How Long Do Air Conditioning Systems Normally Last?

The question “how long will my air conditioner last? ” is more prevalent especially in Arizona where the sun mercilessly beats the ground in high degrees and residents usually panic and wonder how long it would take to purchase a new air conditioner. Since air conditioners can be quite expensive, they typically have a reasonable lifespan and can do even better if routine yearly maintenance is done and repairs are taken care of in time. Factors that affect the lifespan of an HVAC system Air conditioners last about 15 to 20 years, according to Energy gov. This is merely an assumption since the lifespan heavily depends on various factors like the system’s size, maintenance, and type of the unit. Since many Arizonians depend on the AC for cooling, the system may be overworked which means a similar system working in Texas may not have the same lifespan as the one in Arizona. Routine maintenance Air conditioning professionals also argue that regular maintenance holds the critical difference between an AC that lasts ten years and another that lasts twenty years. Minor tasks such as cleaning, changing and replacing the filters, checking the ducts for leakage, removing debris, replacing and checking the...

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Smart Thermostats Vs. Programmable Thermostats

Thermostats have been the simplest component of home’s HVAC system for a long time. Manual thermostats, the oldest types of thermostats in existence, have their benefits too. For starters, these thermostats are extremely easy to use, but there are drawbacks too. For instance, manual thermostats are inaccurate and can’t perform automatic temperature changes. With a manual thermostat, all you can do to control the temperature in your home is to dial in the temperature of your choice. Due to their limited temperature control capabilities, manual thermostats are not so common these days. They are mostly used by people who live in older buildings. They have been replaced by programmable thermostats and smart thermostats. Programmable Thermostats The first generation of programmable thermostats was just a refined version of a manual thermostat. These thermostats came with a large digital display that allowed people to change the A/C or furnace temperature settings with a higher level of accuracy — instead of dialing in the temperature. The current generation of programmable thermostat offers a lot more than that. These thermostats offer more programming options and greater precision. Programmable thermostats provide homeowners with tools to make automatic temperature changes in their homes. Some of the...

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Should I Use a Ceiling Fan While My AC Is On?

The decision of whether or not you need to switch off your AC when using a ceiling fan mostly depends on the size of your room. If your fan is at least two or three meters away from the AC, then there is no need to switch it off. Since the AC cools the air, hot air will rise above the cooled air. Your ceiling fan helps in circulation of air, so it mixes the cold and hot air resulting into a balanced temperature. The reasoning behind the common belief that it is wrong to use a ceiling fan when the air conditioning is on is that it increases the load on the AC unit. That is not entirely untrue but it leaves out the fact that ceiling fans are also capable of cooling a room due to the breeze they create. Ceiling fans are a great option for those who want to make a room comfortable without incurring high electric costs. Using a Ceiling Fan While Your AC Is On If you want to obtain the best comfort level in a room, both the amount of air in circulation and the air temperature need to be just right. While...

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What is Preventative Maintenance?

There are some routine tasks you can do to minimize energy costs and protect your HVAC system. HVAC system maintenance requires a qualified HVAC technician, with the skills and tools to properly inspect, clean, and repair or replace mechanical parts and wiring. Use this checklist to help professional HVAC systems maintenance. Professional Maintenance Thermostat: Inspect the thermostat for correct calibration. Connections: Tighten loose electrical connections, and measure voltage and current on HVAC motors. System Controls: Check HVAC system controls to ensure safe and proper operation. Condenser Coils and Evaporator: Clean soiled coils that can cause equipment to run excessively, which increases energy bills and decreases equipment life. Burner Combustion, Gas Pressure, and Heat Exchanger: Adjust pressure and clean the burner, to reduce heating costs and ensure safe, efficient operation. Refrigerant: Check for overcharged or undercharged system, repair any leaks, and recharge the system, as needed. Honest Air Inc., Mesa AZ We are a residential and commercial heating and air conditioning installation and services provider located in Mesa AZ. Honest Air uses only products from quality manufacturers. Our highly qualified HVAC technicians are fully committed to our customers’ complete satisfaction. For more information about preventative HVAC maintenance, or to make an...

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Should I Keep My AC on “Auto” or “On”?

In order to save power while maintaining a comfortable home, many people wonder whether it is better to leave their air conditioning unit turned on or set to automatic. The topic can be confusing as there seems to be conflicting advice available as to which method works best. Automatic will turn the unit off when it isn’t needed, as some people might argue, and therefore saves energy. The other viewpoint is that leaving the unit to the “on” setting will keep the fan running, circulating air so the compressor doesn’t have to run as much to keep the house cool. Automatic Setting It is true that the “automatic” setting is actually how the unit was designed and intended to be used. It will run when needed to cool the air and shut off when the temperature is at a preset level of comfort. In general terms, such a setting is going to be most efficient. The exception may be for people who want to spend time with the air conditioner turned off to either allow fresh air in through open windows or if they are away from home for extended periods and don’t need the air quality maintained. Such situations...

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How is a “Smart” Thermostat Beneficial?

Home comfort climate control is the biggest energy expense you have. According to Energy.gov, heating and cooling accounts for almost half of the energy American households use every year. As a result, “smart” thermostats have become incredibly popular. Here are some of the top benefits consumers enjoy: Saves money Smart thermostats are designed to reduce energy waste and increase efficiency and, in the long run, saves consumers money on heating and cooling bills. Estimates suggest you can save anywhere between 10 percent and 23 percent annually. Additionally, you can receive routine reports, allowing you to analyze your heating and cooling use, providing you with the data you can use to further increase energy efficiency. With smart thermostats, you’ll even receive recommendations on how to scale back on energy usage. Reduces energy use Contemporary thermostats are designed to adapt to your preferences and, as it learns, it drops and raises the temperature automatically as you move about your home. Movement sensors detect home activity. For instance, if no one is home, less heat or AC is needed and the thermostat adjusts accordingly. You not only save yourself money, you help the environment in the process by reducing your carbon footprint. Convenience...

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How Does Air Conditioning Work?

Technology has improved peoples’ lives in many ways and this includes providing comfort during the summer with air conditioning (AC). Its main purpose is to make the home cooler by changing the temperature, the humidity and the quality of air in general. An AC system has four major components through which air passes; first is the evaporator, then a compressor, a condenser, and finally an expansion valve. Here is the working principle of an AC system: When you switch the AC to your desired temperature, the internally installed thermostat senses the difference in temperature, which is room temperature versus the temperature you’ve set it to. Warm air is then pulled in to the machine through a grille. The warm air then passes over some pipes within which the refrigerant circulates. This coolant fluid absorbs the heat while the dehumidifier removes excess moisture, thus making the refrigerant liquid a hot gas itself. The hot gas is then passed to the compressor. The main function of the compressor is to compress the gas, making it hot and high-pressure. This hot and high-pressure gas then flows to the condenser, and as the name suggests, this component condenses the gas to become liquid. During...

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Why is Regular AC Maintenance So Important?

Your air conditioning unit is just like any other mechanical system requiring regular maintenance to run consistently and effectively. Keeping your home’s AC unit in top shape offers a number of benefits that can save you both time and money. Here are some of the reasons why you should adhere to a routine AC maintenance schedule. Improved Air Quality Good air quality is critical to the overall health of your family. Routine maintenance of your air conditioning unit minimizes the chances of your AC unit releasing toxic fumes due to malfunction or accumulation of dust and pollen. Good air quality is particularly essential to individuals with allergies and other respiratory issues. Prolongs the AC Unit’s Lifespan Maintaining your AC unit will save you from the burden of having to replace it which is not only time-consuming but also expensive. A well-maintained air conditioner will last longer compared to a neglected unit. Having an AC expert inspect your unit is crucial since he/she can identify minor issues and deal with them before they become significant problems. Increased Home Comfort The primary objective of maintaining your AC unit is to ensure that it’s working correctly. In return, the air conditioner will do...

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Spring Cleaning Tips for Your AC

Take Care of Your Air Conditioner While air conditioners usually require very little maintenance, they do need to be cleaned on occasion in order to remove dust and moisture. Neglecting to clean your air conditioner can reduce its energy efficiency, its cooling ability, or – in the worst cases – the cleanliness of the air. Small home air conditioners can usually be cleaned by their owners, but larger central air and commercial units often need attention from professionals like those at . Whatever type of air conditioner you own, make sure you clean it before the busy summer season in order to protect both your investment and your air quality. To keep an air conditioner working perfectly, several different parts must be regularly cleaned. The unit’s filter, intended to trap dust and other particulates from the air it draws in, will typically need attention more often than any other component. Smaller units often use disposable filters, so owners simply need to remove the dirty one and insert a replacement, which should be readily available at their local hardware store. However, most larger air conditioners use washable filters; owners should wash them with warm water and wait until they are completely...

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Taking Care of Your AC in the Winter

As low winter temperatures blast the US, it’s easy to forget about your AC. You’re probably more concerned with keeping your home warm enough, instead. But just because it’s cold out and you don’t need your AC to keep the house cool doesn’t mean you should ignore your AC. Of course, many people these days have an HVAC unit such as a heat pump that takes care of both heating and air conditioning, so the unit runs most of the year. Here are some tips for taking care of your AC in the winter. First, be sure to change your air filter regularly. If your filter is clogged up with junk, you put a strain on your system. This is crucial regular maintenance for any central HVAC system, including during the winter. Second, visually inspect your compressor unit from time to time. Especially in the late fall and early winter, leaves and twigs may build up in and around your unit. You’ll want to take care of these to prevent damage or blockage. Third, check your air conditioner’s evaporator coil and clean it if it’s dirty. The EPA recommends doing this once per year, and the end of the season is a good time...

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