Air Conditioner Filters

Air Conditioner Filters

When people think about an air conditioner filter, efficency and how much dust they will stop are vital points. When replacing or upgrading your air conditioner filter you must take these thoughts into consideration.

There is also a very worthwhile thing that your air conditioner filter does. It is to help keep dust from appearing on the evaporator coil of your air conditioning system. The evaporator is found inside the air handler and is one of the principal components of any air conditioning system.

Most people know that any dust that passes through the filter ends up back in your house group and can be very painful to allergy sufferers and anyone else who is sensitive to dust and other allergy items.

The filter also serves another very worthwhile purpose. It also stops the evaporator coil from becoming bunged with dust and reducing the efficiency of the model.

The evaporator coil is built like the radiator inside a car. Like your car radiator, it wont be able to do its job without the correct amount of airflow. I am comparing the evaporator coil to a car radiator because we all know what a radiator looks like where as a evaporator coil works to cool air as it goes through it.

During the passing years dust builds up between the fins of the evaporator coil and can condition a layer on the surface of the evaporator coil fins. This happens over a length of time and can take copious months or years to occur.

If you have your air conditioner looked at regularly, the contractor will check this and forewarn you when it needs to be cleaned. Airflow through the evaporator coil declines and the equipment efficiency begins to suffer. Equipment failure can occur and lead to expensive, unwanted repairs.

As you can see cleaner air is not the only advantage you will get from using an efficient air conditioner filter. Money will also be saved because your air conditioning will perform at maximum efficiency.

Find more on filters and other information on air conditioning at www.proaircon.com

Having fitted air conditioning my self, I know what a nightmare it can be...built a site to help myself and others at www.proaircon.com

What To Look For In A Portable Air Conditioner

A portable air conditioner is a tool that you can't afford to be without. These units allow you to take air conditioning benefits with you, no mater where you want to go. In fact, you can use them to help you to stabilize the air that you are breathing in temporarily or they can be used continuously. Unlike a large, household air conditioning unit, these are much more affordable to purchase as well as to run. You can condition the air in the areas that you live effectively, without having to worry about the overall cost of the rest of the home being conditioned (even when you aren't in those areas.)

There are many different models of portable air conditioners on the market that you can take full advantage of. You'll be able to purchase based on your own specific needs as well as your budget. What you should do, though, is to compare what each has to offer to you so that you can ultimately see improvements in your overall healthy and wellness.

For one thing, take the time to consider the area that the unit provides conditioning for. Getting a unit that provides for conditioning for that area only will save you time and money. You should also look at the warranty on the product, insuring it is as long as possible. Consider how often the unit will need to be emptied. Since most of the portable air conditioner options on the market will pull water from the air and then store it in a tank to keep the unit cool. But, these units will require the emptying of these tanks to keep them running.

Purchasing a portable air conditioner is an ideal tool to have. The best route to take is to insure that you provide for a high quality product that will offer you the ultimate benefits. Comparing the products that are available help you to make the right decision.

Kerry Rodden is an expert on air purifiers, and has written many articles on air purifiers, fans, vacuum cleaners, air fresheners and a lot more.

You can read more of Kerry's articles about air purifiers at http://www.lowplaces.net

Air Conditioners: What The Sales Person Says And What Actually Is Important

Although air conditioners have been around from the early years of the last century, the industry has been witnessing a tremendous growth in the past few years. This sudden interest among customers have led to new products being developed and marketed by all the brands big or small. This flood of new models has made it difficult for many customers to choose the right unit for their needs.

The problem is further complicated by different sales persons promoting their products in different ways. There are those who claim that air conditioners can replace your need for dehumidifiers. It is a fact that air conditioners do control the humidity of the air. But it is equally true that air conditioners can in no way be compared to dehumidifiers. The primary task of an air conditioner is to regulate the temperature of an enclosed space, be it a room or an entire building. That it dehumidifies is an additional benefit. But it is not a replacement for a dehumidifier.

Then there are those who claim that air conditioner can be a good replacement for an air purifier. Again such claims are highly exaggerated. Of course most air conditioners do come with a filter but the kind of filtration an air conditioner provides is in no way comparable to the filtration provided by an air purifier with a HEPA filter. So if someone has severe allergic or asthma problems, installing an air condition would not be good enough.

What however is important about air conditioners is hardly stressed on by the average sales person. They would seldom talk about the energy efficiency of the air conditioner though that is an important deciding factor. The energy efficiency of your air conditioner would decide how much your running costs you will need to bear. And since by choosing the proper air conditioner you can save up to 40% of your electricity bills, the efficiency of your air conditioner is very important.

The other thing that is important is the capacity of air conditioner you need. The capacity you will need in your unit would depend on the room you want to install it in. all you got to know is the floor area of the room and quoting that figure would help the air conditioner contractor to guide you on what capacity of air conditioner you need.

Jason Uvios writes on 'Air Conditioners: What the Sales Person Says and What Actually Is Important' visit it airpurifier,airozonator,aircondition

Mechanical Air Conditioners - Part I - Operating Principle

Mechanical air conditioners form the largest population of AC in this world. This article will go through the simple operating principles of this AC type. Additionally, we'll also go through other AC types used in commercial world. Namely, these are gas absorption, steam based, and thermoelectric units.

Common ACs, that we see almost everywhere on this globe, is actually, the mechanical type of AC unit. If we were to be very meticulous in the naming structure, we would have called it Mechanical ACs.

However, we just name it as air conditioner, or ACs, and everyone understands it.

One should not confuse the term between, air conditioning, and AC. Air conditioning means altering temperature, humidity, air filtration, movement and mixing. Whilst ACs are the equipment used to alter the temperature and humidity - in one package.

There are four types of ACs available for us. The,

• gas absorption AC,

• steam based AC,

• thermoelectric AC, and

• the mechanical AC

The first three AC types are mainly (if not totally) used in industrial applications. We'll go through the air conditioner operation, briefly, before concentrating on mechanical air conditioners.

Gas absorption AC

Uses, water as its refrigerant. The system uses the principle of vacuum, to encourage boiling of water at very low temperature. The water will be passed through cooling coil, for producing cool air.

Lithium bromide will be used as the absorption (or recovery) medium, once the water has passed through the cooling coil.

Steam based ACs

Is similar to gas absorption units, but it uses the brute power of steam, and venturi, to reduce the pressure of water (which is the refrigerant).

Water at low pressure will boil at low temperature, and becomes a refrigerant.

Thermoelectric AC

This AC uses the principle of thermocouple to attain heating and cooling effects at the same time. The beauty of this system lies in its simplicity of construction.

It uses electrical power, and thermocouple. As the electricity flows through the circuit, you'll get a hot region, and a cold region. Talk about killing two birds with one stone.

However, the major limitation of this concept is that, it can only produce a small cooling or heating effect, compared to other air conditioners.

Mechanical Air Conditioners

It is named mechanical, as it requires the continuous act of refrigerant compression for cooling, or heating effect. This concept was thought by Willis Haviland Carrier, when he created the first mechanical air conditioner.

Special refrigerant are used in order to achieve this. These are known as CFCs (already banned), HCFCs and, HFCs. Why use these? Because of very low boiling temperatures, at ambient pressure.

Details of this air conditioner operation,

• a compression process is required to raise the pressure of refrigerant. When this happens, you can liquefy the refrigerant (through condensation) easily,

• this is followed by refrigerant condensation. Condensation happens through heat exchange between refrigerant, and air (or water),

• an expansion device (or valve) will be placed after the condenser. This is a device to allow for pressure build up from compressor. This is also, the place where refrigerant will evaporate into low pressure region.

  When this happens refrigerant will start to boil at very low temperatures,

• finally, the refrigerant will be passed through another heat exchanger - to complete the boiling process. Heat exchange happens between air and refrigerant

• this process repeats at the compression side

Those are the processes involved in achieving cool air, through mechanical air conditioners - through continuous "supply" of refrigerant at low temperatures.

Part II is coming soon...

TS Mohamed Rasied,
Provides information on air conditioners and air conditioning in her site,
http://www.air-conditioner-selection.com/
 

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Air Conditioners

It's that time of year again. Things are starting to heat up, the snow is melting and it's time to start looking for a new air conditioner or swamp cooler. Along with the warm weather comes the allergy inducing pollens and debry in the air. If you have allergies, you may want to invest in an air conditioner with air purifying and air cleaning features. If you live in a dry climate, you may want a humidifier. Some air conditioner systems may include all of the above features, and more. This article will tell you what to look for in an air conditioner and help you decide what type of air conditioner system will be right for you this summer.

There are many types of air conditioners, and many variables that can affect which air conditioner you purchase. If you are looking at the long term and live in a climate with both extreme summers and winters, you may want a system that is both an air conditioner and a heater. If you would like to cool or heat only certain areas of your house, or particular rooms, to conserve energy, or just for convenience, a portable air conditioner may suit your needs. A portable air conditioner can also be taken on trips to relatives, to the cabin by the lake, on a boat, or a number of other places.

A dry climate can irritate your skin causing it to become too dry and begin to crack. For those who have a hard time coping with a dry climate you may want to look at air conditioners that includes a humidifier feature. You can create your own refuge from the heat and dryness of the environment that surrounds you. On the other hand, you may live in an overly humid climate, in which case you may consider purchasing a dehumidifier to get that sticky wet feeling off of your body that those who have lived in humid climates understand.

If you have allergies, you may want an air purifier feature attached with your air conditioner. When looking for air purifiers, be sure to find out if it is a HEPA, a brand well known for removing toxins and allergens from the air through their powerful HEPA air filters. HEPA and activated carbon technology can remove the smallest airborne particles and eliminate noxious gases, chemicals, and odors. Separate air cleaner filters eliminate virtually all irritants, including infectious microorganisms. Check the description of your air purifier before you purchase it, to see how powerful and effective it is, for example, for how many square feed it is guaranteed to purify the air. Some air purifiers are good for purifying the air in a single room, while others may purify your whole house.

Evaporative coolers and swamp coolers or air conditioners work by soaking water through foam like filters. As the water evaporates, the air flowing through the filters cools significantly. The evaporating water takes the heat from the pads. A fan inside the unit sucks the air through, speeding up the evaporative process and blowing the cool air into your home or office. The pads can catch much of the bad air and keep it from entering your home or office as well.

Be sure to research your air conditioners, swamp coolers, humidifiers, and evaporative coolers as this warm season begins, so that you can find one that is most suitable to your needs. There are many types of air conditioners with a variety of features that may or may not be best for you.

Peter Jay is a Search Engine Marketing professional for Air Conditioner Home. To learn more about air conditioners, swamp coolers, humidifiers, or evaporative coolers, visit www.air-conditioner-home.com.

Air Conditioners - How to Cut Running Costs in Half

In today's world, most people have invested in one form of an air conditioner or another. We have either window air conditioners in our homes or central air conditioners. They keep us cool in the extreme summer heat without fail; however, have you ever set back and looked at the costs of running an air conditioner? When compared to the common household fan the amount of electricity required to run an air conditioner is phenomenal.

When using an air conditioner there are many different factors that can directly affect the cost of running it. These factors include the geographical location of your home, where you live and the amount of work the air conditioner has to do greatly influence the cost. If you live in an area that has mild summers and extremely cold winters, obviously your air conditioner will not have to work as hard. However, if you live in an area, that has warm winters and boiling summers the air conditioner will have to work double time to maintain comfort.

The difference in weather conditions from year to year will affect the costs as well. This is basically geared towards the difference in costs per year. One summer might be cooler than the next, which will lead to a greater bill.

The efficiency rating of your air conditioner plays an important role in the amount of electricity used. Most all appliances in today's world are rated, when you purchase an air conditioner it will have a tag telling you the amount of electricity that appliance uses. Look for air conditioners that use minimal electricity, which will save you money each year. If you have a model that is 10 years or older, it is definitely time to consider a new one.

Another important factor is the size of the air conditioner versus the house-cooling load. All air conditioners come in different sizes, and each will state the amount of space it is designed to cool. For example, an apartment could do with just one or two window air conditioners, while a three-bedroom house could not. Closely consider the amount of space you need to cool when considering an air conditioner. While larger air conditioners will cost more money, it will typically save you money in the long run on usage.

The setting on your thermostat greatly effects the cost. A higher setting will result in the air conditioner running less, while lowering the setting will cause it to run more often. One electric company suggests keeping the thermostat above 78 degrees. This can save you 10 to 20% on cooling costs.

Finally, the local cost of electricity influences the general cost of running your air conditioner. This is something you have no control over, however, you can control your own cost by saving energy.

Here is a general look at the difference of running an air conditioner vs. running a Ceiling or oscillating fan, at medium speed.

Running a central air conditioner that is three ton (and of average efficiency) for 8 hours per day for 15 days per month, with the average rate per kWh (kilowatt per hour) being 0.17, the average cost per month for the air conditioner alone will be $97.92. Amazing isn't it? This does not even include washer, dryer, lights, refrigerator, or stove, only the air conditioner.

On the other hand, running a ceiling fan or oscillating fan at medium speed, for 8 hours per day, for a full 30 days, at an average rate per kWh of 0.035 is only $1.43. With this comparison you could run 68 ? fans for a full month before you would reach the cost of the central air conditioning unit.

There are many other things you can do to lower you electric bill. Things such as, inspect, clean, or replace your air conditioner filters monthly. When you are not in your home, raise the temperature on your thermostat, keeping in mind pets when you do. Lower the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees, wash only full loads in your dishwasher or clothes washer, and use the energy saving cycle on the dryer.

Other steps you can take include, replacing incandescent bulbs with fluorescent lamps, this could save up to 75% on lighting costs. You should also caulk all windows, doors, and pipes to prevent air leaks in or out, use weather stripping around windows, doors and pipes as well. Have your ducts tested for air leaks; leaking ducts can reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner by up to 20%.

Ethan K. Roberts writes on a variety of topics not limited to air conditioners. Also available are more articles on room air conditioners and air conditioner rental.

Central Air Conditioners

When buying new central air conditioning equipment, it is very important to have the work done by a qualified contractor. Most review sites and available information say that the best way to save money on a central conditioning unit is by hiring a good contractor. This is followed in close second by picking an energy efficient system. A proper installation of a central air conditioner will ensure that the unit is tightly sealed and no energy is wasted thought leaky ducts thus saving as much money as possible.

When speaking of saving money through efficient air conditioning systems the topic of SEER usually comes up.Central air conditioners are rated by something called SEER or seasonal energy efficiency ratio. Without going into details, the higher the SEER the more efficient your central conditioning system is thus saving you money and helping the environment through less power demand.

Most central air cooling systems run on Freon and have for many years but this is apparently going to change. Freon will be replaced by a newer refrigerant called Puron that is friendlier to the environment no later than 2010. The good news about this is that although Puron powered central air conditioners may cost more initially, the Freon machines and parts are going to get scarce. Getting scarce parts for your conditioning unit will cost you as all the older machines start to break down and need repairs, but parts are harder to find.

Speaking of costs, this is the one glaring down point of a central cooling system. While cost may not be an issue for some, the central air conditioner unit is the most expensive way to cool your house on the initial investment. Because the conditioning unit must be installed and venting systems run, you will have to hire a contractor. Therefore part of the cost of getting a central cooling system will depend the flexible pricing of the local contractor. With the unit air conditioning systems this is not an issue, but again with the unit systems you can only cool one room at a time and they could be a bit of an eye sore in a posh setting.

Ray Burton explains about different kinds of air conditioners, how they work and what to look for when buying your first portable or window air conditioner unit

Are Hybrid Cars Hazardous?

With all of the talk of hybrid vehicles many people are singing their praises about these lightweight, fuel-efficient cars. But are there hazards to driving a hybrid? Is there really anything to worry about? Let's take a closer look at potential hybrid hazards.

One of the biggest concerns often talked about when it comes to hybrid vehicles has to do with those personnel responding to accidents involving a hybrid. Many traditional looking cars such as the Honda Accord and Ford Escape are being built with hybrid engines and rescuers might experience some difficulty at the scene of an accident identifying one as such. The reason the identification is crucial is that as compared to conventional gas powered cars, hybrid vehicles have a tremendous amount of electricity coursing through them and thus could cause injury to rescuers and further injury to drivers already hurt by the crash. Many people believe that the solution to this problem is for automakers to affix a label on the driver's side visor stating that it is a hybrid vehicle, equip with all the features that this kind of car entails.

New hybrids are bursting onto the market at an increasing rate and therefore all first responders need to be taught about ways in which hybrid cars differ from more traditional non-hybrid models. Lack of education could result in safety measures being compromised and injuries taking place. To use the battery in a hybrid to illustrate the point, in some hybrid models the battery carries with it a charge of up to 500 volts and is powered both by gasoline and electricity. Compare this with the voltage of a typical non-hybrid car, which is in the area of 12 volts. First responders need to be taught where the battery is located in a hybrid car and how to cut the cables without risking being electrocuted by the high voltage that the battery puts out. This is particularly important when machinery such as the Jaws of Life is required to physically remove a passenger in imminent danger from a car. It cannot be emphasized enough, without proper training, more serious injury, and even death, could result.

This problem is being addressed by manufacturers of hybrids with Honda and Toyota going to the front of the line on safety procedures. Hybrid cars are being suited with color codes so first responders can easily comprehend the flow of electricity in the car. Honda hybrids use the color bright orange to designate the high-voltage power line which helps reduce safety risks for rescuers responding to calls.

Concerns about hybrid hazards have led Honda and Toyota to create their own individual safety guides for rescue personnel. Every fire department in the United States received a copy of these guides to be made available for their staff to educate themselves. Toyota has just completed new guides for its latest hybrid vehicles, the Highlander and Lexus. These guides can easily be read online by any member of the public, whether they are emergency workers or not.

In South Florida, with its many canals, many people have expressed concerns about the hybrid hazards involved in water submersion, as these kinds of accidents are common in this area of the state. Manufacturers of hybrid vehicles say that the only thing emergency personnel need to keep in mind in regard to safety issues is to remember to make sure the car's ignition is turned off once it is out of the water.

Speaking of the car being turned off, that is another issue for hot debate when it comes to talk of hybrid hazards. Hybrid cars are made differently than traditional gas powered vehicles in that it is not always easy to tell if they are off or still running. Most traditional cars one need only feel the hood of the car to make a correct determination but hybrids can be tricky- a hybrid can appear to be turned off when in actual fact it is in silent electric mode and very able to plow over an unsuspecting person if any movement or pressure is applied to the accelerator. One possible solution to this serious hazard put forth by the fire department in Texas is to place chocks under the wheels if it is not known whether the car's ignition is still on or not.

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Get car care products for your car from http://www.shineyourcar.com