Save On Your Air Conditioning Bill with Proper Maintenance

It can be uncomfortably hot in Houston. The tropical heat brings both humidity and high temperatures, a combination that can dispirit and dehydrate anyone. In such temperature, a well-functioning AC unit is a godsend, though there is a price for this cooling comfort. You can expect high electricity bills with continued usage.

There are a few ways to shave off a few dollars from your power bill. You can keep energy down by making sure your unit operates at its highest and most efficient level. You can ensure this by maintaining your AC unit regularly; the less maintained it is, the weaker its performance which results in higher energy use. Focus on maintaining these parts:

• Filters – Clean air filters to ensure normal airflow and that only clean, filtered air gets in.

When dirty air reaches the evaporator coil, it can reduce its ability to absorb heat. Make sure your filters are cleaned or replaced on a monthly basis.

• Coils – The two coils that are the heart of an AC unit, the evaporator and condenser coils, can collect dirt, depending on their location. Make sure that there are no obstructions around these parts to ensure their smooth operation.
• Fins – The aluminum fins on both coils can get bent and block airflow. Regularly check to see if they are intact and not dented.

These are the three main parts you can look out for; if your AC still does not seem to cool the room, call an AC professional to check on your unit. He will recommend the proper repair to keep your AC working at full efficiency once again. 

Making Sure Your Air Conditioner is in Great Shape

Air conditioners are pretty robust pieces of machinery. However, there are times when they conk out, mainly because of the lack of maintenance. Your air conditioner going into disrepair can be an uncomfortable experience, especially during the long, hot Houston summers.

Air conditioner repair can be pretty expensive, so it would be better to prevent the problem by doing minor maintenance on your air conditioning unit. Here are a few things to check as you give your air conditioner a once over.

The main parts that you yourself can check are the filters and coils. Dirty filters can impede the airflow, which can significantly reduce the efficiency of your unit. Cleaning or replacing these filters can increase your air conditioner's efficiency by a factor of fifteen percent. Central air conditioners usually have filters in the walls and ceilings, while room air conditioners have it inside the grill facing the room.

Coils are the other part that you should be concerned with. The evaporator and condenser coils of an air conditioner accumulate dirt over a period of time. Dirty coils will have difficulty absorbing heat, meaning that you will have hotter air being piped in. A yearly cleaning would make sure they are in top condition.

A professional technician would also be able to check and do more, so hiring them for the job is advised. Maintenance fees are lower than repair fees, after all.

Combustion Science Courtesy of Your Furnace

The fire triangle, composed of fuel, oxygen and heat, needs to go through the process of combustion to release energy. Not only does this release the energy stored in fuel, it also makes sure that there’s enough heat to be reused in the process.

To better understand the science behind combustion, here are a few details, using your furnace as an example, to help you out.

Your Furnace Needs Heat

So you rely on your furnace for heat. The interesting thing here is that your furnace also relies on heat in order to give you heat. As long as the three elements are present, combustion can go on for practically forever. The process derives heat from the heat it produced with byproducts, such as soot.

Believe it or not, this phenomenon has been the talk of some handyman forums on the Internet. They claim that furnaces refuse to start if the weather gets cold enough.

Heat Depends on Fuel

As heat is basically energy, the type of fuel used determines the amount of heat released into the environment. Natural gas is one of the most common furnace fuels used because of the immense amount of energy it contains. While its energy content dwarfs that of wood by a great deal, natural gas is advantageous for furnaces in the big city.

Eco-friendly Air Conditioning System

The mighty sun cooling your house? That sounds very illogical and impossible. Well, that was before. With today’s technology, the sun may be able to give you the cold and fresh air you need in your homes, especially in places like Houston, Texas.

One of the newest technology’s that has been invented by the Universidad Carlos III of Madrid is a solar powered air conditioning system. The solar air conditioning system harnesses the power of the sun and residual heat as an energy source to drive the cooling system.

Industries nowadays have been developing machines that are friendly to the planet such as this solar powered air conditioning system. Due to alarming climate changes around the world, governments and non-governmental organizations have intensified campaigns for environmental awareness. Utilization of a sustainable source of energy is becoming the new trend in the market.

Using this type of air conditioning system in your home will not only lessen your carbon footprint, but also lessen your pollution contribution while at the same time saving you a lot of money. The energy from the sun is still free, so far, so a big chunk of the electric bill can be redirected to your savings.

Is Your AC’s Thermostat Working Properly?

Essentially, your AC unit’s thermostat controls the cold temperature in the room, and signals whether it will stop churning out cold air when the room reaches a certain temperature. Sometimes, though, with the wrong unit, the AC system can keep wasting energy even when the room is sufficiently cold. It’s important that to check on your thermostat to find out if it’s still doing its job properly.

What You Probably Did Not Know About Your AC

The air conditioning unit is one of the most important components of your HVAC system and here are some facts that you probably did not know.

Turning off your AC for a long period will cause it to work harder the moment you turn it on. Therefore, when you're going on a vacation for a week or two, you can leave your AC on. However, make sure that it is networked with a programmable thermostat set to a low temperature that shuts if off and turns it on when necessary.

The ducts play a huge role in maintaining the cool in your home. These are the conduits that run throughout the house within the ceiling, which convey the cold air produced by your AC. If they are made of metal, chances are the cool will be absorbed and transferred through the ducts rather than into the house. Thus, you need them wrapped with insulation.

An old filter that has accumulated dust and grime does not only block cool air from being blown into your house, but also can cause respiratory illnesses. One clue that you need to replace your AC filter is when the members of your family start coughing. Dust and other harmful particles are now mixed with the air.

Selecting an Air Conditioning System in Houston

With an annual average of 67.9°F, Houston is one of the hottest cities in the country. In fact, the city occasionally hits above 100°F at least several days a year. The blistering heat makes investing in a great air conditioning system important for residents.

Choosing an air conditioning system can be a tough task, considering all the brands and models available on the market. With this in mind, here are a few tips to remember before purchasing an air conditioning system.

The Right Size

Everything may be bigger in Texas, but size isn’t everything when it comes to air conditioning systems. Many homeowners in hot areas tend to overdo the size of the unit, resulting in higher energy bills and an inefficient air conditioning system.

SEER Rating

The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating describes an air conditioning unit’s energy efficiency. The SEER rating ranges from 13 to 21, with a higher number denoting higher efficiency. Choosing an efficient unit can keep your home cool in an energy bill-friendly manner.

Reputable HVAC Contractor

Do not be afraid to consult an HVAC contractor. These professionals often offer free consultations and can help you understand what makes an air conditioning unit great. In addition, many of these contractors offer or know places that sell air conditioning units for great prices, making the search for an air conditioning system much easier.