HVAC Systems



             


Friday, February 8, 2008

EER and Air Conditioners

When considering what kind of air conditioner to purchase for your home or for a single room of your house, you will want to pay close attention to the Energy Efficiency Rating (or EER) of the different units. What is this EER that is so frequently spoken of for air conditioners and refrigerators, you ask? Such a good question should be addressed so that you can make the best possible decision for your next air conditioner.

As stated earlier, EER stands for Energy Efficiency Rating. Standardized by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, this rating reports central air conditioning efficiency at 95 degrees Fahrenheit outdoors and 80 degrees F indoors. EER is a measure of the amount of electricity needed by an air conditioner to cool a room or house to a desired level of BTU (British Thermal Units). Moreover, EER applies primarily to commercial air conditioning systems and measures the "steady-state" efficiency of air conditioners. This means that EER tells the efficiency of the air conditioner once it has already been running for a period of time (due to the fact that more energy is required to get the air conditioner started). The rating system consists a ratio of desired BTU level to wattage usage to cool to that level. For example, an air conditioner that can cool 10,000 BTU using 1000 watts would have an EER of 10. Generally speaking, a EER of 10 is the minimum of new units.

In relation to EER, another rating used by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (or SEER). SEER is only applicable to residential or consumer cooling units and is often considered to be a more correct and reliable indicator of the overall energy efficiency than the standard EER. Currently, air conditioners must have an SEER of at least 13 to be sold in the U.S. Some air conditioning units have an SEER of up to 21. Though SEER is often criticized for not taking into account the air conditioner's efficiency while under partial load, even though there is no widely available rating of residential air conditioner efficiency under partial load.

One rating system that does address the issue of partial load efficiency is the Integrated Part Load Value (or IPLV). Also developed by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, IPLV measures partial load efficiency only in commercial cooling units. Contrary to the EER, which measures commercial air conditioners at their "steady-rate", IPLV measures commercial air conditioner efficiency in a variety of conditions - namely, at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% capacity and at different temperatures.

Another rating to take into consideration is the "fleet efficiency" or "air conditioner rating". The fleet efficiency measures the aggregate efficiency of all cooling systems built by a particular brand. The fleet efficiency tells nothing about the air conditioner quality or the durability of a certain brand's air conditioners, but it will give you an idea of how much it will cost you to run an air conditioner of different air conditioners. Because it only measures efficiency, it doesn't necessarily indicate that a particular model from one brand of air conditioner outperforms any other model of air conditioner built by a different company.

When purchasing an air conditioner, whether it is a commercial, residential, or portable air conditioner, be sure to look at the yellow tags that are required by federal law to be displayed by the manufacturer. These tags show the EER of the air conditioner as well as an estimated annual operating cost for the given unit. Probably the most convenient element of the yellow EnergyGuide tag is a sliding scale which helps you compare different units easily as its EER is plainly displayed on a scale from 10 to 16.9. Consult with a qualified air conditioner technician to determine the correct capacity that you will need to cool the desired area. Also, look at many different models and brands of air conditioners to make sure you find the best possible unit for your needs.

Shawn Hart is an Internet marketing professional for Air-Conditioner-Home. For more information about portable air conditioners and refrigeration visit Air-Conditioner-Home.com.

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Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Mechanical Air Conditioners - Part II - Air Conditioner Parts

Summary

This article on air conditioner parts is an expansion of "Part I - Operating Principle". It provides simple information on main, auxiliary, and control elements that make up a functional mechanical AC.


Part II of Mechanical Air Conditioners' article is here!

This article is an extension to "Mechanical Air Conditioners - Part I - Operating Principle", and I will be talking about AC parts used in mechanical air conditioners.

Air conditioner parts that we put into a mechanical AC, should conform to the operating principle. Air conditioning parts for this type of equipment are divided into three categories. The,

  • main and compulsory parts. This category is mandatory, otherwise, a mechanical air conditioner will not function at all

  • the support parts, to ensure that the air conditioning equipment last long, and function effectively, and,

  • the control parts, for improving efficiency of the equipment, and maintaining your comfort and bills - at optimum level


Main air conditioner parts

There are six parts in this category. Let's explore them one by one,

  • The compressor

    Used for compressing refrigerant into high pressure gas into the condenser, and pulling in low pressure gas from the evaporator. The high pressure and low pressure is created by the compressor.

    Common compressors used are piston type, scroll, and rotary compressors

  • Condenser and evaporator

    These are simple finned heat exchangers. These air conditioner parts, are formed using a serpentine shaped copper (or aluminium) tube, with aluminium fins.

    Although the functions are different, the operating principle of these parts is the same. To encourage heat exchange between the refrigerant and air.

    Condenser will function to liquefy high pressure refrigerant. Evaporator will function to completely boil low pressure refrigerant, into low pressure gas

  • Expansion device

    Common expansion devices are either capillary tube, OR thermostatic expansion valve. The function is to allow pressure build up from the compressor, and allow for refrigerant to expand into low pressure zone. This air conditioning part will also allow for boiling to start

  • Tube

    Tubes are air conditioner parts that has no moving parts. The main function is to direct refrigerant flow, and contain refrigerant within the AC. Common tube material is either copper, or aluminium

  • Refrigerant

    Air conditioners would not be able to cool, or heat anything without a refrigerant. Therefore, this part is essential. Refrigerant is used for absorbing (at evaporator), and expelling (at condenser) heat.

    Common refrigerant type used in mechanical ACs are the HCFC (hydro-chloro-fluoro-carbon), and HFC (hydro-fluoro-carbon)

  • Fans and blowers

    Fans are placed at the condenser, and blowers are placed at the evaporator - to aid heat exchange. Blowers will also provide better air circulation within your house - and these supply with cool air to you, from the evaporator


Support air conditioning parts

These are conditioner parts provide the protection to the main parts, such that those will last long, and operate reliably. The list,

  • Filter dryer receiver

    Functions to filter small particles from the compressor, remove moisture within the refrigerant, and in some cases, acts as a receiver to supply full liquid column (without bubbles) to the expansion valve.

    It is placed before the expansion valve, and after the compressor

  • Filters

    What more can I say. Air conditioner filters will prevent dust, and other particles from clogging up the evaporator. Of course, you'll have to clean or replace it periodically

  • Tube insulation

    Is the simplest air conditioning part and utilised in refrigerant return line. This part will prevent icing, and condensation on the refrigerant return line.

    Essentially, it will keep the refrigerant from evaporator cold, and allow for better cooling of compressor. Additionally, you'll save on utility bills

  • Muffler

    As the sound deadening air conditioner part, placed at the outlet line of the compressor

  • Casing

    Well, to make sure you can transport main sections (condensing unit and evaporating unit) in simple packages, and used to protect sensitive and main air conditioner parts


Control AC parts

These air conditioner parts are more like the "essential accessories" for any mechanical air conditioner. Here we go,

  • Thermostat and humidistat

    The former AC part is used for controlling the temperature, and the latter for controlling the humidity. Thermostat is used in ALL ACs, but not humidistat. However, the inclusion of humidistat into the system in conjunction with thermostat is common in central ACs

  • Contactor

    Is and electrical component used to control the switching on, and off of compressors, fans, and blowers.

  • Dampers

    Dampers are used in central ACs, to control flow of air, such that you'll get the right comfort from the air conditioning equipment. Dampers is almost vital in central ACs, as it is difficult to balance heat gain and loss requirement in each room - from a single condensing-evaporating central unit

Hope you've got the general idea of what are the general air conditioner parts in any mechanical air conditioning equipment. You can also read on the details in this page.

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

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Monday, February 4, 2008

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/
 

Free monthly newsletter here

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Friday, February 1, 2008

The Essential Guide To Buying And Maintaining An Air Conditioner

Central air conditioners take air from the outside and filter it while simultaneously letting the old air out. The more powerful versions of this item are so powerful that they have to be kept away from children or else they might get hurt. The reason they are so powerful is to provide air to multiple rooms at once.

1. Thinking About Choosing A Free Standing Or Central Unit

One of the major benefits of using a central air system over a free standing system is that the outdoors nature of the unit means you will have much lower noise levels inside your home. Of course, being outside carries with it added concerns - you will need to keep the unit free of snow and other obstructions in order for it to work properly. It also is considerably more expensive than a free standing unit.

2. Should You Get A Cover For Your Air Conditioner?

A solid investment is a cover for your central air system. Not only will it keep debris like snow and leaves out, but it will significantly extend the life of your unit. They also keep dust and small insects away from the body of the air conditioner and its different components. Some better-quality Covers can also absorb the vibration of the air conditioner, and reduce the noise it creates.

3. Changing Your Filter Is Essential

If you suffer from allergies, have a baby, or have trouble sleeping at night, you might want to consider getting an air conditioner even if you don't have trouble staying cool during summertime. As a thin layer of dust appears on the filter it becomes more difficult for the machine to pass air through. Eventually it will become so difficult that the machine will break down. For this reason, and the health of your family, it is an excellent idea to change the filter as often as you can.
For more great air conditioner related articles and resources check out http://topairconditioners.info

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Monday, January 28, 2008

Choosing The Right Air Conditioner For Your Home

During the hot summer afternoons and warm muggy nights, an air conditioner can help to keep us cool and improve our ability to deal with extreme heat. Just as a heating unit provides a customized temperature, an air conditioner can be controlled to maintain a comfortable temperature of our choosing.

If you have a small home or find that one room is particularly hot, then a single room air conditioner may be the answer for you. These units are portable, meaning they can be moved from one room to another and are much less expensive than a large air conditioner that heats an entire home.

If you have a large home or simply do not wish to purchase multiple single room air conditioner units, then a larger model will be ideal for cooling every room in the house. Large air conditioner units usually begin at $2,000.00 and go up, depending on the manufacturer or company that you purchase from. These units require professional installation, which is usually done by the company who sells air conditioner units. Upon delivery, they will install the air conditioner and provide the customer with any warranty information that accompanies the unit.

As with most large purchases, including home appliances and accessories, a warranty is provided by the manufacturer. This is typically only available on brand new models and will cover certain repairs or replacements at not cost to the buyer. For example, if a defect relating to materials or workmanship is discovered during the warranty period, the air conditioner will be repaired free of charge. Most warranties do not cover improper care or negligence that results in damage or the products inability to function.

If a customer chooses to handle the installation themselves, they will need to be familiar with the process. Otherwise, they may end up calling a technician later and spending more than if they allowed the retailer to install their air conditioner initially. Once an air conditioner is properly installed, a temperature box will be placed inside the home that will allow residents to adjust the temperature inside. Even on the warmest day, an air conditioner can make your home a comfortable haven away from the heat and humidity that often accompanies the summer months.

Extreme heat can result in headaches, profuse sweating, dehydration and even more serious complications for the elderly or those with weakened immune systems. An air conditioner can help to ease the discomfort of heat while reducing the danger associated with over exposure to extreme temperatures.

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Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Good Air Conditioners

Many people have trouble purchasing an air conditioning. Many times we have a habit of just focusing on the brand names of the air conditioner. And decide which one is better, but there are more things that you should look at besides the name.

You should focus more on the size and installation of your air conditioner, rather then a high end air conditioning. Because the big factor is the installation, if it is not installed properly you can face more problems later on.

One good reason the have properly sized ac system is humidity control. When it operates the evaporator coil temperature is below the dew point temperature. The result of this is that the moisture condensing on the evaporator reduces the moisture in the air. This would mean a decrease in the humidity. This process cannot happen with an oversized ac, the run cycle on them are too short for this to happen. So keep that in mind when you?re shopping around.

Also maintaining and repairing an over sized ac can cost you much more. The compressor for example, over time will wear out and you will need to get it replaced. If your ac turns on and off for 4 or 5 times in an hour instead of the normal 2 or3. It will wear out your compressor. There are many other factors to look out for when shopping around for an air conditioning unit so be sure to do some research and not be afraid to ask questions.

But at least you know it?s not all in the name. Be sure to pay the extra money and get the air conditioner installed properly, because that is the main thing. Sure there are other aspects, but not everyone has the budget for the air conditioner with better features. So getting it installed properly will save you quite a bit of money down the road.
Mitch Johnson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.atv-parts-n-accessories.com/ . His articles have also been featured on related sites such as http://www.coolingsystemsmadeez.info/ and http://www.ezacguide.info/

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Saturday, January 19, 2008

How Air Conditioners work?

Air Conditioners: In an Air Conditioner chemicals are used to cool the temperature of the room. The liquid chemicals are produced from a gas, which again converts to gas form. The chemical transfers the heat from the inside to the outside of the room.

Mainly the Air Conditioner machine has three parts, a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. The condenser and compressor are in the outside portion of the machine while the evaporator is located inside the room.

In the processor the chemical, which is a low-pressured cooled gas, enters. The processor then squeezes that chemical. It makes the molecules of the chemical closer together. The closer molecules create high energy and heat. The chemical leaves the compressor as hot and high-pressure gas and enters the condenser. At the backside of the machine we can see a metal fin. It works as a radiator and helps to cool down the heat very quickly. When the chemical leaves the condenser, it become very cold. The liquid flows in the evaporator through a small hole. On the other end the chemical becomes colder and starts to evaporate to gas. As the liquid becomes gas it soaks heat from the surrounding area. The heat of the air is needed to separate molecules of the chemical, which were packed together in the processor. The evaporator also has metal fins to exchange cool temperature with surrounding air. The liquid again leaves the evaporator and begins the same process. A fan connected with the evaporator circulates the cool air into the room.
 

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Thursday, January 17, 2008

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.

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Sunday, December 30, 2007

Portable Air Conditioners Ensure Economy And Convenience

Small is beautiful and convenient and so is the portable air conditioner as it can be shifted from one place to the other very easily. Read on to find out all the other advantages.

With the onset of the damp weather, it becomes difficult to survive without constant central air conditioning but that can prove to be quite expensive. The answer to this problem is a portable air conditioner as it has many advantages. It is easy to shift from one place in the home to another and that makes a portable air conditioner the ideal cooling system solution for your home, office or industrial site.

The portable air conditioners are easy and quick to install, as they do not involve any lifting or tearing up of windowsills. Moreover it can be shifted very easily from one place in the home to the other. For taking care of the hot spots in the central air conditioning, the portable air conditioners are far more convenient than window air conditioners. It is also ideal for window shapes, which present problems for installation. There is nothing like portable air conditioners for use as a spot cooler in the home.

A portable air conditioner is an excellent choice for saving money as just one unit needs to be purchased and it can be shifted easily to where you need it as it is mounted on castors and some can weigh only about 36 pounds. Moreover, as only one room is cooled at a time instead of the whole house, the total energy consumption is very low as compared to other air conditioning systems.

Another advantage of portable air conditioners is the energy efficiency that they provide. The average efficiency is in the 8 to 10 range although some are as high as 15, which is 50 percent better than most older central air conditioners. The small size of the portable air conditioners is very advantageous and as such it can fit in a corner or against a wall. It functions like an effective dehumidifier if you do not vent the warm exhaust air out through a window and its size is also the same as that of a room dehumidifier.

In order to reduce humidity and allergies, even the small ones remove 35 pints of moisture per day from the room air. The portable air conditioners also use the heat-exchange principle as the other air conditioners to cool and dehumidify the air. The operating principle is also similar to a window air conditioner as the room air circulates over cold evaporator coils to cool and dehumidify it inside the unit. The room air is exhausted outdoor after flowing over the hot condenser. There is no chance of already-cooled indoor air escaping outside as two ducts are now used.

Nowadays, you have electronic controls in most models and you can set the desired room temperature, blower speed, start and stop timer, and operation mode (cool, dehumidify, heat). The portable air conditioners also have hand-held remote control with which you can conveniently change all the settings as per your need.

The other features of portable air conditioners include a built-in air cleaner with an optional charcoal filter and oscillating louvers to distribute the cool air throughout the room. You can also switch off the louvers to direct the flow of air towards yourself, if you so desire.

Get the right air conditioner the first time. Discover the advantages of different air conditioner models and which one best suits your needs by reading our free articles at: http://www.nichearticles.com/airconditioner/

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Thursday, December 27, 2007

How To Clean Your Air Conditioner Like A Pro

Very little is required to clean a window air conditioner, except lots of patience. If patience is something you lack then it is a job you should turn over to the local appliance serviceman. But for those who want to give it a try - read on.

Very little is required to clean a window air conditioner, except lots of patience. If patience is something you lack then it is a job you should turn over to the local appliance serviceman. But for those who want to give it a try - read on.

Tools --------------------

Tin can or container (old muffin tin works well also)
Vacuum cleaner
Long handled brush (an old toilet brush works well)
Oil can
Rags
De-greaser or spray detergent
Selection of screwdrivers (Philips, Flat bladed, 1/4" socket head)
Fin tool (optional)
New filter (if disposable type)

Lets get started ---------

1. Start by removing the filter from the front grille. If it is a disposable type simply replace it with a new one. Other types are made in a plastic frame and can be cleaned and reused. To clean a reusable type lay it flat in the sink and sprinkle surface with laundry detergent. Then cover with about one inch of hot water. Just enough so the filter is submerged. Soak for 15 minutes. Remove from water and rinse with warm water. Hang up to dry while proceeding to next step.

2. Next, remove the front grille from the main body of the air conditioner. They usually pivot on 2 spring clips at the bottom. It is usually removed by pulling the grille gently forward while pushing it down at the same time. If there is resistance then look for hidden screws. Look near the top edge of the grille or behind the control knob door. Once removed place the grille aside until later.

3. Carefully remove metal cover of air conditioner to expose inner workings. Once all the screws are removed lift the cover straight up. Do not let it hit the other parts as it can have sharp edges. This is where the old can comes in handy (ice cube container or muffin tin works well also). Use it to keep track of all the screws you will be removing. An air conditioner will often use a number of different types and sizes of screws. Segregate them from each other or confusion will result when we start reassembly.

4. Check the fan motor for any oil holes or oil plugs. If the motor has oil plugs they are usually rubber. Use caution when removing because the rubber may have become brittle. Often they will break off in the oil holes resulting in a blockage. If this occurs try to remove the broken plug by using a pin of the tip of a small screwdriver.

Once the fan motor oil holes are exposed add a few drops of oil to each end of the motor body. Use a general purpose (3in1) oil or clean motor oil. A #30 oil is sufficient.
The natural tendency is to over-oil. Too much lubrication is as bad as not enough. Therefore only 3 or 4 drops on both ends of the motor body is sufficient. Add the oil slowly, pausing a few seconds between each drop. If you add it too quickly over-lubrication will result.

5. Use the brush to remove surface dust and dirt from the evaporator (front fins). Use only an up and down motion. Do not go side to side or allow the fins to be bent over. The fins are very soft aluminum and can be damaged easily.

Once surface dirt is removed, spray with de-greaser or cleaner. There is a good product on the market called HVAC cleaner. As the name implies it is meant for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioner coil cleaning. If this is not available the Fantastic Spray cleaner used in kitchens and bathrooms works quite well.

Let stand about 15 minutes or as per instructions on de-greaser can. This will allow cleaner to loosen any hidden dirt. Remove dirt and excess cleaner by slowly pouring warm water into fins. Do not allow the water to enter any electrical connections or components that may be near the coil. As an added precaution cover the motor with one of the cloth rags. to protect it from the water.

Do not use any form of high pressure air or water because this can drive dirt farther into fins. Also, use extreme caution as these coils are filled with high pressure refrigerant.

6. Straighten any bent fins. Use a fin comb if available. If no fin comb then use something soft such as a Popsicle stick. Straightening the fins will increase the efficiency of the air flow through the coils. This adds to the overall cooling effect produced by the air conditioner.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the condenser (rear fins) coil. A plastic cowling usually surrounds the condenser fins. If so, check the top edge to see if it will lift or open. If it opens this will allow easier access to the condenser fins. Again use caution because the condenser coil is also filled with high pressure refrigerant.

8. Wipe any dirt buildup from both fan blades using a soft rag. Do not bend blades. This would cause a vibration that would harm the motor.

9. Vacuum all surfaces including front and back of grille assembly. Do not forget to vacuum underside of metal air conditioner cover. If the cover contains air holes clean them thoroughly. If necessary use a damp rag.

10. Drain any water left in the base and allow it to dry for few hours.

When completely dry plug in air conditioner and test operation. If everything appears okay unplug and reassemble.

Once reassembly is complete, retest operation to ensure replacing the cover has not affected anything. Adding the cover will tend to twist the frame and can cause interior parts to move out of alignment. This can cause the fan to become noisy. To correct for this problem remove the cover and realign to the main body of the air conditioner. Reinstall the cover and test for noises every time 2 or 3 additional screws are added to the cover.

Finally, cover air conditioner with plastic wrap or an old blanket. Store in a warm dry area. Raise it from floor slightly by placing onto a couple of pieces of wood. This will protect the floor from the metal edges of the air conditioner, and also protect the air conditioner from moisture.

Youre Finished

Repeat this simple procedure every year. If you do, the machine will be ready for many more years of dependable service.

The filter inside the front grille should be removed and cleaned (as in step 1) every month throughout the cooling season. If you are a smoker it should be cleaned every week.In the trade over 30 years as a technician, business owner, and technical trainer. For more information about appliances including FAQ, Stain guide, and Recycling visit http://www.mgservices.ca

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Friday, December 21, 2007

For a Healthy Greenhouse Supply Good Air Ventilation

For optimal functioning of your greenhouse, supply sufficient air ventilation at all times.

The air inside a greenhouse is heated by re-radiation of solar energy by objects inside the greenhouse, or, sometimes, by means of artificial heating.

It may reach a point where the temperature inside the greenhouse grows uncomfortably high for the plants. If this happens, you need to implement a good greenhouse ventilation system to exchange some of the warm air inside for cooler air from outside.

Because warm air rises, it is convenient to allow it to escape through vents at the highest point of the greenhouse. Cool air can gain access through natural means - for instance, leaks where glass overlaps - or through side vents set lower down in the sides of the greenhouse. It's especially important to provide lean-to or circular greenhouses, or greenhouses used to grow alpine plants, with an adequate fresh air supply.

A rule of thumb for small greenhouses is that the vents should be equal to 25 - 30 percent of the floor area.

It's best to have an automated system to control the opening and closing of vents. This can be achieved by thermostatically controlled electric motors, or, on a smaller scale, by expansion vent units. Roof vents are best positioned alternately on both sides of the roof, with side vents set to match. Don't forget - if side vents are placed at ground level, you need to cover them with wire netting to prevent unwanted guests like mice or cats from gaining access to the greenhouse.

To prevent cold or wet spots, circulating fans can be used to mix the air inside the greenhouse. Extractor fans will pull air out of the greenhouse, and you obviously need a means of allowing fresh air in to replace the lost air. It's possible to use fans to pull air into a greenhouse, but, in practice, extractor fans work more reliably. Air vents are the normally preferred means of allowing air in.

Extractor fans are controlled by an air thermostat - and they must be large enough to move sufficient quantities of air. A good greenhouse supply retailer should be able to recommend the best type of fan for your requirements. Normal domestic extractor fans are not suitable - those used in greenhouses have larger blades which turn more slowly.

Moisture jets or absorbent pads can be used alongside fans to add or remove moisture from the incoming air to help maintain the correct humidity level in the greenhouse atmosphere. With a little planning and forethought it's quite easy to maintain a good greenhouse supply of fresh air to keep your plants happy!


For resources and information on all aspects of this fascinating hobby visit greenhouse supply now!

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Wednesday, December 19, 2007

HVAC Air Filters Amongst The Best Air Filters For Air-Conditioning

Most of the time people are not aware about the dangers of air pollution inside our rooms. Our rooms are most polluted places in the cities we live. A number of small particles of dust, dirt, and pollen circulated within our living rooms and we continue breath such airs for long hours. The particles in air can increase our allergy symptoms or even can trigger some of the diseases. We only care about pollution in the cities and HVAC air filters help us in controlling air pollution especially inside our homes. HVAC air filters are widely used in various applications such as air conditioning, heating and other ventilating applications. These are designed in such a way so that the HVAC air filters provide us the best air.

Although we might use one or other equipment fitted with HVAC filter so that we inhale pure air, but we hardly realize the damage a room air can cause to our health. We live more than 50 percent time in our room, which is many times more polluted than the air outside the room, and we ignore it always. HVAC filters are highly efficient filter papers used in our ventilation systems and are able to absorb this smaller number of particles from our room air.

If we look of the indoor pollutants, we will find a number of hazardous pollutants that are dealt by us daily in our houses. These are sometimes man made pollutants and we should try to avoid them and if it is not possible to avoid them, what we can do is best we can use HVAC air filters in our ventilation systems so that the pollutant created by them do not remain prolong in the air.

A large number of companies are producing HVAC air filters and some of the company?s products are excellent in the performance. There are huge positive feedbacks have been received for polyester based HVAC air filters and now these are widely been used for various applications. These are not only useful for residential buildings but these HVAC air filters also suit best requirements of commercial buildings.

HVAC air filters are the best choice for today as many routes that probably we might not know are creating more and more indoor pollution. The air pollution level in some of our houses is continuously rising and smoking is one of the reasons for it. More and more people smoke and that too inside the living rooms and fine particles produced by smoke are deadly enough to create hundreds of times more pollution than the pollution created by a diesel vehicle on the road. We must understand the needs to control this harmful nature of indoor pollution and therefore we should use an HVAC air filter especially in our ventilators.

Looking for Top Brand Air Purifiers at Below Retail Prices?

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Looking for Top Brand Air Purifiers at Below Retail Prices?

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Wednesday, November 28, 2007

HVAC Schools Teach Technology Skills

HVAC Schools teach skills and technology for installation and repair of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) systems. Students learn to troubleshoot the electronic and mechanical components of HVAC units.

HVAC Schools offer numerous options to earn diplomas, certificates, and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. Diploma and certificate programs can be completed in a year or 18 months; AAS degree programs can be completed in two years and involve more in-depth study of management and business applications.

Training will include commercial heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration, wiring techniques, service call procedures, and troubleshooting training programs and courses. Graduates of HVAC Schools are prepared for positions working with heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning systems as entry-level technicians, mechanics, and service sales persons.

Some HVAC Schools offer two-year Associate of Applied Science degree programs in service management. Students in AAS service management degree program will concentrate on business operations - accounting, business law, salesmanship, and management - and aspects of customer service. AAS service management graduates are prepared for positions as repair technicians, apprentice mechanics, supervisors, and managers at the entry-level.

HVAC technicians may work in various types of businesses and manufacturing, for private contractors, or in institutional buildings. There is a steady demand for skilled HVAC technicians.

If you are interested in the field of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration, apply to a HVAC School or Online HVAC School today!

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Visit our Traditional School Directory and find Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com

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