How To Reduce Energy Costs On Aging AC Units

As your air conditioning unit begins to age, you may notice that they lose their efficiency. The problem may be even worse if you have not been performing regular maintenance services on your AC system. Always talk to an air conditioning professional before deciding on the air conditioning unit for your home. If you do not get the right size of air conditioner for your home, it may not be efficient. If you maintain your AC units, they could maintain a good working condition for 20 years. Consider Replacement En the best air conditioning units cannot run efficiently for too long. If your units are twenty years or older, consider replacement. Consider the costs of replacement and that of repair if your AC unit is not too old. If the cost of getting a new C is lower or almost the same as the cost of repair, you should get a replacement. Repairing older air condition units is usually more expensive than repairing new ones. It gives you a chance to get newer models which are more energy-efficient. If you decide to get a new system, look for models that meet or surpass the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency....

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Tips to Extend the Life Expectancy of Your Air Conditioner

Air conditioners are as different as the people who depend on them to keep their spaces comfortable during the hot Mesa, Arizona summers. Some units fit neatly in a bedroom window for localized cooling, while others are part of a larger heating, ventilation and refrigeration system with digital zone monitors and automated monitoring devices that alert homeowners when the filter needs to be changed or indoor humidity levels rise above a certain threshold. One thing all air conditioners have in common is that they will last longer when they are maintained properly. Simple Steps That Extend the Life Expectancy of Your Air Conditioner If you are like most people, your home air conditioner required a substantial investment. Protect that asset with these simple tips that help your unit or system work efficiently. 1. Change filters every three months, or on the schedule recommended by the installation technician or appliance manual provided when you bought your air conditioner. 2. Have the ductwork and coils cleaned regularly. By the way, cleaning the ductwork reduces the strain on the unit, and improves indoor air quality. Win-win! 3. Give your outside unit a sun-shade. Build a fence or other surround that blocks direct sunlight...

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Will Air Duct Cleaning Remove Mold?

Most homes in Mesa, Arizona have some degree of mold in them, but most homeowners don’t realize this problem. Although there are different types of mold, the most common and dangerous type is the black mold that tends to thrive in your vents and air ducts. Mold spores are usually airborne and can easily enter your ductwork by simply blowing in from another part of your home or even from the outside. A single mold can find its way into your ductwork and develop into a significant colony if the conditions are right. Typically, warmer and moist environments are ideal for mildew spores to grow. You need to keep in mind that your ductwork serves as the primary system that distributes fresh air in your home it keeps it comfortable. Therefore, when mold starts to grow inside your ductwork and contaminate it, the spores will start to spread throughout your home leading to a wide range of health complications. Some of the allergic reactions that mold will cause include vomiting, nausea, nosebleeds, and even internal bleeding from the lungs. Your AC System Is a Breeding Ground for Mold Unfortunately, your AC system and your air ducts are usually a common...

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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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How Does Upgrading Your AC Unit Actually Save You Money?

A significant number of homeowners in Mesa, Arizona usually put off the idea of upgrading their air conditioning systems simply because of the relatively high cost of purchasing a new unit and the cost of installation. However, upgrading your old AC unit to a new and energy-efficient system can save you a lot of money in the long run. Sit back and reflect on the problems that you have gone through with your current system and you will see the need to upgrade. For instance, how often does your air conditioning system require urgent repairs? And how much are you paying in energy bills? Energy Bill Savings Typically, the old air conditioning systems tend to use more energy compared to their newer counterparts. However, not all the AC units are the same since some are more energy-efficient compared to others. You can easily determine which air conditioning unit will save you a lot of money by the SEER and HSPF ratings that are usually listed on the unit. Keep in mind that the higher the score, the more energy-efficient the system will be. Modern technology has also made it possible for HVAC manufacturing companies to offer a wide range of...

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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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