5 Reasons Homeowners Should Never Delay AC Maintenance

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Maintaining your home systems, such as your air conditioning, is important. There are a lot of people out there who want to make sure that they will have a nice, cool home for the summer time. This means that you will have to take extra special care of your machine, especially during the winter period. Maintaining your system will ensure that everything runs smoothly, and that you have a proper level of temperature control in your home. Below are a few reasons as to why you should not delay maintenance.

Inspections

Inspections are an important part of maintenance. You will have to inspect your system at least once a year, and usually this is to be done by a professional. If you are going to inspect the system on a monthly basis, make sure to stick to this. If you miss out on an inspection, then you can end up missing out on repair opportunities. This in turn will cause further problems for your system.

An Uncomfortable Summer If you do not touch your AC all throughout the winter, then you will need to check it out before the summer time comes. When the heat rises, you want to make sure that you have an efficient system that does not suffer from a breakdown. Throughout the winter, make sure to keep an eye on the system and switch it on from time to time. Doing this will ensure that the system is working so that you do not get any surprises. Early Repairs As stated before, if you continue to keep an eye on your machine, then you are going to get repairs in early. Any small problem can be fixed immediately by you either replacing a part, or just calling in a professional. Cost This is a big factor and one of the main reasons that you should not delay air conditioning maintenance. A yearly inspection is of course going to cost you, but if repairs need to be made straight after, then you can pay for everything in one go. If you do not have an inspection, then you are going to end up with further problems. These further problems are going to translate into bills and you will therefore end up spending a lot more money than you intended. If you do not want to waste money, then make sure that you keep up with your AC’s maintenance. Safety Above all, you need to make sure that your system is safe. By maintaining the system throughout the year, you can ensure that you do not put yourself at unnecessary risk. Your AC has electrical components and if a fuse blows, you could end up endangering yourself. In the interests of safety, it is always a good idea to go for maintenance early. As you can see, keeping on top of your AC is a good idea. It will ensure that your home is always cool and that you do not have to spend extra to get it fixed.

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Checklists before your choose your Split AC

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Air Conditioners are becoming a basic necessity in almost every house and because of which there is a great demand for almost all types of AC models. Split AC systems have become one of the most convenient options for cooling the homes and offices since it does not involve any messy installation process. These air conditioning systems can cool more efficiently and due to the convenient installation and minimum space required, this type of AC system is one of the best choices for most of the homes and commercial entities.

There are many types of split air conditioning units such as floor mounted, wall mounted and ceiling mounted systems. Depending on the requirements and budget, you can choose the best option that suits your home. There are certain important factors that need to be considered before deciding to buy the Split AC systems.

Checklists before choosing split air conditioners:

  • Size – Measure the size of the room before buying the split system since the cooling capacity of the unit largely depends on the room size. A unit that is too big for a living space could leave a damp feeling around and at the same time, a unit that is too small for the room would result in wastage of energy and money.
  • Hole in the wall – When installing a split air conditioner, there is a need to drill a hole in the wall which is not bigger than 3 inches in diameter. Consider this point before planning to invest in this system.
  • Warranty – Check if there is warranty provided for the product that you purchase. This will ensure that if there is any problem or any replacement required, the service would be free of charge which would be done by the heating and cooling company. Reputable brands of AC units would have a warranty of about 4 – 5 years.
  • Easy Filtration System – Most of the split air conditioners would have a filtration system which has the filters that needs to be cleaned periodically.
  • Star Rating – Make sure the split system you buy has energy rating labels that make the system more energy efficient.
  • Installation by HVAC technician – Since the installation is a complex process in split type AC systems, you would require a qualified technician to install the product.
  • Purchase Tubing – Apart from split air conditioning units, you must also buy tubing which is required for connecting the inner and the outer AC unit.
  • Compare the prices and features of split air conditioning systems offered by various heating and cooling companies before deciding to buy them.

Basics Of Refrigerated Air Conditioning

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Refrigerated Air Conditioning systems are considered as one of the best cooling solutions in most of the homes since these units help to reduce the humidity level and provide good cooling in hot climatic conditions. The basic principle behind these types of AC systems is the refrigerant fluid that produces emissions to generate cool air. The refrigerated AC units look similar to evaporative units but the principle used is entirely different. Also, refrigerated systems are more effective than the evaporative units as these can work well in high humidity areas.

The major benefits associated with the refrigerated AC units are that these systems function very well in hot weather, remove excess humidity from the air, offer great comfort to the occupants and safeguard the occupants from unwanted allergens and pollutants. The refrigerated units are quite suitable for locations that experience extreme humidity. Excess heat does not affect the systems and these units can work better during summers. These AC units can also be used in rooms that do not have proper ventilation.

Basic Principles involved in Refrigerated Air Conditioning:

The refrigerated AC units work under the principle of evaporation of the refrigerant fluid that is contained within a closed system with high pressure. The compressor plays an important role in pumping the refrigerant fluid into the entire unit through interconnecting pipes. The fluid is then transferred to the evaporator at a very high pressure. When the hot fluid expands under this high pressure, the temperature drops and the fluid cools down to pass through the condenser coil. At this stage, the hot air from the room is blown over the coil and this heat is transferred back by the refrigerant to the compressor.

The fan blows over this hot compressor coil to cool down the air which is then circulated into the room and in the same manner, the hot air is expelled outside the AC unit. Although, the refrigerated units use more energy and are more expensive than the other systems, it performs very well. The humidity content is drastically reduced and therefore these units do not promote the breeding of dust mites that cause severe respiratory infections. The carbon gas emitted out of these units can be largely reduced through automatic thermostats and timers, additional insulation of the room and accurate positioning and installation of the unit.

Therefore, it is essential to choose the type of air conditioning units depending on the climatic conditions of your location.

Your AC Window Unit Has to be the Right Size

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Did you know that according to some surveys that have been done, most air conditioning systems are actually 50% too big? Yes, that’s true, but in some ways, it is believable. It appears that some people think bigger is better. That is, of course, not necessarily the case. It’s real important that you get an air conditioner of the right size. That can be determined by an air conditioning professional, although it is probably easier for you to find out for yourself if you are operating a wall or window unit.

You will need a unit with 10,000 BTUs to properly cool a room that is 400 square feet; that is, one that is 20 feet in length and 20 feet in width. For 600 square feet, you’re talking more in the neighborhood of 14,000 BTUs. All this based on a ceiling that would be eight feet. And kitchens, because of the presence of appliances, takes more BTUs.

While you need the unit to be pushing out enough BTUs to do an adequate job, you also don’t want to overpower the room with it. The more work the AC has to do, the more energy may be going for naught, and that is never a good thing. You need to get the right size unit for the room you’re looking to cool.

There are some variables you can consider, or put in place. Remembering that if you are using a window unit in the first place the room can’t be terrifically big, you have the opportunity to supplement the work you air conditioner is doing with a few other things. One of them is to ventilate through another window, if it is available, or the single window in the room, if you have a unitary system that goes through a wall opening and not a window opening. Another is to have ceiling fans and/or portable fans carry some of the load. One of the things you want to do is to make things as easy on that AC unit as possible, which in turn will make things as easy on your pocketbook as possible. This is not a bad way to do it.

If you are in small rooms, it is entirely possible to go with a wall or window unit and be quite comfortable. If you take the extra measures to go about it in the right way, you’ll really be able to do so economically.

Maintenance Checklist for Air Conditioners

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While many would normally prefer going for professional maintenance, this kind of routine is very expensive and sometimes ineffective. It is possible to perform the maintenance yourself if you know a bit of the technical know hows, and if you remember this checklist of maintenance.

1) Coils and Filters. Firstly, turn off the power and unplug your appliance. Next, disassemble the filters to clean them. This can be done by dousing the filters, front and back, with a phenol solution. It can also be done with any detergent mixed in hot water. All dirt, dust particles, mold formations and contamination by insects should be removed from the filters.

2) Chemical Cleaning. One has to make sure the coils of your unit remain clean. Dusty coils block the airflow and reduce the efficiency to start with, and might cause short circuit fires when unchecked for a long duration. But most of the users, and some servicemen too, vacuum the coils of the air conditioner in the name of cleaning. The coils of an air conditioner are home to a number of depositions created by the gaseous chemicals and fluids that are used as coolants. Vacuuming the coils sets these deposits free, thus causing them to mix with the air we breathe. When inhaled, these deposits and air borne particles, settle down in our lungs, causing chronic breathing problems. Chemical cleaning is one of the most harmless methods for cleaning the coils of your air conditioner. But make sure the chemicals you use are attested by recognized national laboratories, or you run the risk of the poor quality chemical’s vapors mixing with the air, and causing more problems than the ones you have been facing.

3) Rusting. Rusting is known to the cancer of iron and steel. It is one of the biggest problems when it comes to pipes due to the amount of fluid flow they see through their life time. All pipes have to be oiled and painted beforehand to avoid rusting, and those that are rusted beyond reason have to be replaced.

4) Why Maintenance. This is often overlooked, and is one of the most important aspects of going energy efficient. Properly cleaned air conditioners not only reduce risk of chronic breathing disorders, but also improves the air flow, thus improving the efficiency. Also, get your system serviced by a professional at-least once every 18 months to avoid long term problems.

What Can Happen Without an Air Conditioner

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Air conditioners. The magic appliances that kick out the hot, humid air and bring in the cool, soothing air. The only devices that provide a welcome escape from this hot, sweaty, sweltering heat of the summer.

But besides this, what exactly is it that can happen without air conditioners?

Most people seem to be unaware of the health advantages of air conditioners.

Recent research indicates that air conditioners can have a huge positive effect on the health of its users. Air conditioning creates a cool, calm, clean and healthy environment, while reducing the effects of dust and other air borne particles.

Air conditioners greatly help people suffering with respiratory conditions like asthma, wheezing, chronic respiratory syndrome and the like. The air we inhale is usually contaminated with dust, air borne particles, gases and other chemically active particles that cause severe health problems when exposed to for a long period of time.

Air conditioners not only cools the air and reduces the effects of these air borne particles, but also effectively removes most of the non-hazardous particles from the air. The second most important feature of an air conditioner is its cooling and stress relieving capabilities.

Excessive heat increases blood pressure, causes an increase in pulse and heart rate for all ages, and thus, causes long term problems when exposed to for a long period of time. This can be avoided greatly with the use of proper air conditioning, the key word here being ‘proper’.

This kind of constant excessive pressure is greatly disturbing and causes an acute drop in performance and productivity. Proper air conditioning not only provides a cool, calm environment which soothes the nerves and decreases blood pressure, it also aids full recovery from the stressed tension that is seen among almost all working adults these days.

The excessive fatigue, dehydration and sweating that is usually caused by hot climates often leads to loss of energy, eating up your immune system and making you vulnerable to dangerous pathogens.

Proper air conditioning is one of the most sure shot escape out of all the above health related issues. But do make sure you contact a professional to help you pick the air conditioner that most suits your needs, and also plan your architecture and placing in those lines. Professionals also help pick the most economical plans that suit you, nobody wants to pay a ton of cash for an equipment that does not suit them.

Fret not, for Schmitt Heating has all your Air Conditioning San Francisco needs handled!