Automotive Air Conditioners

It's August, the car is jammed with kids and luggage, and you're finally on your way to the cottage. Suddenly you realize that your car's air conditioning system is on the fritz, and your family vacation really starts to heat up.

Automotive air conditioning systems were first introduced in 1940 to address customer demands for relief from unbearable heat. These systems use refrigerant to cool the air and remove the heat from the car's passenger compartment. Air conditioning also cleans the air that enters the car, and removes excess moisture as it dehumidifies the air.

There are three basic components to any automotive air conditioner system:

1. Compressor--Considered the heart of the air conditioning system, the compressor transfers and compresses refrigerant gas to let the heat out of the car.

2. Condenser--removes heat from the refrigerant and cools down the high-pressure gasses.

3. Evaporator--Acts as the heater core of the air conditioning system. The evaporator removes the heat from inside the car. The refrigerant then condenses the air and transforms it into water.

Cars manufactured in 1995 or later have been equipped with R-134A air conditioning system. These ozone-friendly units do not contain CFCs, are nontoxic and nonflammable.

Prior to 1995, automotive air conditioners came with R-12 refrigerant, most commonly Freon. During that time, a car owner experiencing air conditioner problems needed only to visit a local retailer to purchase a recharge kit. With a can of Freon and basic knowledge, the average driver could easily repair his or her own air conditioning system. When studies confirmed that R-12 systems were contributing to the damaged ozone layer, many countries including the United States banned their manufacture.

Common Problems
The most common complaint about automotive air conditioners, particularly R-134 systems, is the odor that permeates from the A/C vents. Mechanics and car manufacturers have concluded that accumulated bacteria and fungus in the evaporator core likely cause the odor. Because the air conditioning system is loaded with moisture, it attracts microbes. The solution offered by automakers is to make the blower motor effective in drying out the evaporator after the A/C system is turned off. General Motors introduced this breakthrough, called Electronic Evaporator Dryer.

This solution might offer relief to some car owners, but not to all. Installing this system can cost hundred of dollars. As a result, many car owners have resorted to finding alternative methods of fighting the odor. Using antibacterial chemicals such as Lysol can be an effective short-term solution. Keeping a can of Lysol handy can go along way for your odorous air problem. Just spay the Lysol inside the car, and in the air intake once a week, for temporary relief from the problem. Another way to help eliminate the odor is to shut off the A/C unit at least one mile before reaching your destination. This will allow enough time for the evaporator to dry out, essentially doing away with the moisture and microbes that cause odor. This can be the easiest and least expensive method in combating the issue.

Caring For Your A/C System

* To keep working efficiently, your automotive air conditioner must be recharged from time to time, depending on how often it is are used. Consult your mechanic or your owner's manual for information about system recharges.

* Call your mechanic if you see water leaking from the A/C system's condenser, as this can affect the refrigerant. Have the system repaired before refilling it.

* Replacing the filter once every three months will also help to maintain the performance of your automotive air conditioning system. This is where dust builds up when the A/C system is running.

* Setting the gauge at one specific temperature will also help it perform well. If you constantly switch from one temperature to another, your system will have trouble adjusting accordingly.

Automotive air conditioners can be a driver's best friend, whether you're traveling across town or from coast to coast. Keep your A/C unit well maintained, and keep your cool on the road.

Charles Jackson contributes to several web magazines, on recreation and hobbies and travel and recreation subjects

Air Conditioner Rental Costs

Air conditioning used to be seen as a luxury that few could afford. However, in recent years, rental air conditioning unit have become more affordable. Air conditioners are available on lease for those who cannot afford one throughout the year, or for those who need them for a function like a party or for any other temporary use. Renting an AC has proven to be cheaper than actually buying one.

There are many air conditioner rental companies that offer to lease a variety of air conditioners, not only for a short term but also for longer periods of time. They have an assortment of ACs that serves different purposes. The cost of renting an AC depends on a lot of things like the brand, the purpose, the type of AC, the place where it needs to be installed, as well as the rental company itself. The more famous and well known brands cost more, as do the ones that are required for a special purpose. There are many types of air conditioners including window ACs, car ACs, bedroom ACs, central ACs, etc. Of these, the central AC cost the most and takes the longest to install. They are usually hired on a long-term basis, and this increases their cost. The window AC cost the least and is usually taken on a short-term basis.

AC rentals are charged as monthly payments and a deposit must be paid before the AC is installed. This amount is refundable, and will be reimbursed when the unit is returned. However, if the AC is damaged, an amount will be deducted from the initial deposit.

Air Conditioner Rentals provides detailed information on air conditioner rentals, portable air conditioner rentals, window air conditionar rentals, RV air conditioner rentals and more. Air Conditioner Rentals is affiliated with Window Air Conditioners.

HVAC Maintenance

Does HVAC Maintenance Pay For Itself?

Most people would not even consider not changing the oil in their vehicle. Maintaining your HVAC system is no different. By getting involved in a quality maintenance program you will reduce energy costs, extend equipment life, optimize comfort conditions and increase system reliability. Just knowing your equipment is operating safely is a peace of mind in itself.

Many businesses use what I call ?the breakdown maintenance program.? In other words ?I?ll worry about it when it breaks.? We all know this almost always happens at a inconvenient time like when it?s 20 below zero or 95 degrees in the shade. This way of handling things is also very hard on your equipment and may decrease the life of it by as much a half. Maintaining is much cheaper than replacing.

Here are some of the savings you can expect from a quality maintenance program:

Adjusting operating sequence of equipment 25-35%

Cleaning Coils 5-15%

Changing dirty air filters 10-15%

Removing scale from condenser coils 25-30%

Adjusting air/fuel ratio of burner 15%

Cleaning burner assembly 15%

Removing soot from fire side of burner 9%

Eliminating V-belt slippage and pulley alignment 15-20%

Not to mention the money saved in break down service calls.

So if your not already set up with some type of HVAC maintenance program you may want to seriously consider talking to your local HVAC contractor about getting set up with a program to meet your needs.

Information provided by Terry Manlick of HVAC Maintenance & Supplies Other HVAC related articles as well as maintenance supplies can be found at http://www.mainsupplies.com