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Repair or Replace Air Conditioning System; The Core HVAC Decision

Written by Rm Harrington on . Posted in AC Repair, Repair or Replace.

Repair or Replace Air Conditioning With Confidence Means You Make An Informed HVAC Decision

If your central cooling system is not functioning correctly, the question of repair or replace air conditioning is unavoidable. However, these tips from your local Arizona American Cooling and Heating support team can help you take the guesswork out of this pressing HVAC decision. By showing you how to combine cost, comfort, and the resources that best ensure that your home heating and cooling system delivers optimum energy-savings, we can help you capture money-saving efficiency in a system that can provide your Arizona home with years and years of reliable A/C or Heat Pump indoor comfort.

Repairing or Replace – The Value of Updating

TIP! If replace is your only option, make sure you buy ENERGY STAR compliant equipment. It may seem a small thing, but it isn’t.

Experience is the best teacher, and we all know that age affects reliability. It may be that your old, inefficient air conditioning system is worth repairing. But calculating all the associated costs is the only way you can accurately measure the value of updating versus repair. Yet the older your home’s heating and cooling system, the more often you must face the question of repair or replace. If after reading this article you determine that fixing your aged HVAC equipment is preventing you from enjoying the cost-saving operating benefits of modern home air conditioning equipment, know that ACH can tailor a new Arizona A/C installation package to meet your specific budget, a package that not only includes a new, energy-efficient cooling unit, but that also comes complete with the exceptional limited warranty coverage associated with the specific product and manufacturer.

Making a Wise Repair or Replace Air Conditioning Decision

When reviewing repair or replace air conditioning options, determining the best course of action involves many areas of consideration. The following breakdown highlights some of the most important decision making factors. Apply them equally to any make or model of HVAC equipment. If you have any manufacturer-specific questions, contact your local Arizona American Cooling and Heating office. We are on standby 24/7, and ready to respond to your immediate home comfort needs.

Air Conditioning Refrigerants

R-22 or R-410A; These are the two types of A/C refrigerants most widely used in home heat pumps and air conditioning condensing units. However, due to the 1987 Montreal Protocol and the associated Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, a phase-out of R-22 and any other ozone-depleting chemicals is in effect. By January 1, 2020, no chemical manufacturers will be permitted to produce R-22 for home air conditioning servicing. At that point, only recovered, recycled and reclaimed R-22 will be available for use in servicing existing A/C and Heat Pump systems. Although uncharged R-22 systems can be installed as a replacement or repair option for an existing older unit, 13-SEER efficiency is the highest available option and the cost of R-22 may run higher than your greatest imagination. If your HVAC decision runs between major repairs for an R-22 unit versus upgrading to a new R-410A system, go with the new.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ration (SEER)

TIP! Before buying a new HVAC system, consider the rated energy efficiency. Pricing may be important, but the long-term savings of an ACH On-Sale Trane HP can save you thousands of dollars in reduced unit lifetime energy consumption. It’s an HVAC decision you cannot afford to ignore.

Established by the United States DOE and increased in January of 2006, 13-SEER is the lowers current efficiency rating for central air conditioning systems. A higher rating reflects greater performance and energy efficiency. When faced with the decision of repair or replace air conditioning in an older 10-SEER setup, make sure that repair is very cheap and very simple, or else install something newer and better.

HSPF and SEER

Heat pump performance and efficiency is not only measured by a residential SEER scale that is equivalent to that used on residential central sir conditioners, but they are also rated for efficiency on a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF). Also established and set by the DOE, the HSPF of your installed Arizona Heat Pump may be just as important as your A/C SEER rating. In general, running an hp is less expensive than heating with a fuel-based system. In Arizona, a good heat pump will save you money on your winter heating bills.

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) – Add Fuel Utilization to Your HVAC Decision

As a service of ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, the specs for your system’s AFUE are designed to ensure that your home is serviced by efficient HVAC equipment. The current ASHRAE restrictions require that manufacturers produce heating and cooling systems that perform no lower than 80% AFUE. But concerned air conditioning manufacturers strive to reap 96% and above. So what means the AFUE rating? In simple terms, AFUE rating identifies just how much of your energy dollar is fully utilized in the operation of your home furnace system. Thus, a 90% AFUE rating means that ten cents of every dollar is wasted.

Manufacturer Warranty Coverage

Perhaps you wonder why anyone needs a warranty for a product that should be built to last? Well, face it! In this world, perfection does not exist. Even the best efforts to design a fully fault-proof heating and cooling system fall short. Most times, buyers get a winner, but on occasion someone gets a lemon. Every major HVAC equipment provider strives to give you the best product for the money spent, yet they too recognize the complications of Murphy’s Law. Compare product warranties. Find out exactly what is covered and for how long each component is covered. Consider the value of acquiring an extended warranty when available.

And then follow-up by making sure your Arizona HVAC installation provider supports their services with a limited lifetime workmanship warranty.

ACH, Helping Arizona Residents Through The Core HVAC Decision Process

Since 1993, American Cooling and Heating has serviced AZ commercial, industrial and residential heating and cooling needs. We are Bonded, Insured and Licensed to meet your A/C installation, A/C repair and A/C maintenance requirements. Our Workmanship carries a 100% guaranteed of quality and reliability. For more information on Air Conditioning repair or replace options, click here.

Central Air Conditioning Set It And Forget It With Trane Programmable Thermostats

Written by Rm Harrington on . Posted in Air Conditioning, Thermostats and Controllers.

Central Air Conditioning Efficiency: Use A Programmable Thermostat And Avoid Manual Fan On Settings

Knowing what a central air conditioning system should do and knowing how to efficiently operate your programmable thermostat are not identical points of wisdom. For example: It may seem that the fan on your A/C or Heat Pump unit performs the same function as a standard room fan. Not So. HVAC system fans are designed to produce an entirely different manner of air circulation and air management.

Central A/C, Heat Pump Systems And Window Units

In core function, air conditioning removes hot air from within your home or office, and then returns to you the cooler air. Central A/C units circulate the chilled air throughout your office, home, or even a huge industrial plant. Window air conditioners, although sometimes used to cool an entire home, are most often used for single rooms and other forms of limited space cooling. Window fans, attic fans and other stationary fan units merely churn the existing air, creating turbulence that generates a sense of wind chill.

TIP! In order to cheaply cool your home, turn the temperature up. If you take a few showers a day or just drink a cold ice water, you’ll find that you’re saving a lot of money on your utility bills by keeping the thermostat a little higher than usual in your home.

Central cooling and heat pump systems work in conjunction with a structure’s overall HVAC components, which include air conditioning processes, heating equipment and even ventilation management. Room or window units function as stand-alone cooling, heating or cooling and heating appliances. Freestanding fans, although seeming to cool your home, in actuality increase the heat of the nearby air. Electricity generates heat. Thereby an electric fan when set to fan on releases additional heat into a room and provides no supplemental removal of hot air from the room. Now wind chill refers to the process wherein wind increases convective heat loss. By moving air throughout a room, a fan enables quicker and easier evaporation of sweat from your skin. Thus you are cooled by your body’s natural means of eliminating heat. The greater the wind chill, the more evaporation and the cooler you feel. But remember, fans do not remove hot air from the environment; they add hot air. Thus even as the wind chill effect reduces your discomfort, the fan actually increases the cause of that discomfort.

Central Air Conditioning Fan On Mode

The fan that functions with your installed AZ heat pump or central air conditioning system is also connected to your furnace system. Warm interior air returns to your outside air A/C condensing unit. The air passes through the condensing coils and is then re-circulated back to the inside furnace unit. The cool air is then disbursed via ducts and vents throughout your home. Although evaporation plays a role in the functions of a central A/C system, the core result is nothing like the results produced by a standard room fan, ceiling fan or even attic fan. The fan on your central HVAC unit is neither designed for or should be used as a regular home fan unit. Window air conditioners, however, are not like central A/C units. Setting the Fan On mode on a window unit merely circulate air just as a standard window fan functions. For cool air, you need to set the window unit to “air conditioning” mode.

TIP! When taking away-from-home vacations, set the thermostat on your HVAC system no more than five degrees apart from your standard setting. Differences of more than five degrees can damage the contents in your house – especially during the summer when the Arizona temperatures swell into the triple digits.

Under normal conditions, you should never set your central A/C fan mode to “Fan On” only mode. It causes problems for your thermostat and your overall heating and cooling system. Extended use of “Fan On” only mode increases room humidity while decreasing the efficiency of your HVAC system. For better HVAC equipment performance, the Arizona Energy Commission recommends that homeowners keep air conditioning system fans set to automatic.

Programmable Thermostats

In the Energy Star article “Heat and Cool Efficiently,” the editors suggest that an installed programmable thermostat can save homeowner’s as much as $180 per year in energy costs. During summer months, cooling an Arizona home accounts for as much as fifty-percent of home energy consumption. Several points help reduce this cost:

Review and understand the A/C or HP user manual Â· Install an Energy Star efficiency-rated cooling system
Ensure that your Arizona air conditioning system functions at or above minimum efficiency requirements
If your system lacks the benefits of a programmable thermostat, make the investment; it will save you money
Practice the “set it and forget it” A/C efficiency principal.
Live with 74-78 degrees F; It’s a comfortable and will keep your energy consumption on the low side.

TIP! Make sure things don’t get too hot or cold near the house thermostat. Nearby electronic devices and heat sources such as lamps and televisions can trick the thermostat into thinking the home is warmer than it actually is.

Trane Programmable Thermostats And Advanced Controls

Defined by quality components, every Trane Programmable Thermostat is crafted to help ensure that your family reaps the best in air conditioning comfort. Take a look at some of the options and features:

Trane XL800 Deluxe Programmable Thermostat
Interactive touch screen
Armchair programming options
Permanent memory for lasting storage of programming functions
Effective management for minimum compressor run-time
Auto changeover between cooling and heating with a 3 to 10 degrees “dead band”
AND So much more.

Trane Comfort Link II Smart Control

Crafted for intuitive touch-screen control, the Trane ComfortLinkâ�¢ II sets the scale for innovative management of HVAC equipment. Adaptable to most all brands of heat pumps and A/C units, as well as most all Trane products, the Trane ComfortLinkâ�¢ II is ripe for the picking. Furthermore, the unit is fully upgradeable and well supported for updates to remain compatible with future-released heating and cooling systems. Features include: Â· Custom control and scheduling Â· Live weather and dealer contact

Energy efficient monitoring system
Air quality management with Quick Clean and Allergy Clean cycles designed to provide a temporary boost in air filtration
Remote access from smartphone, tablet or home computer system
Digital picture frame
AND so much more.

For even more details on Trane Programmable Thermostat and Trane central air conditioning equipment, click here.

Frozen Air Conditioning – Tips To Prevent AC Freezing

Written by Rm Harrington on . Posted in Cooling Tips, Mesa Air Conditioning.

Frozen Air Conditioning, A Common Preventable Arizona Cooling Issue

Frozen air conditioning on a 97+ degree Mesa Monday is not merely unfortunate; it is downright miserable. Humidity hangs at 22-percent, and the average Mesa, AZ wind factor creeps in at less than 5-mph. Experiencing summertime Arizona without functional in-home cooling establishes a new concept of emergency necessities.

First signs of a frozen heat pump or a frozen A/C condensing system typically include inadequate airflow through your home registers. An air conditioning system covered in ice concludes the investigation. An iced-over evaporator coil cannot effectively transfer inside heat into the outside air.

TIP! Before you call someone to help you fix your system, be sure to know what sort of system you have in place. Get information on the make and model, plus if you have information on the history of maintenance, that will help, too.

Although the Mesa homeowner can handle some solutions to a frozen cooling system, others will demand the services of a Mesa A/C repair center. The following pointers will help you resolve your frozen air conditioning issues.

Frozen Cooling System Mesa – Three Root Causes

1) Inadequate Air Flow

Checking your HVAC air filter is A/C 101 repair school priority. Inadequate airflow upsets the balanced operation of your heating and cooling system. The evaporator coil surfaces must be free of dirt buildup, both near and far. Although a bit easier to fix, a dirty air filter in the return vent creates the same cooling hindrance as dirt build-up directly on the coil. If it restricts functional breathing of the equipment, a frozen heat pump or frozen air conditioning system becomes the natural result.

2) Temperature Management

TIP! Every year hire someone to give your HVAC unit routine maintenance. This will ensure that it works properly throughout the entire year.

Even the best of the best heating and cooling equipment can be overworked. For the most efficient and reliable performance, set your thermostats to 73-74 degrees. This should prevent your air conditioning from running continuously. If you have a programmable thermostat, consider setting your nighttime requirements at 74-75. The higher range will enable your system to gain some well-needed time off.

While working with the thermostat, you may notice faulty readings. In this event, unless you are a skilled electrician and HVAC technician, call your ACH tech for assistance.

3) Insufficient Refrigerant

TIP! Do you want to make sure your HVAC unit works for you like it should? It is important to have your unit maintained on a regular basis. The reputable technicians at American Cooling and Heating know how to understand consumer lay-talk explanations of A/C and HP problems. Call and share your HVAC questions about maintenance service on your system.

Low refrigerant is a common A/C and heat pump problem that should not be permitted to continue. Low levels of refrigerant sometimes cause the coil to become too cold. This freezes and accumulates the moisture in the air. In most events, homeowners lack the skill to test, repair or recharge an air conditioning system that is loosing refrigerant. So just remember this primary rule: Quality Air Conditioning technicians repair as well as recharge.

Fixing Cooling Problems Related To Air Conditioning Freeze Up

TIP! Every month clean out the leaves and debris that may have settled into your outdoor HVAC unit. You’ll be surprised at how much gets caught in the grill work.

Sometimes the problem is simple and sometimes the problem is complex. Prior to calling in any outside help, investigate the basic causes and seek your own remedy. Use the following process of problem-elimination:

Open all registers completely and make sure furniture or draperies are not blocking them.

a) Check fuses to confirm that the unit is receiving power

b) From the thermostat, set the blower fan to manual to confirm blower operation

c) Examine, clean and/or replace the system air filters

d) Examine and open the registers

e) Ensure that neither the registers or the return vent are blocked by draperies or furniture

f) Trip the fuses and wait several hours for the system to thaw out

g) If the problem persists, contact American Cooling and Heating for 24/7 Mesa A/C repair services.

Substandard Cooling Equipment Maintenance Squanders Energy

Reports from the Environmental Protection Agency, disclose that a 30% increase in static pressure across the coil in your air conditioning system can spawn a $200 per 10,000 cfm swell in the price of operating your HVAC equipment. The expenditure does not include the outlay for clean up of drain pans, air ducts or dirty A/C oils.

But wait, there is more: Continued operation of a frozen air-conditioning system not only fritters away costly energy, it can also result in addition damage to your A/C unit. Among other key points of service, the American Cooling and Heating A/C and Heat Pump maintenance plan examines HVAC equipment in Mesa, Phoenix and other regional Arizona communities for compliance with:

Recommended airflow by measurement
Correct refrigerant measurements
Manufacturer installation specifications
National and local installation codes
National and local electrical standards
AND More.

Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Technology, and Applied Physics?

Written by Rm Harrington on . Posted in Cooling Tips, News.

Improving Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Performance Via Magnetic Cooling

In the Popular Mechanics article “A Brief History of Air Conditioning,” the author begins the timeline in 1758 with Benjamin Franklin and John Hadley (1). Franklin “I invented everything,” and Hadley, professor at Cambridge University, discovered the cooling powers of evaporation of volatile liquids. Alcohol and similar type liquids, when applied to an object, evaporate quicker than water. The process is actually capable of freezing water.

Now leap forward in time to 2014. to an applied physics letter printed in AIP Scitation. The abstract of the letter, “Anisotropy-enhanced Giant Reversible Rotating Magnetocaloric Effect in HoMn2O5 Single Crystals,” begins by presenting the foundation for applied magnetic and magnetocaloric properties. The authors, M. Balli, S. Jandl, P. Fournier, and M. M. Gospodinov discuss the power of applying rotation rather than in-and-out implementation to the single crystal HoMn2O5 contained by the cb plane in a stable magnetic field. The process proves capable of driving efficient rotary magnetic refrigerators.

Magnetic Cooling, A Novel Path To Improved Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

The advantages of rotary magnetic refrigeration technology include reduced energy demands, elimination of harmful cooling fluids, and a simpler way of doing things. The end result: An environmentally friendly cooling process that works better and easier than modern fluid-compression refrigeration methods. Described as the key to better “green” air conditioning and refrigeration technology by the Canadian-Bulgarian research team credited with development of the process, rotary magnetic technology revolves around solid magnetic substances defined by the team as magnetocaloric materials. The primary efficiency of the process lies in the ability to scale in direct proportion to the generated magnetocaloric effect.

SALE! On Sell Now – Various makes and models of Trane, Goodman and other HVAC equipment. For more information, click here. SALE!

According to “Magnetocaloric effect and magnetic cooling near a field-induced quantum-critical point (3)” released by NCBI resources, the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is defined as a “temperature change in response to an adiabatic change of the magnetic field.” Past applications of magnetocaloric refrigeration have been focused on cryogenic temperatures. However, the new applications point clearly to extending the power of the process to meet the need for room air conditioning. Previously, paramagnetic salts were the choice materials applied to low-temperature refrigeration — including room temperature control. However, the efficiency of MCE, ease of operation, and adaptability of the process under applied microgravity conditions paramagnets now offer a reliable alternative to standard dilution refrigerators and space cooling technology.

How It Works, A Simple Example

Ferromagnetic materials, known for a tendency to heat up when magnetized and to cool down when the magnetic field is removed, is considered a magnetocaloric material. Magnetic fields cause ferromagnetic materials to achieve a higher state of order. However, even as order is achieved, the increase in the material’s temperature generates disorder within the atomic lattice. By contrast, removal of the magnetic influence results in a more ordered atomic lattice, which in turn causes a reduction in the material’s temperature. The essential power of magnetic refrigeration: It uses heat transfer via fluid to recapture the produced cooling energy.

It may not be in your home tomorrow, but air conditioning, refrigeration and applied physics is coming your way. The power of magnetic cooling technology and the eco-friendly solutions of a rotating magnetocaloric cooling system may well change the path of both modern domestic and modern industrial air conditioning and refrigeration function. Simple. Efficient. And compact Arizona home air conditioning. You got to like it.

For information on Arizona home heat pumps on sale now, click here.

1) http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/electrical-plumbing/a-brief-history-of-air-conditioning-10720229

2) Applied Physics Letters June 10, 2014 (DOI: 10.1063/1.4880818). : http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/journal/apl/104/23/10.1063/1.4880818

3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3084140

Unlicensed HVAC Contractors Damage Industry Credibility – HVAC News Today

Written by Rm Harrington on . Posted in HVAC Sales, News.

In HVAC News Today: A/C Industry Strives To Shut Down Unlicensed HVAC Contractors

Unlicensed HVAC contractors may work cheaper than a bonded, insured and licensed A/C service company, but are the upfront saving worth the long-term risks? Not according to Matt Bishop, Business Management Editor at the HVACR contractor’s HVAC news web center. When dealing with unlicensed air conditioning contractors, the typical homeowner experiences:

Shoddy craftsmanship
Deceitful troubleshooting techniques
Unreliable A/C services, including substandard A/C installation
Homeowner remorse over the entire venture
AND more.

TIP! Before having someone install new Arizona A/C services in your home, make sure they are insured. Uninsured contractors leave you unprotected, and financially responsible for the results of shoddy air conditioning repairs, installation or services.

Homeowners who deal with under-trained cut-price heating and cooling service techs often find that preconceived cash savings easily shift into the range of costly mistakes. Air conditioning technicians, so-called, who operate outside the laws of the nation typically ignore industry-accepted cooling and heating equipment installation and service regulations, and the expectations of the homeowner. According to ACCA senior vice president of government relations, Charlie McCrudden, such individuals “…take advantage of lax enforcement of permitting rules, licensing requirements, and the Clean Air Act.” Furthermore, Mr. McCrudden says that the government is currently unable to track or control the problem. Too many individuals, McCrudden says, “… are posing as professional HVAC technicians.”

TIP! Get bids from several companies before deciding who you are going to hire to install or repair your HVAC system. Most people know to avoid the company that has the highest quote, but you should also stay away from the one with the lowest.

HVAC News Today: Reputation or Unlicensed HVAC Contractors

In the air conditioning industry, a good reputation is paramount to the word-of-mouth advertising that so often establishes customer trust. In HVAC News today, A/C associations and reputable Arizona A/C installers are pushing the drive to focus on identifying and curbing unlicensed air conditioning contractors. For the good of the homeowners, and the industry, proper licensing is a must-have component of quality HVAC services.

According to the Yavapai County Contractors Association (YCCA) out of Prescott, AZ, homeowners have the right to hire unlicensed HVAC contractors. However, the foreword is simple: “Beware!” Sandy Griffis, YCCA Executive Director, says that contractor licensing does not assure technical skill, proficiency or even a measure of competence. “However,” Griffis also says, “…hiring an unlicensed contractor is certainly a hazard.” Here are three primary points to remember:

Unlicensed can mean low bids, but the financial and legal consequences may be more than your original bargain included
Hiring a licensed Arizona air conditioning contractor provides better protection than any after-event legal remedies
Most licensed AZ A/C contractors are competent, dedicated, financially responsible, and well trained
The State of Arizona promotes safety, health public welfare, and reliable construction practices via proper licensing and a well-designed regulatory system.

TIP! For Great On-Sale Arizona Air Conditioning Deals check out American Cooling and Heating today.

For the legitimate Arizona air conditioning installation and service center that plays by the rules, the battle against unlicensed low-bidders means missed business opportunities and higher cost margins. For you, the Arizona homeowner, this may mean a risky venture for the sake of possible money savings. In recent years, the number of complaints via the Arizona Registrar of Contractors has climbed quickly and suddenly. The cost of scamming affects legitimate contractors, society as a whole, and you.

To report unlicensed HVAC contractors in your area, Arizona residents can use the Arizona Registrar of Contractors on-site tip form.

Unlicensed HVAC Contractors Miss The Mark

According to YCCA, most homeowners could prevent construction problems just by learning their home improvement rights and then taking personal responsibility for the project. Informed consumers make better buying decisions. Working with reputable Arizona air conditioning contractors is one path to ensuring that you do not become the victim of unscrupulous or unlicensed HVAC contractors.

TIP! If you are having a new HVAC unit installed in your Arizona home, don’t overlook the duct work. Even the most energy efficient air conditioning equipment will waste energy if the home duct work is in need of repair or replacement.

Protect yourself. Avoid working with unlicensed craftsmen, so-called. Don’t get scammed, get cool. Licensed Arizona HVAC contractors follow sound business practices, including:

Paying taxes
Buying and maintaining yearly insurance
Running background checks on prospective new employees
Setting up a bonded practice
AND More.

To gain a state HVAC license, the contractor must show experience and capability. The test is designed to eliminate shade-tree A/C service techs. And although the licensing is not the “end-all, be-all” solution to finding an ethical and qualified heating and cooling contractor, it does evidence attention to matters pertaining to quality and good business practices. Furthermore, the heating and cooling industry is evolving, reaching beyond heating and cooling and into the area of indoor air quality (IAQ) and extended home comfort performance. Proven A/C technical understanding and knowledge, and the assurance thereof, is more important than ever before.

American Cooling and Heating: Bonded, insured and licensed. For more information on unlicensed HVAC contractors, click here.