Showing posts with label filter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label filter. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

How To Avoid 5 Costly Mistakes With Your Air Conditioning System

By: Dave Johnson

We all know that air conditioning systems are expensive to buy and install. You’ve worked hard to earn the money for your heating and conditioning unit. So it makes sense to look after it as well as possible to reduce any repair costs. You don’t want to have to spend lots more money on repairs or, even worse, on having to replace it.
Costly mistake No 1 – You Have High Repair Bills The best way to avoid costly problems is to have your equipment serviced regularly by a qualified air conditioning contractor or service engineer. A good engineer will be able to undertake a series of tests to keep your system and ductwork up to scratch. It’s recommended that you have a service done twice a year, in the spring and the fall. Do you know the US Department of Energy has a 9-point plan for air conditioning servicing? You can get full details from a free report on air conditioning servicing. When you have a service you need to make sure that the technician cleans the ventilation system filters or better still, replaces them. They can become clogged which reduces the volume and quality of the air flow.
Costly Mistake No. 2 You Spend Too Much On Electricity Air conditioning and heating systems consume electricity. Period. And the bills can get pretty high too if you aren’t careful. So how can you minimize your power costs. The easiest way to keep down your power costs is to ensure the efficient running of your HVAC unit. You need to keep the compressor (condenser) which is the box outside the house, as clean as possible. This will prevent it from overheating or getting unwanted debris in the unit. You should also make sure the system is optimally set for your home. Again, your technician or service contractor will be able to do this for you.
Costly Mistake No. 3 Reduced System Life Like any other form of mechanical equipment, your air conditioner will last longer if it is properly serviced. All mechanical parts need to be monitored and cleaned from time-to-time. The filters of your system will get clogged with dirt and other particulates. It’s inevitable. It’s just part of the operating process. If you don’t have the filters cleaned and the ductwork maintained, then you are putting the whole unit at risk. So when you have a service, make sure that your technician cleans the ventilation system filters or better still, replaces them.
Costly Mistake No. 4 Reduced performance If the filters become clogged it will reduce the volume and quality of the air flow into your home. If you notice that the temperature starts to go up or that the system is pumping out hot air then you know that your filters are clogged. Not only does this reduce the comfort of your home but it also becomes more expensive in operating costs and could also lead to the unit prematurely failing.
Costly Mistake No. 5 Risking damage to your health There are many stories about dangers to your health from air conditioners but the truth is that if you have your system maintained regularly then it is quite safe. However, if you allow the filters to become blocked or the ducts to be dirty then you are creating a breeding ground for mold and bacteria which is then spread throughout the building. So, with all of the common mistakes, the solution is simple – proper and regular maintenance to save you money and maintain your health.
About The Author
Dave Johnson writes about air conditioning. He has a free report available to help you avoid costly mistakes with air conditioning. Subscribe for FREE at
http://www.airconservicetips.com. You have full permission to reprint this article provided this box is kept unchanged.

How To Change Your Furnace Filter Or Air Conditioning Filter

by: Bill Whitworth

Analogous to change in technology and the ever-increasing pollutants in the atmosphere, home air filtering technology has undergone a massive change. Today, many home air filters are layered with chemicals for killing the mold and dust spores, and sanitizing the filter to dispel impurities. If you live in a heavily populated vicinity, there is a high possibility of dust particles collecting in your air conditioner. These filthy dust particles may probably hold up the condenser of the air conditioner and compel it to work intensely. As this would hamper the longevity of the air conditioner and affect its performance in the long run, make sure you steam-clean the air conditioner at least once in two years. Besides, if you live in a highly polluted area, a yearly clean up would do you good. Furnace filters and air conditioning filters not only screen out debris and unwanted pollens from the heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, but they also increase its productivity.
If you replace them often, your air would stay healthy and clean without any allergens and all other types of bacteria that could be harmful to the lungs. Moreover, fresh replacements help in keeping the HVAC system running efficiently by prolonging its lifespan and reducing the utility bills after regular maintenance. Make sure you check your furnace filters and air conditioning filters, the need for replacement or cleaning every month and particularly during cooling or heating season when the system is continuously used. If these filters were not changed on a routine basis, your system would have to work extra hard, increase expenses and reduce performance. How to Clean or Replace Your Furnace Filter or Air Conditioning Filter Following are some common steps followed for changing the furnace filter or air conditioning filter:
• Turn off the HVAC system and look for the service panel. You could either use a screwdriver or your hand for removing these panels
• Locate the home air filter close to the intake-outtake blower; it might be behind a panel or door that swings or lifts open. Remove the filter.
• Before you install the new filter, look for an arrow (arrow indicating the direction of airflow) along the edge of the new filter. Install the filter, ensuring the arrow is pointing toward the blower motor and other related machinery. Make sure you don’t install the filter in a backwards airflow manner as this decreases the efficiency of the home air filter.
• Turn your system on and check whether it is functioning properly. Conforming to the above given steps you would easily be able to change the home air filter. If you are unable to change the air filter, call for a heating contractor and watch how they change the filter.
Furnace filters and air-conditioning filters are available in permanent (with metal framing or fiberglass) or disposable (with cardboard frames). Disposable models are very cheap, but need to be replaced within a time span of a month. Therefore, it is better if you have spare filters on hand to save time during the course of the year. On the other hand, permanent brands are cost-effective. All furnace filters and air-conditioning filters come with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Report Value) Rating that denotes the capability of the product in comparison with the other various brands. The higher the MERV rating, the more beneficial your filtration will be.
Learn more about furnace filters at http://www.webproducts.com/Categories.bok?category=Furnace+Filters.
About The Author
Bill Whitworth writes air quality articles for
http://www.webproducts.com Web Products, Inc., the Internet’s premier supplier of http://www.webproducts.com/Detail.bok?no=70 furnace filters, air filters, replacement filters, and custom filters.