Friday, May 2, 2008

Choosing An Air Conditioner

Air conditioning has become the norm in hot and humid climates. Almost all offices and many middle class homes have starting installing air conditioning in their homes. Air conditioners are essential to improve working conditions. This in turns helps to improve productivity of office workers. Many industries, factories, laboratories etc. too need air conditioning for comfort or because the process needs it.

Depending on the size of the room and total area needing air conditioning, some decisions have to be made for the air conditioner to be installed. The usual choice for a home may be window or split air conditioning. Central air conditioning may be choice for very large homes, offices and factories.

Cost can be one big factor we need to consider when making a choice. But it would also be handy to know some technical information like tonnage of the air conditioning, power consumption and other mechanical features as well.

Let's examine some of the technical data we ought to acquire to get your money's worth, when buying an air conditioner.

First and foremost you need to your budget. Secondly you should know the size of the room or area of the house or office if you wish to cool part or whole area. This helps to ascertain the tonnage of the air conditioner you require. The price of the air conditioner increases with the increase in tonnage. Normally for window or split tonnage of air conditioners available are from 0.60, 0.75, 1, 1.5 and 2 tons. One question the store will ask you which brand or manufacturer you prefer. Depending on the brand, your price will vary. Sometimes there are even assembled air conditioners available from the local maintenance workshop, which may turn out to be cheaper though not entirely reliable.

It is no secret that the cooling capacity varies in direct proportion to the air conditioner tonnage. So how do you measure cooling capacity? Cooling capacity is measured in KCal/hour or BTU/hour and the greater the number, the more powerful is the unit. Cooling capacity of an air conditioner of one ton is 3000 KCal/hour or 12000 BTU/hour. Guidelines given by manufacturers indicate that area and tonnage of machine. A 0.75-ton machine is suitable for 35 sq. ft. area, one-ton machine for 90 to 110 sq. ft. area, 1.25-ton machine for 115 to 140 sq. ft. area, 1.50-ton machine for 150 to 170 sq. ft. area, 1.75-ton machine for 180 to 220 sq. ft. and so on. A better way is to divide the square feet of your room by 600 to get the correct tonnage.

It would be helpful to your dealer if you give some details. Other than room size, you could tell him the number and size of windows, the direction the room faces, how much shade your room gets, the thickness of walls and type of roof, type of insulation the room has and the number of appliances in the room like computers. Such details will enable your dealer to advise about the best type, tonnage and number of air conditioners to be installed.

You need to be guard that you do not select a lower tonnage simply to save on cost. Lower tonnage can reflect in higher bills, which will eventually hurt your pocket in the long term.

It is important to ensure that the power supply in your home is sufficient to run the machine. Your authorised electrician can advise you on the power supply angle. You should also get him to check the wiring. If required, separate wiring and heavy-duty electric plug connection should be provided to install the air conditioner.

The efficiency of your machine can be measured with the help of Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). EER helps you to determine how much it costs of run each unit. Units with higher EER are more expensive, but consume less power and turn out cheaper in the long run.

Central Air Conditioning

Central Air Conditioning

More and more people are insisting that they have central air conditioning in their homes and businesses. If you own a business, you are going to find that this is a must. I can’t think of anyone who would choose a business that is sweltering hot over one with central air. Though you can use single units in your home, they don’t work the same as central air, and it is just not the same thing. I know when I own my first home, if it does not have this, I will insist that it be put in.

The difference between central air conditioning and single units is like night and day to me. I have a single unit in my home right now, and I hate that I have to have an area closed off in order for the unit to cool, and I hate the stale air it seems to produce. I am grateful that I have it, but I would greatly prefer to have central air conditioning. I rent, so it’s not up to me, and I don’t see my landlord jumping to have it installed. That’s okay though, that just helps motivate us to save even more for our own home.

As a business, you might be surprised that central air conditioning can up your customer base. There are many days when the heat is just too much, and anyone outside might be looking for relief. When they come in, if they feel instantly refreshed, they are going to want to stay a while. Though not all of them will buy, many of them will. This means new eyes looking at your merchandise, and also that you may have just racked up another returning customer. It’s a great investment. As a bonus, it keeps your employees happy as well.

Though not everyone can afford central air conditioning, this is something that many new homes are having installed, even when it adds to the total costs. There are many medical conditions that are aggravated by heat and humidity, and many need this for medical relief. Those with allergies and asthma will tell you that they suffer the most in the summer, and having a cool place that is away from the humidity helps greatly. There are also many who are prone to sun stroke, and having a cool home is an essential. Life is much more enjoyable when you know you can keep cool.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Portable air conditioning units

Most of us welcome summer with open arms. The longer days and warmer temperatures are a fantastic break from the coldness of winter. There are some drawbacks to the months of July and August though and that’s when the forecast calls for extreme heat. If you live in an area where the thermometer does rise, consider getting one of the portable air conditioning units currently being sold. You’ll be able to move it from room to room and stay cool.

Many homes come equipped with built-in air conditioning systems. These work well and are almost ideal save for the cost. They are expensive to purchase and are very costly to run. It’s simply not energy efficient to cool an entire home when you are only using the bedroom. With portable air conditioning units you need only lower the temperature in the rooms you want to, and that really does save a lot of money.

It’s a great idea to purchase one of these in the spring or fall. The reason is simple, anything designed to cool you off when the weather becomes warm is going to cost more when it’s most needed. This not only applies to portable air conditioning units but to standard air conditioners, ceiling fans and table fans too. If you see a portable unit on sale in the spring, consider buying it. You’ll be grateful when it’s the middle of summer and there are none left on the shelves or worse yet, there are some but they are double the price.

Running one is fairly simple and can be done by anyone. They are ideal for use in either a home or an apartment. The main consideration is the size of the room that you are going to be using it in the most. If you have a very large bedroom, make certain you are looking at portable air conditioning units that can cool the entire room. Some, less expensive models may look appealing, but if they are only equipped to cool a much smaller space, they will do you little good.

Some models can complete with a timer which can be a real advantage. If your home faces the sun all day, it’s bound to heat up pretty quickly inside. You can set the timer on some portable air conditioning units to go on thirty minutes before you are set to arrive home. This will cool the room down enough that it’s comfortable when you walk in. This is also a money saving feature as it means you don’t have to have the unit running all day so that the room is cold for you once you get off work. The models with the timers are generally a few dollars more expensive, but the convenience is worth it.

When fall rolls around and you aren’t using it anymore, you’ll need to store it away for a few months. It’s smart to do a bit of maintenance on it at this time. This includes emptying and cleaning the drip tray as well as removing any visible dirt or dust. If you do this it will last longer and you’ll be all set to use it again next summer.

Central air conditioning

Sweating the days away in summer is really uncomfortable. What’s even more difficult is trying to sleep when the thermometer is on the rise. Having a portable or room air conditioner is great if you and your partner are the only ones in the home and you both sleep in the same bed. If you’ve got kids or others present, it’s just not enough to cool everyone off. With central air conditioning installed in your house, no one will lose sleep over the heat again.

The furnace is the key when it comes to this type of cooling system. That may seem ironic since the furnace is fundamental to providing heat in the winter, but central air conditioning uses the furnaces motor and fan to cool the home in summer. Once the air conditioning is turned on, the system blows cold air throughout the home via the heating ducts. Just as every room heats in the winter with the aid of the furnace, every room is cool in the summer because of that same device.

Most heating specialists will tell you that the best time to have the cooling system installed in the home is when a new furnace is purchased. This is true mainly because of the costs involved. To add central air conditioning to an already existent heating system generally costs more than having it installed when the furnace is.

This certainly doesn’t mean that you can’t have a cool home if you just recently replaced the furnace. The equipment needed for central air conditioning can be added to most modern day furnaces. Although this is a job that a homeowner can do on their own, it may be a much better idea to hire a professional contractor to come in and do the job. You certainly don’t want to risk a mistake that will be costly to repair.

Just as you want to keep your windows closed in winter to keep the warm air in, the same is true in the heat. Opening a window seems second nature when it’s very hot outside. However if you have central air conditioning turned on, opening a window will only result in a loss of the cold air which translates to more money. The longer the unit has to run to cool the home, the more it will add up to in energy costs.

Some homeowners have found it advantageous to only turn on the system once they return home from work for the day. This generally affords ample time for the air conditioning to cool the home before it’s time to retire for the night. Having it running all day may keep it more comfortable for the family pet, but if no one is there it’s just a waste of electricity. Use it when you really need it and you’ll stay cool and save money.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Sweating Heat By Air Condition Cooling System

Sweating the days away in summer is really uncomfortable. What’s even more difficult is trying to sleep when the thermometer is on the rise. Having a portable or room air conditioner is great if you and your partner are the only ones in the home and you both sleep in the same bed. If you’ve got kids or others present, it’s just not enough to cool everyone off. With central air conditioning installed in your house, no one will lose sleep over the heat again.

The furnace is the key when it comes to this type of cooling system. That may seem ironic since the furnace is fundamental to providing heat in the winter, but central air conditioning uses the furnaces motor and fan to cool the home in summer. Once the air conditioning is turned on, the system blows cold air throughout the home via the heating ducts. Just as every room heats in the winter with the aid of the furnace, every room is cool in the summer because of that same device.

Most heating specialists will tell you that the best time to have the cooling system installed in the home is when a new furnace is purchased. This is true mainly because of the costs involved. To add central air conditioning to an already existent heating system generally costs more than having it installed when the furnace is.

This certainly doesn’t mean that you can’t have a cool home if you just recently replaced the furnace. The equipment needed for central air conditioning can be added to most modern day furnaces. Although this is a job that a homeowner can do on their own, it may be a much better idea to hire a professional contractor to come in and do the job. You certainly don’t want to risk a mistake that will be costly to repair.

Just as you want to keep your windows closed in winter to keep the warm air in, the same is true in the heat. Opening a window seems second nature when it’s very hot outside. However if you have central air conditioning turned on, opening a window will only result in a loss of the cold air which translates to more money. The longer the unit has to run to cool the home, the more it will add up to in energy costs.

Some homeowners have found it advantageous to only turn on the system once they return home from work for the day. This generally affords ample time for the air conditioning to cool the home before it’s time to retire for the night. Having it running all day may keep it more comfortable for the family pet, but if no one is there it’s just a waste of electricity. Use it when you really need it and you’ll stay cool and save money.

Central Air Conditioning Systems At Homes

More and more people are insisting that they have central air conditioning in their homes and businesses. If you own a business, you are going to find that this is a must. I can’t think of anyone who would choose a business that is sweltering hot over one with central air. Though you can use single units in your home, they don’t work the same as central air, and it is just not the same thing. I know when I own my first home, if it does not have this, I will insist that it be put in.

The difference between central air conditioning and single units is like night and day to me. I have a single unit in my home right now, and I hate that I have to have an area closed off in order for the unit to cool, and I hate the stale air it seems to produce. I am grateful that I have it, but I would greatly prefer to have central air conditioning. I rent, so it’s not up to me, and I don’t see my landlord jumping to have it installed. That’s okay though, that just helps motivate us to save even more for our own home.

As a business, you might be surprised that central air conditioning can up your customer base. There are many days when the heat is just too much, and anyone outside might be looking for relief. When they come in, if they feel instantly refreshed, they are going to want to stay a while. Though not all of them will buy, many of them will. This means new eyes looking at your merchandise, and also that you may have just racked up another returning customer. It’s a great investment. As a bonus, it keeps your employees happy as well.

Though not everyone can afford central air conditioning, this is something that many new homes are having installed, even when it adds to the total costs. There are many medical conditions that are aggravated by heat and humidity, and many need this for medical relief. Those with allergies and asthma will tell you that they suffer the most in the summer, and having a cool place that is away from the humidity helps greatly. There are also many who are prone to sun stroke, and having a cool home is an essential. Life is much more enjoyable when you know you can keep cool.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Luxury Air Conditioning Your Home

Air conditioning is a system that introduces cold air into a hot space to make it more comfortable. Air conditioning typically is used when temperatures are above 70 degrees. It is used in cars, houses, offices, retail stores, restaurants, and other indoor facilities. Unlike heat, air conditioning is considered a luxury, and it is possible to go without it. Heat is considered to be a necessity and all homes must have it. When heat warnings exist, however, lack of air conditioning can present a problem for many elderly people who may live in older brick homes. Without air conditioning, these types of homes literally turn into an oven at a certain temperatures and can cause death.

Alternatives to air conditioning are fans, either electric or hand held, or open windows. Air conditioning is used primarily in the summer when temperatures are higher. Therefore electric bills are usually higher in the summer months. Many electric companies offer budget billing, which balances out the high and low bills into a constant monthly payment. Budget billing is based on usage and may gradually increase over time as usage goes up.

There are two types of air conditioners that are primarily used in homes. Window style units are placed in a window. Window air conditioning mainly cools the room that they are placed in. More expensive units may cool off more of the surrounding rooms. Window air conditioners run on electricity. They are placed in windows because the heat in the room is passed outside and swapped with the cold air coming in. Alternatives to window air conditioning units are wall air conditioners, which do not need to be placed in a window. Window units are more common in older homes.

New construction typically has central air conditioning built in. Central air conditioning runs the air throughout the entire house with the actual unit located outside. A thermostat controls the temperatures of the house. Older thermostats need to be changed manually to the desired temperature. Newer thermostats are programmable. Temperature settings can be programmed to change at certain times of the day. This can help lower electric bills by allowing the house to be warmer when the house is empty. Running central air conditioning uses a lot of electricity but it is generally more energy efficient than window air conditioning. Many older homes use either window units or have no air conditioning at all.

Air conditioning is available in most new cars today as well. In extreme heat, air conditioning provides considerable comfort on a long car ride. In cars operating without air conditioning, one can roll the windows down to let wind blow in. Wind, however, is not as comfortable, and can be noisy, especially if driving on the highway. After a period of time, air conditioning may not work as well. Sometimes recharging the freon gas will help improve performance. Other times, the air conditioning may need more extensive costly repair work. Many times people will choose not to fix the air conditioning in their cars when the cost outweighs the remaining value of the car.

With new technology comes improvements to air conditioning systems. As time goes on, air conditioners will become more energy efficient.

Michael Russell

Maintainence Of The Air Conditioner

An air conditioner is one of the most beneficial inventions of the modern world. It gives you peace during hot summer days and keeps you away from the devastating heat. These machines are very useful but they are not cheap. You have to give a good price for the machine.

This also calls for attention to the matter that you have to take good care of the air conditioner and undertake periodic maintenance, so that your machine continues to work in the best condition for a long time. No one is looking to buy an air conditioner every year and neither are you. Therefore you must know the maintenance methods for keeping your air condition in a healthy state.

The maintenance aspects are normally neglected by the owners. Air conditioners are well built machines. This also deceives the owners. During the time the machine is throwing cool air they think that all is fine. But they are not aware of the fact that their air conditioner is losing its efficiency every year.

It must be known that if you do not undertake maintenance of the air conditioner, it will lose 5% of its efficiency every year. It is immaterial that the air conditioner is giving cool air or not, the efficiency will be decreased. Every air conditioner has a rated capacity. Good air conditioners normally work for 15 years effectively and in some cases, even more. If you carry out routine maintenance of the air conditioner, there are all the chances that the air conditioner will continue to work at its rated capacity through out its life.

Normally, you should perform checks on the air conditioner a little before the due time. How can you perform the maintenance of your air conditioner? The first check that you should perform is general observation check. You must look for any leaks or unusual sounds and also check for the proper drainage of the condenser tube.

Second, check the filters for cleanliness. If the filters are dirty, the air conditioner running will be uneconomical and troublesome. So you must clean the filters every month so that your air conditioner gives you the optimum performance. You must also clean the air vents and registers. Next in line is the cleaning of the compressor. The compressor should be cleaned from the outside with a hose, so that the dust does not effect in the operation of the air conditioner. When the air conditioner is not in use during the winter months, you must cover the compressor.

You can take care of the normal maintenance aspects of the air conditioner but for complicated things like tune ups, you will have to get help from professional technicians. You must get a technician to perform a tune up because it is very necessary to rejuvenate the energies of the air conditioner. Normally, a tune up will cost around $50 to $100. Besides all this, ensure that you do not mishandle your air conditioner during installation, switching on and off, etc. If you take proper care of your unit, it will give you the best service throughout its life.