Will Air Conditioning Remove Humidity?

September 19, 2018

A common question asked by homeowners is whether their air conditioners remove the humidity from the air. The short answer to this question is yes, but there is more involved than just removing humidity. In fact, the main function of your air conditioner is not to remove humidity, it happens as a byproduct of the way the unit works. Air Conditioners and Humidity—What You Need to Know The removal of humidity occurs when your air conditioner operates due to how the air conditioner cools the air in your home. For an air conditioner to work, it needs to remove the heat from the air before it pushes that air into your home. To accomplish this task, the air conditioner uses coolant, an evaporator coil, and a condenser. The Evaporator Coil and Collection Tray When the air moves over the evaporator coil, the expanding coolant inside that coil pulls the heat out of the air that passes over it. The process of pulling out heat also pulls out moisture, which is why there needs to be a collection tray underneath the evaporator coil to collect all the water that results from the cooling process. Periodically, the unit will dispose of the...

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The Dangers of Not Getting Your AC Fixed

August 7, 2018

When the hot weather hits, we all want to switch on our air conditioners and enjoy the cool breeze in our homes. However, if you didn’t service your AC unit in spring, you might be facing a bigger problem. You might turn on your thermostat and discover that your AC unit doesn’t seem to be working properly. Maybe it is shutting off intermittently, making strange noises or not cooling your home at all. Although you know that you need to call an expert to inspect your unit, you might be tempted to ignore the problem and leave your AC running anyway. But, you need to be aware that doing so could put your entire home at risk. Here are some of the dangers of not getting your AC fixed. Air Pollution Typically a dirt air conditioner could be blowing all kinds of pollutants and allergens into your home and posing a significant health risk. You need to remember the fact that low indoor air quality exposes you and your entire family to high concentrations of harmful chemicals. This exposure could damage your respiratory system and cause other illness, especially in young children. In fact, a faulty AC unit is much...

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5 Common AC Issues

July 15, 2018

Air conditioning is a need, and life can be daunting if yours malfunctions. Repairs can prove costly, so it’s vital to ensure your AC is in tip toe shape by constant maintenance. By scheduling regular inspection and maintenance of your HVAC system, you’re saying no to unexpected breakdowns, costly repairs and discomfort to you and your loved ones. Is that enough? Well, it’s also necessary to know some common AC issues: 1. Filters Clogged or dirty filter is a leading cause of AC malfunctions. Often, manufacturers provide a guide on how to change your filter. Some are changed monthly while others after three months, others are reusable and must be thoroughly cleaned when dirty. The quickest way to determine if your filter is dirty is to check if light passes through. If it doesn’t, it’s time to clean. Apart from restricting air flow, dirty filters can make the AC unit to freeze. 2. Thermostat The thermostat regulates the temperature setting in your home. It’s recommended to ensure your thermostat functions properly. Make sure it’s always turned on, clean on the inside, set correctly, away from direct sunlight and is level. 3. Refrigerant Leakage When the temperature in your home fluctuates,...

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Should I Turn My AC Off When I’m on Vacation?

July 9, 2018

If you regularly use air conditioning in your home to reduce the temperature, you may wonder what to do about the cooling when you are expected to be away for an extended amount of time. Should you keep your AC turned on when you will not be around for several days or is it better to turn it off? Here are some tips to keep in mind to help you make your decision. Consider The Humidity Level If your home is prone to humidity problems when the air conditioning is turned off, leaving it on when you are away is best. This will help to remove moisture from the air, keeping the interior of your home from becoming musty. Humidity could also lead to odors in the home, peeling paint, and mold. Leaving the air conditioning on will alleviate these problems, helping to keep your personal space in the best of condition so you do not need to tend to any repair work or cleanup sessions upon your return. Think About Any Pets In The House If you have pets being cared for by a friend or family member in your absence, the need to keep your AC on will...

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The Importance of an AC Unit

June 6, 2018

Have you been thinking about installing an AC unit in your home or office? Are you wondering if this is a necessary expense? Air conditioners are designed to provide a wide range of purposes, and this makes them extremely essential in the workplace or home. But do you really need to have an AC unit? This article will outline several reasons why an AC unit is essential: Improves Air Quality Air conditioners are designed to maintain the perfect level of temperature and moisture and improve air quality. When you have an air conditioner, the air that will be circulated in your home will be filtered and clean. Clean air is free from excess dust, dirt particles, and bacteria that often come into your living or work space through the windows and doors. Filtered air creates a cleaner, healthier environment that’s ideal for your entire family or commercial environment where your employees spend many hours working. Everyone who suffers from asthma or allergies will be more comfortable since irritants that trigger attacks have been minimized. Enhances Human Efficiency If you have an AC unit in your home or office, human efficiency increases drastically. This is because air conditioning creates comfortable atmospheric...

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How Does Upgrading Your AC Unit Actually Save You Money?

May 29, 2018

When it comes to the overall cost of an air conditioning unit there are a few different things to consider. For starters, ac units can cost thousands of dollars if you are putting in a new system but it can also save you money. How can replacing your ac unit help save money? Lower Energy Bills Older units take more electricity to run in most cases due to the fact that they are not using energy smart technology. This means that your older unit may be driving up the cost of cooling your home each season because it has to work harder to cool your home. If you replace with a newer, energy smart air conditioning unit you can cut your bill up to half and save money on necessary cooling costs. Lower Maintenance Costs Another way that replacing your unit can save you money is in maintenance costs. As your unit ages, it is going to need more frequent repairs, the parts are going to become harder and harder to find, and you are likely going to have to call out a technician more often to repair it resulting in high fees. For the most part, newer units need...

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Get smart about home energy efficiency

February 8, 2013

Did you know as much as half the energy consumed in your home goes to heating and cooling? If you haven’t replaced your HVAC system with a high-efficiency, ENERGY STAR® qualified model, you’re probably spending significantly more on home utility bills—up to 20% more if your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, and up to 15% more if your furnace is more than 15 years old. Here are a few more steps you can take to increase energy efficiency and savings in your home: Close the envelope Insulating and sealing the exterior of your home, often referred to as the “envelope,” can help keep air from leaking into the home from the outside, or vice versa, helping you to save up to $200 per year on home heating and cooling costs. Seal the ducts Duct sealing can save up to $120 per year in coastal areas, and as much as $190 if you’re inland. Install a programmable thermostat An ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat can save you up to $100 per year in coastal areas and over $150 inland. Lennox’ icomfort Wi-Fi Touchscreen Thermostat lets you set your home’s temperature to save energy from anywhere in...

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Playing it cool: 7 ways to beat the heat

June 29, 2012

So the temps are skyrocketing, and you’re sweating buckets. Not exactly the plan you had for chilling out this summer. Not to worry: We’ve gathered seven tips to help you stay cool in the rising heat: 1. Drink plenty of water In summer, your body loses a maximum amount of water through perspiration. Replenish several times a day (drink at least 2 more glasses than usual), and add more juices and fruit—watermelon, grapefruit, pineapple, pears and citrus fruits are not only cooling, but contain high water content. 2. Slather on the sunblock Not only will it keep you protected from the sun’s harmful rays and help to prevent sunburn, it will also keep you looking younger over time. Bonus: By keeping the burn at bay, your skin will stay cooler. Use an entire ounce (about the size of a golf ball) for optimum protection. 3. Lighten up Your plate, that is. Research shows heavy foods take longer to digest, interfering with the body’s cooling process. Think salads, sandwiches and soup broths…you’ll stay trim while gaining energy for outdoor activities. 4. Go with the flow Dressing in breezy, lightweight fabrics that offer plenty of movement—cotton, linen and gauze—are the best bet...

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