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Tips To Help You Resolve Common Cooling Problems and Common Heating Problems

Written by American Cooling And Heating on . Posted in AC Repair.

The Certainty of Air Conditioning Repairs

Air conditioning breakdowns typically come during times of severe need , but such is the order of the mechanical universe. Nothing ever breaks when the timing is great. Otherwise, automobiles would only breakdown at the garage. Lawnmowers would only crack a casing after the last cut of the season. And air conditioning, heat pumps or furnaces would only fail during the minimum-need temperatures of the season.

Here are some common cooling and common heating problems that you can remedy yourself.

When Air Conditioners Provide Poor or Zero Cooling

For poor or zero cooling, you can try these four common fixes associated with air conditioning:

  1. Thermostat Settings – Homeowners sometimes disable the automatic thermostat control settings, especially when heat pumps are involved. During the winter, someone may set the system on forced electric heat. Come summer, the cooling stage must be enabled. Also check to ensure that the fan is set on auto and that the temperature is set to a reasonable level suited to the season.
  2. Circuit Breakers – When systems overheat, it can force the air conditioning or heat pump circuit breakers to trip. After resetting, be sure to check for smoke, unusual sounds or extreme heat coming from the external units.
  3. System Freeze – When an air conditioning unit is forced to labor beyond the expected time frames, freezing may occur. If your indoor fan is functioning without throwing an adequate air flow, check for frozen coils. Set the thermostat above current temperatures. Let the system remain in shutdown mode for several hours. Use the time to clean the air filters.
  4. Yearly Reoccurrence of System Freezes – Most likely your air conditioning system or heat pump unit is insufficient for your home; however, you might want to investigate the insulation above your ceilings, below your floors and in the walls.

When Furnaces or Heat Pumps Provide Poor or Zero Heating

Common heating problems can be similar to common cooling problems. Here are four possible reasons that your furnace or heat pump fails to function correctly:

  1. Thermostat or Circuit Breaker Problems – Apply the same check and solutions as those pertaining to cooling problems. Just adjust to approach to match heating rather than cooling.
  2. Broken Wiring – Note: For broken high-voltage electric lines, contact your electrician or your heating and cooling expert. That said: thermostat wires are easier to repair. Animals and/or falling debris can dislodge, cut or break your thermostat wiring at the source of connection to your heat pump or your furnace. Inspect and correct as needed.
  3. Closed Gas or Fuel Valves – If you just purchased an older home and the inside fuel lines are closed, determine the cause before attempting to reopen the flow. If the external lines are closed, call the gas company or your local HVAC repair center.
  4. Restricted Airflow – Start by replacing the air filters. Also check and clean the coils on inside units. If using a heat pump, check and clean the coils on the external unit.

Dealing With Not-So-Common Cooling and Heating Problems

Sometimes you can’t fix it yourself. When capacitors, fan motors or compressors go bad, most homeowners are forced to call upon a local HVAC service center. Yet locating a reliable air conditioning repair company is much like searching for an auto mechanic. You want straight-forward answers and honest prices without any haggling. And you want someone who really seems to care about your heating and cooling problems.

Here are four tips to help you choose the right home heating and cooling expert:

  1. Ask for evidence of current licenses and insurances
  2. Make sure the company is Bonded
  3. Get and follow-up on references
  4. Check the BBB reports.

Conclusion

Fixing common heating and common cooling problems is not difficult. However, most HVAC equipment breakdowns turn out to be a bit more major than expected. It never hurts to handle a few things on your own, but be prepared to call for help when help is necessary.

Energy Savings Tips

Written by American Cooling And Heating on . Posted in AC Installation, Cooling Tips.

5 Tips to Help Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient

Turning your home green benefits the environment, but it also keeps you from wasting money on unnecessary water heating, lighting and air conditioning costs. The following tips will help you reap the benefits of living in a more energy-efficient home.

1) Sealing and Insulation

“If life is like a candle bright

Death must be the wind.

You can close your window tight

And it still comes blowing in.”

The above words, from a song by Moe Brandy, contemplate the shortness of life. Yet they also reflect a basic truth in energy-efficiency. Wind seeps through every crack. To reduce the expenses of home air conditioning, your home must be properly sealed and insulated.

Older homes in particular, but even some recently constructed homes, can lack the most cost-efficient means of regulating the effects of external air flow. Perhaps your home does not include the advantages of current construction technology. Spending money on new energy-efficient windows and doors can amount to huge long-term savings.

2) Tankless Water Heater

Modern tankless water heaters save energy by functioning on a “demand only” basis. Rather than wasting energy on continuously heating and storing hot water, the systems anticipate the current hot water needs in a home. For example: The Rheem Prestige™ Series of tankless water heaters are ideal for full-size families. The units provide sufficient hot water to:

  • Start the laundry
  • Bathe the kids
  • Start the dishes
  • And enable you to relax in the aftermath by dipping beneath a relaxing hot shower.

3) Light Bulbs

For years, the local utilities company has been pushing energy-efficient light bulbs. It’s a wise choice, so don’t keep lagging in the game. Traditional light bulbs are still available, but they seem such a wasted option. It’s time to make the plunge; go with energy-efficient lighting today.

4) Programmable Thermostat

State-of-the-art heating and cooling is different from ever before. Modern units enable automated air conditioning control during vacations, brief overnight trips or even at the far away summer cottage. Programmable thermostats are easy to monitor, enable exact control of heating and cooling systems and help you save money on energy consumption. If your home system lacks the efficiency of a programmable thermostat, consider making an immediate upgrade.

5) Energy-Efficient Air Conditioning Equipment

If your air conditioner or furnace is not working correctly, do something to correct the problem. Air conditioning repair is much less expensive than the cost of operating a poorly functioning heating and cooling system. Many older homes lack central cooling and heating. When accurately sized for the home, installed correctly and regulated with an efficient thermostat system, central air conditioning provides advanced performance, less energy consumption and better home comfort.

If your home is already running on a central system, stop letting it struggle in a needless battle. Any unit that is correctly sized for the home, properly ducted, filtered and primed for energy-efficient operation should easily keep up with the heating and cooling needs within an adequately sealed and insulated home.

If your home HVAC equipment is just sitting there, spinning out cool air in the winter and warm air in the summer, you are being hi-jacked by a needless energy bill.

Conclusion

With even a few home improvements, it is possible to increase the energy-efficiency standards of your home. Even the costly upgrades and replacements will eventually pay for themselves. Go with a win-win solution. Use these five tips to help make your home more energy-efficient.

The Life and Times of Industrial and Commercial Air Conditioning Products

Written by American Cooling And Heating on . Posted in Arizona Commercial Air Conditioning HVAC.

Brief History of Technology in Industrial and Commercial Air Conditioning

Past commercial and industrial air conditioning market trends focused on green building technologies with low-energy cooling systems. The approach to air conditioning strived for indirect evaporative systems that would provide greater influx of outside air at a significantly reduced energy demand. This process and the associated system design aimed to provide vapor compression systems as a supplement to indirect heat exchangers.

Dating back to 2005, when the need for a reduction in commercial cooling energy consumption became self-evident, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) began funding the Desert CoolAire performance prototype project. Preliminary field testing began in 2006. The chosen test areas included Boise, Idaho and Sacramento, California. Comparison tests were also run in areas of milder climates such as Portland, Oregon.

Future modeling sites included high-temperature, full-cooling seasons in regions such as Arizona and California. Overall investigations focused on best case, evaporator operation.

Support for the project included the Sacramento Municipal Utility District and the American Public Power Association. The research evidenced great value in the performance of Indirect Evaporative Coolers (IEC). In fact, the IEC systems demonstrated a 50 percent savings on performance demand, an increased performance capacity and significant savings in energy consumption. At times, the systems delivered 100 percent outside air throughout the cooling season.

Key successes of the project are as follows:

  • The hybrid systems successfully met the cooling and heating needs of the tested commercial spaces
  • Peak performance of the prototype units came in at 15 EER on 103°F
  • Peak performance of the IEC section came in at 25 EER
  • Demand savings consistently reached 2-3 kW
  • Average energy savings touched on 23 percent
  • Short comings in projected energy savings appeared mostly due to poor compressor and fan performance
  • Simulation runs revealed high hopes for future generations including the likelihood of a peak EER capable of hitting 25 at 103°F.

Back to the Future – Current Technology in Industrial and Commercial Air Conditioning

New advanced cooling technology studies include the application of a permanent magnet motor drive for compressors. The units offer a two fold promise: 1) Lower environmental impact and 2) Reduced operating costs. The development project involves various major players in the air conditioning industry, including Carrier, DuPont and Lockheed-Martin.

The new system aims to provide significant advancements in the commercial air conditioning arena. Possible benefits include:

  • As much as 15 percent yearly energy savings
  • Increased efficiency in the centrifugal compressor as compared to current air conditioning systems
  • A lighter, quieter and smaller compressor
  • Reduced installation costs
  • Automated variable-speed, on-demand efficiency management.

The unit is purposed to drive 25-ton plus rooftop air conditioning systems.

 American Cooling and Heating Providing Advanced Commercial and Industrial Air Conditioning Solutions Throughout Arizona

Recent reports indicate that commercial buildings in the United States occupy better than 62 billion square feet of indoor space. All total, nearly 4.6 million commercial buildings consume ¼ of the yearly U.S. demand for electricity. Space cooling accounts for over 15 percent of that demand.

Arizona-based American Cooling and Heating provides precision cooling systems for commercial and industrial purposes. From comfort cooling units to process cooling systems, we offer superior HVAC mechanical sales, installation and services.

Precision cooling is our business. We handle commercial air conditioning, heating and refrigeration services in building and facilities throughout the vicinity of Phoenix, Arizona.

Our technicians are available for consultation, estimates and 24-hour repair services for commercial, industrial or residential needs.

Choose Your A/C Wisely – Save Money And Stay Comfortable All Year Long

Written by American Cooling And Heating on . Posted in AC Installation.

Phoenix Area Air Conditioning Expert American Cooling And Heating Presents Information on How to Choose the A/C Brand That Fits Your Home

Local Air Conditioning Service Center,American Cooling and Heating, Announces New Arizona-Focused Resources Designed to Help Homeowners Better Understand HVAC Brands, Application and Installation Procedures. The right A/C system choice can save you money in the long run.

Understanding Basic Air Conditioning Terminology

The typical central air conditioning system functions as a whole-house or single-floor cooling system. The costs of a central home air conditioning system can range from $2,500 and up, exceeding well over $10,000 for total purchase and installation.

The base terminology shared between all brands of air conditioning systems includes the following definitions:

British Thermal Unit (Btu) – This measure system is calculated based upon the quantity of heat necessary to raise one pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. In layman terms, a Btu represents the supposed amount of heat an air conditioning unit can extract from a given area of concern. The higher the Btu rating, the greater the cost, size and weight of the associated air conditioning system.

Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) – Calculated by the relationship between Btu and consumed energy watts, the EER of a system identifies an air conditioner’s level of efficiency. High EER ratings equate to better performance at a great cost for the system.

For a full glossary of heating and air conditioning terminology, see the American Cooling and Heating Fact Page.

Air Conditioning Classifications

Central A/C systems fall under one of four type classifications. The choice of group-type will depend upon one’s current financial strength, the configuration and layout of the existing A/C system and the short-term versus long-term purposes for buying a new Air Conditioning system.

The four central A/C classifications are as follows:

1) Minimum-Efficiency – By yesteryear’s air conditioning standards, a modern minimum-efficiency air conditioning system would be labeled as highly efficient. Yet by modern standards, these units are budget models, costly to operate but cheap on the upfront costs. Starting cost: $2,500 and up.

2) Mid-Range Efficiency – A/C units ranging from14.5 to 17 SEER often enable customers to take advantage of government rebates to get some increased efficiency benefits at a lower initial startup cost. These units are also typically easier to install than high-efficiency units. Starting cost: $3,000 plus.

3) High-Efficiency 16 to 23 SEER Central Units – Provide the lowest energy bills, but the highest initial startup price. They typically include two-stage units that enable less on/off cycling, but they may also require modification to any existing duct systems. Starting cost: $3,500 plus.

4) Mini-split ductless Systems – Included in this list only for the sake of completion, mini-split ductless A/C units are not recommended under normal circumstances. They are expensive to purchase, cheap to install and good for homes without existing ductwork. Starting costs: $1,000.

Decide on the Air Conditioning System Brand That Best Suits The Home’s Unique Layout and Environment

Decisions concerning brand name A/C components and brand name A/C installation procedures must combine cost effectiveness, home compatibility and customer expectations. American Cooling and Heating deals in the sales, repairs and installation of full-home HVAC, Air Purification and/or Air Humidity Control systems.

Primary product choices include:

Amana – Premium Air Conditions, Package Units, Heat Pump condensing Units, Air Handlers, Conditioning Coils and More.

Carrier – Package Systems, High-Efficiency Heat Pumps, Air Conditioners, Air Handlers, Cooling Coils and More.

Goodman – High-Efficiency A/Cs, Heat Pumps, Air Handlers, Indoor Cooling Coils, Package Units and More.

Rheem – High-Efficiency Air Conditioners, Air Cleaners, Heat Pumps, Air Handlers, Indoor Cooling Coils and Package Units

Trane – 13 Through 20 SEER Air Conditioners, Heat Pumps, Air Handlers, Air Cleaners, Indoor Coolers and More.

And others.

Including an in-depth report on system comparisons, features and reliability is beyond the scope of this article. For a comprehensive central air conditioning buying guide, visit the Consumerreports.org website.

In the final balance of the issue, selecting the right air conditioning system for your home boils down to choosing the right contractor for the estimate and the job. American Cooling and Heating is licensed, bonded and insured for residential, commercial, industrial, HVAC and refrigeration services throughout the Phoenix area.

For technical excellence, you can’t beat call American Cooling and Heating.

If time is critical to your needs, American Cooling and Heating also offers reliable 24-hour, on-call HVAC maintenance services, emergency repairs and 24 hour A/C unit installation.

Air Conditioning And Heating Sales And Service for Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, and all surrounding areas in Arizona.

State-of-the-Art Arizona A/C Service Center Addresses the Issue of Cost Effective Air Conditioning Upgrades and Replacements

Written by American Cooling And Heating on . Posted in AC Installation.

In Response to the Current Arizona Heat Wave, Phoenix Arizona A/C Expert, American Cooling and Heating, Answers Your Questions About Air Conditioner Replacement Planning

Arizona and Other U.S. States Experience Record-Breaking Temperatures

According to the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS), June of 2012 marked the 14th hottest June on record for the documented contiguous United States. For many areas, the first six months of 2012 broke major continual U.S. heat records. With a plus 4.4 degree Fahrenheit increase, Arizona joins the ranks of states most affected by the heat wave.

The following guide to system analysis from American Cooling and Heating may help you better clarify your home cooling situation. Is it time to upgrade or do you need to completely replace your old air conditioning equipment? Here is help with the decision.

High Temperatures, Principle Investments and the Importance of an Energy Efficient Air Conditioner

Air conditioners, though often viewed as luxury items, take on new priorities during record breaking heat waves. When the temperatures in Mesa AZ, Scottsdale AZ and other Phoenix areas peek the 100+ degree mark, a malfunctioning or broken A/C unit can actually leave homeowners in a life-threatening situation. If you need immediate air conditioning services, please remember that American Cooling and Heating technicians are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

High temperatures bring about an adjusted mind-set. When the heat rises and the A/C sputters, even the most reluctant spender begins to consider an air conditioning upgrade or replacement.

Yet before leaping into a new purchase, homeowners must analyze their home cooling needs. A new air conditioning system amounts to a principle investment in household comfort, reliable performance and the future value of your home. However, when it comes to HVAC equipment, super-sizing is not the best approach.

American Cooling and Heating provides the following tips as an expansion on several select Energy Star recommendations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

Older Units – Some things grow better with age. Not so for your home air conditioner or heat pump. If your system is over 10 years old, purchasing a new cooling unit will save as much as 20 percent on your energy bill, provide better cooling comfort and enhance the value of your home. Before investing in any major repairs, consider the value of installing a complete new HVAC system.

Excessive Repair Bills – It’s like trying to keep an old, road-weary vehicle in operation. The cost of repairs can quickly exceed the price of monthly payments. If your home cooling equipment is troubled by frequent breakdowns, unsatisfactory performance or a host of other year-round “Surprise” problems, it may be time to upgrade key components or even replace the entire system.

Temperature Balance – Improperly balanced home cooling can be due to poor equipment installation, incorrectly sized ducts, inadequate home insulation or worn out system components. If you are constantly experiencing drastic hot-to-cold or cold-to-hot changes from room to room, you should have your HVAC unit checked for clogged air filters, leaky air ducts, undersized external units and worn out components. Circumstances will reveal the value of upgrade over repair or new over upgrade.

Standard Thermostat Controls – Home air conditioning is often wasted on an empty house, an imbalanced temperature control system or trigger-happy kids with ready access to the thermostat. Upgrading to a programmable thermostat can provide an energy efficient way to save money and better regulate your home cooling systems to meet your family living patterns.

Problems With Humidity – Inadequately sized air conditioning equipment, leaky ductwork or a worn out HVAC system can cause a summer buildup of excess humidity. It’s a comfort problem that can also create internal mold issues and health complications. If the system is undersized, replace it. If it is worn out, replace it. If it merely has leaks, air blockage or other basic problems, repair it.

Excessive System Noise – Aside from obvious physical damage that may need attention, an excessively noisy air conditioning unit can imply an undersized duct system or even a problem with your indoor coil component. Find the true cause and then make a reasonable decision based upon sound facts.

Credentials That Evidence Solid Service

American Cooling and Heating has serviced the Phoenix area for over 19 years. Fully licensed, bonded and insured, the company holds an A+ rating with the Arizona Better Business Bureau.

If you need a FREE estimate concerning the reliability of your current A/C system, visit one of the area’s premier HVAC companies:

American Cooling and Heating. Call 480-699-2516.

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