=> AIR CONDITIONER BUYING QUESTIONS

=> GENERAL HOW AND WHAT ABOUT AIR CONDITIONERS <<<GO BACK>>>

A. An air conditioner is a device which uses a special type of substance which readily changes from its normal gas state to a liquid one. The gas is contained in a closed circuit of pipes connected to a pump. The pump compresses the gas so hard that the pressure is great enough for it to turn into a liquid. In doing this the gas/liquid has got hot (If you try to compress a gas, it will almost always get hot - think of a bike pump when you pump up a tyre (tire), the greater the pressure in the tyre, the hotter the pump gets)

Now the hot liquid travels round a set of pipes which allow the heat to escape. Next the liquid under pressure passes through a valve into a pipe where the pressure is much lower, and the liquid evaporates back into its gas state. In doing this it needs to take in heat from its surroundings, thus making the pipes colder. The gas now gets back to the pump and the whole cycle starts again.

The pipes are usually arranged so that there are fans to blow air over both the hot part of the pipes and the cold part. The hot part is frequently put outside the house, and the cold part inside. This is called either a 'split pack', or a 'twin pack' depending on which country you are in There are also portable versions which have both parts in the same box, with the cold air blowing out of the front, and the hot air blowing out of a flexible hose which you put put outside the room to allow the hot air to dissipate.

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A. A heat pump is like a conventional air conditioner except it also can provide heat in winter. In the summer, the heat pump collects heat from the house and expels it outside. In the winter, the heat pump extracts heat from outside air and circulates it inside the house. The heat pump works best when the outdoor temperature is above freezing. Below that, supplementary heat often is needed. A heat pump can save 30 to 60 percent less energy to supply the same heat when compared to an electric furnace with a resistance heating element.

In its cooling mode, a heat pump supplies exactly the same kind of cooling as all electric air conditioners. In its heating mode, the temperature of the air supplied by a heat pump is not as hot as the air supplied by a fossil fuel furnace, but the end result is the same:  a warm, comfortable home. Air temperature from a heat pump at room outlets normally is about 100 degrees Fahrenheit compared to about 120 to 130 degrees from a fossil fuel furnace. <<<GO BACK>>>

=> AIR CONDITIONER BUYING QUESTIONS <<<GO BACK>>>

A. There are three main ways to determine the SEER of equipment: (1) find the model numbers of your present equipment (the outdoor condenser/compressor unit and the indoor evaporator coil unit) and check them with local contractors who handle your brand; (2) estimate the SEER based on the average SEER units produced approximately when your system was installed; or (3) check the energy efficiency label on your outdoor condenser/compressor unit if you have equipment produced after late 1988.

In the first method, contractors can then consult manufacturer data or the ARI unitary equipment certification directory which lists all models of equipment by manufacturers that certify their equipment SEER ratings.  In the second method, for air conditioners and heat pumps produced in 1981, the first year SEER criteria was used, the average ratings were 7.78 and 7.51 respectively. By 1987, SEERs reached 8.97 and 8.93 respectively.

By 1994, ratings increased to 10.61 for air conditioners and 10.94 for heat pumps. In the third method, residential central air conditioners and heat pumps covered under Department of Energy (DOE) test procedures and manufactured on and after June 7, 1988, are required to have labels containing energy efficiency information.  For each system, the label will be on the outdoor condenser/compressor unit, and will reflect the SEER achieved by matching the outdoor unit and the indoor evaporator coil unit.  l <<<GO BACK>>>

A. You'll need to talk with a local contractor to verify what size cooling equipment you now have and what you actually need, then determine the normal cooling load hours for your area, and find your electric rate cost. When cooling, heat pump performance is measured in seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). When heating, it is measured in coefficient of performance (COP) or heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF). In all measurements, the higher the rating the more efficient the system

The formula is as follows: 
Capacity (Btuh)   Cooling Load Hours

--------------- X ------------------  X Electric Rate = Annual Operating Cost

    SEER                 1000

For example, if a home requires a unit with a capacity of 36,000 British thermal units per hour (Btuh), is located where the cooling load is 1500 hours and the electric rate is 8 cents per kilowatt hour, here is the calculation for a system with a SEER of 10:

     36,000 x 1500

     ------ X ---- X .08 = $432 per year

       10     1000

The same calculation with a SEER of 12 reveals an annual operating cost of $360 or $72 less per season 17 percent savings.

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A. Manufacturers publish equipment efficiency ratings which are available to your contractor. ARI also publishes directories indicating various energy efficiency ratings of specific equipment.
It is important that a contractor install a unit that has just the right capacity to cool your home. Units with excess capacity will cycle on and off and work less efficiently, thus increasing your operating costs.

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I had the same problem and when the service tech came out it was determined that a faulty relay was to blame - the ac and heat were on at the same time! Hope this helps.

A. It would take 30 min. average time to add this charge to the system. <<<<GO BACK>>>

A. Indoor air fan is not functioning. for that, there are many possibilities. <<<<GO BACK>>>

A. Vents should be situated near windows. Windows that are north or west facing should get a vent before a south or east facing window would get one. (Assuming that the vents also supply heat.) .
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A. Check the capacitor located inside the outside condensing unit,usually the fan,compressor are wired together,if one is running the other should be running. <<<<GO BACK>>>

A. Freon is a term used in the industry for most refridgerants. R-22 is a blend that is scheduled to be obsolete in 2010. R-22 is up to $12 a pound. The new repalcement is 410a or 134a. <<<<GO BACK>>>

A. Your AC would tend to lose some of its cooling capacity as it would not have significant air changes on the portion of the house where the return is closed. <<<<GO BACK>>>

A. You do not need to pump the system down just to clean the coil unless you are planning to remove the coil completely from the unit. <<<<GO BACK>>>

A. You do not need to pump the system down just to clean the coil unless you are planning to remove the coil completely from the unit. <<<<GO BACK>>>

A. It depends upon the amount of work involved and the cost of doing business in your neighborhood.This is a time and materials job.
Way too many factors to even give a guess. Is the home a ranch or two-story? On a slab? Unfinished basement? Finished basement? Are the rooms in question upstairs or down? Are the steel joists supporting the house? Is the house drywalled or plastered? Are the interior walls some special material, like brick or stone? How far from the furnace? How far from the nearest existing duct runs? Are the floors tiled, carpeted or hardwood? <<<<GO BACK>>>

A. Not necessarily. I would caution you to watch the Relative Humidity in the Home. Depending on EACH system, the amount of moisture that lays in your drain pans is then put back into the conditioned space when you continuously circulate the fan. If you are in a tropical environment, this is not the most efficient way to operate your system. The home may actually "feel" warmer when the air conditioning comes back on. This effect is caused by the changing of moisture in your home. Moist air is lighter than dry air, so when you start the dehumidification the moisture rises. The removal of moisture is the biggest cost associated with the conditioning of the air. You be the judge, as you will notice whether you are cooler and saving in your electrical consumption. <<<<GO BACK>>>

A. Make sure your air filter is clean. A dirty air filter can block air flow. If both the fan and the compressor are coming on, there may be a low charge. If only the fan is coming on, the compressor could be burned up. <<<<GO BACK>>>

A. If the "humidity odor" was not present before the AC was installed then it probally comes from water building up on the evaporator coils but not draining properly outside. AC units remove water from the air and discharge it outside. If it does not drain then it will turn back into water at the AC unit, stagnate and create an odor. Hope that helps. <<<<GO BACK>>>

A. There are several factors to consider, do you have high humidity, how many people are in the house at the time, is it real hot outside, etc.
If it takes 30 minutes to bring the temp down 1 degree that is probably too long. You may have a leak in your system and need to add refrigerant. <<<<GO BACK>>>

A. This question is too broad. If it is a refrigerant leak it is most likely in one of the 2 coils. It could also be in the line set wherever the copper lines were joined with couplings and elbows.
It is also possible that the line set has been punctured with a nail during construction or home improvement. <<<<GO BACK>>>

A. More than likely, the clog is a clump of algae / mold. A solution of bleach and water cold help reduce the growth. A quicker solution is o replace the line, but it may not be accessible
compressed air use a blow gun seal whith a rag and give a good burst of air some kits are sold for this that uses co2 cartridges same as the cartriges used in pellet guns. <<<<GO BACK>>>
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A. It is possible that the circuit breaker for the compressor unit is thrown (switched to "off"). Go outside to the compressor unit and follow the big cable up to the circuit breaker panel on the wall. If it is off, throw the switch to "on." If that is not the problem, something is probably wrong with the compressor unit. Turn off the breaker panel and call a repairman. <<<<GO BACK>>>
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A. You either have a dirty air filter or the unit is leaking refrigerant and is undercharged. The first answer is the best bet, but also make sure the out side coils are not covered up with vines. <<<GO BACK>>>

A. You don't. The support leg that has to rest against a solid surface must never be allowed to rest against window glass, even heavy duty glass. The constant vibration of the unit will eventually break the glass. You deffinately would not want to be on the receiving end of a law suit because someone just happened to be walking by when it fell. As heavy as even most small units are there would be a great deal of possibilty of them even getting killed. Wrongful death law suits usually clean people like me and you out for life, not to mention the very great possibilty of prison time. It don't take no rocket scientist to see this coming. <<<GO BACK>>>

A. IT wouldn't do much good. Air conditioners work by MOVING heat from one side to the other. When a window unit is running the heat is sent outside and cool air is blown inside. The water is only there because moisture condenses from air when the air cools. <<<GO BACK>>>

A. One way to lock the window in place without using screws is to cut small blocks of wood and place them on top of the window, between the lower window and the upper frame. <<<GO BACK>>>

A. Start looking at the power cord. It may have been ripped loose inside the case or from the electrical plug connections. Then look for loose or broken wires to every component. <<<GO BACK>>>

A. It may be lubricating oil leaking from the compressor. Have the unit serviced before any futher use. <<<GO BACK>>>

A. Coolant has a smell that is very difficult to describe; it smells sweet, yet a little like rubber; It has a green color almost like Gatorade. Old coolant can be brown and smell quite rancid. <<<GO BACK>>>

A. you need to check to see if the lines or outside unit has an ice build up. unit is probably working too hard, keep it at an even tempature, don't turn down and then turn up constantly. Better yet, check to see if the indoor fan motor is running. It could be a bad fan motor, bad capacitor, or bad fan relay. <<<GO BACK>>>

Portable Ac

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A. Portable air conditioner is an air conditioner that you can move from one room to another on castors, unlike window and central AC. They can cool any room from bedroom, living room, kitchen, garage, office rooms, Attics, Basements, Boats, Computer room etc. Virtually any room where you cannot have Window AC, Mini Split AC Or Central Air Conditioning System.
Moreover, portable air conditioner installation is not a permanent one, it can packed and put in the storage area soon as the summer season is over. They are very energy efficient, easy to install and at affordable reasonable prices. Most of them not only have Cooling features but also FREE Dehumidifications, Air Purification features to them. You can also buy the one with or without heater.

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A. Window AC's are traditional AC's that you mount only on windows. They maybe cheaper than portable AC but in the long run you end up spending a lot of money on electricity bills compared to portable AC's. Portable AC's are MOST energy efficient AC's ever manufactured. They save you a lot of electricity bills, you can also move them from one room to another. (have it in living room in day time and move it to bedroom at night and moving is very easy as they have castors). Each AC comes with ONE set of hose and window kit, if you need TWO to set it up in two rooms, you can buy one extra hose and window kit for $20- $35 depending on which brand you are getting. NEVER COMPARE WINDOW BTU'S WITH PORTABLE. Unlike window AC's you can install a portable AC in basement, garage, attic, any apartment, even in boats, trucks, infact in any place where you have a 110V outlet or generator. NEVER COMPARE WINDOW AC BTU's TO PORTABLE AC BTU's. What this means is if someone has 5000 BTU window AC in a bedroom, then not necessarily a 5000 BTU portable AC will be a good replacement. Please go by manufacturers recommendations on sq. ft. Window AC's may sometimes be cheaper than the portable AC's, but they are not convinient and they don't save energy bills and when you buy the right kind of portable AC you not only enjoy the cold room temperature in summer time but also end up saving a lot of money every month. Plus all the portable AC's mostly have dehumidfying fuction inbuilt for free and the capabilities of killing bacteria and preventing dust particles in the room. So they cool and purify the air at the same time.

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b. They don't have to be permanently installed, you can move them from one room to another easily as they have castors to move them around. As long as you have the exhaust vent system setup in two rooms, you can use it in living room day time and in bedroom at night for example.

c. Easy Installation. Under normal circumstances, any portable AC can be easily installed by one person. No additional help usually is needed.

d. Heating function available. If you buy the one with heater, you can also use the same unit in winter time.

e. Removes odor and collects dust particles.

f. Prevents bacteria build up.

g. Has FREE dehumdifying functions.

h. Digital thermostat with auto TURN OFF timer, which can be set from 1-12 hours.

A. Absolutely, exhaust hose can be vented through the glass door using one or two of our window kits. With crank open windows, you can use our window kit with some tape or you can also use a Plexiglas that you can buy locally and run the hose right through it. <<<GO BACK>>>

A. In that case the hot air will not go out as it is suppsed to and will remain in the room instead thereby warming the room instead of cooling it. <<<GO BACK>>>

A. Yes it still needs to be vented out if it is in the heat mode as it works exactly how it works in the cool mode. In short when you run it in heat mode, it will blow hot air into the room from the front and the back will be blowing out the cold air through the hose. <<<GO BACK>>>

A. All air conditioners have to go through a condensation process. In window air conditioners, because more than 75% of the AC is mounted outside the window, all the condensed water is allowed to drip freely outside. But in case of portable AC, because the AC is inside the room, all the condensed water is stored within an in built tank that needs to be drained. So our Portable AC's use latest technology of Self Evaporation. In this process, AC tries to get rid of most of the water stored in the in built tank by self evaporation, thereby leaving only a small amount that needs to be drained manually which is quiet easy as well. ALL portable AC's have in built water tank which holds water that cannot be self evaporated. Once that water tank is full, the AC shuts itself down and a light blinks on air conditioner's LCD panel indicating it needs to be emptied.
BASED ON THIS TECHNOLOGY AC WILL NEVER LEAK EVEN WHEN THE WATER TANK IS FULL. There is a small rubber cork at the bottom of the AC, ONCE YOU PULL that out, the water just drains out and you can empty it in any pan and restart the AC right away. How often would you need to empty the water tank? Answer is no one can really predict that, as it totally depends on the humidity. It could be once a week or once every few hours. It all depends on your usage and the humidity on that particular day and you can always use the option 2 for continous drainage without having to worry about emptying. Continous drainage system drains the water automatically and you never have to empty it manually and it is very easy to setup as well. See option 2 for continous drainage and option 1 for manual drainage below.
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A. Like the central air conditioner units, mini split air conditioners have two main components: an outdoor compressor/condenser, and an indoor air-handling unit. A conduit, which houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing, and a condensate drain, links the outdoor and indoor units through a small hole (3 inches usually) that is drilled in the wall of the building. The main advantages of split air conditioners are their small size and flexibility for zoning or heating and cooling indi