House Air Conditioners Heat Pumps

FAQ'S ABOUT HOUSE AIR CONDITIONERS
Types of Air Home Conditioning Systems?
Split or Window AC?
Tips to start controlling your energy consumption.
Home Air conditioner buying guide?
Why to buy the highest SEER or EER unit for home?
What is the Cost of AC Cages ?
Copper Coil Thefts in Florida, What is the solution to this problem?
Can I add or install additional exhaust hoses to my unit?
Does my portable air conditioner need to be vented?
Split or Window AC?
What is a heat pump?
Where would a leak in a home AC system probably be?
How cold will my room get?
Can I Get a Tax Credit for an Energy Efficient Central Air System?
What is a Central Air Conditioning "Heat Pump?"
How Do I Take Care of a New Central Air Conditioning System?
A Central AC's 3 big maintenance items.
What about the air conditioning warranty?
Five Things to Check before Calling a Contractor for Central Air Repair
Six Facts about Air Conditioning and Indoor Air Quality
What does SEER exactly mean?
Your Central Air was working fine last summer but now that you've turned it on again, the HVAC doesn't Work.
Is your central AC over 10 years old?
Is there any air exchange between the indoor and outdoor units?
Types of Home Air Conditioning Systems?
An HVAC designer will recommend different types of air conditioning systems for different applications. The most commonly used are described in this article.

The choice of which air conditioner system to use depends upon a number of factors including how large the area is to be cooled, the total heat generated inside the enclosed area, etc. An HVAC designer would consider all the related parameters and suggest the system most suitable for your space.

Window Air Conditioner
Window air conditioner is the most commonly used air conditioner for single rooms. In this air conditioner all the components, namely the compressor, condenser, expansion valve or coil, evaporator and cooling coil are enclosed in a single box. This unit is fitted in a slot made in the wall of the room, or more commonly a window sill.

Split Air Conditioner
The split air conditioner comprises of two parts: the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. The outdoor unit, fitted outside the room, houses components like the compressor, condenser and expansion valve. The indoor unit comprises the evaporator or cooling coil and the cooling fan. For this unit you don’t have to make any slot in the wall of the room. Further, present day split units have aesthetic appeal and do not take up as much space as a window unit. A split air conditioner can be used to cool one or two rooms.

Packaged Air Conditioner
An HVAC designer will suggest this type of air conditioner if you want to cool more than two rooms or a larger space at your home or office. There are two possible arrangements with the package unit. In the first one, all the components, namely the compressor, condenser (which can be air cooled or water cooled), expansion valve and evaporator are housed in a single box. The cooled air is thrown by the high capacity blower, and it flows through the ducts laid through various rooms. In the second arrangement, the compressor and condenser are housed in one casing. The compressed gas passes through individual units, comprised of the expansion valve and cooling coil, located in various rooms

Central Air Conditioning System
Central air conditioning is used for cooling big buildings, houses, offices, entire hotels, gyms, movie theaters, factories etc. If the whole building is to be air conditioned, HVAC engineers find that putting individual units in each of the rooms is very expensive making this a better option. A central air conditioning system is comprised of a huge compressor that has the capacity to produce hundreds of tons of air conditioning. Cooling big halls, malls, huge spaces, galleries etc is usually only feasible with central conditioning units. Top ?
Split or Window AC?
The challenge after deciding the tonnage is to choose between a window and a split AC. Buying a window AC is more convenient in case you change homes frequently. Power consumption by both, split and window ACs is more or less the same, but since installation and re-installation charges of a split AC are higher, most buyers prefer a window AC. The benefit of a split AC is the flexibility of installation. It doesn’t require a special vent or a window to be fixed. A split AC is more aesthetically pleasing and also makes lesser noise than a window AC. In case you’re looking for variety, split ACs will provide more choices. For more powerful ACs, like a 2 ton AC, split air conditioners are usually a more convenient choice compared to a window air conditioner. Top ?
Tips to start controlling your energy consumption.
In most Florida homes, air conditioning accounts for approximately 50 percent or more of the annual electric bill. Here are some tips to start controlling your energy consumption.
- Keep your thermostat at 78° with the fan switch on "auto."
- Turn ceiling fans off when no one is in the room. Ceiling fans do not actually cool a room. They just make you feel cooler.
- Clean or change your A/C filter once a month.
- Maintain proper airflow through your system.
- Keep sunlight out during summer months.
- Call us to access your A/C ducts for leaks.
- Consider buying a new A/C system. The older your A/C system is, the less efficient it is.
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Home Air conditioner buying guide?
When I say "buying", it is not necessarily purchasing the unit. It can also mean purchasing service from air conditioner rental companies.
Let’s cut to the chase. Here are the suggested steps for your noble quest:
1. Determine whether you need air conditioning, or not,
2. Size the required air conditioner,
3. Select suitable type of air conditioning unit for your building,
4. Select highest SEER or EER of air conditioning unit, that your ROI permits,
5. Check with your available budget
6. Consider alternative, if budget is tight,
7. Buy, or rent?
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Why to buy the highest SEER or EER unit for home?
Let’s say that you have decided the size and type of air conditioner you want.
Naturally, you would want to buy the highest SEER or EER unit for that size.

However, higher SEER or EER means more money out of your pocket.

What you have to do is ask yourself,
1. What is the cost of purchase?
2. How long would I use it per day? What is the total cost of ownership per year, in terms of maintenance, and electricity?
3. How long do I want to keep this unit, before upgrading?
4. How much would I be saving at the end of my ownership, if I choose the better unit?
Then, compare the total cost of ownership of the air conditioners, for the size you have chosen. Top ?
What is the Cost of AC Cages ?
Cages can run a few hundred dollars plus installation, which may seem like an unnecessary expense, but when you are faced with having to replace your whole unit because someone has decided to steal the copper core out of it, you will soon realize that the money spent on an ac cage is well worth the investment. There are many distributors of ac cages and they are portable. Plumbing them in is easy you just want a quality cage to be effective.

The cages are usually made of some kind of steel or iron work designed to hold up the tough Atlantic Ocean, Space Coast environment. Some cages are even ornamental. They are engineered to allow breathing room for your unit. AC cages are not very expensive and yet they give you the freedom of knowing that your AC unit will never be vandalized. Outer Space Coast areas of Palm Bay, Titusville, West Melbourne and Downtown Melbourne have been the hardest hit areas. New construction areas on the weekends are especially vulnerable. You have all kinds of people working these job sights and a large number of construction company’s don’t do background checks. The more metal values increase the more severe the problem. If you are away from your home for extended periods of time you have to be careful, if your home is in a remote area without a fence or a dog you will probably be a target at some point in time. Snow Bird’s that spend months away from their Florida home and don’t have neighbors in sight are the most vulnerable. Top ?
Copper Coil Thefts in Florida, What is the solution to this problem?
Many air conditioning engineers are using AC cages. Cages make it hard for thieves to get to the unit and they will just go to the next house or business.

AC protection was something few Americans thought about a few years ago, but today this type of vandalism can cost thousands of dollars in replacement or repairs. The best thing you can do is get some kind of ac protection and that can either be in the form of ac cages or an ac alarm. The benefit of an ac cage is that they are not as expensive as ac alarms, and cages are much cheaper to install.

So many American citizens have been harmed by this type of vandalism, and it has affected everyone, residential, and business alike, even rooftop units have been stolen. Many home owners, businesses and even builders have been affected by these vandals. So have the freedom of knowing your ac unit is safe. Top ?
Can I add or install additional exhaust hoses to my unit?
No, the units are designed with the hoses included. If you add additional hoses the compressor will shut down from backpressure, and cause the output air to be warm. This will diminish the efficiency of the unit. Changing the length of the exhaust hose may also void your warranty and even cause your unit to overheat Top ?
Does my portable air conditioner need to be vented?
Yes, hot air is exhausted out the back of the unit and must be vented to the outside via window, through a wall, or existing duct work.
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Split or Window AC?
The challenge after deciding the tonnage is to choose between a window and a split AC. Buying a window AC is more convenient in case you change homes frequently. Power consumption by both, split and window ACs is more or less the same, but since installation and re-installation charges of a split AC are higher, most buyers prefer a window AC. The benefit of a split AC is the flexibility of installation. It doesn’t require a special vent or a window to be fixed. A split AC is more aesthetically pleasing and also makes lesser noise than a window AC. In case you’re looking for variety, split ACs will provide more choices. For more powerful ACs, like a 2 ton AC, split air conditioners are usually a more convenient choice compared to a window air conditioner. Top ?
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is like a conventional air conditioner except it also can provide heat in winter. In the summer, the heat pump collects heat from the house and expels it outside. In the winter, the heat pump extracts heat from outside air and circulates it inside the house. The heat pump works best when the outdoor temperature is above freezing. Below that, supplementary heat often is needed. A heat pump can save 30 to 60 percent less energy to supply the same heat when compared to an electric furnace with a resistance heating element.

In its cooling mode, a heat pump supplies exactly the same kind of cooling as all electric air conditioners. In its heating mode, the temperature of the air supplied by a heat pump is not as hot as the air supplied by a fossil fuel furnace, but the end result is the same: a warm, comfortable home. Air temperature from a heat pump at room outlets normally is about 100 degrees Fahrenheit compared to about 120 to 130 degrees from a fossil fuel furnace. Top ?
Where would a leak in a home AC system probably be?
If it is a refrigerant leak it is most likely in one of the 2 coils. It could also be in the line set wherever the copper lines were joined with couplings and elbows. It is also possible that the line set has been punctured with a nail during construction or home improvement.
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How cold will my room get?
That depends on the heat load in the room and the size of the portable air conditioner. The air conditioner will provide a 15 – 20 degree temperature drop. So if your room is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, then the air coming out of the air conditioner will be 60 – 65 degrees Fahrenheit. As the room cools, the temperature of the air coming from the air conditioner will also drop. The temperature you are able to maintain in the room will depend on the heat load in the room. Top ?
Can I Get a Tax Credit for an Energy Efficient Central Air System?
To encourage environmentally friendly cooling systems, government tax credits are available to U.S. citizens when they purchase an energy-efficient central air system. To qualify, systems must have a minimum SEER rating of 14 to 16, depending on the type of system. The tax credit covers 30 percent of the air conditioner's cost up to $1,500. More information on tax credits can be found at Energystar.custhelp.com. Top ?
What is a Central Air Conditioning "Heat Pump?"
Heat pumps are useful for homes that have no furnace or a low-functioning furnace, because they allow you to repurpose your central air conditioner in the winter for heating. According to AC-Central.com, heat pumps use a "reversing valve" to reverse "the flow of refrigerant through the system," essentially turning your AC unit into a heating system. Heat pumps are convenient and useful in many circumstances, but they are impractical if your home already has an efficient furnace.
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How Do I Take Care of a New Central Air Conditioning System?
After you've made the decision to purchase and install a suitably sized, efficient system, you need to start performing general upkeep on the system. According to Chas Roberts Heating and Cooling Company, you need to keep debris and clutter away from the outdoor portion of the system by keeping the lawn area around the unit trimmed and clean. Additionally, filter replacement is important; replace central air filters at least once every month. These practices will extend the life of your system. If anything goes seriously wrong with the unit, a professional technician should perform the repairs.
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A Central AC's 3 big maintenance items.
1. Clean the outdoor condensing units with a garden hose make sure that the AC is turned completely OFF when you do this. A clean condensing unit helps for good airflow.

2. Clean your filter monthly. A dirty filter not only impedes efficiency it can break your central air conditioner.

3. Check the batteries on your digital thermostat. If the thermostat is mercury based, make sure that it is mounted straight on the wall. Top ?
What about the air conditioning warranty?
1. Get both the Manufacturers and the Contractors warranties on the equipment and installation in writing.

2. The Manufacturers warranty should state how long your unit is covered and which of the specific components are included in the warranty.

3. Are they only offering a warranty covering the cost of the parts?

4. What kind of warranty is the Contractor offering on labor? 10 year parts and 1 year labor warranties are the norm but additional labor warranties up to 10 years are usually available for additional fees.

Make sure that bids from competing air conditioning and heating contractors are using the same specifications. Check referrals. Top ?
Five Things to Check before Calling a Contractor for Central Air Repair
1. Is the air filter clean? Make sure its not coated with dust.

2. Check the two breakers - for the indoor air handler and for the outdoor condenser.

3. Is the digital thermostat showing a blank? You might just need a new battery.

4. Is the thermostat properly set? If you arent sure about how to set the thermostat, check the instructions. If you cant find the thermostat instruction booklet, you might be able to find the instructions on the manufacturers website.

5. Is the bottom of the air handler icy or wet? If it is, turn the AC off for a few hours. If the filter is dirty replace it. Wash some vinegar and water through the drain line. The AC needs to defrost. Top ?
Six Facts about Air Conditioning and Indoor Air Quality
1. US Environmental Protection Agency says that indoor air pollution is one of the top environmental risks to public health.

2. Over 20 million Americans have allergies to air allergens, i.e. hay fever.

3. An estimated 15 million Americans have asthma.

4. Kids are in general much more vulnerable to indoor air contaminants than adults.

5. Dust mites cause many allergic reactions that are often mistaken as flu, virus or common cold.

6. Mold and spores grow in damp space. Improperly insulated ducts and dirty air handlers that cause water condensation can be health hazards. Top ?
What does SEER exactly mean?
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The Department of Energy minimum requirement is now 13 SEER. A 13 SEER costs about 23% less to run than a 10 SEER - in other words, the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the HVAC unit. Top ?
Your Central Air was working fine last summer but now that you've turned it on again, the HVAC doesn't Work.
During the winter, did you have any work done on the heat in your central air system?
If the answer is yes, there's a good chance that the Central AC company reversed the wires when working on the heat. Have the Central AC contractor come back and repair their mistake. Top ?
Is your central AC over 10 years old?
If your central AC is over 10 years old, you should probably have it evaluated by a professional central air contractor. If it isnt working well, you might want to replace it with an ENERGY STAR rated unit. In Floridas hot climate, an ENERGY STAR rated unit can save a lot of money per year.

But remember no matter how state-of-the-art your HVAC unit, if your ducts are leaking, youre probably going to continue to have high bills. First things first seal your ducts. Top ?
Is there any air exchange between the indoor and outdoor units?
No, the line-sets flow only refrigerant between the indoor and outdoor units. The refrigerant used in all new systems is R-410A, with R-22 systems quickly being phased out. Top ?