Refrigerant and Air Conditioning

We have all heard the myth: If your A/C is not working well, all you need is a little more freon. However the myth of refrigerant being the be all end all of fixing air conditioning units. Adding refrigerant does not necessarily mean your air conditioning is going to work better. Some HVAC contractors may try to trick you and charge an hour of labor and supplies for no fix. The only time additional refrigerant will help your evaporator coil is working below freezing. The unit must have a balanced charge. Only a certified air conditioning technician should add refrigerant because the right balance is a must. Refrigerant does not burn up. It does not need to be replaced unless there is a leak, because it is in a closed loop system.

If your unit does have a refrigerant leak however, it is easy to diagnose. The AC unit will cool for a few hours then stop. If the refrigerant coils freeze inside the air handling unit this is a sure sign you need air conditioning repair. Ice buildup blocks airflow over the coil. Low refrigerant causes the unit to operate below freezing and draw moisture out of the air, forming ice. Freezing ice is not like freezing air.

If you do have a refrigerant leak, you need to have it fixed. Leaking refrigerant is a hazard to people and the environment. State law says that air conditioning companies repair all hazardous refrigerant leaks. Some refrigerants are ozone and global warming agonists. A low charge also hurts the efficiency of the air conditioning unit. This causes A/C compressors to run above their recommended range which leads to eventual replacement. Freon is also linked to the lubrication in some compressors, which can cause the compressor to seize from lack of lubrication.

Because the air conditioning element is a closed loop, refrigerant should only be added in the case of a leak. Residential units use a R-22 coolant. Prices are rising as R-22 is fazed out because of its ozone depleting properties. Phase out begins this year and is to be completed by 2020. Call a HVAC contractor and see what they charge for R-22 or if they have any replacement refrigerant available. The HVAC tech should find the leak when recharging an AC system. A certified HVAC system should not need to be refilled more than once a year. An efficient system should lower the temperature around 20 degrees.

HVAC CONTRACTOR DALLAS

NEW AC INSTALLATION ARLINGTON

For more information on [http://www.denverheating.org/]Denver HVAC or heating and air conditioning check out my blog: [http://denverhvac.blogspot.com/]Denver HVAC chick, where I try and give you all the female insider tips you need to make your HVAC system purr.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Refrigerant-and-Air-Conditioning&id=4272661] Refrigerant and Air Conditioning

HVAC Preventive Maintenance in Your Home

One of the primary functions of any home is to provide you and your family with protection from the extreme elements. While we often think of this in terms of protecting us against the wind, rain, snow and worse sorts of precipitation, protection against extreme temperatures is also important. Most homes these days have some sort of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system. There's nothing worse than having your HVAC system break down when you most need it.

That's why preventative maintenance of HVAC systems is extremely important. A lot of people make the mistake of just letting their systems run until the break down, but by that point it usually costs a small fortune to fix. You are much better off either learning how to perform your own maintenance, or hiring a contractor to perform routine maintenance.

Chances are that your HVAC system will break down someday. Having regular checks will both reduce the chances of having a major and expensive malfunction, ensure that you can get it fixed before anything goes wrong. It can be frustrating to spend a few days in the blistering heat or bitter cold waiting for a repair technician to make it to your home. It's much better to stay on top of things and head them off before they cause problems.

There are certain aspects of HVAC maintenance, such as refilling coolant, which can only be done by a licensed technician. For that reason it's often much simpler and more convenient to have a technician just do a regular checkup every spring and fall. There are also certain things to look out for that might help you determine when to a call a repair technician.

For example, you should always pay close attention to the sounds that your HVAC unit makes. It should run relatively smoothly, with no banging or rattling or other abnormal noises. Another thing to look out for is strange smells that may emanate from your HVAC system. It can help to try and pinpoint where the smell is coming from so you can point it out to the technician. Of course, the surest sign that something is wrong with your system is if it isn't heating or cooling properly. If you see any of these symptoms you should schedule maintenance.

If you want to do something yourself to help keep your HVAC system running smoothly, then the simplest thing to do is to clean it. If you have an outdoor unit, then leaves and dirt can frequently get stuck in or around it. It's simple enough to
brush them out and use a garden house to spray off any caked on grime, but of course you should be very careful. If you want to have a more thorough cleaning of the internals of the unit, you should call a trained service person.

An HVAC technician should be able to detect any potential problems in your system and fix them before your whole unit breaks. It may seem expensive, but it can save a lot of money in the long run.

About the Author: Air conditioners Toronto provider that sells, installs and services heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning products. Visit us: http://www.cozycomfortplus.com/

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=406681&ca=Home+Management

Air Conditioning Installation Advice - HVAC Controller

If you are getting your new ducted reverse cycle residential air conditioning system installed you will need to decide where you want your air conditioner controller to be installed? Below is some hints and tips on air conditioning controllers.

Firstly, should you have only one air conditioning controller for your system or should you have more than one? If you have a 2 storey home or more, you should really have more than just a single controller. If you get just a single air conditioner controller you will need to constantly go up and down the stairs when you need to change the setting on the controller. Although you will be able to manage for a while, it will get tiring at some point.

Many people decide to put an air conditioning controller in their main living area and a second controller in their master bedroom. The controller in the main living area makes it accessible by day and the controller in the master bedroom enables the owners of the house to have control of the system at night time. If the master bedroom and the living areas are on the same level, you may even need a third controller to place on the other level.

Even on single storey homes it is beneficial to have two air conditioner controllers (one in the living area and one in the master bedroom). It costs less and is easier to get this done at time of install than trying to get the installers to come back at a later date to retrofit the second air conditioning controller. It should also really only cost an extra couple of hundred dollars for a second air conditioning controller so it should definitely be a consideration.

So where should you place your air conditioning controller? Usually, you should ask the controller to be placed at your light switch height. Try to install the controller near other switches and controls (like security controllers or light switches). If possible, try to place the controller in an inconspicuous location. Usually the controller will need to go on a outside wall (or cavity wall) to be able to get the wire back up to the roof space. Speak with the electrician on the day of install as he will be able to give you the best advice as to where the controller/s can and should be located.

With this advice in mind, you should have no problems placing your main controller in a great location. Remember to try to install in an inconspicuous location. Also try to have a few controller locations in your head in case the residential air conditioning service professional cannot install the controller in your first preference.


Please visit us for more information on [http://www.airconditioningexplained.com]air conditioning brands, air conditioning prices and more. Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Air-Conditioning-Installation-Advice---HVAC-Controller&id=2441316] Air Conditioning Installation Advice - HVAC Controller

Residential Air Conditioning Stay Cool

When the weather starts warming up and reaching the sweltering level, most people want nothing more than a cool place to relax and escape from the scorching heat. Having home air conditioning is a crucial and integral tool in making family and guests feel cushty and taken care of while in the walls of your place. This is particularly true if you happen to live in a very warm and wet climate.

When contemplating buying a home, again particularly in the hotter climes, it is a good idea to carefully inspect the current AC system in the home. At the same time, any one looking to build a new house should also thoroughly consider the air-con options that are available, as it is much more cost effective to put a whole-house air system in during the building process, instead of install it later.

In the areas of hotter climates, central air conditioning is the comprehensive best option. While these systems can be significantly more expensive than other types of units, central air conditioning systems offer the maximum quantity of control, comfort and potency. This is important when more than one or 2 rooms need to be kept cool.

There are a number of different sorts of central air conditioning units available for houses. Each type has its robust points and advantages and some have downsides, or at least considerations that need to be taken into account when picking a decision. It makes sense to spend some time reviewing the different models available and also consulting with heating and air conditioning executives if there is any bewilderment about what could be the best type of equipment for your own situation.

Most folks will choose to install a centralized, heating and air conditioning system which will heat as well as chill the home. Buying one of these heating/cooling systems will provide functionality regardless of what the time of year. Most of the time, you can more than recoup your investment in these systems through an increase in the value of your home. One of the best ways to finance this type of upgrade is through the use of a home equity line of credit, which usually supplies the best interest rate for home improvements.

These central air conditioning and heating units are available to be used with gas for the heating, or you can choose the models that provide heating and cooling using only electricity. In places of the country where it becomes awfully cold in the winter, central gas heat is recommended as it is more effective and will cost less to run.

Energy-efficient home air conditioning is beginning to become more and more popular, and for very good reasons. One of the best features of energy efficient air conditioners does not arrive packed with the unit, but arrives in the shape of a Fed tax rebate that is offered by the government to encourage energy conservation.


Author: Zachery Webster, Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/residential-air-conditioning-stay-cool-1023641.html

About the AuthorJo Blevins is a ontributing writer for http://www.chicagomortgagecompany.com