Heating and Air Guide » air conditioners

Window Air Conditioner Filters

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 01:24:08 +0000

Nearly every consumer knows how important it is to change their air conditioner filters on a regular basis. There are several varieties of filters for central heat and air units designed to meet a range of personal needs as well as financial ones. While some filters are designed to last up to six months, these of course being the more costly models, others require changing every month, all depending on the type and quality of filter you have installed. The catch is that people who may not have a central system in their home or residence may not be as familiar with filter maintenance requirements as they should be. Window air conditioner filters, for example, very rarely need replacing. They do, however, require much more frequent cleaning than a standard central unit's filter.

Why Are Window Air Conditioner Filters Different?

The majority of filters for standard central heating and cooling systems are designed to be disposable. Since the central unit's air handler is typically out of the way, the filters are designed to have as long a life as possible, eliminating the constant need for replacement. With a window unit, however, the system is easily accessible and the filters are significantly smaller as compared to a standard central ac filter. Because of this, they are made to be cleaned regularly instead of disposed of. Since the unit is much smaller in size, the filters also tend to collect dust buildup much faster than a central unit. This is another reason they are designed to be reusable, saving a significant; amount of money in the replacement costs that would potentially be involved if they had to be changed out on a regular basis.

How Do They Work?

The majority of window unit filters look like nothing more than a thin sheet of stretchy grey foam. The filter media is designed to trap dust and other particulates in order to keep them from passing back into circulation. The more dust and debris is allowed to collect on the filter, the poorer the quality of air will be that the unit pushes into the room. A clogged filter can also cause the unit's efficiency to decrease, forcing the unit to run for a longer period of time to reach the desired temperature. By keeping the filter as clean as possible, you will not only help to keep the air as clean as possible, you can also help to reduce the energy usage of the unit itself.

Cleaning Air Conditioner Filters

admin — Sun, 23 May 2010 23:16:24 +0000

One of the most crucial maintenance procedures you can do in your home is performing regularly scheduled cleanings of your central hear and air conditioner unit. More importantly, by changing your air conditioner filters on a scheduled basis, determined by the type of filter being used, you can not only improve the energy efficiency of your unit, you can also help to ensure the quality of air in your home is being kept at the highest standards possible. Many people will use the filter changing schedule to perform any needed cleaning of the air conditioner itself as well. If you prefer to save costs and reduce your carbon footprint, there are a selection of permanent air conditioner filters on the market. While it may seem like a labor intensive chore, cleaning air conditioner filters is rather simple.

Why Shouldn't I Just Replace My Filter?

The majority of consumers do prefer disposable air conditioner filters for their central ac units. They are easy to install, easy to remove, and easy to replace. Permanent filters, however, are a bit different. Using the same schedule determined by the manufacturer, the filter is removed form the unit and cleaned. For the most part, this is as simple as washing the filter off with a hose to remove any dust or debris that has collected on it and leaving it out for an hour or so to air dry. The filter then gets placed back into the unit and is ready to go.

Is It Really That Simple?

For regular light cleanings, a quick spray with the hose is all it takes to keep your filter clean. Most manufacturers do, however, recommend a slightly more intensive cleaning at least twice a year, typically right before you begin running your heat in the Fall and Winter and then again when you get ready to begin running the cooling system during the Spring and Fall. During these cleanings, after the filter has been rinsed off, it should also be treated with some type of antibacterial cleaner. This will not only help to ensure the filter is being thoroughly cleaned, it will also prevent the buildup of any bacteria or mold on the filter that can accumulate over time. Once it has been sprayed down with the cleaner, it can simply remain outside to air dry as normal. While waiting for the filter to dry, many consumers will take the time to dust or vacuum the vent cover as well as the area surrounding the air filter. This extra cleaning step helps prevent any serious buildup from occurring around the filter that could cause an adverse effect on air quality.

Air Conditioner Filters

admin — Sun, 23 May 2010 22:48:20 +0000

One of the most costly appliance investments in a home is the the central heating and air unit. Relied on throughout the year to provide much needed heat in the Fall and Winter and to take that same heat out of the air in the Summer and Spring, the air conditioner can also be one of the easiest appliances in the home that we forget to maintain. In fact, many people never even think about air conditioner maintenance until something goes wrong with theirs. For those who prefer taking a more proactive approach to air conditioner maintenance, the easiest thing to do is ensure your air conditioner filters get changed on a regularly scheduled basis. While this may seem trivial, it can make a dramatic difference in the performance of your air conditioner year round.

What Is An Air Conditioner Air Filter?

You central heat and air unit is a very sturdy piece of machinery, however, in some aspects it can be very sensitive. While your outdoor air compressor can brave the forces of wind, rain, sleet, and snow, your indoor air handler is much less tolerant of the elements, dust and debris in particular. Air conditioner air filters, also called ac filters for short, are designed to install on the various intake vents around the home that work to pull air in to be cooled down. As the air is pulled in, the ac filter catches the dust and other particulates circulating in the air, preventing them from passing into the air conditioner unit itself. This not only helps keep the debris from entering the unit, potentially causing mechanical problems, it also helps keep the air being cooled and released back into the home much cleaner.

Are All Air Conditioner Filters The Same?

While many people mistakenly believe that all filters are created equal, there will find themselves sorely mistaken when they attempt to purchase a new filter for their unit and are faced with the multitude of choices on the market. Filters for air conditioners come in a variety of sizes and types and are manufactured to address a number of specific household issues.

Standard AC Filters

At the bottom of the food chain, there are standard ac filters. These are the most common appearance wise and are easily identified by their cardboard frames and typically blue filter material. While standard filters are the least expensive to purchase, they typically only filter about one tenth of the particulates in the air, making them very inefficient. They also have to be changed on a monthly basis, increasing the potential annual filter cost. For many years, these were the filters of choice, however, as consumers demand higher levels of performance from both their air conditioners as well as their air conditioner filters, manufacturers have risen up to meet the challenge.

Pleated AC Filters

The next generation of air conditioner filters still tended to retain the signature cardboard frame, however, the filter itself resembled a thick fiber like paper that was pleated within the frame. It was shown that by pleating the filter material, it allowed a higher percentage of particulates to be trapped, raising the average to nearly forty percent. This was a significant performance increase over standard filters and, even though their cost was slightly higher, they also offered a longer life span over standard filters, sometimes lasting up to three months with light usage or one month with heavy usage.

Electrostatic AC Filters

For the next advancement in filter technology, consumers were presented with a range of electrostatic air conditioner filters. These higher end filters relied on a form of static charge that was created by the filter itself, allowing the filter to actually attract particulates from the air, instead of just passively filtering them as they passed through. When compared to both standard and pleated filters, electrostatic filers remove a significantly higher percentage of material from the air, often able to pull nearly ninety percent of foreign matter out of the air before it is allowed to pass into the ac unit. For people with allergies to dust, pet dander, or other common contaminants found in the air, these filters can significantly improve the quality of the air inside, offering a tremendous health benefit as well. In fact, many of the electrostatic filters on the market were originally marketed towards allergy sufferers. Their cost is dramatically higher than both standard or pleated air filters, however, they can last three months with heavy usage.

HEPA AC Filters

For consumers who demand the best products money can buy, or those who simply value the quality of air in their homes and want the best air environment possible, there are HEPA filters. High Efficiency Particulate Arresting filters, are HEPA filters for short, are the top of the line in air conditioner filter offerings. While electrostatic filters may seem as good as it gets, trapping up to ninety percent of air contaminants, studies have shown that HEPA filters can successfully remove 99.97% of air contaminants in the home. HEPA filters are highly valued with individuals with more severe allergies than those eased by electrostatic filters. Homes with multiple pets can greatly benefit from HEPA filters as well as they are able to not only greatly eliminate the pet dander in the air, but help to control pet odors as well. While HEPA filters are the most costly variation of air conditioner filters on the market, they are also the most effective. In addition to the health benefits that a HEPA filter provides, it can also have a lifespan of up to six months, factoring in greatly to the long term cost if filter replacement.

Permanent Filters

For the environmentally friendly consumer, there are a small selection of permanent air conditioner filters on the market. While they are referred to as permanent filters, they do require a certain level of maintenance. Instead of replacing the filter every few months, however, you simply wash it off with a garden hose, let it dry, and then reinstall it. The cleaning process is simple and straightforward and does not require the use of any potentially environment damaging chemicals. It also eliminates the hassle of shopping for new filters. The filters themselves can last for several years, as long as they are maintained properly on a regular basis. They are truly as permanent as their name implies, but they do last dramatically longer than any other filter on the market.

Ductless Split Air Conditioners

admin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 02:15:34 +0000

One of the best cooling options for your home that is affordable, as well as easy to install, is a split air conditioner. They are perfect for homeowners who prefer individual temperature controls in each room as well as consumers who may not be able to run traditional ductwork in their homes. Ductless split air conditioners are one of the best alternatives on the market to a traditional central air unit.

What Are Ductless Split Air Conditioners?

A traditional central air conditioner has two major components, an external air condenser, attached near the side of the home, and an internal air handler, typically housed in a closet. The air handler is connected to a main duct line that runs into the attic and, occasionally within the walls.

There are several smaller ducts that branch off the main line and connect to individual rooms of the house. These ducts allow the cool air to pass from the air handler to the rooms, lowering the overall temperature of the house. A split system still runs off an external air condenser, similar to a central air unit, but connects to several individual air handlers, as opposed to one central one. The smaller air handlers are installed in individual rooms of the house and work off individual temperature controls. Each external air condenser can control up to four internal air handlers, eliminating the need for traditional ductwork.

What Are The Benefits Of Going Ductless?

A ductless split air system is not only much easier to install than a traditional system, eliminating the need for invasive ductwork and the installation fees associated with it, it also allows you the option to control each room's temperature separately. This is a significant advantage in homes where each person prefers their rooms wither warmer or colder than each other. It can also be a cost saving advantage when only one or two rooms containing air handlers are used at a time since the handlers not being used can be powered off. Ductless systems are slightly more expensive upon their initial purchase, however, their cost saving ability over time makes up for the additional up front costs rather quickly. The other cost saving ability of a ductless system lies in the fact that traditional central air systems can lose up to 30% of the air's efficiency as it passes through the ductwork system. With a split system, the elimination of the ductwork allows the air to pass into the room at full efficiency, with no energy loss involved.

Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioners

admin — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 02:00:45 +0000

Many homeowners that are taking on the tasking of renovating or remodeling older homes tend to run into several issues when modernizing the residences. One of the major issues tends to be running ductwork for new central air conditioners in homes with limited attic space. A split air conditioner is one solution that allows homeowners to install a modern cooling system without the need for ductwork. The compact size of a mini split air conditioner allow them to fit in any room, even when limited by the size constraints of rooms in older homes. The reduced need for ample attic space also make ductless mini split air conditioners are a great choice for homeowners wishing to save costs and improves their home's energy efficiency.

How Do Ductless Systems Work?

Unlike a traditional central air system, a ductless mini split air conditioner connects the outside air condenser directly to a series of indoor miniature air handlers. Each air handler is installed in a separate room of the house, allowing each room's temperature to be controlled independently. The external air condenser uses refrigerated coils to decrease air temperature. The condenser pulls air in from the outside of the unit, passes it over the supercooled coils, and then pushes it to the individual air handler units. Each handler receives a percentage of cooled air, depending on how many of the units are in operation. Each handler then continues to pull cold air into the room until the temperature in the room drops to the temperature set on the room's thermostat. Once the temperature reaches the preset level, the air handler shuts off and ceases to pull cold air into the room. Once the temperature in the room increases again, the air handler will reactivate itself. The external air condenser will cycle on and off, as needed, depending on the needs of each internal air handler unit.

Why Are Split Air Systems More Efficient?

A traditional central air unit stays powered on until the entire house reaches the temperature indicated on the home's thermostat. If you have one or more rooms that are not in use at the time, the central air unit has no way of differentiating which rooms need to be cooled and which ones do not, therefore, it runs until all the rooms reach the correct temperature. A split system's ability to control room's independently of one another allows the system, as a whole, to run a significantly lower amount of time, reducing energy costs. The lack of ductwork eliminates the loss of energy that can happen as cool air passes through a traditional system of central air ductwork. With no length of distance for the cool air to travel, it enters into the room at maximum efficiency.

Best Portable Air Conditioners

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 01:59:10 +0000

One of the biggest hesitations most consumers have when shopping for portable air conditioners is the question of whether or not they are getting the highest quality unit for their money. With a array of selections and power levels to choose from, it can become a daunting task. While many people simply buy the cheapest unit to save money, or the most expensive model because they assume the price point defines the quality of the unit, these scenarios are not always the case. There are several ways, however, to help ensure you have the tools and knowledge to be able to select the best portable air conditioners from the wide variety of units on the market.

What Size Do I Need?

The easiest way to ensure you are getting the best portable unit for your money is to accurately measure the room it will be placed in. Once you have those measurements, you can best determine the power of unit you need. This is a crucial step since buying a unit designed to work on a room much smaller than yours will produce poor results. Likewise, buying a unit too powerful can be ineffective when it comes to reducing humidity in a room.

What Features Do I Need?

Before you decide to spend money on all the bells and whistles the portable units can come with, make sure you are buying features you actually need. While some of the better features include electronic temperature controls, variable speed settings, and easy to clean filters, not everybody may need a unit that can run strictly as a dehumidifier when you need it to. While Southern residents will consider this a must have feature, those in drier climates will most likely never utilize this feature. Always take the time to read the product description and make sure the unit you are purchasing has the features you will actually use. Just because it has every possible feature a portable unit can have doesn't necessarily make it the best on the market. Technically speaking, the best unit on the market is one that has the features you need and omits the ones you don't

What Do Other People Think?

Finally, before buying any portable air conditioner, take your time to see what other people have to say about the models you are considering. Consumer reviews can be a vital source of information on a unit that manufacturers may not be advertising on their websites. One of the best ways to judge a product's effectiveness is by listening to people who have actually used it.

Multi Split Air Conditioners

admin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 01:56:40 +0000

If you are looking for an effective and efficient way to cool multiple rooms in your home, but don't want to invest in a central air conditioner system, a split air conditioner may be the ideal solution. More energy efficient than central air systems, and more effective than window units or portable cooling systems, multi split air conditioners offer the convenience of individual room temperature control without the cost of installing and operating a central air system.

What Are Multi Split Air Conditioners?

A multi split air conditioner works in a similar capacity to a central air system, relying on an external air condenser to super cool the air from outside and force it indoors.

Where the condenser would traditionally push the air to one central air handler for distribution throughout the entire house, a split system routes the air to several smaller air handler units, each installed in a separate room of the house. Each handler unit is equipped with its own thermostat, which controls the room's temperature. The energy efficiency of a split unit is derived from the fact that the individual thermostat controls allow each room to be cooled separately. Central air systems remain running until the entire house has been cooled. If not all of the rooms are being utilized, there is no real point of running the central air system the additional time it takes to reduce the temperature in those rooms.

Are There Downsides To A Multi Split Air System?

The initial downside to a multi split air system is slightly higher in price than a central air system. Since they do not require the installation of ductwork, however, the installation costs are slightly lower. While a central air unit will cool an entire house, split systems only allow up to four internal air handlers to be run off one external condenser. Multiple condensers can be installed to run additional air handlers, however, this will increase the cost even further. Since the air handler in a central system is typically housed in a closet, or some other out of the way location, the noise levels it create tend to be muffled. The individual air handlers on a multi split system are installed in each room, potentially increasing the audible noise levels produced. The smaller units can be installed in closets, however, to hep reduce the noise somewhat. Overall, the multi split systems offer enough energy savings an conveniences that more than make up for the increased initial costs and slightly increased noise levels.

Split Air Conditioner Installation

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:54:43 +0000

Once you have decided that a split air conditioner is the best option for your home you should familiarize yourself with the installation process. Unless you have previous air conditioner experience, it is recommend that a professional handle the installation. Knowing the steps involved in a split air conditioner installation, however, can help you be better prepared for what you should expect to see on installation day.

Split Air Conditioner Installation Preparation Work

One of the first things you should do before the installer arrives is get a rough estimate of where you would like each internal air handler unit installed as well as where the external air condenser will be placed. The installer should be able to provide you with a few pointers in advance to help you choose the appropriate areas for these components. Once you have determined where the items will be placed, make sure the area is clear and free from debris. For the outdoor unit, make sure your grass has been recently trimmed and, for ease of maintenance, consider having a concrete or rubber slab installed for the condenser to rest on in advance.

Split Air Conditioner Installation Steps

The installer will begin by making sure the locations you have selected for the air handlers and the air condenser are appropriate and will work with the overall setup. On the outside of the house, he will mount the condenser on the pre-laid concrete slab, or install a heavy duty rubber or plastic slab of his own. The condenser will then be checked to ensure it is resting at the proper level and adjusted as needed.

Once the condenser is in place, a hole will be drilled into the house to run the refrigerant line through. The refrigerant line is run into the house to the room where the first air handler unit will be located. The line is connected to the air handler along with a drain line. The air handler is also connected to the home's power supply via an electrical cable. The air handler is either mounted on the wall via a bracket, installed in a closet, either on the floor in on the wall, or simply installed directly on the floor in the open room space. Once it has been connected to the refrigerant, power, and drain lines, the process is repeated for the other units.

Overall, the installation process should be fairly quick and run smoothly.

Quiet Portable Air Conditioners

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:51:18 +0000

One of the biggest concerns people often have about getting a portable air conditioner is the noise levels they tend to create. While this may have been true for older window air conditioners and portable air conditioners, newer models have incorporated various technologies to help reduce the noise levels produced by the unit itself. While they will never be as quiet as your central air conditioner, quiet portable air conditioners are definitely able to find.

Why Were They So Noisy?

Older models of window and portable air units tended to create a lot of noise primarily because the fans installed within them were quite loud. Because of their basic construction, not a lot of thought or effort was put into the volume of noise being created by the fans. Even older circulating fans tended to be noisier than newer models. One huge noise reduction technique was to replace a large amount of the metal 'guts' of the fan, particularly the fan blades themselves, with durable plastic pieces. This not only extended the lifespan of the blades, it also reduced the rattle that tended to be created with metal blades. Portable air conditioners are also better insulated with regards to the casing they are housed in. Because of this, the levels of noise that are still produced by the internal components of the unit are dampened significantly when they pass through the casing.

How Can I Reduce The Noise Levels?

Over the years, manufacturers have not only been able to reduce the noise levels created by the internal fans, they have also been able to add other features to assist in quieting the unit. Since you may not always have the need to run the portable unit at full speed, most units now come equipped with variable fan speeds. The lower the speed you are running the unit at, the less noise the fan will produce. This is perfect for running the unit at high speed during the day, when it is warmest outside, and then at low or medium speed at night, once the temperature has naturally cooled down. Since the biggest complaint from consumers was the fact that it was difficult to sleep with the unit running at night, the ability to lower the speed of the fan, thereby lowering the noise, is extremely beneficial.

While portable air conditioners may never be as quiet as central air conditioners, the advances in their design and construction over the years has dramatically reduced the noise levels they do output.

Mini Split Air Conditioners

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 01:50:19 +0000

While most people think they're only options for cooling their homes in the warmer months of the year are central air conditioners, window air conditioners, or ceiling fans, there is another alternative that not many people are aware of. Somewhere between a window unit and a central air unit is the mini split air conditioner. A split air conditioner is a cost effective method of cooling several rooms in your home, with the added benefit of not having to run costly and complicated ductwork through your house.

What Is A Mini Split Air Conditioner?

A mini split air conditioner is very similar in design to a central air unit. It has an air condenser which is installed on the outside of the home. The external condenser is then connected to internal air handlers within the house. Where a central air unit has one large air handler that feeds cool air to each room via the ductwork system, a mini split system has small air handlers that are installed in individual room. Each external condenser unit can run up to four air handlers each and, depending on the size of the air handler and the layout of the house, you may be able to use one unit to heat more than one room.

What Are The Benefits Of Mini Split Systems?

The primary benefit of a mini split system is the ability to control each room's temperature individually. With a central air system, you set the temperature on the main thermostat and each room that is connected to the ductwork is cooled to that specific temperature. While closing the air vents in some rooms may save a bit of time on the overall cooling process, it is not that effective. With a mini split system, however, each small air handler has its own temperature controls. This not only allows you to set each room to a different temperature, perfect for households where individuals prefer warmer or colder environments than each other, it also allows you to turn the units off completely when a room is not in use. For example, if you have a home office and work during the week, you can choose to only run the air handler connected to your office during the day, saving money by not expending the energy to cool the unoccupied rooms in the house. On the weekends, when the office is not in use, the air handler can be turned off, once again saving electricity.

Some other benefits of a split system include a much simpler installation process than a traditional central air unit. This is due primarily to the fact that there are no ducts that need to be run through the house. Split systems are also much more effective than window units, which can only lower the temperature in a room by a few degrees, and ceiling fans, which simply move the air around in order to make it feel cooler. Spit systems also eliminate the energy waste caused by duct lines. Studies show that up to 25% of the cool air produced by a central unit is lost as the air travels from the main air handler to the rooms themselves. With a split system, the air from the handler unit goes directly into the room, eliminating any efficiency loss completely.

What Are The Downsides?

Initially, the first downfall of a mini split air conditioner is the fact that they are slightly higher in cost than a traditional central air unit, which means you will pay a bit more for the system itself. When you take into account the installation charges, however, the split system costs much less to install which helps to even the overall prices back out. While a central unit can service multiple rooms in a home off one air handler, the split system is usually limited to four rooms per outside condenser. If you have a somewhat open floor plan, however, you may be able to use one air handler to cool two rooms. Also, while the need for ductwork is eliminated, this also means that each room being cooled will have to house its own handler unit. The components, however, are often small in size, no bigger than window unit or portable air conditioner would be, and somewhat easy to install in a location that does not interfere with the overall function of the room itself.

While it is impossible to compare he split system apples to apples with a central air system, the several benefits it does possess often outweigh the downsides, making it a preferred choice for many consumers.