Heat Cool and Insulate

Posts Tagged ‘HVAC’

Air conditioners regularly fail at the worst possible times.  When it is intensely hot, you do not need your air conditioner to suddenly stop working.  But if it does, there are some simple steps you can take to fix the problem yourself.  Below is an inventory of the 4 most common air conditioning problems encountered, with some advice on how to fix them.  

1.  Check The Controller – If the controller has been incorrectly used, the air conditioner won’t function.  HVAC systems have different settings for cooling and heating, and your air conditioner won’t function if the wrong setting is used.  If you are still wrestling, try looking in your operation manual or ask the contractor who sold you the system for advice.  

2.  Clean The Filters – So many air conditioners struggle because the owners don’t clean the filters.  Cleaning the filter is continuing maintenance that you should be performing one or more times every few months.  Cleaning your air conditioners filters can regularly fix an issue immediately.  

3.  Inspect The Compressor – If your compressor fails your entire aircon system will fail.  Check round the compressor for any symptoms of damage or wear and tare.  Hear the compressor for any irregular noises.  Look around the compressor for ice build up as well .  If you notice any of these things, it may be a sign of a rather more serious problem and you must call in an air con contractor to inspect the system.  

4.  Reset The Power – Just like PCs, a straightforward reset can often fix a hvac system.  All you need to do is go to the meter box and turn the unit off.  If fitted, there might also be an isolator switch at the compressor you can also turn off.  Turn both these switches off for a minute or two before turning back on.  It is a straightforward thing to try but it works quite a lot of the time.  

If you have tried all of these points, hopefully you have has some success and your air conditioner is now working.  If not, it is time to call in the airconditioning contractor.

Tags: Heating, , insulating

Tags: insulating, Heating,

Creature comforts such as a well-maintained environment are commonplace throughout most of the world. You wish to have a arctic cool home in summer which is warm and cozy in winter given the temperatures that vary greatly at every latitude. To receive optimum operating efficiency, you need to make sure you have many matters in place.

Energy Star is a primary measurement for efficient energy consumption and they offer several tips for smart energy consumption. You should make sure that home is insulated properly. Air leaks lead to heating and cooling of outside air as well as inside air which is undesirable. You will have to go around your house and check your doorjambs, attic and window frames etc for possible air leaks. It is suggested that you should have enough insulation in the attic that major heat or cold is not leaking in. The exterior envelope and shell should be impenetrable. Run your hand along the edges of your window and door seals when checking for your leaks. There are various options to the seal leaks that your house might be suffering. They include foam strips, caulking and sealant material available at any hardware store.

Duct problems can be alleviated by making sure they are air tight, properly sized for your system as well as keeping them clear of debris. Hiring a contractor with the correct equipment is the best way to do this. Ducts should not be tangled or crushed, but lay flat. Kinks can cause stress, which will cause fractures and thereby leaks. Duct tape, despite its name, is not necessarily the perfect insulation answer for ductwork. Insulation specifically for ductwork is the best, and you should search for something with a six or higher R rating. Have your hvac contractor perform a combustion safety test before they leave so you can be assured there will be no backdraft of gasses or oils.

Its advisable to go for new heat pumps or airconditioning systems if the existing systems are over twelve years old. With the advancement of technology, there will always be something better in the future to cool or heat your home than something that is older. When you go to purchase a new system, dont be dismayed if the unit looks much smaller in size than the earlier one you had. Much like computer chips getting smaller so has the technology for heat pumps and air conditioners shrunk in comparison to their grandparents. Your current system should be cycling on and off a t the designated time on your thermostat. Lubricated parts will have the system running smoothly. Clean your air conditioner coils for proper function and retain your coolant levels.

When trying to keep your home arctic cool in the summer and warm and cozy in the winter, purchase and maintain the system right for your home. Furnaces will run on gas or electric while boilers usually run on gas or oil. Baseboard heaters and radiant floor systems circulate the heat throughout the home and your budget will be the largest determining factor between the two. Central air conditioners have a higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) than in days past. Heat pumps are used largely in moderate climates and calibrate between outdoor and indoor temperatures to do the cooling and heating. Programmable thermostats are an excellent item to purchase as they can keep the temperatures set at a constant energy saving level. With all of these points in place, you should be able to enjoy your indoor home for years to come!

Tags: Heating, , Cooling

Tags: Heating, , Cooling