air conditioning to your home, the deciding factor may be the need for ductwork. See the section on limitations when replacing existing systems for more information.

If you have an older central air conditioner, you might choose to replace the outdoor compressor with a modern, high-efficiency unit. If you do so, consult a local heating and cooling contractor to assure that the new compressor is properly matched to the indoor unit. However, considering recent changes in refrigerants and air conditioning designs, it might be wiser to replace the entire system.

Today's best air conditioners use 30%–50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1970s. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20%–40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.

Proper sizing and installation are key elements in determining air conditioner efficiency. Too large a unit will not adequately remove humidity. Too small a unit will not be able to attain a comfortable temperature on the hottest days. Improper unit location, lack of insulation, and improper duct installation can greatly diminish efficiency.

When buying an air conditioner, look for a model with a high efficiency. Central air conditioners are rated according to their seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). SEER indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. Many older systems have SEER ratings of 6 or less. The minimum SEER allowed today is 13. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label for central air conditioners with SEER ratings of 13 or greater, but consider using air conditioning equipment with higher SEER ratings for greater savings.

New residential central air conditioner standards went into effect on January 23, 2006. Air conditioners manufactured after January 26, 2006 must achieve a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 13 or higher. SEER 13 is 30% more efficient than the previous minimum SEER of 10. The standard applies only to appliances manufactured after January 23, 2006. Equipment with a rating less than SEER 13 manufactured before this date may still be sold and installed.

The average homeowner will remain unaffected by this standard change for some time to come. The standards do not require you to change your existing central air conditioning units, and replacement parts and services should still be available for your home's systems. The "lifespan" of a central air conditioner is about 15 to 20 years. Manufacturers typically continue to support existing equipment by making replacement parts available and honoring maintenance contracts after the new standard goes into effect.

Other Features to Look For When Buying an Air Conditioner:

A thermal expansion valve and a high-temperature rating (EER) greater than 11.6, for high-efficiency operation when the weather is at its hottest

A variable speed air handler for new ventilation systems

A unit that operates quietly

A fan-only switch, so you can use the unit for nighttime ventilation to substantially reduce air-conditioning costs

A filter check light to remind you to check the filter after a predetermined number of operating hours

An automatic-delay fan switch to turn off the fan a few minutes after the compressor turns off.