Can a dirty air filter kill your AC?

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Posted on November 13th, 2008 by . Filed in A/C Not Working?, Home A/C Systems, Service & Repairs.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Question:
Our system shut down a few days ago and my best bet was that we had just been keeping it on too much, but my roommate said that it was likely due to the air filter.

Reply:
The short answer is yes it can cause the machine to break down. It is not necessary to go into detail as to what happens.
If you can keep the filter clean the A/C will do it’s best for you, if it gets blocked the A/C will cost you money either through repairs or higher running costs, I know which I prefer.

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

How can I ensure that the entire house gets cooled down and not just a few rooms?

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Posted on August 25th, 2008 by . Filed in Airflow, Home A/C Systems.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Question:
I live in Florida, so central AC is a must! My home is approximately 1300 square feet.
I have central air conditioning but the two farthest rooms in the house are usually warm while the rest of the house is cool. What can I do to ensure that all rooms are cooled evenly?

Reply:
Sounds like your system is a free flow supplying air to all rooms at once.
To fix this a technician would have to go into your ceiling and adjust fixed dampers in the ductwork. By getting the correct airflow balance the air should be able to reach the extremity of those rooms.
If the air is still not able to reach rooms you may have a system that does not have enough capacity to adequately supply those rooms. Believe it or not it is a tricky job to balance the air correctly requiring specialist measuring equipment.
Another consideration is the thermostatic control. It is nearly impossible to cool extremity rooms if these have a high heat load in comparison to the rest of the home, the thermostat cannot know what the temperature is in those rooms and even if it did the system would then freeze the rest of the home in a vain attempt to cool the extremity rooms.
Not as easy as it first sounds is it?
Best to get the experts in to have a look. And be selective as to who you choose, this type of job requires high technical experience from a reputable company…don’t scrimp out trying to save a few dollars.

How to make a cheap air conditioner?

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Posted on August 25th, 2008 by . Filed in Uncategorized.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Question:
Is there any way to make a cheap AC so to reduce cost. But using compressor. Please guide if some one has made an AC by himslef using only a compressor. No matter chill the air but down the temperature to 25 or 27 degrees.

Reply:
I don’t want to be blunt but forget it!
If you knew how much engineering goes into building an A/C system you would not ask this question.
You might as well ask how you can build a home thermonuclear device.
Good luck anyway.

Tips for Picking Your Hunter Ceiling Fans

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Posted on August 9th, 2008 by Tommy Saze. Filed in Service & Repairs.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
by Tommy Saze

There’s more to Hunter ceiling fans than you think. If you don’t know how to look for the right fan for your particular use, you might end up picking the wrong one. This isn’t just about getting the fan design that you like. Aside from style and design, you also need to think about what you will be using the fan for and where you will be placing it.

- One of the most important considerations is the size of the room. The room size will naturally affect air distribution. Smaller fans with blades below 40″ or 30″ are best for small rooms like kid’s bedrooms or bathrooms. Dens and kitchens on the other hand may fit the medium category and should have fan blades over 40″ Large rooms like family rooms and recreation rooms should have fans blades over 50″ or 60″.

- Room width isn’t everything. Some very wide rooms can have very low ceilings. To decrease the risk of injury and accidents, your fan should have blades that are seven feet off the ground. A ceiling that is too high on the other hand can limit efficient air flow in which case, you would fare better if you have a down rod.

- The purpose of your ceiling fan will understandably affect your choice. Some fans are really chosen more for decorative purposes than anything else. Of course, many people also choose ceiling fans for functional reasons. If you want a purely decorative fan, you could go for one that has a small motor and an intricate design. Fan models also differ according to whether they are intended for indoor or outdoor use.

- Of course, you can never put your taste as a second priority. Obviously, your choice of Hunter ceiling fans should also match your style preferences. You can pick blades in various colors and finishes. Your blade finish however, should ideally match the color or furniture theme of your room. If you like some flexibility, you can always pick a Hunter fan with reversible blades. One side can have a slightly different color or shade so you can switch blades as you change room decorations.

- Like other fans, Hunter models can also have other accessories. You may for example, pick a fan that can be controlled by remote.

- Ceiling fans are perfect fixtures to attach lights too. There are Hunter fans that come with lights or can be fitted with lights. The light fixture design should be one that matches your room theme. Aside from the bulb design, you also need to choose between subdued uplights and direct downlights. Your light kit choice will depend on your intended use for the fan lights.

Whoever thought, there’d be a lot to think about when it comes to Hunter ceiling fans. Just start with these major considerations and you will surely find what you are looking for.

About the Author:

Make Sure To Budget Your Home Improvements

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Posted on August 9th, 2008 by Hal James. Filed in Service & Repairs.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
by Hal James

Buy a home, improve it and sell it for a nice profit. Heck, it is the American Dream. While the strategy is a good way to make money, this is only true if you do not go crazy with your remodeling and spend far more than you can recover when you sell.

Far too often, homeowners do not consider the importance of a great kitchen area. There are numerous homes on the market right now that include great landscaping, new floors, and an old kitchen. Since buyers want to see an updated kitchen, this is one way to effectively turn them off from your home.

What is a top of the line remodeled kitchen worth when you go to sell your home? Well, that depends on the rest of the home. If you have a million dollar kitchen and a 10 dollar home, you are going to have problems selling for a good price.

If you are going to begin remodeling, make sure to stick with designs and colors that many people will find appealing. While you may think that a lime green kitchen is divine, others will not share this opinion. Try to select neutral tones, classic styles, and clean designs.

As far as changing the actual structure of the home goes, do not expand rooms that don?t make sense. For example, expanding a small bathroom might be a good idea, but adding an oddly shaped addition to the home itself may be a turn off. If you must go through a remodeling stage, be sure to keep it simple.

When remodeling, you will get the most bang for your buck with time tested strategies. Focus on the kitchen and bathroom first unless there is some element in desperate need of help. If they are all good, add a room or buff out the landscaping.

If you really want to avoid making a mistake when remodeling, bring in help. Show your plans to friends and ask them what they think. Actually listen to them! If they think it is a bit too much, then pull back from the abyss and go with something more acceptable.

Do not view your home as a place you live in when remodeling. View it as a product that must be sold for a profit. Do your plans increase the price you can ask for that product? If so and the amount is more than you are spending, you are on the right track.

About the Author:

Home Improvement

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Posted on August 6th, 2008 by Joseph Then. Filed in Service & Repairs.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
by Joseph Then

Have this ever happened to you? Do you have thoughts of improving your home but you don’t really know where to start or what to look out for? In order to improve your home, you must know what exactly you want to achieve. Home improvement can do wonders. If you don’t believe me, why don’t you read on to find out more about home improvement?

After a long stressful and tiring day at work, do you feel relaxed and at ease when you reach home? If your answer to this question is no, I want to tell you how home improvement can change this situation. Are you wondering how you can do it? Well, you can do it with Feng Shui!

First of all, let me share with you what Feng Shui is all about. The main goal of Feng Shui is to ensure that everything is connected together somehow. It is about the flow of energy that is always moving and balancing is the main objective. Feng Shui is influenced by the location of your home and the direction in which your house is pointing at.

If your home doesn’t help you feel relaxed; you should really do something about it. If your home is too unventilated and warm, you can also consider home improvement. Feng Shui can also help you to improve your love life significantly and make you score more dates. Below are some of the ways that you can on how you can actually try out to improve your life with the help of Feng Shui.

By adding wind chimes, you can stop the energy from being stagnant. This is especially important if you want to improve your life . You should also get rid of sharp corners because this is considered bad. How can you counter this problem? You can try using plants to soften the corners. One thing to bear in mind; to never sit with your back facing the window. You should always sit in such a way that you are facing away from the walls.

Using fresh flowers will not only improve Feng Shui but also your love life! The fresh flowers should be placed near a west facing window. Energy level can also be improved with the help of a crystal in the room. The whole house should be kept clean at all times, particularly your home entrance.

A great way to improve the energy levels in your home is to use mirrors; however you put them anywhere you like. You have to be very careful. You know exactly what is being reflected. Keep certain rooms for certain activities.You should make sure that every room is used, otherwise stagnant energy can build up. By using Feng Shui techniques you will be amazed at how easy it is to improve your home.

Believe me; once you start to applying these tips on home improvement, you will be amazed with the results. Remember, home improvement is very easy and can be done by you! Some food for thought, improving your home can improve your life because it’s a place where you grow and live. Try it for yourself, I wish you all the best!

About the Author:

Window Shades Explained

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Posted on July 30th, 2008 by Kurt Schefken. Filed in Service & Repairs.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
by Kurt Schefken

In interior decorating, there are many different options in blinds and shades. By learning more about the different colors, styles, and fabrics, you can better determine which ones will work best in your room, your home, and your own interior decorating style. 1. Roman. Roman shades consist of a rectangle shaped fabric panel that is a flat panel when lowered and when raised, rises in folds that can be hidden by the window frame. 2. Cascade. Cascade shades are very similar to Roman shades, except that they fold up in an irregular fashion resembling a cascade. They offer your windows softness and elegance that is well suited for more formal rooms and homes. 3. Roller. Roller shades are a flat shade that was very popular in the last few decades. The vinyl material rolls up and down on a stick that is spring activated. The most common roller shades come in white or tan, but other colors and designs are available that can help to add life and beauty to your windows in place of drapery. The hem of the roller shades helps to add visual interest and appeal. From scalloped hems to uneven hems and more, you will be delighted at the detail that a hem can add. 4. Balloon. Balloon shades are constructed of a fabric panel that when raised, gathers in irregular scallops that add great beauty to a room. These panels can be raised in irregular folds and a hem can be added for additional beauty. Fan. Again, these are a flat panel of fabric, similar to the cascade. Where the cascade is pulled up by drawstrings on either side, the fan is pulled up with a drawstring in the center. By lowering the panel full down and then pulling it partially up, you create a fan shape of folds across the bottom of the shade. This shade leaves the bottom portion of the window exposed to allow in light and air. 5. Skirted balloon. A skirted balloon shade features the same look of the balloon shade, but has a flat panel on the bottom that resembles a skirt. The folds on the balloon shade falls against the flat panel of fabric. 6. Tailed balloon. Tailed balloon shades are made much like the balloon panels, except that the side drawstrings are not used. This allows the center of the shade to raise in soft fold and the outsides hang, much like a tail. 7. Pleated. The pleated shade features pleats that are permanent. These are normally made of stiffened fabric or folded paper. 8. Fan. The fan shade features a flat panel of fabric that is much like the cascade shade. The difference comes in with the gathering of the folds. In the fan shade, the folds are gathered into fan-like folds. This allows the bottom part of the window to stay open for light and air exposure. 9. Austrian. The Austrian window shade is made very much like the balloon shade. In it, the fabric is twice the length as the balloon shade and then the folds are gathered to create a tall and elegant window shade. 10. Cloud. The cloud shades are another variation on the every-popular balloon shade. It gives a soft and different effect than the balloon shade.

You can add embellishments to the bottom of the shades or vertical blinds instead of hems. This can include fringe, ribbons, rickrack, tassels, and more to give your shades a new and exciting look and feel.

About the Author:

Why would the fan on an outside airconditioning unit not run when the thermostat is turned on

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Posted on July 8th, 2008 by . Filed in Service & Repairs, Thermostat.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Question:
I can hear the compressor come on but the fan does not work. Is there a reset button or something? Help!

Reply:
Depends where you live.
If you live in a part of the world where it is winter right now the A/C could be just in the start up phase where it builds up heat first before supplying the needed heat indoors…normal operation for reverse cycle (heat pump) units.
If you are in America right now you are in summer and this could indicate a problem.
If the latter, you will need specialist help. It’s no good explaining what the problem could be, just call an A/C technician to fix your machine as soon as possible, not because of danger but because at this time of year you might be on a long waiting list.

Has anyone purchased a portable air conditioner, if so, do u like it? which one do u recommend?

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Posted on June 23rd, 2008 by . Filed in Brands, Home A/C Systems.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Reply:
Portable air conditioners are useful if you want to cool a single room. They also come in handy if you are a tenant living in an apartment with no A/C.
Capacity is limited so the room would have to be small, don’t expect it to cool very much area and keep the room closed to improved performance.
They usually require you to have either a window open in such a way that a small hose or duct has access to the outside air for heat rejection — or — they require a doorway so part of the equipment can expel the heat.
One other type is a split system with flexible hose pipes between two parts of equipment, same situation here requiring outside access.
Portable A/C fill a gap in the market for flexible small capacity machines. They tend to be expensive when you see what you get (capacity) but for sheer flexibility they are ok.
Recommend DeLonghi if you have them where you live.