Archives for August 2016

What You Need to Know About Your HVAC Certification

HVAC or Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning specialist technicians are people that have specialized in installing, maintaining, and repairing our HVAC systems. All of them are required by law and by most employers to get their certification or license prior to practicing their job as a trained HVAC specialist. If you are planning on becoming one in the near future, here are all the details you need to know on how to get it, why it’s important, and what are the requirements.

Getting your HVAC training

There are certain HVAC mechanics and technicians who work without having a certification or a degree. However, the surest way to prepare for a rewarding career in this field is by completing your HVAC training program and receiving your certification and associate’s degree.

To make matters easier, you can now complete parts or all the courses required online. If you enroll in such a student program, you are given the chance to learn how to design, maintain, and repair different machines that are part of a heating and air-conditioning system. You can also learn about the general industry standards, on-the-job safety, electronics, air distribution, and air flow.

HVAC certification requirements – what you need to do

As far as requirements go, you can only enroll for these courses if you have at least a high school diploma or a GED. Also, most colleges or education centers will require you to take some general education courses prior to starting the HVAC program. This means you need to take some classes in social sciences, math, natural sciences, and English.

Of course, all HVAC training programs differ from one learning center to the other. However, here are some classes they all have in common.

Electric heating systems
Air pressure tests and analysis
Temperature flow
HVAC troubleshooting skills
Compressor maintenance
Compressor installation
Furnace ignition systems
Residential HVAC

Apart from completing your HVAC training and getting your certification, you might also want to consider completing an apprenticeship program. This type of practical education comes with both in-class and on-the-job training. Needless to say, it will aid you greatly with the following aspects.

You will see exactly what being on the job is like
You gain real-life experience, which you can then add to your resume. It will definitely work in your favor when applying for a job
You get to interact with real customers, which will give you a sense of what the social interaction for a job like HVAC technician feels like.

Apprenticeships normally last somewhere between three and five years. The length depends entirely on you, though. If, after two or three years, you feel you are now ready to become a self-standing HVAC technician, you can end it prematurely. However, should you wish to go all the way through, this means your entire education program comes to 7 years of studying and practicing. It’s important you take this piece of information into account.

Getting your HVAC certification online

One of the things that makes the entire 7-year education program easier and lighter is completing some of the courses online. If you have that option, we suggest you take it. There are some trade schools and community colleges, for example, that offer split programs. This means you are allowed to complete a portion of your studies online and the remaining ones directly at school. This particular format makes it a lot easier for most students to complete their HVAC certification requirements, simply because they can do it at their own pace. You can arrange your schedule so that the courses fit naturally into it, instead of having your life revolve around college, as traditional students do.

Best online schools for completing your HVAC certification program

Although online courses are one way to go, you need to be aware of the fact that you will not be able to complete your education remotely. Given the hands-on nature of the job, you will have to go to school at some point. However, until then, here are the best online schools to choose from.

Penn Foster Career School

Minimum eligibility requirements say that you have to be 18 or older to attend. Also, as far as online programs go, they offer:

The Penn Foster Career School’s HVACR Technician Career Diploma Program, which prepares students to work with air conditioning, heating, and ventilating
Penn Foster’s Automotive HVAC Essentials Certificate Program that teaches students everything about diagnosing and repairing auto HVAC issues.

Northern Michigan University

Here are their areas of study:

Mechanic and Repair Technologies
Construction Management and Trades
HVACR Maintenance
Heavy Equipment Maintenance
Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
Precision Metal Working

University of Alaska

Their areas of study are:

Construction Management and Trades
Electrical Repair and Maintenance
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance
Heavy Equipment Maintenance
Precision Metal Working
Vehicle Repair and Maintenance

Dunwoody College of Technology

Their areas of study are the same as University of Alaska’s.

Oklahoma State University

They offer the following:

HVACR Maintenance
Leatherworking and Upholstery
Vehicle Repair and Maintenance

Milwaukee Area Technical College
York Technical College

These two education centers offer the same programs and areas of study as The University of Alaska and Dunwoody College of Technology

Pearl River Community College

Areas of study you may find at Pearl River Community College include:

Mechanic and Repair Technologies
Construction Management and Trades
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance
Precision Metal Working
Vehicle Repair and Maintenance

Yakima Valley Community College

Their areas of study are:

Mechanic and Repair Technologies
Construction Management and Trades
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance
Precision Metal Working
Vehicle Repair and Maintenance

Why is it important to earn your HVAC certification?

Statistical labor studies show that, as far as securing a job in the HVAC field goes, applicants who have trade school learning or apprenticeships do have an advantage. Some employers still offer on-the-job trainings, but these types of opportunities are rapidly disappearing. The simple reason is that technological advancements of heating and cooling devices as well as the non-relenting computerization make it too difficult for employers to keep up as far as trainings go. This means they would much rather hire someone who already knows everything, is skilled, and up-to-date than hire a person who needs to be trained and apprenticed before they can even be productive for the company.

The other reason, apart from securing a good job, for which you should consider getting your HVAC certification is money. As with any other line of work, people who have completed education programs will always be better paid than the ones who haven’t. If you are the successful graduate of a formal training program and also have your certification and license as required by law, you can expect to be paid approximately 50% more than your counterpart who hasn’t completed his formal training program.

Getting your EPA Certification

The EPA or the Environmental Protection Agency Certification indicates that you are an expert in the building, repairing, and assessing small and low- or high-pressure appliances. If you are a refrigeration or air equipment professional, you are required by the Clean Air Act to possess said certification. But don’t do it because you have to. It will greatly help you, as it is quite the resume booster. Here are some tips for getting it.

Give yourself at least three months in advance to study before taking the exam
Decide which type of EPA certification you need, as there are 3 types:

Type I – covers small appliances that use a maximum of 5 lbs. of refrigerant
Type II – covers all high-pressure appliances that use refrigerant at minus -58 degrees
Type III – covers all low-pressure appliances that boil their refrigerant at temperatures that exceed 50 degrees

In order to study, buy all the textbooks you need and take a look at all the pertinent materials. You can also download free software from the EPA Test website. It will show you the contents of different tests, which you can use as studying material.
There is a test fee which you must pay, of $24.95 if it’s the first time you’re taking the test. If you’re repeating the test, you need to pay $5.95, as of 2011. You can pay this fee online, after you have read the exam rules and clicked on the box that certifies you did. After you’ve paid the fee, you can begin your test. Also, keep in mind you need to answer 21 of the 25 existing questions in each test, in order to pass it.

Getting your HVAC, HVACR, and EPA certifications are the surest way to a stable and successful career in this field. People are becoming more and more health-conscious, as well as environmental-friendly. Therefore, when it comes to heating or cooling their houses or electro appliances, they look for the best people in the branch. Make sure that’s you and start studying for your certifications today!

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The Essential Guide to Furnace Filters

When it comes to home improvements, furnace filters are not the most exciting of items. But that doesn’t mean they’re not necessary. Even vital, some experts argue, as furnace filters save money and improve the air quality in your home. Originally designed to keep all the moving parts of a furnace together, filters have evolved beyond that.

They are now responsible for preventing harmful particles from floating around in the air. If inhaled, they can cause asthma attacks and allergies. So, it seems as though the small and often neglect furnace filter is actually a powerful tool. But how do you choose the appropriate one for your home? Here is your essential guide to furnace filters that will answer that question.

How does a furnace work?

To begin to understand how a filter works, you must first have a working knowledge of your home’s furnace. It’s the only way you’ll be able to shop for the perfect filter afterward. Traditional forced-air furnaces draw in the necessary air through return ducts. They warm it over a heat exchanger and, aided by a blower fan, push it through some ducts that branch out throughout your house. The furnace normally keeps running until your house is warm enough. If you have a thermostat, when the furnace will stop when it reaches the desired temperature.

What does the furnace filter do?

The furnace filter actually connects to the blower fan. Its main job is to keep dust, hair, and other types of gunk away from the fan. The return duct pulls the air in, as shown above, and, therefore, has the tendency of also drawing in said debris and possibly harmful elements. Seeing as the air recirculates via the furnace, the filter ensures all that air does not circulate through your house dirty. However, contrary to popular belief, although it does improve the air quality significantly, the furnace filter’s job is not to clean your air.

How are furnace filters rated?

Furnace filters are rated based on an element called MERV. It stands for ‘minimum efficiency reporting value’ and its ratings range from 1 to 16. The higher the rating, the better the furnace filter is. Simply because a very high rating means it can remove a great deal of possibly harmful particles from the air.

However, there is one vital thing worth mentioning here. High rated filters usually allow a small amount of air to flow through them. This could lead to your furnace working harder, overheating, and possibly malfunctioning. Most homes require a rating between 8 and 11. Just to be on the safe side before shopping, find out if your furnace has a maximum MERV rating your model of furnace needs to take into account.

Furnace filter types

The most common furnace filter type, which you might have seen in shops, is the disposable pleated type. They come in a whole array of ratings and sizes for you to choose from. They are traditionally made of paper and polyester, which allows them to filter the unwanted particles from the air. They are usually not expensive, with prices ranging from $2-$3 to $30-$40. The price, of course, depends on the filter’s size, model, brand, and rating. These filters need to be checked on a monthly basis because they do then to clump the gunk they collect. Also, to keep them clean, you need to replace them every three months.

Apart from the paper and polyester type, there are also filters made of fiberglass available on the market. They are the cheapest furnace filters you can buy. They come in a traditional blue color and almost look like they’re made of spider web. They also come in a whole range of sizes, but you should know they are considered rather flimsy and have lower ratings than the paper-polyester ones. Because of these reasons, they need to be checked and replaced a lot more often.

The third category comprises disposable and washable filters. They both come in electrostatic versions. This means that they have the ability to charge themselves while the air flows through them. This is what enhances their power of sucking and trapping small particles, dust, and hair. In other words, they are more efficient than the other two categories, which makes them the perfect choice for houses with small children and pets. They are also suited for inside smokers. As a safety measure, check your furnace’s manual to make sure you can use an electrostatic filter with ease.

Filter sizes

Air filters are always sized according to their thickness or depth, height, and length. As far as thickness goes, the most popular one is 1’’, but 4’’ is also a good choice is you have a larger system. The combination of height and length varies between 10’’X10’’ and 30’’X30’’. Here are the most common furnace filter sizes: 14’’X25’’, 16”x20”, 16”x25”, 20”x25”, and 25”x25”.

To find out what size you need for your home furnace, you have to remove and check your old filter. Its size is generally inscribed on its frame. The other option you have is to check its manual. However, if you know your furnace uses a custom-made filter, you need to refer to the furnace manufacturer. Otherwise, find out where you can buy such a replacement filter from.

How to replace your furnace filter in three easy steps

As stated above, for your furnace and your filter, for that matter, to work safely and appropriately, you need to replace the latter approximately every three months. That’s when it reaches its maximum and, seeing as it’s so important it runs at its peak efficiency, think about replacing it. Fortunately for all of us, it’s a much easier task than it’s believed to be.

However, even if it’s so easy, you can still basically botch this job. For example, you can buy the wrong filter or put it backward in the furnace. This means it will block the entire air flow instead of allowing free passage. It will also not clean the air properly. Therefore, here is how you perform this task in three easy steps.

Step 1

Find out which type of filter you have. As we have already pointed out, this is, probably, a crucial step. The mere misunderstanding of the kind of filter you need can lead to your furnace breaking down.

The first thing you need to do is to turn off your furnace altogether. This will prevent any accidents from happening because the furnace might start on its own accord. Remove the filter already in place. You will most likely find it inside the furnace or the air vent. Most furnaces have an arrow painted or inscribed somewhere. It will tell you the direction in which the air flows. With a permanent marker, draw a line indicating that direction on the outside of the furnace, so that you always know how to properly install the filter. Next, you need to write down the furnace filter’s size. You can find this piece of information on the cardboard box.

Please note that, upon opening the furnace, you discover the filter has a plastic frame, this means it’s reusable. Therefore, simply clean it from time to time using your vacuum and some water. You will want to do this outside, as it will have a lot of gunk coming out of it. Also, make sure it dries out completely before you reinstall it.

Step 2

Buy the replacement. You can find furnace air filters at hardware stores, home centers, and, of course, online. You can shop in places such as Builders Square, Home Depot or Amazon, but you might also find furnace filters at your local Walmart for example if that is better suited for you.

Step 3

Install the brand new filter. Normally, there should be some markings. They will tell you which side your filter should face the furnace. Slide it back into its original slot and replace the cover if it had one to begin with.

It’s a good idea to keep a record of all the times you replaced the furnace filter, so you’ll know when it’s due to be changed again.

Which are the best furnace filters?

Seeing as a high-efficiency furnace filter can actually slow down the air currents that need to waft freely through your house and that a low-efficiency one will do a poor job of cleaning the air, it can sometimes be difficult to decide which one to choose. Therefore, based on user experience and reviews we have put together a list of the best furnace air filters available on the market.

#1. The PUR5000 Whole House Furnace Filter

It has an electrically charged particle collection system which makes it perfect for trapping all unwanted particles from the air. This includes dust, hair, pollen, mold, bacteria, and viruses. It’s so efficient that is actually removes 99.97% of all the gunk floating about. It retails for $700, and you need to change it every month.

#2. The Blueair Central Furnace Filter System with MX2 Particle Charger

It’s considered to be a real breakthrough as far as furnace filter design is concerned because it crossed the barrier to air purifier. It has an ionizer that forces unwanted particles to stick to the furnace filter a lot more than ordinary filters do. It retails for $199.95, and the package it comes in includes two filters for a 6-month filtration period.

#3. The Envirosept Electronic Furnace Filter Air Cleaner System

This one is a permanent filter that is absolutely state-of-the-art. It has an enhanced media filter doubled by dielectric polarization that leaves the air extremely clean. The reason is that it not only removes particles from the air but sub-micron particles as well. It retails for $319.95 and up and is very low maintenance. You can also find some discount filters belonging to this range online.

#4. The Guardian Clean Air Furnace Filters by Aerus

This particular air filter was designed with the idea of maximum air flow in mind. This means its concept was based on it allowing as much air to pass through it as possible. It captures some 95% of all particles, including the ones as small as 0.3 microns. It has a MERV 12 rating, and it retails for $59.95.

#5. The Aircleen 1500

This one is an improvement of the older Airscreen 1000 air filter. It removes 97.7% of all particles up to 0.3 microns, which means it can also trap pollen, mites, pet dander, and mold spores. It retails for $259.95, and you need to replace it every month to ensure optimum air quality. Its pads are very easy to remove and replace and they come in 16 sizes for you to choose from.

As stated in the beginning, furnace filters might not seem so exciting at first glance. But once you start to understand their importance, you discover a whole new multi-layered world behind these white screens. One thing all furnace filter users say is how much they have improved their lives. And it’s true. Imagine not having to inhale dust, mites, dander, and pollen grains every day!

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Air Conditioning Service, Repair, and Maintenance – All You Need to Know

Choosing the Right Air Conditioning Service: Comfort or Misery

The air conditioner is a vital part of our homely existence. It has multiple functions that keep us happy and comfortable, which include cooling, heating, dehumidifying, and cleaning the air of possibly dangerous particles. Therefore, when it breaks down, immediate action must be taken, to ensure it’s back on track in no time. But how do you do it? Do you do it yourself or do you use the proverbial ‘call a guy’ method? If you’re not quite sure what to do, this article will definitely help you. Moreover, we have also listed some top tips and tricks to maintain your AC unit, apart from fixing it.

What does actually go wrong with an AC unit?

As opposed to furnaces, which are quite simple, AC units are complex pieces of equipment. This means they require a whole array of conditions to work properly. For example, they need to have a certain size, so as not to hang too heavy on the house. They must also have a certain volume of refrigerant, also known as the ‘charge,’ they need a certain amount of air to flow through the coils and many other criteria that need to be met. When one of these criteria is not met, the entire system will suffer.

Here are some examples of things that may go wrong with your AC and what causes them.

if you generate more heat indoors than you normally do, because you are having a party and there are a lot of people in the house or because you’ve plugged in a high number of appliances at the same time, the AC will not be able to keep up
if the refrigerant leaks out, evidently the AC will not have the same power to cool the air anymore
if airflow across the condenser reduces, so will the AC’s ability to reject heat outdoors. Yet again, its capacity to keep up when the load increases will diminish, especially when confronted with high outdoor temperatures
the same problem occurs in dry climates, only with the indoor (evaporator) coil. A low airflow hurts it.
In humid climates, the problem tends to become more complex. When the airflow is high, there will be less humidification, which will lead to high indoor humidity. But, if the airflow gets too low, the evaporator coil will actually freeze. Not only will this make the AC’s performance drastically decrease, but its compressor can fail. This means you will have to seek help to repair it, and it will not come in cheap.

Air conditioning repair and service – how to do it yourself

If you’ve decided not to ‘call a guy’ and tackle the AC repair yourself, it’s best if you start by doing some research. To help you with that, here are some DIY AC repair and service projects you can try at home and all the ins and outs to help you make them successful.

#1. Cleaning the AC in the spring

This is one chore you’ll be grateful you performed. Not only will you be more comfortable in using you AC afterwards, but you will also pay less on your cooling bills. There are three ways in which you can clean the AC.

Method 1 – Cleaning the indoor unit of an AC

Turn off the power towards your furnace or blower. If you can’t find the switch, turn it off from the main panel or unplug it.
Replace the air filter. Make sure you consult the manual before you buy a new one, to make sure it’s the right size.
Vacuum all the visible dust, hair, and debris in the blower compartment.
If the motor is equipped with lubrication ports, pour a few drops of oil into it, according to the manual specifications.
Check to see if any algae have grown in the condensation tube. If so, remove them and pour a solution made of bleach and water into it.
Clean the drain tube using a brush with small bristles
Hook the drain line back to the unit and restart it carefully.

Method 2 – cleaning the outdoor unit of an AC

Shut down the power at the shutoff box which should be located on the exterior of your house. If there is no visible shutoff box, turn off the circuit breaker which normally powers the AC. Either way, the appliance needs to be turned off completely, to avoid it starting unexpectedly and causing accidents.
Vacuum the condenser fins using the attachment that has a soft-bristle brush. Make sure to check for any debris or gunk that might be trapped in there, such as leaves, grass or weeds. Also, trim all the greens surrounding the box, so that it’s completely free on a 2 feet radius.
There should be a grille on top of your AC, which you need to unscrew and take off. You will notice the fan lifts even without it, so be careful not to damage the electrical wires. Gently clean the fan with a damp cloth.
Should your fan have lubrication ports, pour a few oil drops into it. Make sure the oil is specially made for electrical motors and not regular oil.
You can also clean the empty unit from the inside out, by lowering a water hose in it and lightly spraying it.
Re-assemble everything together and screw the lid back on.
Disable the AC by going inside the house and switching it from ‘cool’ to ‘off’.
Allow it to sit idle for 24 hours so that it has time to dry out completely.
Restart it and wait at least 10 minutes for it to start working again.
Check to see if it works correctly.

Method 3 – cleaning a room AC

Just like for the other two, you need first to unplug the room AC or turn off the breaker that leads to that circuit.
Remove the appliance’s rear exhaust panel and clean all its fins and coils with the soft-bristled brush of your vacuum cleaner.
Remember to check the drain channels for clogs. They are usually located at the bottom of the AC. Should you find any clogs, clean them with a pipe cleaner.
Remove the ACs front grill, take out the filter and clean it. You can do so by either vacuuming it or washing it with some sudsy water, lukewarm. Before you reattach the filter to the unit itself, make sure it has completely dried off.
Power it back up

Maintaining your AC

As far as central air maintenance goes, the old saying does prove to be correct once more – it’s better to maintain it than having to fix it. There is a whole array of things you can do to make sure it keeps running as smoothly as when you bought it. These things, if done correctly and at regular intervals, will not only help your AC not breaking down but will save you energy as well. Therefore, here are the most important things you can do to maintain your AC.

Arguably the most important task you need to perform is to clean regularly the ACs filters. It will ensure it keeps on running efficiently, because a dirty or clogged filter blocks the normal air flow and forces your AC to run twice as hard, overheat and, sometimes, malfunction.
Also, replacing a dirty filter will lower the unit’s energy intake by 5% to 15%. Filters need to be replaced every one or two months, but you may need to do it more often if there is an infant or a pet in the house.
Cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils is important as well. They collect an incredible amount of dirt over the years which insulates the coils and reduces their ability to take in heat. Therefore, the coils need to be checked and cleaned every year. The time between cleanings can be even longer, seeing as the filters, if clean, normally trap all the dirt and dust before they reach the coils.
Clean the coil fins. The evaporator and condenser coils have some fins that can easily be clogged by debris or get bent. If so, they will block the airflow that should normally run through the coils. Use a ‘fin comb’ to comb them back into their original position.
Clean the unit’s drains by inserting a stiff wire through them from time to time. If they are clogged, they will stop the AC from absorbing humidity. In turn, this might discolor your walls and carpets and produce condensation.
Cover the outdoor part of your AC in the winter to protect it from the bad weather and debris flying around.

Hiring a professional to manage the central air conditioning repair service

In case you do not wish to turn fixing and even maintaining your AC into a DIY job, you can always hire a professional. In terms of central air service, here’s what he or she should do.

Check if the unit has a sufficient volume of refrigerant
Test said refrigerant for any leaks that might damage the unit
Capture all the refrigerant that escapes the unit and not release it into the environment, as that is illegal
Check to see if there are any seal duct leakages in the central system
Check the evaporator coil by measuring the airflow that passes through it
Inspect all the electrical terminals, apply a non-conductive coating if they need it, and clean and tighten all the connections
He or she should also check the oil motors and the belts to see if they have worn down or lost their tightness
Check how accurate the thermostat is.

Checking, maintaining, and repairing the AC unit might seem like a daunting task or a somewhat unpleasant chore but, as we demonstrated above, it’s crucial. Not only will checking and maintaining it keeps it from breaking down, but it will save you money and energy as well.

Image Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5