All Things HVAC

Heating and Cooling HVAC information for Everyone

Air Conditioner Compressor Application: A Home Owner’s Guide

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An air conditioner is a functional system composed of four mechanical parts: the compressor, the condenser, the evaporator, and the expansion valve. When the air conditioner compressor starts giving you headaches, it’s important to know how to deal with it.

The purpose of an air conditioner compressor is rather complexly worded. In essence, it works to transmute refrigerant compound from a gas state to a liquid state and then back to gas. The cycle is continuous and it manages to relieve the evaporator of the heat-laden vapors residing in it. Using high temperatures, the air conditioner compressor does what the name suggests it does – it compresses. More specifically, it compresses the vapor.

The Air Conditioner Compressor Cycle

Air Conditioner Compressor

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The compressor is the core of the cooling system of an air conditioner. Although the process itself is rich in details and technical information, we can narrow down its purpose to several main functions which constitute the working cycle of the compressor.

A Compressor Compresses

As we previously mentioned, the main function of this part is to pull in from the indoors cool refrigerant gas. Once it goes through the component, it’s heated curtsy of high temperatures and high-pressure processes and then exits at high velocities as a hot gas.

Transfer of Heat

The air conditioner compressor expels hot gas toward the finned condenser coil found in the side of the air conditioner that meets with the outdoors. There, the fans blow the outdoor air through the fins and across the coil. The heat is extracted from the refrigerant and then transferred outdoors.

Liquid Turning

Once the air conditioner compressor extracts enough heat from the refrigerant, the latter turns into a warm liquid. The liquid gets filtered through high pressure until it reaches the expansion valve. There the refrigerant is cooled down and makes the transition from high to low pressure.

Heat Absorption

The journey of the refrigerant finally gets it to the evaporator. Because of the considerably lower pressure found in the evaporator coil, the chemical construction of the refrigerant forces it to revert to a gas state. In order for this process to be completed, it requires the intervention of heat, which is granted by the evaporator coil’s fans blowing over the warm indoor air.

This is the point when you begin to notice a change in your room’s temperature. The room heat continues to get moved to the evaporator and, as a result, the indoor air gets cooler. At this point, the refrigerant is back to what it was in the beginning: a low-pressure, cool air. Once released, it gets pulled back into the air conditioner compressor to start the cycle all over again.

Fixing a Faulty Air Conditioner Compressor

Air Conditioner Compressor

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An air conditioner compressor isn’t necessarily something that can be easily swapped or repaired at the snap of your fingers. This is mostly due to the fact that it’s strongly interconnected with the other mechanical parts of your air conditioning system. As such, it’s recommended to appeal to a professional if you wish to do any work on it.

But if you do have some basic technical knowledge, then you can afford to save the expenses of ringing an expert and doing the job yourself. Here’s how.

STEP #1: Make Sure the Compressor is the Problem

Stick out your hand in front of the air conditioning system. If no air is coming out or if the air is warm instead of cool, then you definitely have a problem on your hands. However, you need to make sure that the compressor really is the problem here. A faulty air conditioner compressor is actually one of the worst case scenarios, meaning that there are many other possible explanations that can come before it.

Perform some basic check-ups on your cooling system. As you continue to cross possible explanations off your list, you will gradually be left with only the compressor as the possible culprit. Some things that you need to check include:

  • Check that your unit is plugged in or that the socket has electricity running through it;
  • Make sure that the control settings on the remote aren’t messed up;
  • Investigate some other components that could have led to this issue, such as blower fans, duct work, and air filter. If something unruly catches your eye, it’s better to gear your efforts in that direction instead.

Some of the steps mentioned above do sound a little bit basic, but things like these can happen to the best of us. It’s better to scratch off the possibility of a small slip-of-the-mind rather than invest time, effort, and even money in something that wasn’t even the problem.

STEP #1.B: Common Compressor Problems

You can go about it one of two days: problem arises, scratch off everything until you’re only left with the compressor OR problem arises, start with the compressor.

There is a set of particular issues that are nine-out-of-ten situations connected to the air conditioner compressor. If this problem arises, your best bets are checking the compressor first and going from there is something is wrong.

Improper Cooling

The immediate effect of a faulty air conditioner compressor is the unit not being able to expel air as cool as you’d like it to be. In most of the cases, the one responsible for this is the pressure control of the compressor. Any variations above or beyond the ideal pressure level can cause malfunctions, including unusually high or low pressure discharges.

If you want to, you can check where the problem lies manually, by taking a look at the pressure gauges. Grab your unit manual and look up the pressure gauge section, which should, among other things, tell you what it should read when functioning under normal circumstances.

If your actual readings don’t fit with what the manual is telling you, then this means that there might be a problem. In this situation, it’s best that you get a specialized technician on the job, as clumsy alterations to the pressure gauges can cause more harm than good.

Burning Out

When the air conditioner doesn’t even start up, the cause of this problem can be of many different types. It can also be because of a burned out compressor. If the motor wiring gets exposed to negative conditions or damaged, it can affect the electrical system in the unit and, therefore, the compressor. The result can be either a burned compressor or a short between it and the motor’s steel parts.

Rather than tending to this problem, it’s much easier to avoid it. You can prevent these kinds of damages by performing regular inspections to the unit’s electric system.

Hard Starting

The issue defined as “hard starting” is a pretty common one. It usually involves the unit having difficulties starting up or “stuttering,” more often than not being the result of the compressor struggling to properly respond to the “on” command.

It might be a one-time problem or it might persist. If it’s the case of the latter, you can attempt to fix it yourself by replacing the fuse or by making some repairs at the level of the wiring.

STEP #2: Check the Type

If you can identify with either of the problems listed below, then you can pretty much green-light the replacement of the air conditioner compressor. Naturally, you need to make sure that you’re going to purchase the correct kind of replacement. You can do this by checking in with your unit’s manual, which typically mentions the type of your compressor.

You can have one of the five main (unaltered and not customized) types of compressors:

  • Reciprocating;
  • Scroll;
  • Screw;
  • Rotary;

For further visual validation, you can check out a guide that can help you identify the look and the technical composition of each of these compressor types.

STEP #3: Take out the Refrigerant

IMPORTANT! Before you attempt any operations on your unit, it’s crucial that you disconnect it from the electric supply. Not cutting off the power beforehand can result in serious injury.

Now that you’ve taken all preventive safety measures, crack the cooling system and remove all traces of refrigerant. Before proceeding with anything else, cut off all the refrigerant lines.

STEP #4 Take out the Compressor

After you’ve taken care of the aforementioned steps, it’s time to take out the compressor. As a general direction, an air conditioner compressor is usually found outside. If you have trouble locating it, consult your manual.

STEP #5: Unbolt the Compressor

Unbolt your compressor before proceeding while also making sure that you remove the hosing.

STEP #6: Swap Compressors

Using the mounting bolts, install the replacement compressor within the condenser unit. Reconnect all of the refrigerant lines. And speaking of the refrigerant, might as well replace the coils while you’re at it too.

STEP #7: Finalize

Assemble your unit once again, reconnect it to the power source, and check if your problem is fixed. If any further malfunctions appear of it no results show, it’s time to call an expert and avoid accidentally having it develop into a more pressing issue.

Bottom Line

With this short guide, we hope that you’ve got the general gist of what an air conditioner compressor can do, what problems can arise from its malfunction, and how you can fix these issues. We mention that if you’ve never had any previous technical experience, it’s best to do everything under the supervision of a technician.

Air Conditioner Noise: What It Means & How to Fix It

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Where in your HVAC unit is the noise coming from?

The first step to solving a problem, any problem, is to identify its root cause – and this simple principle of life definitely applies when dealing with air conditioner noise, too. For this reason, we’ve listed the most commonly encountered sources of the annoying and potentially concerning sounds you’re dealing with.

  • The ductwork. Ductwork noises are at once one of the most common type of A/C unit noises, but they’re also some of the most difficult to pinpoint, track down, and ultimately fix. Some airc conditioning noises can originate from a source that has absolutely nothing to do with your equipment, but is simply being relayed to your home via the ducts themselves. In case you think the sounds are coming in from the ducts themselves, you can look into having vibration dampeners installed onto your HVAC unit.
  • Blower noises. Some so called ‘blower’ noises originate in what HVAC technicians usually refer to as the indoor air handler. That means that your indoor blower, i.e. cooling system.
  • Split system wall–mounted AC units. Fujitsu, one of the world’s best renowned HVAC system manufacturers has some recommendations for handling noises that come from inside split A/C systems mounted on one of the walls of your home. Their main point is that some such noises are absolutely normal and should cause any concern.

For instance, it’s absolutely normal to hear water flowing into the pipes of A/C unit, both while it’s on, as well as immediately after you shut it down. Also, since the front cover of the unit slightly expands and contracts while the unit is on, you may occasionally hear a minute squeak. The same goes for a muted sizzle, which is produced by the unit’s automatic defrosting system. Other sounds, such as bubbling or clicking may indicate actual faults in the system, such as AC refrigerant leaks, or problems with your thermostat. It’s important to have a trained HVAC professional diagnose these problems: self-diagnosis and ‘treatment’ is not recommended when it comes to AC systems, be they split system and wall-mounted or not.

  • Outdoor AC unit noises. These are tricky, because such air conditioner noise is usually indicative of a serious problem, which, in turn, will require a costly repair. Safety first: you are best advised not to open the unit’s front or side panels yourself. If you choose to do so, then at least disconnect the unit from the power supply, since the fans inside these units have been known to chop off unsuspecting homeowner’s fingers.

These are the most frequent causes of air conditioner noise and most HVAC technicians will go on endlessly hairsplitting them into various categories, such as clicks, whirrs, bubbling noises, and so on. While we advise you to always contact a pro when dealing with worrisome sounds which you cannot immediately identify, we will list some of the most usual noises that originate in the air handler section and the ductwork of your AC unit. Take the list below as non-exhaustive and binding in any way, but do use it as guideline for an initial diagnostic of your problem.

Ductwork air leaks

Air Conditioner Noise: What It Means & How to Fix ItThese will usually cause the ducts to roar or hiss. At this point in trying to identify the problem at hand, there are two options:

  1. Your duct connections are causing air to leak out of the system and need to be replaced;
  2. You may want to purchase vibration dampeners, in order to soundproof your ductwork (this is also applicable for furnace ducts, too). These devices need to be installed by professional HVAC technicians.

Bangs or clanks

If you’re keen on home improvement and are also reasonably sure that the banging noise coming from inside your AC unit does not point to a serious issue, you can choose to encase it in paneling or simply deflect the noise, by fencing one of its sides. Experiment with this and find out which variant is best at reducing the noise – or simply choose to purchase a newer AC unit, since such problems are usually caused by older, outdated, low efficiency A/C units. The alternative is that the banging and/or clanking is noise coming from your compressor condenser – a problem that needs to be addressed by a certified professional.

Buzzing and/or crackling

This is usually a problem caused by electric wiring and elements, such as relay switches and other electrical connectors. It’s best not to leave such problems unattended, since arcing at circuit breakers are major fire hazards down the line.

Clicking (or rumbling, rattling, clunking) noises

If this type of air conditioner noise is heard at startup, it usually means that some piece of the hardware has become loose. Check your fan to see if it has come loose or bent and is now hitting against some obstruction.

Duct noises

They can come in under the form of hisses, whistles, roars, clunks, or clanks from the ductwork, as it expands and contracts. It may be the case that some internal noises, such as those caused by a fan, are being relayed by the ducts or that the noises are originating in a completely different location, which has nothing to do with your AC unit. Finally, check to see if there are no small animals trapped inside your ductwork because this, too, can cause annoying noises.

Crooks Beware, Copper Watcher on duty!

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Last month we wrote about the growing epidemic of air conditioning units being stolen for their valuable copper.  We mentioned that there were new products coming to market to counter the thieves in their evil doings.  One such product the Copper Watcher is designed to alert owners if their units  copper lines have been cut loose or the electric supply has been turned off.  This could be the next best thing to hiring a 24 hour security guard to watch over your air conditioner. If you’ve already had a previous AC unit stolen this should be a no brainer to safe guard the new one.  Here is a link to their website: www.copperwatcher.com

Integrity

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 I want to write about something that has nothing and yet everything to do with air conditioning.  I don’t care what business you think you are in or where you work or what you think you do for a living.  You are in the people business.  Somehow whatever you do to make a living impacts people.  Either through products and their quality, customer service, or quality of life, somehow it touches people’s lives.  It seems to me that this fact is being forgotten more and more in the me, me, me society we tend to live in.

 Once I adopted the Zig Ziglar philosophy, “You can have everything you want out of life, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”; my life took a dramatic change for the better.  I felt better about what I was doing and what I was charging for.  I truly developed a servant’s heart.    My bank account increased, my self esteem improved, my referral business quadrupled and I felt a true sense of fulfillment I had never experienced before.  I do this through the air conditioning business.  I will truly go to the ends of the Earth for a customer to find solutions to their HVAC problems.

 I will come in early, work late, skip lunch, drive across town in the rain to get parts, call every supply house in town, call in favors, but most importantly I will admit it when I screw up and tell the truth about it, face the consequences and do whatever I can to fix it.  How many companies today can say that last statement and mean it?

 Last night I ran a call for a lady who had just moved to a new house that had a Home Warranty Contract (not one we do business with) at 9PM on a Friday night.  The HW Company told her they could not get her the motor they needed to fix her unit for five days.  Mind you it was 108 degrees.  She called me and said she would be happy to pay me to locate those parts if possible and put them in, sooner because she had a three month old baby.  I assured her there was not a reason to wait five days for a standard condenser fan motor, I would run by Lennox, pick up the motor and be out this evening.  Let me tell you why she called me and completely trusted everything I said to her.  (She has sent me I don’t know how many referrals.)

 Three years ago another company came to her old house and told her she had a bad compressor.  She then had me out to do a free second opinion, I agreed.  She hired me to change out her compressor.  I went to parts house picked up the compressor, blocked out five hours of my schedule, hauled all my tools to the backyard, set up my recovery tanks.  To make a story that is starting to get long, shorter.  I realized that down underneath the unit was a wire disconnected that I had not been able to see until I had everything all torn apart.  I think you know what happened.  I reconnected that wire, went and turned the power back on to the unit.  Guess what?  Compressor started up!  Did I feel like a fool?  You bet.  I told the customer the truth.  I made a customer for life.  She has sent me more business than you can possibly imagine.

 I could have changed out that compressor.  I am sure she already had the check made out.  I gained so much more the other way.  I felt better, she loves me, tells everyone she loves me.  I got more customers from losing that compressor sale than I would have ever gained from a dishonest act not to mention my own self respect.

 I write this not to talk about myself but to show an example of how when you live by principals and stand for something greater than yourself you will be repaid multiple times.  What are your principals?  What do you stand for? Last night I went to bed feeling pretty darn good about myself.  I wish every air conditioning technician in the world could say that.  Wouldn’t the world be a much better place to live?

 

Trying To Save The World One Air Conditioner At A Time!

 Tammy

P.S.  I am very lucky to work for a company whose motto is:  If you always do what is truly in YOUR customer’s best interest, you will never be wrong.

Air Conditioners – Factors To Consider When Buying Portable, Window and Central ACs, Including Brands Like Goodman, Trane, Rheem, and Mitsubishi

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Air Conditioners

Image by chooyutshing via Flickr

Air Conditioner Season Is On

The heat is on. Time to turn on the air conditioners to prevent tempers from seething, and to avoid being roasted in the scorching summer heat, or worse, suffer a heatstroke especially during the day. These appliances are a necessity especially in places, such as Brisbane, Australia, Charlotte, North Carolina (NC); Las Vegas, Nevada; Los Angeles and Sacramento, California; Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami, Yulee, and Orlando, Florida (FL); Tucson, Arizona; Oklahoma; or Dallas and Houston, Texas, where summer really sizzles. Air conditioning is indispensable in other hot countries like Pakistan and the Philippines. The blistering climate in India has also led a number of companies there to come up with their own brands of air conditioning (I have also heard referres to as: air con in some parts of the world), such as Godrej, Voltas, Videocon, o General and ONIDA, which you can switch on even while you are not home yet using SMS.

Places with milder summers, such as Nashville, Tennessee, Denver, Colorado, Louisville, KY, San Jose and San Diego, California, Indianapolis, Indiana, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta City, Georgia, may be comfortable in their non-airconditioned home.  Nevertheless, they still need an HVAC system to help them weather the swings of the season especially during the cold months of winter.

We usually take air conditioning for granted especially when everything is functioning well. We owe air conditioning to Willis Carrier from Syracuse, New York, who invented the first electrical air conditioning. The initial use of this first system was more for industries, such as in a printing plant and later on in other workplaces. It was only later that air conditioning was also used for residential comfort as well as in automobiles.

Like exploring a gallery of air conditioners in an appliance center or in an HVAC specialist office, let us take a look at some of the types and brands that are indispensable during the warmest season of the year.  We will also look at some of the factors to consider to help you compare and buy the right model.

Other Factors To Consider Besides Central Air Conditioner Prices and Brand

With countless brands inundating the market, you may already be pulling your hair while trying to decide which air conditioning system to buy. Besides making a choice between one brand vs another, you also have to choose what type of system you would be installing, from window-fitted, floor-mounted, split type, or the one with variable refrigerant flow system. Brands with VRF systems include Toshiba, Fujitsu, Daikin, Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Sanyo and Panasonic.

Your contractor may also have various ways of installation. For instance, a contractor in Toronto, Ontario is offering the Attic Pak systems, which are low velocity AC systems ideal for homes without duct work or for homes with forced air and with more than two stories. A condensing unit is installed outside the home, then the lines from the unit is extended up to the attic where an air handler is positioned. The latter controls the flow of cold air into the house via 5, 6 or 7-inch outlets. This type of system is known to consume less energy and be more quiet.

To help with (or further complicate) your buying decision process, here are some more central air conditioning brands and models to add to your list:

Airwell-Fedders

Amana

Bryant

Comfortmaker

Ducane

Emerson

Gibson

Heil

Honeywell

Intertherm

Luxaire

Miller

Nordyne

Payne

RUUD

Tappan

Tempstar

Weather King

Janitrol

The last, Janitrol, has been receiving a pile of negative rating and reports online. Examples of specific central air conditioning models that are more energy efficient are the Lennox XC16, Lennox XC21 (the most efficient and quietest central air conditioner you can buy), LG Ductless Multi-Zone air conditioning system, Carrier Infinity Series, and the American Standard Gold XI (also known as the Allegiance® 15). Research them online so that you can make an intelligent comparison review.

When deciding on which central air conditioning system to buy, consumers often stew over features, pricing and brands. Naturally, you would want to get your money’s worth so you check performance vis-a-vis price. But there is another key factor that often fails to get much consideration – the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning contractor to hire. No matter how expensive the air conditioning system you buy, or what brand you have installed, if the contractor you hire lacks the expertise, you can still possibly end up losing your cool over your purchase. For instance, a competent contractor must be able to give you an intelligent answer if you ask him if installing a 220 Volt air conditioner costs less or helps you to decrease electric consumption as compared to using a 100-volt type.

So make sure that when you read each of their profile, you also know how to screen a reputable contractor. Consider the advice of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) in their website on how to choose a contractor including tips on what to ask prospective contractors and a checklist of what contractors ought to do in servicing their customers, since not all of them perform all the necessary tasks. The site also includes a scoring system that allows you to rate each prospect. Another organization that can help you with choosing a contractor to install your central air conditioning system is the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

Besides being installers, most likely these contractors are also dealers of spare or replacement parts and supplies, such as scroll compressors, capacitors, registers or vents with a damper, refrigerant hose, decorative ducts, the thermostat, wiring, fan motor oil, and other accessories that you may need, such as air conditioner covers (e.g. quilted cover, lattice cover, an exterior air conditioner cover, or Poly air condition cover), filters (e.g. disposable pleated air filter, washable and reusable air filter, metal air filter, HEPA filter, or a scented air filter), wall sleeves (e.g. Haier Through-The-Wall Sleeve or HTTWS), and support brackets. They also typically carry other air quality control devices, such as dehumidifiers. So when replacing any of these parts, you may need to contact your contractor.

One brand filters that you may consider is the 3M Filtrete. It boasts of electrostatic technology that attracts, thus, helps to get rid of the contaminants and hazardous particles from the air that is circulated indoors. This means comfort for a person who suffers asthma or an allergy. These air filters come in various sizes; pick one based on the type and size of the air conditioning system or furnace.

You will also be needing the services of your expert contractor for cleaning, periodic maintenance and repairs especially if you do not know how to troubleshoot the problem. Nonetheless, you may also want to learn DIY troubleshooting techniques when your AC is not running properly. Make the manuals your guide in obtaining a basic understanding of how the system works by studying them, including any instruction for troubleshooting and the diagram of the system. Common problems that you may encounter include: water leaking from the air conditioner into the room; central AC not cooling even if the condenser outside the house is working; the unit is blowing a bad smell or is blowing hot instead of cold air; and when your air conditioner is freezing. Let your contractor fix problems that you cannot handle.

Depending on your knack for thermodynamics and fixing appliances, there are certain air conditioning problems that you can do yourself. For example, your air conditioners may stop working or loss its cooling capacity. If you read the manual, you may learn that one possible cause for this is when the starting capacitor, located on the outside compressor or condenser unit, is defective. One of the troubleshooting techniques that technicians employ when an electrical motor does not start, whether an air conditioning compressor motor, a refrigerator pump, blower motor, or freezer motor, is to simply install a simple and cheap starting capacitor to give the appliance an extra voltage jolt to get the hard-starting motor to run.

There are a good deal of contractors available to install, replace, service, clean ducts, balance air and maintain your AC system. Here is a list of some of these contractors and their respective place of operation:

A-11 Air conditioning in Fort Worth, Texas

Blue Air in Austin, Texas

EZ Air Conditioning and Heating in San Antonio, Texas

Polar Air Conditioner Repair Corp. in Hollywood, Florida

Holiday Air Conditioning in Fort Myers, Florida

Del-Air for homeowners in Macclenny, Florida

Jim’s Air Conditioning in Crestville, FL

Bel-Red Heating and Conditioning in Washington

Polar Bear Air Conditioning and Heating in Washington DC

Level Heating in Baltimore

Magic Touch Mechanical Inc. in Mesa, Arizona

Yellow Dot in Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina

Air Wave Air Conditioning Company in New York City (NYC)

Willis One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning in Kentucky and Ohio

Sears Heating and Cooling Sales, Service and Repair in Hillyard, Washington

Scottsdale Air Heating and Cooling in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe, Paradise Valley and the entire West Valley

Custom Air Conditioning in Canada

Frost Air in Sydney, Australia

Choose one which is nearest you. It would also be in your best interest to make sure that the contractor offers a warranty for their installation job so that at times when you encounter problems, such as a leak from your unit, they can service it free of charge while it is still covered by the warranty.

Choosing A Window Air Conditioner

The favorite type of air conditioning unit to cool small areas or single rooms is the window air conditioner. Some brands of room and window air conditioners you can choose from are: Hampton Bay, Maytag, Frigidaire, MIRA-Cool, Sunbeam, Sunpentown, Goldstar, GE, QuietMaster, Samsung, Whirlpool and the market leader in wall-mounted ACs – Bard.

Some specific models of these appliances are the:

Carrier 51PH models

Kenmore 76081 and 73069

Zenith 6500 with remote control

Haier AC, Zoneaire DMA models

the Sharp Plasmacluster AP7GSY

Frigidaire FAA055P7a and FAA065P7a

Frigidaire’s FRA084KT7 8,000 BTU Slider/Casement Air Conditioner

Friedrich WS16B30 27in Thru the Wall AC

Friedrich Wallmaster WS14B10, WS08B10A, WS10B10A, WS13B30B, WS16B30A, 5200 BTU

If you are looking for a cheap brand, consider the Frigidaire FRA52XT 75,000 BTU Mini Window Air Conditioner. If you prefer an energy efficient and environmentally-friendly unit, consider the Haier ESAD4066 Paragon Eco-Conditioner 6,000-BTU Energy-Star Window Air Conditioner or the solar hybrid model of LG that you can power by charging it through its solar panel. Another solar-powered air conditioner is the SplitCool DC18 DC air conditioner, which efficiently converts DC power from solar panels into AC power to operate a standard air conditioner without the need for an inverter to convert solar DC current into AC current. It can come as 12-, 24-, and 48-volt powered units. Do not forget to recharge its 12 VDC battery to make sure that you have enough power especially if you plan to turn your air con on at night. Battery requirements and recharging time will vary depending on local sunlight conditions and the specific use of the air conditioner.

To go the extra mile in protecting the environment while cooling your home, you may also opt for units that use Puron refrigerant, a refrigerant engineered so as not to damage the ozone layer. It is an approved substitute for Freon 22.

When installing a window air conditioner, do not forget to buy the brackets to support it. For window units that are between 12000 and 24000 BTU, the 160-lb Air conditioner brackets can ably support them.

You bet, there are many different brands & models of air conditioners, so it can make the buying decision process very difficult. You have to do a lot of research to compare and choose from the various models that appeal to you. You can also visit local HVAC specialists and other shops that sell air conditioners, such as Home Depot. Another way to test drive the particular model that you are eyeing is to rent it from a rental shop so that you can get a feel of its features and performance especially if your stay in your current place is not yet permanent. You can also find many air conditioning rentals online.

Another important detail to consider when installing an air conditioning system (whether for ACs that you mount on windows, AC for windowless rooms, for vertical sliding windows, the horizontal type, split type, central air, or whatever type) is the size and cooling capacity of the unit, which is a function of the space you are planning to allot for. The space that could be handled by a certain air conditioner or its cooling capacity is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour. For an area that ranges from 100 to 150 square feet, the BTU of the air conditioner should be 5000 BTUs. For 150 to 250 square feet it should be 6000 BTUs, 7000 BTUs for 250 to 300 square feet, 8000 BTUs for 300 to 350, 9000 BTUs for 350 to 400 square feet, 10000 BTUs for 400 to 450, 14000 BTUs for 550 to 700 (your 4-ton AC), 18000 BTUs for 700 to 1,000 square feet and 24000 BTUs for 1000 to 1400 square feet. Sizing air conditioners according to the space needing cooling is made easier with the use of an air conditioner calculator.

Portable Air Conditioners for Specific Spots

Besides room or window air conditioners, here are some other uses for portable air conditioners, which can be used to condition the air in specific spaces such as rooms with specific sizes and particular spots that need additional and continuous cooling, such as in bigger rooms in larger residential homes, to cool computer systems that cry for more cooling in offices or in a data center or the local library and in any commercial environment, to ventilate a grow room, or to cool certain machinery in an industrial setting. The ventless type can condition the room without needing to vent out to an outdoor unit. One type of portable air conditioners is the desktop air conditioner which you can simply mount on your office desk should you need extra cooling. Humidifiers may also be used to get rid of excess humidity, but it cannot completely dry the air. Portable air conditioners are compact making it easy when moving it from one area to another allowing it to be used in any part of your home or building. They can be narrow and can stand in vertical position to save space. A portable air conditioner may also be used during an emergency or in an automobile, or even in a boat, and can be very handy for an RV camper.

Soleus PH3-12R Air is claiming to be the number 1 portable air conditioner supplier in the US. Other models of these compact coolers are the:

Amana AP095R

Sharp CVP12LX

Haier HPRB07xc7

Delonghi Pinguino

Soleus PH4-12R-01

Edgestar Server Cool

Friedrich ZoneAir P12A

Whynter 12000 and 14000 BTU

Royal Sovereign ARP 1000ex and ARP 4012h 12000 BTUs

Sunpentown WA1061H SlimLine which comes with a heater (10000 BTU).

Amcor NanoMax A12000E, AF9000E, ALTL12000E, ALT12000E, PLM14000e, PLM16000e and KF9000e

Other brands include Danby, Everstar, Kooleraire, Windchaser, and Midea.

When using a portable air conditioner, make sure to have the exhaust hose that leads out of the house insulated so that outside air does not get back into the interior of the room.

The Personal Portable Air Conditioner

One unique portable air conditioner is the Coolware Personal Outdoor Cooling System which is worn around the neck. It is also known as a neck cooler mini air conditioner. It’s constructed of Anodized aluminum and may be one of the smallest air conditioners. Another personal air conditioner is called ICEflow, which employs the environmentally-friendly Peltier Effect to allow you to feel a 74 degree breeze every time the room temperature rises up to 80 degrees, without the need to add ice. A free-standing compartment, where water freezes into a block of real ice after charging overnight, is inside this gizmo. When the fan is turned on, the cooling breeze flows across an ice-cold chilling plate.

Thank Goodness For Goodman Air Conditioners

Goodman is one of the long-standing brands in the air conditioners and heaters business. It got many good reviews from its users but many consumers also rated it negatively. Now, let us focus this discussion on a specific Goodman model – the Goodman GSX13 Series 13 SEER R-410A 3.0 Ton 36,000 BTU

This model boasts of high performance of up to 8.4 HSPF/13 SEER energy heating performance and even durability for heavy duty use. It uses the chlorine-free R-104A refrigerant, a high-efficiency condenser coil constructed from corrugated aluminum fins and rifled refrigeration-grade copper tubing, a factory-installed bi-flow, liquid line filter dryer, and a louvered cabinet constructed from heavy-gauge galvanized steel that safeguards the coil. The casing has an appliance quality finish that can withstand the effects of time and any weather condition.

Trane Air Conditioners Being Made More Affordable With Its “Anticipation Discount” Program

With over 80 years of solid tract record, Trane is among the biggest manufacturers of air conditioning products across the world. Their products include air conditioners, furnaces or heat pumps that are designed to provide comfort and efficiency. Some of its air conditioning variants include the XE1000 series for the residential market. Other models include Trane XR12 and XR13 models.

If you are planning to buy an air conditioning unit and are looking forward to a sale or rebates to make some savings, consider Trane’s Anticipation Discount Financing. This program allows you to reduce the cost of purchase and available of an affordable financing rate if you pay before the product is shipped. The final discount is determined by such factors as the payment amount, the date of payment, the discount rate, and the date the unit is shipped.

Relax With Rheem Air Conditioners

Besides manufacturing and selling individual air conditioning units, heat pumps, gas and oil furnaces, air handlers, cooling coils, and thermostats, this leading global producer or heating, cooling and heating water products also produce and sell packaged heating and cooling units, wherein all heating and cooling elements are conveniently found in a single cabinet, and are usually installed either on top or beside a house or office building, rather than indoor.

Energy Efficient Mitsubishi Air Conditioners

Ductless split air conditioners and heat pumps are produced by Mitsubishi. This Japanese brand has been providing a broad range of power options, which are all produced with one of the highest seasonal energy efficient rating (SEER). The SEER of the M-Series Mr. Slim split system air conditioner and heat pump is 22, almost double that of the minimum requirement. The higher the SEER, the more energy efficient the unit is, thus, helping you cut on energy costs. Another air conditioning unit by Mitsubishi is the Mitsubishi Heavy Daiya.

A Glimpse At Mobile Air Conditioners

The need for cool comfortable air extends outside the home, offices and buildings. Hence, the use of air automotive air conditioners for automobiles, such as the car, bus, recreational vehicles (RV) boats and yacht. Sanden is a major brand in mobile air conditioning. Coleman, previously known as Evcon, is a popular brand for RV air conditioning that is usually installed on the roof of the RV, such as the Coleman Mach 15, and the Coleman Polar Cub. Other brands are Duo Therm and Dometic, which also produces air conditioners for marine vessels. Coleman and Duo Therm each have their own versions of shroud to house the RV rooftop AC units.

With the multifarious brands, models and variants of air conditioners, devote time to research, read reviews, compare and do the numbers before making any purchase.

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Air Conditioner Problems – Troubleshooting Common Air Conditioner Problems At Home And In The Car

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Air Conditioner Problems

Image by pmorgan via Flickr

Troubleshooting Air Conditioner Problems

Now that summer is here, many people would also be saying “Hello” to their air conditioners that are installed at home, at the workplace or in vehicles. Well, you should have said your greetings to this cool gadget, whether auto, home, window, central, or portable, days or weeks before the temperature started its climb to check for and nip possible air conditioner problems in the bud and ensure your comfort even before the weather begins to sizzle. If you have not done so yet and you have encountered some glitches, don’t sweat it. Continue reading to find useful troubleshooting tips.

No Sweat Common Air Conditioner Problems

Almost all air conditioner problems can leave your temper seething, and your first reaction may be to pick up the phone and call a technician. You must realize that there are simple problems that you can easily handle yourself to help you save the money.

So here are some common air conditioner problems that you can handle, no sweat!

Wailing noise. This can really be irritating so better resolve it before it gets louder causing you to lose your cool. Check for a dislodged fan belt and put it back its proper place. Also find out if the bearings of the motor need to be lubricated or replaced.

Leaking water inside the house. This may be due to your unit failing to drain away condensation, probably because of a rusty condensation pan. Start your inspection here then down to the drain itself to check and clear clogs so that water can trickle down where it should trickle down.

Blocked grills. This can cause your unit not to work. To address this, disassemble the unit so that you can carefully wipe down the parts, such as the fan, fins and motor, to enable it to function more efficiently. Make sure that it is disconnected from power and that the moving electrical parts remain dry. Be cautious in taking off the top grill because it may be wired to the fan. After cleaning, put everything back together and test it. Check thermostat settings to make sure they are below the current ambient temperature.

Solutions To Home Air Conditioner Problems Related To Energy Consumption

We can go on and babble about leaking units, busted fuses, malfunctioning condensers, but the there is one problem that does not receive much attention – the substantial energy consumption of A/C’s. Air conditioners are among the top home appliances that are significant contributors to the high energy bill you are paying. So to help you mitigate this problem, consider these tips:

1. Dirty filters can increase your energy consumption because they cause the conditioning systems to work harder to be able to pull out air through the unclean filters. Save five percent of your energy spending by cleaning a dirty filter. This will also minimize CO2 production by 175 pounds.

2. Over-cooling the room can also rob you of your energy savings. Set your thermostat at 75 degrees in the summer. This is deemed the optimal temperature level just enough to enjoy the cool that you need to combat the scorching summer heat and at the same time curtail your energy bill.

3. Positioning the unit in a spot where it gets exposed to direct sunlight can also pose energy bill problems. Reports have shown that energy consumption is five percent less with air conditioners that are stationed in shaded places when compared to those getting direct exposure.

4. Insufficient insulation of ducts for central air conditioning units can also increase energy consumption. So to lower your electricity bill, see to it that the ducts are properly insulated.

Window Air Conditioner Problems? Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

A window air conditioner, also known as a room air conditioner, is the “Mini Me” of a complete house cooling system. It contains the same components as that of an entire cooling system but in smaller sizes. These include interior components, such as the blower, evaporator coil, thermostat, plastic face panel, and filter; and other parts that are positioned outside the window, such as the condenser and compressor. Extending from the interior component evaporator coil to the exterior condensate drain tube is the moisture condensate. It serves to empty out water. All these are tidily enclosed in a metal casing which is partially positioned in and out of a window of a room.

As with an entire home air conditioning system, you may also encounter window air conditioner problems. However, do not let this get you into such a sweat as some of these can be resolved yourself.

Consider these tips:

1. If you see your unit leaking with water from the front panel, it may be because the pan is inclined down toward the room, instead of towards outside. As a result, water coming from the evaporator coil trickles down through the drain tube into your room, rather than outwards onto the rear or the unit. To solve this snag, simply adjust the slope of the unit to the appropriate position to allow water condensate to drain outside.

2. If your window air conditioner does not come to life after you have switched it on, check your power plug connection. It may just be loosely plugged and can easily be solved by using properly-positioned power plug connection. It is also possible that the circuit breaker or fuse has blown, so what you can do is to reset the breaker, or replace the defective fuse.

3. If your unit fluctuates to on and off too often, the problem may be with the thermostat or the temperature sensor. To troubleshoot this hiccup, adjust the wire with care to ensure that the thermostat sensor is correctly sitting close by the evaporator coil. Also find out if the thermostat or a portion of the front panel is not blocked with drapes. If the problem amplifies, have it checked by a technician for possible refrigerant leak. Also make sure that the condenser is not clogged with leaves and that its fins are not seriously mutilated or contorted. Fix twisted fins using a fin comb.

5 Hot Tips To Prevent or Curtail Central Air Conditioner Problems

1. Replace the filter. Clean filters not only nip problems in the bud and ensure a properly functioning central air conditioning system, but also allow you to save on your energy spending. A few AC makers even advise replacement every month or every two months, hinging on the frequency of use.

2. Allow the condenser some rest. Just as you take the time to unwind in the summer, your air conditioner also needs some time off. Overusing it will not just push your energy bill up, it could also lead to malfunction. Turn it off when the weather is cool, such as during the early morning hours, and when nobody is at home. Set the thermostat at 65 degrees or higher if you are using it.

3. Clean the vents. Periodically check the vents for any obstruction. Wipe away dust and dirt to allow air to sufficiently and efficiently flow.

4. Clear the outdoor unit. The HVAC motor is housed in the large box that is sitting outside your house. Make sure that its surroundings are free from clutter to allow about one to two feet of free space surrounding the vents. Never put anything atop the unit, especially when it is running. It would be a good idea to cover it during the summer when it is not in use to shield it from moisture that can lead to rusting and corrosion.

5. If you sense that something is wrong, turn it off. Try some of the troubleshooting techniques you may know, but if those do not work, do not push the system to struggle on to avoid further damage. Instead, just shut it off and have it checked and resolved by a qualified technician.

Air Conditioner Compressor Problems Can Compress Your Wallet

When you sense some problem with your air conditioning unit, pray that it does not concern your compressor since repairing (or worse, replacing) it can cost you an arm and a leg. One of the most common compressor problems is losing its capacity to cool. A service technician can diagnose this by connecting certain test gauges to the system. If he detects discharge pressure that is lower than normal and suction vacuum higher than normal, this will confirm the issue. A competent technician though will not do this test right away to minimize cost and to be methodical, except if he sees palpable signs that there is something wrong with the compressor, such as hard starting, does not start at all, and noise). He would follow certain standard procedures in examining the system, beginning from the least-expensive, like checking for electrical power, right setting and operation of system controls, function of blowers, condition of filters and duct work, and the like, to the problems that would cost more, such as those concerning the compressor. He examines the compressor by checking the pressures, air conditioner operating temperatures and current draw in Amps.

Car Air Conditioner Problems That Make Your Ride Uncool

Just like your home air conditioner, the air conditioning system in your automobile may also go kaput, making your ride sticky and uncomfortable especially when driving in the summer heat. Brace yourself from this vexation by getting familiar with some these common car air conditioner problems.

Low or Zero Level of of Refrigerant or Lubricant. A large number of car air conditioner problems are a result of the insufficient or zero levels of refrigerant. Certain auto air conditioning systems even disable the compressor from turning on if refrigerant levels are low, hence, cannot flick the low pressure safety switch. The refrigerant, and its oil components, is not just responsible for giving out the cooling effect, it also ensures the proper lubrication of the seals and certain moving parts of the compressor. This is the reason why the system must regularly be turned on, even during the cold months. To keep the compressor from drying up, make sure that the mineral oil is topped up when the system is undergoing maintenance.

Fluctuations in Air Temperature. There can be many causes for an air conditioning system that blows cool, and then hot air, such as a defective AC on/off switch, a lousy temperature sensor, a malfunctioning clutch or clutch relay, a broken low-pressure cutout switch, a blown fuse or faulty wiring, or an inoperative controller module. Another reason would be a frozen tube or evaporator, hence clogging the circulation of the refrigerant. This usually results from the presence of air or moisture in the system. You can diagnose this with the use of an air-con vacuum pump to see to it that the system has no more than two percent air by weight. This certain level is required for optimal function. Some owners of the Dodge Durango have experienced this hot and cold air problem.

Dripping Air-Conditioner. Another prevalent problem with the AC system of vehicles is leak, which is caused by the declining level of pressure shortly after charging the system with refrigerant. Wet marks around seals and service ports are the symptoms to watch out for. If you drive vehicles with R-12 systems that contain more oil in the system, you can easily detect this. But it may be challenging to diagnose this problem using this technique if you have the later systems, particularly the R-134a, and may require a special equipment, such as an electronic freon sniffer and UV light to pinpoint leaks. Certain vehicles like the Jeep Grand Cherokee have this issue.

Honda Car Owners Steaming Over Honda Air Conditioner Problems

The various car models of Honda is not exempt from car air conditioner problems. For instance, a common complaint for Honda Accord owners is that their air conditioning system just stopped working. This could be due to a missing clutch relay or some burnt wires or a hole in the tube. Some Honda Odyssey owners also complain that their air conditioning fans, which work only at high setting, blow hot air only. This can be resolved by checking the control panel; the transistor panel may just need to be replaced. You can also refer to the above-mentioned tip on temperature fluctuations. Honda CRV is this manufacturer’s car model receiving one of the highest complaints about its air conditioning system. This is briefly discussed below.

The Blackest Snag Among Honda CRV Air Conditioner Problems

The air conditioning systems of some Honda CRVs die a slow, black death. The epithet refers to the black sludge and metal fillings that contaminate the system leading to the breakdown of the compressor. This black debris is pumped through the system as the compressor goes on the fritz, entailing substantial and more expensive repairs, which would cost about $3,000. The sad part is it is no longer covered under warranty as this drag often occurs in cars with 50,000 to 80,000 miles. This problem is common among 2002 to 2004 Honda CRV’s. Despite the number of complaints though, this cannot prompt a recall since it does not involve safety issues.

Air conditioner problems can be so vexing, but instead of loosing your cool, try to have a basic understanding of how air conditioners work and learn how to diagnose and solve simple snags.

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Pool Pumps, New Technology That Can Save You Money

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Variable Speed Swimming Pool Pump

Next to your central air conditioning system the next biggest user of electricity in your home is the pool pump. Until just recently there wasn’t much that could be done to lower energy consumption on pool pumps and still have clean clear water. The old single speed motors and pumps use nearly as much electricity as an air conditioning unit. Chances are you have a single speed pump maybe a two speed if you have a newer pool.

How Much Can I Save?

The new variable speed pumps use 40 to 80% less electricity than the older style pumps. How much you will save will depend on your utility rate, pool size and equipment. This is one upgrade that will pay for itself. One of the manufacturers has a web site to help you calculate payback.

WWW.pentairpool.com/calculators

Pentair makes a unit that you can integrate to your iphone or ipad to control your lighting, spa, or water features. Jandy also makes a variable speed unit. There may be other manufactures but I am only aware of those two at this time. Depending on what pump you get and what all you want it to be able to do, the pumps range in price from $800 to $1,500 plus labor. So I have been told, call around and price for yourself in your region. Check with your state and utility company for possible rebates.

Where Do I Get One?

In your state you may be able to buy and install the pumps yourself, there are on line how to videos. Depending on the licensing requirements some states allow HVAC contractors to install these, as well as plumbers, other states require a pool company. In my state you have to have a Residential Appliance Installation Contractor License to wire up these types of motors at a customer’s home. Without this license pool companies will not sell to you.

Below is a promotional video put out by one of the pump manufacturer’s explaining the technology and how the pump works and the way it saves you money. I think you will find it worth watching. I know this is a HVAC web site, but people come to me asking for help saving on high utility bills so I felt compelled to pass this on. The air conditioner is only one piece of the puzzle.

Pictures courtesy of Google Images.