AC Repair Near Me: What you need to know
Let’s first give you a quick history of air conditioners and some useful vocabulary. The main function of an air conditioner is to use energy to move heat from your home’s interior to the warm environment outside. People used to cool their homes by storing large blocks of ice before air conditioners even existed. These cooling machines were rated by their capacity based on the amount of ice that melted per day. The term “ton” was born. It is still used today in air conditioning lingo. The British Thermal Units per hour cooling capacity of a ton is 12,000 BTU. A window air conditioner typically weighs less than one ton and a central air conditioner for a large house is five tons. The size of the air conditioner is determined by how much heat load () it will be able to handle and also what amount of refrigerant they have. The coils are also designed to move a certain amount of Airflow. These components all work in harmony to provide a dehumidified, cool home.
- Fire Hazards
Consider the potential consequences of not performing an AC Repair Fort Lauderdale. According to National Fire Protection Association air conditioners, fan and related equipment are a leading cause of home fires. In 2010, there were 7,400 fires that destroyed homes. In 2010, there were 29 civilian fatalities and 249 civilian injuries caused by air conditioner fires. This was on top of the $207 million direct property damage. These fires are caused by mechanical or electrical failures, without any specific failure modes. Inflammation of cable or wire insulation is responsible for one-third of all fires. These accidents are most common in June, July and August. Therefore, early spring is the ideal time to repair or replace your air conditioner. The NFPA has listed some ways to prevent air conditioner accidents.
- Safe Use of Air Conditioning
- Install cooling equipment to ensure safety and effectiveness.
- Follow the instructions of the manufacturer when using electric powered equipment.
- Regularly inspect and maintain electrical equipment to ensure safety.
- Assure that your equipment is labeled by a laboratory recognized for its testing.
- Health Problems
AC Repair Pembroke Pines are also influenced by health issues. Huffington Post published an article about how to prevent your air conditioner from having a negative impact on your health. The health of people who have air conditioning units that are old or poorly maintained is affected by their condition.
If you see visible mold or a buildup of dust, air duct cleaning may be recommended. Mold can grow in the air ducts of air conditioners that produce condensation (the AC runs constantly) during the summer. Mold can become so bad that it affects your respiratory system if left to dormant in the winter. If you smell a sock-like odor, it is time to act. Keep an eye on the motors and wheels of your blower.
It’s important to check the condition of your AC if you have recently renovated your house (especially removing asbestos or lead-based painting). If you have debris in your ductwork it is important to perform simple maintenance, such as changing the filter. This will ensure that airflow is at its maximum. A dirty filter can invite allergens, pesticides and other outside irritants inside your home. To reduce your AC costs, make sure that the window units are sealed properly to keep warm air out. To ensure the safety of your home, it’s important to have a HVAC technician check your air conditioner annually.
- Leaky Ducts
Your system may be experiencing duct leakage if you notice that your air conditioner doesn’t run at full capacity. It can drain up to 40% of an AC Repair Hollywood FL, which will cost you money. You can use mastic to coat the outside ducts. By fixing leaks, you could get a half-ton of extra air conditioner capacity.
- Cleaning the Coils
You can use a spray to clean these thin metal pieces. You need to keep the coils clean because they help cool by creating condensation.
- Purchase of a New Unit
Consider the climate in your home when you are looking for a new air conditioning unit. You should check the Energy Efficiency Rating to see how the system will perform in your climate. It’s possible that you need a dehumidifier. In drier climates, higher airflow will be better than lower. In humid climates, higher airflow may not be a good idea. A higher airflow will result in less dehumidification so your home’s humidity level will remain the same as outside. Airflows that are too low can cause the evaporator to freeze and reduce performance. They may also damage the compressor. You should purchase high-efficiency equipment with a SEER rating of 13.
- Increased Efficiency
Reduce the internal loads your air conditioner must handle to reduce pressure. Your air conditioner can be improved by making some changes to your home. You can improve the insulation of your home. You can shade your windows. When replacing your roof, choose the “cool” roofing to save energy and half a ton on cooling. Use local exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to reduce heat and humidity. Buy Energy Star appliances for a more energy-efficient home. Shutting interior door can make central AC systems malfunction, resulting in less airflow throughout the house. Keep doors open slightly to combat this.
- Ventilation
The main role of your air conditioner is to ventilate the home. The right ventilation will ensure that contaminants produced inside the home are removed. The level of ventilation should be such that the air in the house is changed every four hours. Older homes, with walls and ducts that leak more often, may not require as much ventilation. New homes do not have the leaks and therefore require mechanical ventilation in order to reach the same level.
- Condensers
The condensers outside your home should be given a minimum of one foot clearance on each side. This means that there should be no invasive shrubs or trees which could interfere with the air intake. Install window units or condensers on the north and east sides of your house to shield them from direct sunlight. It has been proven that direct sunlight on the condenser can reduce air conditioner performance by up to 10%. Consider getting a sun screen if you must place your condenser to the west or south.
- Timers
A timer can help you avoid wasting energy on cooling a home that is empty. A programmable thermostat is all that’s needed to control the temperature of central units when you are away (i.e., warmer when you leave and cooler when home). You may already have an adjustable thermostat and timer built into your window unit if it is a more recent model. You can purchase one in a home store between $10 and $20. Do not turn off your system unless you are going on vacation. After a period of time, your air compressor will need to work harder to cool down your home.
- Filters
The job of a filter is to collect the airborne particles. It actually performs better as it collects more dust particles. Once it reaches a certain level, however, it increases resistance and reduces airflow. It is cheaper to change a filter than remove the old one and let all the particles accumulate on the evaporator coil, causing it not to work. How long your filter will last depends on the size of the filter and how dirty your air. Filters that are too dirty can contribute to pollution. You can buy air cleaners and filters through us to ensure that your home air is as fresh as possible. Air cleaners reduce odors and increase the efficiency of your home’s comfort system.
