Why Do Air Conditioners Freeze Up?

When you run your AC more often during the warm weather, you might begin to notice some ice buildup around your unit. Some people may think that AC freezing is a good thing since your system will produce cooler air. Unfortunately, the freezing can be so extreme that a whole block of ice forms, restricting conditioned air circulation into your home. An AC will only work well when there is a balance of pressure, airflow, and refined temperature control. Here are some possible reasons why your AC freezes up. 1. Your Unit Has Low Refrigerant Levels A refrigerant is an essential part of the air conditioner. It absorbs heat from the indoor air and moves it outdoors to allow the circulation of cool air into the house. A leak in the conditioner coils results in a low refrigerant level within the unit. A leak can occur because of problems in the joints, valves, and fittings. It takes less temperature to compress the refrigerant and transition it from liquid to gas at lower levels. Hence, the operating temperature within the condensing coils drops below normal. Any moisture collected from the indoor air quickly turns into ice. Ideally, the vapor contained should...

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Who Invented Air Conditioning?

Air conditioning is a necessity for homes in Mesa, and we often take it for granted until something goes wrong. At , we offer professional HVAC services that keep your family cool during the warm Arizona summers. We love sharing fun facts about AC and its fascinating history. Here are some of our favorites. 1. First AC Generated by Wind Power It may seem a bit ironic, but the first way that humans kept cool was through wind power. Even a gentle breeze was enough to work with the moisture in the skin and keep people cool. Now, thousands of years later, the emergence of “green” power sources has us looking at wind power once again. 2. Egyptians and Evaporative Cooling We can all agree that Egypt has one of the hottest and driest climates on the planet. So, how did they keep cool? This fascinating culture not only brought us some of the most iconic architecture in human history but also the first recorded form of evaporative cooling. The Egyptians used a material that was easily accessible. Reeds were soaked in water and hung in the openings of their homes. As the breeze came through the windows, it cooled...

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How to Clean an Air Conditioner Filter

An air conditioning unit is one of the most valuable investments in your home. As such, it requires constant maintenance to not only safeguard your health but also your wallet. When the AC filter is clogged with dirt and dust, it requires more energy to push air through its fibers. This leads to higher utility bills, and in the long run, the AC unit may be damaged. To keep your AC working efficiently for longer, clean the filters once a month or twice a month in seasons of high use (summer and winter). It is also recommended to assess the filters for any damage regularly. Types of Air Conditioners The most common air conditioning systems that you can find in homes are: Ducted air conditioning systems: These units have a central fan coil, which is located in the roof and is connected to all the rooms in a home through a network of ducts. Split system air conditioning: This system has units that are divided into two; the indoor unit and the condenser. Multi-split system air conditioning: This system has both indoor and outdoor units. It has several indoor units that are all connected to a single unit. Portable air...

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What Are The Different Types of Furnaces?

The most popular appliance for home heating is a furnace. It makes an integral part of any homeowner’s life, thanks to its high efficiency, durability, convenience, and versatility. There are different types of furnaces. Most of them can be differentiated by the type of fuel they burn or by their mechanisms of heat creation. Although there are numerous types of fossil fuel furnaces, most homeowners prefer the gas or oil types. There are alternate furnaces that burn manufactured wood pellets, coal, and wood. Today, you will also find furnaces that are solar and electric powered. With this many options, it is important to understand the working mechanism of each type of furnace. That said, here is everything you need to know about furnaces and their types. What Is a Furnace? In a nutshell, a furnace is a component of your HVAC system. It is often referred to as a forced-air system, and it burns fuel to heat your home. When you set the thermostat in your system to a specific temperature, the furnace is activated, and it begins heating the air. During the process of heat generation, a fan is automatically switched on and distributes the warm air throughout your...

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How Often Should You Service Ducted Heating and Air Conditioners?

The lifespan of a ducted heating and cooling system can range from 15 to 20 years. The ductwork is necessary to sustain airflow into the interior. However, they are sometimes plagued with problems. You can keep your heating and air conditioning units efficient by observing regular maintenance. In this article, we will examine why you need to tune-up your system and how often you should do it. Ducted Systems and Airflow Issues Ducted systems may experience airflow issues due to a leak or obstructions within the ductwork. When there is a leakage, some of the conditioned air will be lost to the adjoining spaces. The attic and crawlspaces can impact the temperature and quality of conditioned air. You will notice the room is dustier and stuffy, most probably due to insufficient airflow. Airflow problems within the ductwork can cause hot and cold spots within your home. That is why some parts of the building may have adequate heating, while others are not heated at all. The leaks may also allow unconditioned air into one of the rooms, making it impossible to regulate temperatures effectively. We recommend scheduling a tune-up service for your ductwork annually to eliminate the risk of airflow...

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Should I Be Worried About Carbon Monoxide in My Home?

Everyone needs to be on guard against carbon monoxide (CO) pollution in the home. Any appliance that relies on the combustion of fuel can create carbon monoxide. This odorless gas comes from burning fuels, like natural gas, propane, wood, or gasoline. Proper maintenance of appliances and early detection of problems will save you and your family from this potentially deadly indoor air pollutant. The Extent of the Threat According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accidental CO poisoning takes the lives of approximately 400 people every year. An additional 20,000 or more people seek treatment at emergency rooms, and some require hospital admission. How Does CO Enter the Home? Properly operating furnaces or other fuel-burning appliances vent their exhaust outdoors. However, malfunctions or improper uses allow fumes to leak into your indoor environment. For example, a car left running in an attached garage can spread deadly levels of CO throughout an entire home, killing people and pets. Top Sources of CO in the home The following are some appliances that can produce carbon monoxide: Gas furnaces Gas water heaters Gas dryers Gas fireplaces Kerosene space heaters Gas ranges and ovens Running cars or generators in garages or enclosed...

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How Do Loose Air Ducts Affect Your HVAC System

In order for your HVAC system to work properly and efficiently, it’s important that all parts of the system are in good shape. In an HVAC system, the furnace or air conditioner heats or cools the air. This air is then dispersed throughout the ducts. The purpose of air ducts is to deliver cool or warm air into your home from your HVAC system. Perhaps a better name for air ducts would be hot-or-cold-air ducts. This is because the air that travels through the ducts is set by your thermostat to be either cool or warm. The process of heating or cooling your home, however, might become undermined by the ducts’ seals. If the seals loosen, this could cause more problems for you and your HVAC system. Unfortunately, you might not be aware of loosened ducts if you don’t have the experienced knowledge of an HVAC contractor. Lack of awareness about an HVAC system’s construction and its design suggests you should invest in routine HVAC inspections. A thorough examination could catch problems such as loose air ducts and prevent bigger problems from developing. Why are loose air ducts such a problem, though? Loss of Air A loose air duct refers...

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Everything You Need to Know About Ductless Mini-Split Systems

If you’re thinking about upgrading your HVAC system, you may have heard people mention a ductless mini-split system. This type of unit is still relatively new, so many people are not aware of how they work. Learning a little about what ductless mini-split systems are can help you figure out if one is right for you. What Is a Ductless Mini-Split System? A ductless mini-split is a type of HVAC system that helps adjust the temperature of your home. Some solely provide cooling, but many provide both cooling and heating. The majority of mini-split systems are electric, but you can find some systems that operate on gas or fuel oil. The effects of a ductless mini-split system are similar to those of traditional central HVAC systems. It can fully cool down your air on a hot day and potentially warm up your home in winter. However, it has a slightly different layout. As the name implies, a ductless mini-split system doesn’t have ducts. Unlike a traditional AC, it doesn’t need to have large pieces of ductwork run through your ceiling, walls, or floor before hooking up to an AC supply vent. Furthermore, a ductless mini-split doesn’t have one big outdoor...

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A Beginner’s Guide to Indoor Air Quality

Humans, like all mammals, breathe air as a means of survival. Although you breathe thousands of times every day, you probably don’t think about air quality all the time. Even if you don’t live in a bustling cityscape with profound industrial activity, air quality — specifically indoor air quality — is something that affects you on a daily basis. What Is Indoor Air Quality? Indoor air quality, also known as IAQ or indoor environmental quality, covers airborne chemicals, pathogens, substances, and other particulates near and within manmade structures that are known to impact the health and well-being of occupants, including humans and pets. Why Is Indoor Air Quality Important? Every building, even those in rural areas with few air pollution issues, is liable to contain airborne matter or be subject to other air quality issues that have been proven to adversely affect the well-being of humans. Short-term, immediate adverse effects, ranging from asthma and allergy flare-ups to long-term, fatal diseases like cancer, can result from indoor air quality issues. Even if you aren’t prone to air quality-related issues, your cohabitants, loved ones, peers, coworkers, and community members may be. You should also care about IAQ because there’s not much awareness...

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The Connection Between Room Temperature and Sleep Quality

The summer months get toasty in Mesa, AZ, both during the day and overnight. This has an impact on how well you sleep. There is a connection between room temperature and sleep quality. Several sleep organizations have studied the topic and reached conclusions. Achieving a good night’s sleep only requires a few HVAC tips and tricks. At , we can turn your bedroom into a sleeping sanctuary. Here is some information to get you started. Connection Between Room Temperature and Sleep When the sun begins to set, your body temperature begins to drop as the pineal gland releases melatonin. As you begin to fall asleep, your body temperature is at least one to two degrees lower than during the daytime. In warm regions of the United States such as Arizona, sleep can be a challenge in the summer. In Mesa, for example, the average overnight temperature in June is 69 degrees F. In July, the average is 77 degrees while in August, the average is 76 degrees. September sees a drop back to 69 degrees, and October is usually when relief is achieved at 57 degrees. Sleep organizations have stated that the ideal temperature for sleep is 65 degrees. There...

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