How to Make your Window Air Conditioner Burglar-proof?

With mercury rising incessantly inside skyscraper cells, air conditioner units have become an indispensable part of modern city life. A window air conditioning unit provides efficient cooling in little time. Of course being an electronic device, the risk related to a sudden break down always remains for which certain precautionary measures can be taken.

Apart from technical snags, something even worse can happen to the cooling unit. Your window air conditioner might become an easy burglary target! Homeowners, therefore have to be little more careful and adopt extra precautionary measures to make their air cooling systems burglar-proof.

External Brackets

Get a high quality external bracket for your air conditioning unit as soon as possible. These brackets provide additional support to the cooling unit while securing it well with the window. This in turn serves two purposes. Firstly, it becomes very difficult to move the air conditioner. Secondly, no one can easily break into your house by pushing the device inwards.

Corner Braces

Function wise, corner braces are almost similar to external brackets. You can still install braces to enhance security arrangement. When corner braces are attached to all four sides of the air conditioner, these help secure the device properly. Then these braces protect the surrounding wall area too thereby preventing the device from being pulled out or pushed in.

Window Locks

To prevent burglars from tampering with window frames of the sliding window you need to install high quality window locks. There are two varieties available in the market, i.e., screwed and bolted. Both types are equally effective. The lock can be used to secure frames from both sides as well as up and down. Position the locks strategically. For maximum efficiency, place them along the line where the window meets the wall.

Vent Flaps

Typically an air conditioning device is smaller in size than the window. Therefore the free area outlining the cooling machine becomes an easy target for burglars. So to make sure no one takes advantage of this free space, you can install metal or plastic vent flaps. Secure the vents tightly so that no tampering can be done.

Sensor Alarms

To prevent any burglary attempt, install miniature high sensor alarm devices. These alarms can be positioned right on top of the AC so that any attempt to move it even by smallest proportions gets detected immediately. Make sure the alarm works properly and sets off in time.

A high-pitched alarm system is preferred since this will alert you even if you are in another room. Further the high-pitch sound alerts your neighbors too in case you are not at home. Most importantly the alarm sound scares the burglar away.

In case you can’t install an alarm system, try to fake it! Attach symbols denoting an alarm system on your air conditioning unit irrespective of whether you actually have it installed or not. Sounds funny? The strategy does work in such emergencies.

Last but not the least; you can always talk to any air conditioner expert to know how to render maximum protection to your window air conditioning unit.

How to Assess Heating and Ventilation Loads Before Buying the HVAC System

When it comes to selecting the HVAC system, heating and ventilating loads play significant role. Several environmental factors and design computations determine these loads. So how to know the real significance of heating and ventilation load assessment. Continue reading for an in-depth study.

If you have decided to install an HVAC system in a particular building, then an estimation of heating and ventilation loads should be done first. Based on the outcome you decide, the design and type of HVAC system to be installed. Only an accurate assessment of these loads ensures precise selection of the heating and ventilation system for that building. This way you can be sure that the HVAC system will function consistently and guarantee variable productivity, which is proportionate to the building’s heat load whenever the climate changes. Now the big question is how to assess heating and ventilation loads. Before you take out the calculator, here are some factors needed to be considered while assessing the load. 

• Know the amount of heat which is spread through areas that are not directly heated.
• Have an idea about the amount of heat needed to turn that air hot which has penetrated through door, window cracks or through entrances.
• Know about heat which is needed to make that air hot that has entered the building mechanically as ventilation air.
• Take into account various other loads.

 
In order to precisely determine the heating load, you should have an idea of the constant average temperature during night time of the winter season. Also, take into consideration constant supply of heat, if any, is present all the time. Quantity of heat which the building accumulates along with energy of cooling equipments has to be considered for specific design calculations.

It always helps if you have ideas about how to do the estimation of heating loads. Few steps are discussed below.

• Do conduct an assessment of weather conditions which usually prevail outside the building. For this, you should take into account temperature, humidity and wind’s speed.
• What kind of indoor air temperature you desire to maintain.
• Analyze general temperature of adjacent locations that are not heated.
• Determine heat transmission coefficient.
• Determine outside areas through which heat gets dispersed or rather wasted.
• Take into account heat transference losses which happen through bricks, glass and the building base.
• You should also calculate heat loss which happens through basement areas.

 
While calculating design and selecting the right HVAC system, structure of the building and for what purpose it is being used, should be assessed accurately.  Its exposure to wind, whether it is receiving direct sunlight, which part of the day this building is mostly used and its period of occupancy, all these factors play crucial roles too.

Thus to sum it up, if you want maximum energy and cost efficiency from the HVAC system, then do carry out thorough assessment of several design and environmental factors. Of course you can talk to an expert for helpful guidance in this regard.

Basic Steps to Clean Air Conditioner Coils

Air conditioner coil is an integral part of the cooling system. This coil performs a very significant function that of exchanging heat from inside air to outside air. Basically, there are two types of coils used in an air conditioning system. The condenser coil, made of aluminum, covers the air conditioner compressor from outside, whereas the evaporator coil is attached at the main duct junction, inside the air conditioner itself. Thus, it is the evaporator coil whose efficient functioning matters the most.

Maintenance of air conditioner coils should be done carefully. To simplify the cleaning process of condenser coil, you need basic equipment like soft brush, grass shears, fin comb, coil cleaner, carpenter’s level and pry bar. On the other hand, for evaporator coils, keep these equipment handy like a stiff brush, screwdriver, household bleach and a large hand mirror.

Cleaning the Evaporator Coil

 

• Start by removing the access plate which is situated behind the foil wrapped insulation. Use a screwdriver for the purpose.
• Clean evaporator coils with the stiff brush. You can use the large hand mirror to see how much dust has gathered on evaporator coils.
• Make sure to clean the tray placed below evaporator unit. Use the stiff brush for the purpose.
• If you find it difficult to clean every part of the coil, then pull out the unit a bit to clean it properly.
• Spread some household bleach into the tray weep holes. This prevents growth of fungus and mold.
• Finally refit all parts of the entire unit into their appropriate places.

The good thing about evaporator coils is that these are not in direct contact with outside dirt. So, you need not follow a regular cleaning regime for evaporator coils. In case of condenser coil, the story is a bit different. Since these are placed externally i.e. in the outer portion of the air conditioner, you need to be more careful about condenser coil cleaning. Follow these steps.

• First remove weeds, grasses or creepers that might have grown around the condenser unit.
• Use a coil cleaner to clean condenser coils. You can opt for commercial coil cleaners which are readily available in the market.
• Use a soft brush to clean the fins and remove accumulated dirt. A special tool called fin comb is available with which you can make the fins straight.
• Check out whether the level of condenser unit is horizontal or not. Apply carpenter’s level to check the height of concrete pad on which the condenser is placed. Bring the condenser to horizontal level by using a shim and pry bar.
• Now that you are done with the cleaning make sure that, all components of the condenser unit that you have taken out for cleaning are now refitted in their appropriate positions.

The above mentioned steps give a generic picture of how to clean air conditioner coils. For customized services and expert guidance, it is always advised that you get in touch with an HVAC expert.

Importance of Air Duct Cleaning in East SF Bay Area

The East Bay area is known for its dramatic variations in weather conditions. If you are in SF Bay area, then you can enjoy cool mornings and pleasant evenings; whereas, midday temperatures might rise slightly. Thus, it is no wonder that San Francisco or East Bay homeowners are bit oblivious to the significance of HVAC system maintenance. Often, they tend to overlook one significant aspect i.e. cleaning of air duct of the HVAC system.

In general, homeowners tend to sincerely consider other aspects of their HVAC systems like changing filter or its general maintenance. The problem is very few give serious thought to the most important component of the unit, i.e., the air duct. This might be because many are unaware of the fact that efficient working of the air duct helps deliver pure heated or cooled air inside the home.

East Bay HVAC professionals always emphasize on air duct cleaning especially for households with pets. A regular cleaning regime is suggested to maintain good health of your entire family. Here are few reasons which should encourage you to seriously consider air duct cleaning.

• Respiratory problems among children have become quite common nowadays. An unclean duct accumulates dirt, mold spores, rodent droppings and many other germs. When you run the unit, contaminated air gets circulated in your home. So, if you want to live in a healthy and fresh home environment, then don’t feel hesitant investing in air duct maintenance.
• If you have often wondered exactly from where that unpleasant odor is coming, then blame it on the air duct! Dust and debris gather inside the duct for months, thus emitting intense foul odor right inside the room. To make the situation even worse, small rodents might find their way inside the ductwork in case, the duct has cracks or inaccurate seals. Thus, the room ambiance turns horrible as the smell of decaying rodent vitiates the environment when you switch on the heating or cooling unit.
• An unclean duct pollutes air and turns your room dirtier. As dusts keep gathering inside the ductwork, these have to find some way out. Ultimately, a portion of dirt ends up right inside your home. Then, you would soon notice more of dust building up on furnishings and floors. Rather than blaming yourself for inefficient home cleaning, take a close look at the unclean air duct.

Being a resident of SF Bay area, you might not need the HVAC system on regular basis but this doesn’t mean you can neglect its maintenance. Don’t think that cleaning or changing filter is just enough. If you want odor-free, dust-free and healthy indoor air, then take proper care of the HVAC unit focusing more on the air duct. Hire a professional heating and air conditioning company that has expertise in offering services in the SF Bay area. A good idea is to check out the company’s track record and performance history before finalizing the service contract. 

Should You Run a Central Cooling Unit or Three Wall Air Conditioners?

Air conditioning is the perfect way to turn a sultry summer day into a pleasant one. However, escalating energy costs comes in the way of keeping your air conditioner on for longer time. So, does this mean you suffer in the sticky weather? The solution actually lies in finding cost effective and energy efficient cooling solutions.

If you need to air condition an expansive room or the whole house, then it becomes more significant to choose appropriate cooling method. In general, consumers have two options, i.e. pick up three wall window air conditioners or settle for a central air conditioning unit. Now, how do you decide which is the right cooling strategy for the entire house? There are few factors to be considered.

Compare Power Usage

In general, a central air conditioning unit uses more energy than a window unit. A 2.5 ton central cooling unit uses approx. 3,500 watts to keep a 1,500 to 2,000 square-foot home cool. On the other hand, a window system uses energy ranging from 500 to 1440 watts. If you are thinking of installing the central cooling system then include furnace costs too. In order to spread cool air throughout the house, a furnace blower is also needed. This automatically enhances energy expenses.

Unit installation Cost to be Included

When it comes to finalizing an air conditioner, considering only energy costs is not enough. Purchase price and installation cost of the central air unit is clearly much higher than the window unit. You can always do a little calculation to verify the fact. Divide the purchase price and installation costs by estimated number of months you might use it. This brings out the true cost of having an air conditioner. Add monthly utility bill to it and the real picture emerges, which might not appear that presentable for a central unit!

Proper Maintenance Matters Too

So, you think you have covered the entire expenses by considering the purchase price, installation costs and energy bill? Then you are wrong! For the central cooling, maintenance matters a lot. You might have installed an energy efficient unit; but, if the duct is full of holes or poorly insulated, then that affects the entire system’s efficiency. Automatically, cooling costs go up too.

When you pick up a central air unit give special emphasis on proper insulation of ducts. A regular inspection and maintenance routine is highly advisable. In comparison, a window unit runs fine with occasional cleaning/checking, may be yearly once.

While it can’t be denied that the central unit costs more, it is undoubtedly the best and easiest way to cool three or more rooms.

A good idea is to research and compare different cooling alternatives. Even better is to talk to a HVAC specialist. An expert guidance would undoubtedly help in picking up the most appropriate cooling option for your home.

Why do you need to have an energy efficient Air Conditioner

When monthly utility bills start shooting up, you realize that summer is scorching your pocket too! Thus relief lies in having an energy efficient Air Conditioning system which lets you manage the cooling level as per your needs; so that your monthly electricity bills are intact. A yearly assessment is suggested for AC systems which have started aging. Exorbitant energy bills and insufficient cooling are some indications to explore energy efficient cooling options for your home.

A simple replacement decision is not enough. It is very important to be armed with precise information which will help in purchasing an energy efficient air conditioner. The first step should begin from your home.

Know What your Home Needs

• Your home location; i.e. whether it experiences extreme/moderate weather conditions.
• What kind of home you live in, what is the total sq. ft., how many stories it has.
• Your standard comfort level i.e. whether you want extreme cold or excess warmth in your home.

Once these questions are answered, you will be able to shortlist the best AC system within your budget.

Types of Cooling Options

Window AC – Those who are followers of the old school method might prefer this cooling option. The best thing about a Window unit is that it is fairly inexpensive to purchase and really simple to install. However, such a system works best for single rooms but definitely not for the entire home. Unfortunately, it is not an energy efficient option which you realize once those seals start leaking, thereby allowing heat and moisture to seep through the room.

Central Air Conditioning – It helps to control even temperature throughout the house. Then this hidden unit, if properly installed, is a great value addition to your home. The only thing is that you should be prepared to spend a hefty sum for purchase and installation purpose.

The Split Air Conditioning system – It is the most convenient option for maximum homes. Energy efficient and easy to install, the split system cools your entire home thoroughly and quickly. Then there are units which come with special filtration and bacteria killing techniques thus presenting you with fresh indoor air. Some feel that if purchase costs are compared then the Spilt system is comparatively expensive than the Window one. However, the split AC emerges winner in the long run, since it keeps both your home and wallet cool!

Now that you have decided to install a new Air Conditioning system, the next prudent step is to consult any recognized air conditioning specialist for customized analysis of your home cooling needs. Accordingly, you should make the purchase/replacement decision.

What you should Know about Air Conditioning Filter

Talk about air conditioning components and the first which comes to mind is air conditioning filter. The AC’s performance depends a lot on how the filter is being maintained. A clean filter means you are breathing pure air whereas a dirty filter lets circulation of air filled with pollutants. Each part of the air conditioning system, be it ductwork or the air conditioning refrigerant, needs filter which is thoroughly washed.

What can happen if the air conditioning filter is not maintained properly?

Firstly it will place excessive stress on your monthly energy bills since the AC system works harder to keep the place cool. Since action of each air conditioning part is interlinked, an unclean filter puts greater pressure on other components, thus shortening their life spans. This is turn means the AC system might conk out anytime forcing you to spend more for repair and maintenance purposes. Finally, if you don’t want to compromise with your family’s health then give proper attention to the AC filter.

How often do you change it?

It depends on the AC load, e.g. for home cooling systems, changing the filter every month or alternate months will suffice. However, for commercial or industrial installations, this should be done every alternate week. Don’t wait till the filter turns pitch black with dirt. Rather, follow a proper maintenance schedule.

Sometimes performance of the filter depends on its brand too. You might find some brands sturdier than others. A good idea to judge the filter's ability is by assessing its Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV), which ranges between 1 to12. Higher rating ensures the filter is more effective in removing not only dust but also animal dander, mold, pollen and other allergens. In general, an air conditioning filter can screen out 3 to 10 microns of particles. A good idea is to consult an air conditioning specialist in this regard to know how often the AC filter should be maintained.

Ensure proper installation of the Air Conditioning Filter

If it is placed inaccurately or loosely, then the ultimate purpose of filtering is lost. Thus the filter needs to be placed in accurate direction which is usually indicated by an arrow marked either on the side or on the face of the filter. Air flow should be in the direction as indicated by the arrow. Then the air conditioning filter needs to be fitted tightly. A perfect seal prevents unfiltered air from seeping in and damaging your air conditioning system. Thus, it is always advisable to get in touch with an HVAC expert only for accurate fitting of the AC filter.

Five common types of air conditioning filters are available in the market. Conventional/ Pleated fiberglass disposable filters, Electrostatic filters, Electronic filters and Carbon Filter, of which the first two are generally used for home/office/industrial/commercial settings. Rather than trying it on your own, better get in touch with an expert to know what filter best suits your AC and how often it needs to be maintained/changed.