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Archive for July, 2009

Tips to reduce air conditioner running costs while keeping cool

Friday, July 31st, 2009

With every passing year, summer months are beginning to get more and more unbearable. To deal with these conditions, people all over the world have installed air conditioners in their homes. However, as living costs are also on the rise, many people are finding it hard to keep up daily living costs. If it seems like your air conditioning unit is emptying your purse faster than you expected, here are a few things you can do to reduce running costs.

Inspect the unit
This is definitely the most important way in which you can reduce running costs. It is necessary to check your unit from time to time to ensure all the parts are in good working condition. This will also help detect problems, if any, in their early stages and solve them before they get too bad and too expensive.

Minimise the use of the unit
It is not necessary for your air conditioner to be on all the time for you to feel comfortable. You can easily reduce costs by cutting down on the use of the unit. This would include using the fan in the unit every now and then. This will reduce the energy that the unit consumes, and in turn the costs as well.

It would also help to keep the windows open for a little while before turning on the air conditioner. This will help to cool the room a bit, which means less work for the unit and less energy consumed too. These would keep you cool and at the same time reduce running costs by a considerable amount.

Newer refrigerants are more efficient than the ones which use R-22

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

R-22 phase out is going to affect all companies in the United Kingdom very soon. This can also be a substantial change if your company utilises a big heating or air conditioning unit. However, with proper management, you will be able to ensure that R-22 replacement does not hamper your business in any way.

Technology has developed to a very large extent. This development has also highlighted the effects of earlier forms of refrigerants on the ozone layer. Old refrigerants utilise CFCs and HCFCs, which are a major cause of global warming. Due to this, the government has put a lot of laws in place which call for a replacement of such ozone depleting refrigerants. Various studies have shown that R-22 gases are detrimental to the wellbeing of life on this planet and some rapid steps need to be taken for their removal.

If your air conditioning is older than a decade, there is a very good chance that it might still be using the harmful R-22 gas for its refrigeration requirements. You will need to change your refrigerant to a more ozone-friendly one in really quick time to ensure that your business stays safe from any governmental problems.

The newly introduced refrigerants on the other hand, are also quite efficient. They will help you in bringing down the cost of refrigeration to quite a degree. This will result in cost savings for your company and also make it a lot more environmentally friendly.

Regular air conditioner maintenance is quite beneficial

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Air conditioning units are built to be quite robust. This is probably the reason why a lot of people overlook their timely maintenance. However, this can result in serious expense when your air conditioning unit completely breaks down. Air conditioning units are manufactured to a very high quality. They can withstand a whole lot of environmental and user induced changes. It is also quite important for you to maintain your air conditioner on a regular basis to ensure that it works efficiently for a very long time.

If you do not maintain your air conditioner well, it loses close to five percent of its efficiency every year. It will also have to suffer the extra load and as a result will consume a lot more power to cool your room. With proper maintenance, you will be able to reduce your power bills to a great extent while also making sure that your air conditioner runs at top form at all times.

Simple things like keeping the air filter clean; replacing it at regular intervals etc can help you to vastly improve the general health of your air conditioning unit. Calling for professional help from time to time will also help you keep any problems within your unit in check.

A professional maintenance technician will be able to identify any problem within your unit at a much earlier time and hence save you the money and any expensive replacements at a later time.

Keep your air conditioner from breaking down

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

It is a known fact that every electrical appliance needs to be serviced or at least cleaned every now and again for it to remain in good working condition. Of the many appliances in the home, air conditioners are the ones that are perhaps neglected the most. This is usually because the entire unit is covered up and users only find out about the unit’s problems long after they set in.

Avoiding air conditioner problems

The best way to solve air conditioner problems before they get out of hand is by conducting regular maintenance checks on them. Not doing so would cause more serious and expensive problems. Here are some small but very effective tips on keeping your air conditioning unit in proper order.

• Check the unit, both inside and outside, for debris or dirt that may be blocking the airflow of the unit

• Adjust the thermostat to a temperature that will cool the room gradually. Avoid setting it really low as the unit will then try to cool the room faster and this can cause problems

• It is also important to clean and change the filters in the unit every few months. This is important because a dirty filter can eventually cause the unit to break down and cause health hazards as well.

Cleaning the entire air conditioner is also a vital requirement if you want it to run efficiently. However, it is best to let a professional technician check it if you are not well versed with air conditioner maintenance.

Air conditioner maintenance tips and tricks

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

The air conditioner is a key element on hot summer days. The air conditioner in your home and office space serves the function of keeping you and the environment cool and composed. But on some occasions, this need for coolness is not satisfied due to faulty air conditioners.

This oftentimes occurs because of inefficient maintenance on the part of the user. While you can always call upon expert services to get your air conditioner up and running, it is not always necessary. If you apply some basic maintenance tips for your air conditioner, you can save yourself the trouble of getting an expert to do it for you. With the basic maintenance tips mentioned below, you can be sure that your air conditioner will work in pristine condition day in and day out.

Firstly, it is extremely important to make sure that your air conditioner is free of any obstructions. If there are blockages in your unit, it will not give you the right amount of cooling needed for your space. Next, make sure that the air conditioner filters present in your unit are cleaned and serviced at regular intervals. The dust particles in your unit will obstruct the air flow and give you substandard cooling.

With these basic tips in mind, you will definitely be able to make optimum use of your air conditioner unit. However, when in doubt, it is always best to make use of professionals.

Air conditioner maintenance is essential for longevity

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Today, most homes around the world make use of air conditioners to shield them from hot, sweltering summer days. Air conditioners are a fixture in all home and office environments around the world. But what happens when your air conditioner fails to work at the times when it’s most needed? This, in all probability, will be because of inefficient air conditioner maintenance on your part. An air conditioner, like any other electrical appliance, needs to be cared for and looked after properly. If not looked after, the air conditioner will work below par and will not efficiently cool the various areas of your home. Thus, in order to ensure that the air conditioner in your home works in top condition throughout the year, you should follow some basic maintenance measures.

Firstly, it is important to clean the air conditioner filters in your home at regular intervals. A large amount of dust settles on the air conditioner filters every day. The more dust that accumulates, the worse the efficiency of the air conditioner. Thus, in order to ensure that the air conditioner works well, be sure to clean your filters regularly

Secondly, the air conditioner duct which is situated outside your home should also be maintained regularly. This makes sure that your air conditioner gives optimum cooling to the room in question. With these basic tips in mind, you can be sure that your air conditioner will work at maximum efficiency.

What you need to know about ozone depleting refrigerants

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners are amongst the most useful devices to be found in homes and offices. Without these, life would be a lot tougher than it is.

However, these units have their consequences as well. Both refrigerators and air conditioners use refrigerants to help the cooling process. These refrigerants are usually CFCs and HCFCs, which have been proven to be harmful greenhouse gases and have ozone depleting qualities. Here are more facts about these air conditioner refrigerants.

CFCs - This air conditioner refrigerant first started to be used in the early 1930s. But in the 1970s, it was found that CFCs contributed to ozone depletion. The chlorine atom in CFCs is broken down by a chemical reaction that the ultraviolet rays causes. The atom then unites with the oxygen present in the atmosphere. The chemical reactions when the oxygen and chlorine atom split are the prime causes of ozone depletion.

HCFCs - Although this air conditioner refrigerant is known to pose a lower risk to the ozone layer, it is a potent greenhouse gas. This makes it inappropriate for use. HCFCs have shorter atmospheric lifetimes. However, they are still unfit for use because of their high global warming potential.

Due to their ozone depleting properties, these air conditioner refrigerants are now being replaced by eco-friendly refrigerants called HFCs.

Maintaining air-conditioning on your own

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Maintaining an air-conditioning unit can be a tedious job if you don’t know what you are doing. But maintenance is a very important part of an air conditioning system, as this will promote the long life and smooth working of the system, so there is a need to carry such tasks once in a while. Once you’ve learnt the basic’s though, you’ll be able to continue the unit’s efficiency and keep your costs low.

Before touching the air-conditioning system, ensure that you have unplugged it from the mains electric. Only then can you remove the front cover. You will find the filter attached either to the back or front of the cover or it might have also been attached on the front side of the coils.

Remove the filter and wash it in warm soapy water to clean it thoroughly. Shake as much excess water out as possible from the filter and allow it to fully dry out before re-installing the filter back in position. If you find the filter is damaged and torn, replace it. Do not use the same filter.

Wipe the cover and clean the grills placed over the coils. Removing any build up of dust or dirt will help improve its overall efficiency. Handle your system with care especially the grill as they are fragile. Vacuum them gently. Aluminium fins on the coils can easily be bent; hence one needs to be extra careful while treating them.

Once you are done with the unit, then clean its drainage system. Separate the drainage tube from the unit and clean it by running a bottlebrush through it. Attach all the parts again and your air-conditioning should be working as good as new.

Some tips to keep your air conditioning unit healthy and efficient

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Proper maintenance is a pre requisite for your air conditioning system to function efficiently at all times. By keeping your air conditioning unit properly maintained, you will be able to prolong its life and also save a lot of money on your annual power bills. Some tips mentioned below will enable you to take care of your air conditioner in the best possible manner.

• Check the hoses and pipes for any leaks that might occur. This should be done at least twice every year. This will also enable you to locate any problems at an early stage and help you save money on expensive repairs.
• It is important that you keep the outsides of the compressor clean. Most of the air conditioning units lose their efficiency because the area around the compressor gets clogged with dirt.
• You should also change your air filters at regular intervals to ensure that your air conditioner keeps running at its peak efficiency. Filters also need to be changed quite frequently during the hot summer days when a lot of dust and allergens are present in the ambient air.
• You should also make sure that all the ducts and windows are properly sealed to ensure that your air conditioner is able to cool the room without any added load on it

Lastly, calling a professional air conditioning maintenance technician from time to time will also ensure that your air conditioner stays efficient and lasts for a very long time.

Tips to save money on air conditioning systems

Sunday, July 26th, 2009

An air conditioning system can provide you some sort of respite from the sweltering heat. Some people say that the rise in temperature is due to global warming. Whatever the reason may be, there are now solutions to combat this, and what could be a better alternative other than purchasing an air conditioning system.

Reasons for the cost of maintenance
There are various specifications of air conditioning systems available, all at differing price brackets, so they can be a significant investment on your part. Its practicality will soon dissipate if it does not work properly and will end up costing you more money. If an air conditioning system is not installed properly it could end up costing you a lot of money in electricity bills and maintenance. Adding on to more troubles, it will not give you proper circulation of air. Here are some of the reasons why your air conditioner is not working as it is supposed to. The air conditioner may be too big, as a result it does not remove the humidity that well. It can also be too small as a result it will not be able to cool your whole house on a hot summer day.

Tips
A major cause of air conditioning problems is due to improper installation. People should pay attention to things such as unit location, duct installation and insulation amount. You should also look for a low energy efficiency ratio in an air conditioning unit, which should have a minimum of 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). The higher the SEER the higher your savings will be. Keep an eye out for it for long term savings.