Air Conditioner Condenser Coil Cleaner – What Do You Use to Clean Your Coil?

A Clean Air Conditioner Condenser Coil is probably the most important thing to have your air conditioner running at top efficiency. So, what do you use to clean the coil?

There are a number of different things that can be used to clean your condenser coil. It does not matter whether you are cleaning a central air conditioning unit or a window air conditioning unit. What does matter is the type and location of the coil and the amount of dirt that is in the coil.

When looking at the type of coil cleaner to be used, make sure that the chemical being used is compatible with the type of metal that the coil is made out of. Some chemicals and certain metals do not get along well and should be avoided.

Also, if you condenser coil is severely plugged then a foaming type coil cleaner is a must have item. If the condenser coil just needs to be washed down and is not completely plugged then a mild detergent may be just the tool needed to do the job.

For many units that have regular cleanings, a good quality detergent similar to what you use to wash your car, will work just fine. The main object of the cleaning is to remove the dust, dirt, and grime from the coil to promote better air flow through the coil. If the coil is just plugged with grass or dandelion seeds them a simple hosing off with the water hose may do the trick.

If a foaming cleaner is need to clean a neglected or very dirty coil then look up your local heating and air conditioning supply house and purchase a coil cleaner specifically for cleaning condenser coils. Most of these products are for professional use only and care is needed when using and handling these products.

Condenser coil cleaning can be done by the homeowner if proper care is taken and it will keep you air conditioning unit running great whether it is a central air conditioning unit or a window air conditioning unit. Once you know what to do and how to do it you may find that you will be cleaning your condenser coil a number of times a year to insure top performance from your unit.

Source by D. Floyd Kolb

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5 Tips For Home HVAC Maintenance

A professional with the expert knowledge about HVAC systems should ideally take a look a your entire system twice per year, once in the fall before the heating season, and once in the spring before the cooling season. They perform a whole maintenance plan that will keep the system running in top condition and are capable of finding any little problems before they turn into big issues.

In between the professional HVAC services there are some simple home checks that can be done to ensure the system is operating properly and at peak efficiency. Although many of the items on a maintenance checklist do require a licensed technician, most of the little things can be done easily by any homeowner. For units that are mounted outside the home, the most important thing that can be done is to clean in, on, and around the unit to get rid of leaves and other debris that can clog up the unit.

The following 5 tips are for HVAC units that are mounted inside the home:

Tip # 1: Listen

Turn the unit on and listen carefully to the sounds it makes each time that it starts. If it sounds abnormal immediately turn it off and have a certified technician examine the unit for underlying problems.

Tip # 2: Look

Visually inspect the entire unit at least once per month. Observe the unit while it is working to check for sparks or smoke. There should be no frayed wiring, rusted components, or missing parts. It should be relatively free of dust, dirt, and debris with no obvious build-up that is more than a quick sweep with the vacuum can handle.

Tip # 3: Touch

Once per month take a few minutes to ensure that all knobs, nuts and bolts, and controls are firmly fastened. Control knobs should be easy to turn for different settings with only a small amount of resistance. Feel the various components to be certain that they are not overly hot.. a potential fire hazard.

Tip # 4: Clean Filters

Once per month the filters should be inspected, cleaned, and replaced if necessary. Plugged filters compromise the efficiency of the unit and can cause larger problems down the road. Filters are inexpensive and easy to change so it is a good idea to get into the habit of replacing them on a regular basis.

Tip # 5: Follow the Pipes

At the same time that air filters are replaced, it is also a good idea to check the ductwork. Look for obvious signs of wear as well as running your hand along the length to ascertain that there are no air leaks.

These simple tasks take less than 30 minutes and could potentially save customers large repair bills in the future. If possible problems are noticed during any homeowner’s inspection then it is time to call in expert HVAC services to have the issue fixed. Especially when dealing with gas units, it is best to leave problems to the licensed and trained professionals.

Source by Robin Khan

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Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips For Homeowners

During the long hot dog days of summer, one appliance a household cannot live without is the air conditioner. There are a few things that a person needs to do to keep it running well. There are some tips for air conditioner maintenance that are easy and not expensive.

To keep the air conditioner running in top form, one must do a few things. One such item is to schedule a preventative maintenance check. If a house is running with a heat pump, it will control the heat and air conditioning. If the system runs both, then it needs to have a check in the spring and fall. Remember to have a licensed air conditioning company do the check. If the company is licensed then you can feel confident that any issues can be found before the residence is sitting without air conditioning in the summer or heat in the winter.

An annual check should be completed on a unit if it runs both air conditioning and a heating system. If it best to have the checks completed prior to the season when they are utilized most.

An important tip to help run the air conditioner more efficiently is to make sure to change the filter. It should be checked every thirty days. If the unit is run on a heat pump then the system’s filter should be changed monthly. If the unit just heats or cools then it is recommended that a filter be changed during the months of operation.

Filters vary is shape, type and size. Some filters can be thrown out after using. Filters are inexpensive and easy to change. Consulting the operation guide is a good way to learn how to change the filter for the system. To change the filter, the homeowner needs to turn the system to off. Running the system without a filter will only cause it to clog and be inefficient. A dirty system will definitely cause an extremely high electricity bill.

A filter that can be disposed of after use is not hard to change. First the correct filter size needs to be bought. The homeowner should document on their calendar which date that they are changing the filter. An idea to make this easier is to wait until the filters are on sale and purchase twelve. The homeowner can store them and therefore make it easier to just swap them out with the used one.

If the filter is not disposable and made of fiberglass, the best way is to clean it outside. Shake it off or vacuum the filter first. Once the dust and dirt is shaken off, the filter should be washed and left outside to dry completely. Do not reinstall the filter until it is dried completely.

Every homeowner wants a residence that operates without any problems. That is not always possible and it is best to do some preventative measures to keep systems running well. The air conditioning system is one that can be maintained easily. A preventative check can foresee any upcoming problems and changing the filters monthly will help with keeping the system running well.

Source by Adriana N.

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Energy Efficient Homes – Powering Down Your House

The constant increasing cost of electricity and environmental status make it more important than ever to make your home more energy efficient.

Step 1: Locate the problem

In any home there is constant room for improvement in regards to energy efficiency. Locate the most inefficient parts of your home. These things may include a poorly insulated water heater, Unwrapped pipes, poorly sealed doors and windows inefficient electronics.

Step 2: Replace inefficient electronics

Many electronics do not properly utilize electricity. Some of the most problematic devices include Televisions, Computers, Cell phone chargers and DVD players. Any device which stays in stand-by mode (usually indicated by a LED light which remains red when power is off.) When an electronic is in stand-by mode it is not actually turned off but rather using a small amount of electricity to remain active so it can quickly power on when the remote is used to turned it on. You should plug all devices into power strips and turn them off when done. Cell phone charges also draw current when they are plugged in, even if the phone is not connected and charging. These include cell phone chargers, other electronic chargers, iPod chargers, etc. The alternative is to simply unplug it when it is not in use!

Step 3: Insulate your water heater and pipes

If your hot water pipes have unheated areas where the water passes through it can cause the water heater to work harder as the water will loose heat. This causes the water heater to use more electricity to constantly reheat the water. Wrapping these pipes can greatly reduce the workload on the water heater. Furthermore if your water heater is not wrapped properly it can further cause heat loss and causes the water heat to work even harder which causes more electricity. You should wrap the water heat by wrapping the insulation horizontally and placing duct tape along the seal.

Step 4: Enjoy a more energy efficient house!

Enjoy the benefits of having an energy efficient house and knowing you are contributing to the overall general welfare of the environment.

Source by Julian Hooks

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How to Clean a Furnace Blower

Keeping the blower assembly on your furnace clean helps improve performance and efficiency by allowing the air to flow unobstructed. The process requires a number of steps, and you might want to call in a professional to do the job. If you choose to do it yourself, here’s the procedure.

First, turn off the power to the furnace. This should be done at the fuse or breaker box. Then turn off the furnace and fan switches inside the unit. Also switch your thermostat off.

Second, take the blower assembly out of the furnace. To do this, you have to disconnect the fan motor wiring harness connector. Make sure you make your own schematic showing how the wires run before you perform the disconnection.

To remove the assembly, take out the screws; then slide it out. Make sure you don’t touch the terminals of the capacitor, which is probably connected to the side of the blower assembly. There may be some refrigerant lines in this area. Don’t bend them so they crimp.

Third, if the capacitor is attached to the blower housing, discharge it and take it out. If you can’t find the capacitor, it probably isn’t required on your unit or is located somewhere else in the furnace, so you can move on to the next step.

If you do find the capacitor on the side of the housing, remove the wires with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Make sure they have an insulated grip to prevent electrical shock. Also, do not touch the terminals.

You can discharge the capacitor using a resistor-type jumper. If you don’t know how to use a jumper, call a professional. When the capacitor is discharged, go ahead and remove it.

Fourth, take the motor and blower wheel out of the housing. Mark the spot where the hub sits on the fan shaft because this piece must be replaced in exactly the same spot.

To remove the wheel, loosen the setscrew. Then turn the housing over and remove the motor bracket bolts. Turn the housing back over and, with a piece of two-by-four, softly knock the motor and shaft out of the wheel. Also remove the deflector portion of the housing by removing the screws.

Finally, clean the blower wheel and the fan motor. It’s easiest to use a spray wand at the car wash to clean the wheel, but don’t direct the water at the wheel at full pressure to avoid bending the fan’s fins. You can clean the motor with a soft brush (no water).

Keeping your furnace blower assembly clean can mean lower energy bills and a more comfortable home.

Source by Brant Reed

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Does Your American Standard Air Conditioning Unit Need Some Basic Cleaning and Maintenance?

An air conditioner requires basic yearly care to perform well and with the right maintenance an American Standard Air conditioning unit will continue to be economical and have a long life. Basic knowledge such as changing air filters and keeping the area around the unit clean is known by most homeowners. Doing these small maintenance chores makes a big difference in how well your unit runs. Air units that do not get cleaned and maintained on a regular basis lose an average of five percent of their efficiency for every year that passes.

A well maintained system can cut costs by as much as a quarter of the bill. The problem with many homeowners is that they are unaware of everything that needs to be done to keep their units running competently. As long as it is cooling and the filters have been changed, they are considered to be kept up. Below are some tips that can help you determine when and what needs to be done to your American Standard air conditioning unit for continued productivity and operation.

Caring for Your American Standard HVAC Unit

There are multiple things you can do to ensure your American Standard HVAC unit is performing at its best. Changing or cleaning the filters when needed can make a big difference. The unit being used in your home can get dirty over use. Clean filters catch most of this dust accumulation. Another thing you can do to help is blow out and clean the unit itself each spring before operation. Ducts need to be free of blockage. Your American Standard HVAC unit should not have leaves, sticks and other debris surrounding or lying on top of the unit casing. This reduces air flow and increases how hard the unit must work to cool your home. Other items need to be cleaned and checked yearly. This includes major components like the compressor, coils, and fins. Do not use a hose to clean these parts. Other more superior cleaning methods are safer. If you are unsure of what needs to be done, contact a professional.

When Does a Commercial HVAC Professional Need to Care For Your Unit?

It is recommended that each year you hire a commercial HVAC professional to clean and maintain your American Standard unit. Professional servicing is better than attempting to do all the maintenance and cleaning yourself. The internal parts of a cooling system are fragile and require special care. Replacing them is very expensive and the wrong cleaning method can actually bring on costly repairs. Having a commercial HVAC professional clean and check your unit each year can prevent large repairs and keep it running soundly.

When a major part breaks such as the compressor, it could take weeks to repair and be very expensive. Consistent maintenance will bypass these occurrences most of the time. All major components are checked, repaired, and cleaned with a yearly service call and the chances of your unit breaking are greatly reduced. If repairs need to be done, they are much cheaper when noticed early. The cost of a simple service call is well worth the benefits it can provide.

Source by Brian Figlioli

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Commercial HVAC System Repair and Maintenance Tips

If you own a company that makes use of a commercial HVAC system, you know that HVAC repairs and maintenance can sometimes be expensive. You also know that your HVAC system has a direct effect on your business. If you’re a store or restaurant where you have regular consumers present, you want those consumers to be comfortable. This will ensure they stay in your facility and make purchases. If you operate a business in a building and have numerous employees working for you, you want your employees to be comfortable so they can continue to be productive. In some cases, you will be renting space from a landlord and will not be financially responsible for any HVAC repairs or maintenance; however, the system still has a direct effect on your business. It is ultimately your responsibility to determine how much attention you’d like to spend on your building’s internal environment, and decide how much it affects your bottom line. We’ve come up with a few repair and maintenance tips that should help you save money, keep your clients and/or employees happy, and keep your commercial HVAC system running efficiently.

1. Have your commercial HVAC system services twice a year. At this time, any repairs that need to be done should be done. This bi-annual service will also include any maintenance touch-ups (i.e changing air filters). This will extend the life of the HVAC equipment and ensure that it continues to run smoothly throughout the year. A disruption in air conditioning or heating can be extremely uncomfortable for anybody who enters your building. It can cause employees to be distracted and unproductive. It can cause consumers to move on to another retail outlet/restaurant that’s more comfortable.
2. Have your air filters changed quarterly. This will improve your HVAC system’s efficiency and provide better indoor air quality. This is especially useful during peak allergy seasons such as Spring and Fall. This is also important during cold/flu seasons. It will prevent build-up of allergens, mold, dust, and fungus. The last thing you need is for your employees or customers to become ill due to your building. If your employees are sick, it costs your company money. If your customers become sick in your building, a repeat visit may not be in the near future. Changing your air filters routinely will also prevent the system from freezing up, which will ultimately cause a breakdown in the equipment.
3. Consider the cost of replacement versus repair. We all want to get the most out of any products or equipment we purchase. It is instinctual for us to try to squeeze every last bit of life out of them, especially when we see smaller dollar figures attached to the cost of a repair rather than a replacement. It is essential, however, to figure out what the total amount of money is that you’re throwing into repairs versus replacing the system. In the long run, there will come a point when it’s financially beneficial for you to replace broken equipment rather than repair it.

Source by Alex A. Ortiz

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Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

High temperatures can make life quite miserable. Having a cooling unit in your home can really make life much more bearable. Contact your local Ogden cooling and air company to get a unit installed in your home if you do not already have one.

Air conditioning units need to be maintained to continue to work their best. There are a few maintenance tips that consumers should be aware of. Below are a few suggestions, though ask your Ogden cooling and air company if they have any more safety tips for their specific unit.

Clean the water drain. Your central air conditioning unit will have a water drain that could possibly have leaks or blocks. Regularly checking the water drain prevents these problems from resulting in safety and water damage.

Check for any dust, or pollen that gets stuck in the unit. If moisture creates mold in the unit because of debris it can affect the air in your home and your family’s health. Take extra care now to prevent that from happening.

Replace the water in the filter monthly. It is most important during the summer while it is being used, obviously. The most important months to watch out for are May through September or October, depending on where you live.

Filters can get clogged and become dirty, so it is important to clean the filter regularly as well. Your air conditioning unit uses its filter to keep the air in your home clean. To do this, it is important to have the filter be clean as well.

These safety tips are not only good for your safety and the quality of air that goes inside your home. They also help your unit be more energy efficient. No one can complain about conserving energy and reducing electricity bills.

Keep your home cool and safe this summer by following the above tips. Talk to your Ogden cooling and air professionals to find what cooling and air unit they would recommend for your home. By cleaning your unit’s filters, water drains, and air ducts you will ensure that your cooling unit will be working at its best.

Source by John Charles Bryan

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Information About Energy Efficient Homes

This type of building is also known as sustainable design or green building and started to gain popularity during the oil / energy crisis of the 1970s. It generally costs more than traditional methods, however they usually pay for themselves after only a few years in the way of reduced bills, as well as being a lot better for the global environment.

Energy-saving homes try to use renewable resources both in construction and upkeep. For example, some are built from wood from sustainable forests or bricks made rammed earth. They aim to reduce consumption of all services, most notably water and electricity. Water use can be reduced by low-use appliances but more by recycling water around the household. So-called ‘grey water’ (bathwater, dishwater, etc) can be re-used in the garden for irrigation, and if this is not sufficient then rainwater can also be collected. These practices not only reduce the amount of waste going to the sewage system but of course also the consumption. Even human waste can be recycled using a composting toilet and makes compost which will help your garden grow. A good energy-efficient home should hardly need to throw anything away. It should also watch what it brings in: e.g. avoiding plastic bags, excess packaging, etc.

A good energy-saving home should make the most use of the local environment and be well-suited to the climate. Think of the home as a living organism and you’re heading down the right track. Certain animals and plants either adapt to their surroundings or die off and an energy-efficient home should follow the same principle.

The biggest of these factors to take into account is of course sunlight. Consider where the sun rises and sets and the path it takes during the day. If you live in a hot climate, you will want to reduce the amount of sunlight that can enter the home (e.g. through windows) and shade the house as much as possible either using extended roofs or more natural shade such as trees. Try to maximise the ventilation of the home to make use of breezes which can cool it down. The idea is to keep the house as cool as possible without the need for air conditioning or other energy-sapping machines. In a cold climate you will want to try to maximise the sunlight that enters the house, reducing the need for artificial heating. You can also reduce the need for artificial lighting in such a home.

Insulation is crucial in all climates for maintaining these temperatures on a daily basis. It’s no good having a home that is nicely heated by the sun during the day if you’re going to lose all that heat as soon as the sun sets!

The materials used in construction should come from local sources. This not only cuts down on cost but of course uses far less energy in shipping materials from across the globe, thus cutting down on the “energy footprint” of your home. Another benefit of this is that you will usually find that the style of your house will fit better with its surroundings if it is built from local materials.

Source by Simon D Jones

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Taking Care Of Your Furnace Room

The furnace room, or room where the furnace is located, is typically low on a homeowner’s maintenance list. Many times, the room is located in the cellar and rarely used. However, in order to keep your furnace operating properly, you will need to regularly clean and maintain the room where the furnace is located.

There are several reasons for this. First of all, cleanliness will reduce the risk of a fire. Secondly, a clean furnace room will make it easier to fix the furnace if repairs should be necessary.

The good news is that keeping your furnace room clean and clutter free is not a lot of work in the long run. Of course, if you have used your furnace room as a storage area, it may take some time to clean the area and make sure that it is safe.

Here is a simple list of things that should be done to keep your furnace room clean in order to minimize the risk of fire and to keep your family safe.

1. Do make sure that there is enough space around the furnace so that it can safely operate. Some families have a tendency to pack the room full of unused items or use the room for storage. This can create a fire hazard and can interfere with the operation of the furnace.
2. Do not hang laundry lines or clothes from your furnace to dry. Although the clothes may dry quickly, this is definitely a fire hazard. If you put the clothes on a drying rack in the furnace room, make sure that the rack is a safe distance from the furnace.
3. Do not place your cat’s litter box near the furnace. The ammonia from the cat’s urine can actually corrode parts of the furnace. In addition, the smells from the litter box can get caught up in the vent system and circulate through your home.
4. Do not store chemicals, cleaning products, or laundry soaps near the furnace. If you must store the items in the room with the furnace, make sure that the products are in an airtight container.
5. Never store flammable products like gasoline, pool chemicals, kerosene or paint thinners any where near the furnace. These items can easily cause a dangerous fire.
6. Do keep the area clean. Don’t leave your old dusty furnace filters or broken furnace parts lying around the furnace room. Not only does this clutter up the area, but it can also create a fire hazard.
7. Do make sure to dust and vacuum the furnace and the furnace room regularly. This means dusting the area and vacuuming around the furnace and the floor in order to keep dust build up at a minimum.

Once you have given the area a good cleaning, you will only need to invest a few minutes a week making sure that the area is clean. Even if it does take a lot of work to clean the area at first, the peace of mind you will get is well worth the work.

Source by Catherine T Wilson

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Air Conditioning – Cleaning the Condenser Coil

Air Conditioning works by exchanging heat from inside a building to the outside air. To do this some very basic refrigeration principles need to take place. One of the most critical pieces that make this happen is the condenser coil. This is usually the aluminum coil the surrounds the air conditioning compressor.

What happens inside this outdoor unit is a very basic state change of the refrigerant inside the air conditioning unit. The refrigerant that changes from a liquid to a gas inside the indoor coil moves to the outside where the compressor compresses the gas under high pressure. When this happens the gas also becomes very hot. The hot gas then leaves the compressor to start traveling through the many feet of tubing in the condenser coil. As the gas cools it changes back to a liquid form going back indoors to start the cycle all over again.

Big problems start when the condenser coil becomes so blocked up with dirt that the hot gas in the condenser coil does not cool enough to change the hot gas back to a liquid form. If this happens the cooling process does not happen and then air conditioner runs but is not cooling. The compressor starts to get very hot and the ultimate result will be the death of a compressor. For these reasons the condenser coil must be kept clean and free of debris at all times when the air conditioner is running. Cleaning the coil is a fairly simple process, Here are a few guidelines to follow when doing this.

To clean the coil a few simple tools are needed. A garden hose with a nozzle, wrenches to remove the condenser fan, a garden sprayer for applying the cleaning solution. The first thing is to disconnect the power to the outdoor unit. There should be a disconnect switch of some type near the condenser. Then remove the fan from the condenser unit. Usually this will be the top of the unit. The fan can usually be laid aside carefully without disconnecting the wires to the motor. Carefully wet down the coil with the garden hose. If you have very high pressure water where you live be careful that the water pressure does not bend over the fins on the coil. These are very thin and fragile. If they get bent over the air will not be able to freely flow through them. Using the cleaning solution from the garden sprayer, coat he inside and the outside of the coil. Let the solution work on the dirt build up before washing it off. If you use a foaming type coil cleaner then let the foam cook the dirt out of the coil. Then use the garden hose to wash the dirt out of the coil. I often work from the inside spraying out through the coil. This is the reverse of the usual air flow and it washes the dirt out easier. Rinse the coil with water till it is clean with no more dirt or cleaner coming out. Replace the fan and start the unit back up.

The cleaning solution for the condenser coil can be any good household cleaner. Many automotive type radiator cleaners will work well. For very dirty condensers it would be good to buy a foaming coil cleaner made specifically for cleaning condenser coils. A local plumbing and heating supply house should stock coil cleaning solutions. Most of these solutions are very strong chemicals. Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection when working with them.

By keeping your air conditioning condenser coil clean, you will help to have your air conditioner running at the best efficiency possible. A clean condenser coil is one of the easiest ways to save electric while running your central air conditioning system. A clean coil will allow your compressor to run cooler and help it to last longer. Your condenser coil should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a year. If in you live in very dirty areas like along a dirt road you may need to clean the condenser coil more often. Also do not do things that would clog up the coil. Blowing grass clippings into the condenser coil is one common thing that happens. Keep shrubbery from growing into and around the condenser coil. This stops the air flow to the coil. Large flowers planted too close to the coil can do the same thing.

As you can see there are many things that can cause your air conditioner to work harder and cost you more money. By taking a the time to look over things and give it a cleaning you can save a lot of money.

Source by D. Floyd Kolb

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HVAC Preventive Maintenance Tips

Air conditioning and heating units are costly to replace. So, it’s important to do some regular preventive maintenance on your home units. This maintenance can be done by the home owner and will help the unit last longer.

This maintenance should be done at least twice per year. I do it one time in the fall right after the leaves have fallen. And, once again in the spring just before the air conditioning is needed to beat down the summer heat.

Here are some tips to help you with this task:

1. Clear debris from around the outside unit. Eliminate any brush or leaves that are too close to the unit. When the unit turns on, brush and leaves may interfere with air circulation.

2. Look inside the condensing unit and remove any leaves or dirt that may have accumulated there. You may have to unscrew the top mesh to get into the unit. Once cleaned, make sure you put the top mesh back on.

3. Clean the condensing coil with a coil cleaner. Coil cleaners can be found at Lowe’s or any HVAC store. Just spray it on and allow it to foam up. After 3-4 minutes, wash it off with a hose and water.

4. Turn the unit on and inspect the fan blades. Check to see if they look like they are properly balanced. If the blade is bouncing around or making a lot of noise, call a professional repair service to fix it before further damage occurs.

5. After shutting the unit off, check the blower wheel. It should turn freely by hand and it should be free of dirt.

6. Inspect all of your wire connections with a screwdriver and make sure that they are all tight.

7. Inside you house, replace all of your air filters. This should be done about every three months.

8. Check the duct to your air conditioning system. You may have to climb into your attic or under your house to completely do this. Make sure all of the insulation around this duct is secure and not torn. Look for and repair any air leaks.

These are the simple preventive maintenance items that most homeowners can do themselves.

Of course, a professionally done preventive maintenance program will cover another 10-15 items that requires some special tools and electrical knowledge. If you can afford this ($150-$250/year), I would highly recommend that you call a HVAC Service in your area and ask them to come and inspect your unit. If you can’t afford it, at least cover the eight items listed above – it could save you a lot money.

Source by Richard S. Cannon

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Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

One of the best ways to save money in the summer is to have an air conditioner that works well. There are a few ways to ensure that your air conditioner works well this summer, which will keep your family from having to deal with any hot-house broken AC days and will save you money in the long run.

One way to make sure your air conditioner stays in good shape is to have a professional come in for a maintenance appointment every year before the cooling season. This might seem like an unnecessary expense, but it can keep you from having to actually pay to repair your air conditioner, which can be very expensive and annoying. Besides this, keeping up on your air conditioner maintenance can keep the whole system clean, and it can give you some notice about when things might need replaced. That way, you can at least see it coming when an expensive repair might be in your near future or when you might need to replace your air conditioning system.

Another way to keep your AC in good shape is to run it less often. Throughout the summer, you can go easy on your air conditioner by setting your thermostat up a little bit higher, which can also save on your energy costs, of course. Besides this, you can keep your south-facing windows covered by curtains or blinds, which can help keep your rooms much cooler even without the air conditioner. Also, putting exhaust fans in your warmest rooms and running ceiling fans along with your air conditioning system can help you save on air conditioning and run your system less.

You can also keep your system working less by shading the actual air conditioner if it is outside of your home. Make sure that you don’t plant anything too close to the box, but put trees or tall, decorative grasses around the air conditioning box that will keep it cooler so that it has to work less. Besides making your air conditioner work less, this can also hide that unsightly metal contraption from the comfort of your back yard.

If you’re building a house from scratch or completely redoing your HVAC system, you can use this same concept to keep your air conditioner cooler. Put the air conditioning unit on the north side of your home where it will be shaded for most of the day, especially during the hottest parts of the day. This way, you can keep your AC in the shade without having to rely on the landscaping.

Although you’ll always have to replace your AC system in a timely fashion, you’ll be able to keep it in better shape for longer if you can keep it from running quite as hard. Keeping your AC maintained on a regular basis will also help it stay in better shape. Taking all these simple steps can save you lots of money in air conditioning costs, and it can also help save you from expensive air conditioning repairs.

Source by Alen Khaykin

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Energy-Efficient Home Improvements

Remodeling your house is not only an opportunity to visually enhance and improve the function of your home, it’s also a great way to reduce waste and lower your energy bills. Energy-efficient remodeling will help to increase the comfort of your home while helping to protect the environment. If you’re considering remodeling, it’s worth the time to find out if there are ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Here are a few ways that make an impact.

Energy-Efficiency Audit

Before you can improve your home’s energy efficiency, you have to first determine exactly where your house is losing energy. A home energy audit helps owners determine their energy use and how problems can be corrected. Your local government energy office may help you identify a local company or organization that performs audits. You can also contact your utility company to see if they offer free or discounted energy audits to their customers.

Seal Air Leaks

Plugging up the leaks that allow air to slip into and out of your house-and drive up your utility bills-is an important first step in creating an energy-efficient home. Such leaks are often found around doors and windows, but they also can be in your basement, crawlspaces, or attic.

Insulation

Adding insulation to your attic can help keep your home comfortable all year round. Statistics show that about half of the homes in the United States are under-insulated. Often in the attic spaces the insulation will reduce down to 3 or 4 inches over a period of years, where you are supposed to have at least 12 inches of insulation (depending on the type of insulation).

Seal Ducts

In forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts carry hot or cold air to different parts of home. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that roughly a fifth of this air escapes through leaks. To address this costly nuisance, consumers should repair leaks in exposed ducts, such as those found in the attic and basement. In addition to sealing leaks, it’s also recommended that homeowners insulate their ducts.

Replace old windows

Replacing old, leaky windows with higher-efficiency models can save in the long rug. There are many energy-saving options available. Make sure any new windows are double-paned and glazed. Energy-efficient low-e (low emissive) and spectrally-selective coatings block out UV rays while still allowing light and heat to pass through; storm windows and solar shades can help to protect your home from solar heat gain. Adding more windows in specific locations is another option. This technique offers a way to capture natural sunlight and heat during colder months.

Replace dated heating and air conditioning units

Older, inefficient heaters and air conditioners use more energy because they have to work harder to heat and cool. Replacing an outdated HVAC system with a more energy-efficient one can lower your monthly energy bills.

Replace your energy-zapping water heater

High-efficiency water heaters can drive down home energy costs. Water heating makes up anywhere from 15 to 25 percent of the annual energy usage in a home. High-efficiency water heaters conserve energy by keeping water hot longer than traditional water heaters.

Kitchen

The real energy savers in kitchen remodels are the appliances you choose. Certified ENERGY STAR products can cut your energy bill by 40 percent since they use less power and water. Additionally, if you replace your gas or electric stove with an induction range that uses a small amount of concentrated heat, you’ll use less energy while you cook.

Bathroom

As you replace showerheads and faucets, consider low-flow products that provide water pressure that is similar to conventional items while significantly cutting down on water usage. Consider installing high-efficiency and dual-flush toilets that use approximately 1.28 to 1.6 gallons of water per flush.

Source by Anthony J Melillo, III

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