Author: Rm Harrington

About Rm Harrington Professional HVAC content writer, equally skilled for communicating with A/C technicians, HVAC product engineers or the home/business buyer in need of reliable A/C related details. Most valuable skill: The ability to research, comprehend, evaluate and discuss matters of importance to homeowners and the HVAC community, including technical details, system comparisons and best-choice system applications.

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.

Air Conditioning Troubleshooting In Arizona – Resolving Common AC Problems

Written by Rm Harrington on . Posted in AC Repair, Air Conditioning.

Air Conditioning Troubleshooting For The Arizona Home Handyman

Air conditioning troubleshooting can sometimes be very simple, but if your problem dips into the core of HVAC functionality, consider hiring out the task to a licensed Arizona A/C professional. Basic air conditioning repairs are rather inexpensive; and if the problem requires extensive heating and cooling equipment replacement, you won’t waste money on guesswork solutions.

However, the Arizona home handyman can resolve some common heating and cooling problems without need of equipment expertise. You start by recognizing that various HVAC failures often link to the same type of system malfunction. This A/C troubleshooting tip sheet addresses the simplistic side of heating and cooling troubleshooting and repair.

Air Conditioning Troubleshooting of Basic Cold Air Issues

When home A/C systems fail to deliver cold air, Arizona homeowners get excited. This country is no place for faulty air conditioning equipment. So let’s look at the basic problems that can keep your cooling system from delivering cool air. The list is divided into two categories:

Inside the House
AND Outside the House.

TIP! If your home gets hot in the Arizona summer temperatures and you’d like to reduce the demand on your air conditioning equipment, consider installing an insulated metal roof system. It reflects the heat right back up into the sky, allowing your home to gain less heat on sunny days.

A/C Troubleshooting Inside the House

1) Clogged filter

A clogged air filter is simple to fix, yet remains a common in-home heating and cooling complication. Although most homeowners can easily change the heating and cooling filter system, they often tend to neglect simple filter maintenance. Yet a clogged air conditioning filter chokes the airflow through the condenser fins associated with the inside furnace. When your system cannot “breath,” the coil freezes over. To prevent filter clogging, clean or replace your system filter at least once a month.

If a dirty filter causes your unit to freeze up, replace or clean the filter and then thaw the unit by powering down for several hours or until the ice melts. Tip it. Remember: A/C equipment does not cool the home but rather it removes the heated air from inside the home. When your air conditioning system pulls the steamy Arizona air out of your home, it sifts that air through the coolant-filled condenser fins, resulting in hot air displaced by cold air.

TIP! The best Arizona HVAC contractors provide a number for emergency services that are available to call 24 hours of the day. Don’t get caught without help during a weekend heatwave.

2. Clogged Condenser Fins

On the slightly more complex side of air conditioning troubleshooting, the inside condenser fins can also become clogged with debris. This is typically due to inadequate care of the filter system, but can also be a direct result of a passing Arizona dust storm and an improperly sealed home. Regardless of the cause, cleaning the condenser fins becomes a necessary repair process. Although some homeowners have been known to use a toothbrush as a cleaning tool, specially designed “fin brushes” will do a better job with less risk of damage to the fins.

3. Low Coolant

Low A/C coolant implies significant equipment problems. To check the coolant level, pickup a set of pressure gauges and measure setting according to the documentation of your unit. However, if you are tempted to do some backdoor buying to recharge your leaky unit, don’t go there. First off: Your air conditioning system is designed as a self-contained cooling system. This means that leaks are not normal. Second, to buy and work with A/C coolant legally, you need an EPA license. So call your local Arizona A/C Repair center. The cost for repairing the leak and recharging the system will vary, but here is a basic price guideline:

$ 50 – Typical HVAC home service call* (Often applied to the cost of system repair)
$120 – Typical flat-price covering first 3 pounds of coolant*
$ 50 – Base price per pound for anything over 3 pounds*

Variable expenses include the time involved for tracking down and repairing the leak as well as the cost of replacement parts. For example: A new evaporator coil can start around $350*, and the repair can get rather expensive. Yet it only takes a few years of yearly freon cap-offs to exceed the price of a permanent repair. So why be uncomfortable when a repair is the best way to handle any form of air conditioning coolant leak?

TIP! If you are buying a new HVAC unit, make sure that the one you choose fits your home. American Cooling and Heating will inspect your home and your duct work before they install a new unit.

4. Condenser Fan Motor

If all else is set correctly, including the inside thermostat, yet the inside unit fails to come on, check the condenser fan motor. Some problems are as simple as loose wires. But even if the wire connections are burned, the average Arizona home handyman can handle the repair.

Air Conditioning Troubleshooting Outside Your Home

1. Lack of Power

Before checking any other possibilities, ensure that power is reaching your outside A/C condensing unit. Start by checking the breakers both at the mains and at the breaker box located adjacent to your outside system. In the event that a breaker is melted, fused or reveals a loose wire, call an electrician. Even if you can replace a breaker on your own, home and personal safety demands that you uncover the cause of the failure.

2. Faulty Contactor

When standing near your outside air conditioning equipment, do you hear a loud buzzing noise. If so, consider replacing the unit contactor. The process is as follows:

Cut power to the system
Remove the cover panel located on the backside of the condensing unit
Restore power and locate, without touching any components, the source of the buzzing noise (Typically the contactor has the appearance of a piston enclosed in a box)
Turn the power back off
Use an Ohm-meter to ensure that the flow of electricity has ceased
Remove the contractor
Mark the wire leads and then disconnect
Install a new contactor
Reconnect the wires
Re-assemble the cover
Restore system power.

TIP! Before hiring any HVAC company to install, maintain or repair your Arizona home unit, ask for evidence of insurance.

3. Outside Condenser Fan

For safety purposes, it might be better if you hire a local A/C service professional to service your outside unit. The process of determining the functionality of your outside condenser fan is beyond the scope of this article. However, assuming that you have the electrical expertise to test the fan, replacement, if necessary, is very simple. Just:

Disable power to the system
Remove the top component of the outside A/C housing
Label the wires attached to the system fan, and then disconnect the fan
Clean the connections
Re-assemble the unit replacing the faulty fan with a new fan f. Restore power.

TIP! For top deals on Arizona air conditioning installation and equipment, contact American Cooling and Heating. And remember, Air Conditioning Troubleshooting is sometimes simple and sometimes difficult.

* All prices are based upon 2014 industry averages and may vary from region to region.

Disclaimer:

Maintenance must be performed by an authorized American Cooling and Heating HVAC technician.
The contents in this article reflect accumulated data from various sources. ACH cannot and does not accept any legal responsibility to any person in respect of anything or the consequences of any reader responses, actions or lack of actions associated with reliance upon the whole or any part of this article and its content. All trademarks, logos, and associated content displayed are the property of their respective owners.

Gilbert HVAC Can Be Easy With This Guide

Written by Rm Harrington on . Posted in AC Installation, Buying Tips.

Gilbert HVAC Easy Buying

Unlike Gilbert HVAC buyers, some families are fortunate enough to live in temperate climates where the weather is always perfect. For the rest of us, we need good HVAC systems that keep us cool in the summer and warm in the winter. For help finding such a system, read the following Gilbert HVAC “Make It Easy” article.

Referrals

Shared information makes a good buyer’s tool. Before hiring a contractor for your HVAC system installation, ask for referrals. Although many A/C contractors have deal, offer discount services, and seem to know what they are doing, you cannot simply take their word for it. Get the names and call past customers. Find out what made this particular air conditioning company right for them.

ENERGY STAR Ratings

Wise Gilbert HVAC buyers install A/C equipment that saves money. Go with ENERGY STAR rated products. They are effective, environmentally friendly and very energy efficient. Cooling your home, or heating it if you install a heat pump, consumes much energy. Installing ENERGY STAR equipment reflects in lower monthly utility bills. Permit your Gilbert A/C installation to help you recoup the costs.

Written Agreements

It’s a no-brainer. Get your agreement with the Gilbert HVAC contractor in writing. This may seem unnecessary, but anytime a contractor tends to skip over this step the charge to the customer ends up coming shockingly high. If you have the agreement in written format, the vendor cannot go back and change the information or the plans for the job without your consent. Likewise with the warranty. Get it in written form.

Word of Mouth Advertising

To find a “great” HVAC specialists, check with your family and neighbors. Their recommendations for a Gilbert A/C installation company reflect experience. Likely, you already know someone who just completed a ton of research on home heating and cooling equipment and installers. It’s the kind of power-knowledge that you just cannot buy. So ask around. Find an air conditioning specialist in your area. Word of mouth advertising provides you with an easy way to save hours on research, time, and money too.

Air Conditioning Maintenance

A/C maintenance begins with your HVAC filter system. Checking your filters on a routine schedule can make the difference between inexpensive repairs and more expensive ones down the line. Put it in your monthly schedule, and then follow through. Furthermore, make certain that you keep an on-hand supply of replacement filters.

Storage

If you are running a heat pump, this condition doesn’t apply. In fact, merely living in Gilbert AZ removes most need for A/C storage practices. However, assuming that you use an air conditioning condensing system and that you shut down the breakers during the winter, take time to cover your outdoor air conditioning unit – and use a tight cover. This will keep it free of snow, frost and debris so that you’ll have a working unit when the spring comes and you are ready to uncover it and use it again.

Shade

Whenever possible, try to shade the outside compressor unit. The air in shady places is typically five to six degrees cooler than the surrounding air. If effectively shaded during the summer months, your Gilbert HVAC air conditioning unit will be up to ten percent more efficient than an sun-blasted unit.

Control the Thermostat

If you are looking to save money during operation of your Gilbert HVAC system, consider turning down the air conditioning in the summer and turning the heat down in the winter. Putting on a sweater on a cold day can save you a ton of money on your utility bill – as can enjoying a cold drink instead of heavy air conditioning use.

Gilbert HVAC Necessity

If you lived in a place with perfectly lovely year-around weather, you would not need heating or cooling in your home. But in Gilbert, doing without air conditioning means sweating all summer long. Make your Gilbert HVAC buying decision with care. If you need help picking the right Gilbert HVAC product, click here.

Leading Phoenix Air Conditioning Company Releases New Guide For Residents Living With Asthma

Written by Rm Harrington on . Posted in AC Service, Air Purification.

American Cooling and Heating today announced release of “Living With Asthma, A PDF For Phoenix Arizona Residential Customers.” All readers are welcome to download this updated report.

“Asthma: It’s frightening, hard on the body, and more common than many people suspect. With regional Phoenix heat on the rise, ACH strives the help AZ residents find comfort in the mist of the flames. Living with asthma is not easy.”

Today American Cooling and Heating out of Phoenix, Arizona reaches out to area residents by delivering a free “Living With Asthma” pdf report. The information in “Living With Asthma, A PDF For Phoenix Arizona Residential Customers” includes the following sections:

Section I: Creating An Asthmatic Friendly Home

1) Air filtration
2) Dusting the House
3) Clean Bedding
4) Upholstery
5) Carpeting
6) Pets
7) Clutter
8) Dehumidifiers and Air Conditioning

Section II: Effectively Managing Asthma

1) A Respiratory Disorder
2) Learning The Cause
3) Medication
4) Asthma-Friendly Home
5) Dealing With Attacks

So don’t miss out. The report is now available on the American Cooling and Heating primary website.

American Cooling and Heating – The Company

Established in 1993 and founded on the principles of value-for-your-money with quality HVAC installation and services workmanship, American Cooling and Heating services regional Phoenix, including: Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale and more. ACH has an unsurpassed reputation for technical proficiency in all sectors of residential, commercial and industrial air conditioning, refrigeration and heating. Among other considerations, every American Cooling and Heating technician, salesperson, office worker or manager is selected based upon five points of business ethnics:

Skill for the task at hand
Demonstrated respect for the Company, the Company’s customers, and for self
A record of reliable work ethnics, on-time arrival, and efficient work habits
Successful clearance via a rigid background check
Unchallenged completion of drug testing by a certified testing firm.

ACH promotes extended deals on all HVAC products, including expert Air Conditioning repair and Air Conditioning replacement of Amana, Rheem, Goodman, Carrier, Ruud, Lennox, Trane and other brand name HVAC equipment. Service trucks are fully stocked and ready to roll 24/7. ACH techs can handle all types of cooling, heating, heat pumps, furnaces, air handlers, refrigeration, and HVAC equipment.

In addition to being bonded, licensed and insured for Arizona Air Conditioning services, American Cooling and Heating also stands out as:

AZROC K79 license 183933 Residential, Commercial, Industrial, HVAC and Refrigeration Contractor
AZROC KB2 license 238225 Residential, Commercial General Contractor
TDLR TACLA21146C Residential, Commercial, Industrial, HVAC and Refrigeration Contractor
Australian Licensed Air Conditioning And Refrigeration Contractor – Fair Trading, Arctick, Energy Safety, OHS White Card
UK Europe – CSCS Refrigeration And Air Conditioning Service And Installation Engineer. CSCS Black Card – Project Manager
Member Of Air Conditioning Contractors Of America
AND As an A+ member of the Better Business Bureau.

To reap a copy of the ACH, “Living With Asthma, A PDF For Phoenix Arizona Residential Customers,” the book cover.

Top Quality Workmanship, BBB A+ Rated, AZ ROC Complaint Free

Author: Rm Harrington

Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Technology, and Applied Physics?

Improving Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Performance Via Magnetic Cooling