Archive for the 'Air Conditioning' Category

With their well known motto, “Its hard to stop a Trane”, Trane air conditioning, heating and ventilation has been one of the major leaders in the residential and commercial heating and cooling industry. A Norwegian immigrant to the United States started the Trane company. Mr. James Trane, the founder of the company, first started working in the plumbing industry in his own shop in La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1885. Although originally a heating company, Trane and his son Reuben, a mechanical engineer, soon also expanded into keeping houses cool in the summer as well as warm in the winter.

In 1931 Trane air conditioning units went on the market and in 1938 a new concept in Trane air conditioning, the Turbovac, a sealed refrigeration machine make a huge breakthrough in air conditioning units for large buildings and spaces. Currently Trane has moved into many different markets and has become one of the recognized leaders in the field of heating, ventilation and air conditioning as well as building automation, energy conservation and environmentally friendly products.

Currently the Trane brand is sold in over 100 countries in the world with over 400 specific locations that manufacture, sell and distribute exclusively Trane products. The large company has several subsidiary companies including American Standard heating and air conditioning products. Trane employs over 29,000 individuals worldwide with 11,000 service technicians located worldwide for installation and maintenance of Trane systems. The yearly profit for Trane air conditioning and heating and subsidiary companies is over 6.8 billion dollars and there are 29 different manufacturing plants for the company located in countries such as Brazil, United States, France, England, Egypt and Mexico.

Trane air conditioning units are sold either as residential or commercial, with many different options within each division. Trane manufacturers energy efficient air conditioning units and strives to exceed the set standards by the various governmental regulatory boards. They also have produced a split-system home air conditioning unit that can result in energy savings to the homeowner of up to sixty percent over other similar products on the market.

Since the company offers both Trane air conditioning and heating systems, it is possible to integrate both systems into one energy saving system. Combining or using the “total comfort system” for year round costs savings is also an option with the company. Each of the components, Trane air conditioning and Trane heating systems are designed to have the highest efficiency when in use, meaning lower year round energy bills. Another option, the CleanEffects air cleaning system, can remove allergens and other harmful airborne contaminants from the entire home, leading to easier breathing and less risk of germs throughout the house.

By keeping your air conditioning filter clean you allow the unit to properly move the air from the room, through the evaporator and out the vent, making the room cool and comfortable. A clogged or blocked air conditioning filter prevents the intake of air and will make your air conditioner work harder, leading to higher electric bills and poor performance by the unit.

The air conditioning filter is important in preventing build up of dust, grease and other small particles within the air conditioning unit itself. Without the filter all the dust and debris that are trapped by the filter would be deposited directly on the fins, resulting in that space becoming clogged and blocked. Once the air flow is restricted around the cooling area, the system is just not able to produce cold air. In addition without the air conditioning filter the debris and dust would stick to the fins as they are moist due to the moisture produced in the cooling process, especially in humid climates. This can and will lead to bacteria growth in the system that in turn blows this bacteria back into the air that you are breathing in.

Cleaning the window air conditioning filter on a regular basis not only helps with cooling but also with the efficiency of the system. A good idea is to clean the filter once before turning on the air conditioner in the spring and then again every three to four weeks while the system is being used. If you live in an area where there is lots of fine dust, smokers in the house or pets you may find that cleaning the air conditioning filter every two weeks is more beneficial.

Window air conditioning filters are the easiest to clean and are typically made of either a sturdy foam type material or a fine mesh. The most common and recommended type of filter is made of polypropylene, which is actually electrostatic and will trap small particles. To clean these types of mesh screens simply wash in warm soapy water and rinse well. Always allow the filter to completely dry before putting it back in the unit. Foam filters should be replaced with a new filter that can be made at home from foam sheets purchased at a home supply store.

A large outdoor conventional air conditioning filter can be cleaned with commercial solutions, however they often are not as effective after they have been cleaned. A better option is to simply remove and replace the large filters every two months of use. Brush the fins of the outside unit that are located behind the filters and remove all debris and dust either by blowing with compressed air or using a shop vacuum. Always keep the area around the outside unit free from long grass, bushes or vines that may obstruct air flow or add debris into the unit or filter.

Having a central air conditioning system is almost a necessity in some of the hotter climates but it is also a good option in more central and even northern areas where summer temperatures get above 80 degrees. Maintaining a consistent temperature in your house adds both to the comfort level as well as to the resale value and even the life of your home. Houses that are kept between temperatures of 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit consistently throughout the year have less cracking, moving and buckling of wood within the house.

Keeping your central air conditioning system functioning is important in maintaining the temperature in the house. There are some general tips for upkeep on a central air conditioning system that are simple and easy to do, however if you have purchased a maintenance contract as part of the installation package of a new system this may be done for you for the period listed in the contract. By correctly maintaining your system you can be assured that it will work longer as well as more efficiently, costing you less in both repair and power bills even as the unit ages.

All central air conditioning units have two separate and different components that are equally important in the functioning and efficiency of the system. The part that is outside is the condenser unit and while it is a sealed unit, it does tend to collect debris, dirt and organic material. Keeping the condenser clean and free from these items will help with air movement across the condenser coils, making the unit work more efficiently. Some of the basic maintenance that should be done before using the unit for the first time in the spring or summer include cutting down all weeds, grass or bushes that may be drawn into the unit by the fan or may stop the flow of air to the fan. In addition commercial condenser coil should be used to clean the coil prior to the first use. The fins, the small aluminum pieces around the unit, need to be carefully cleaned with a soft brush or a special fin cleaner. Don’t use water as this can cause the debris to turn into mud and may damage or bend the soft metal the fins are made of.

The evaporator unit in the central air conditioning system is in the house, typically in the main furnace duct just above the furnace in what is know as the plenum. If the plenum is solid, the system will have to be serviced by an A/C technician, but if it is removable the homeowner can do some basic maintenance themselves. Clean the unit with a cleaning brush, don’t use a cloth that can catch on parts and possibly cause damage. In addition clean the drain pan located below the evaporator. In humid climates where a lot of water will sit in the tray, check to make sure the drain (weep hole) in the tray is clear and add one tablespoon of bleach to prevent the growth of mold and fungus.

By keeping your air conditioning filter clean you allow the unit to properly move the air from the room, through the evaporator and out the vent, making the room cool and comfortable. A clogged or blocked air conditioning filter prevents the intake of air and will make your air conditioner work harder, leading to higher electric bills and poor performance by the unit.

The air conditioning filter is important in preventing build up of dust, grease and other small particles within the air conditioning unit itself. Without the filter all the dust and debris that are trapped by the filter would be deposited directly on the fins, resulting in that space becoming clogged and blocked. Once the air flow is restricted around the cooling area, the system is just not able to produce cold air. In addition without the air conditioning filter the debris and dust would stick to the fins as they are moist due to the moisture produced in the cooling process, especially in humid climates. This can and will lead to bacteria growth in the system that in turn blows this bacteria back into the air that you are breathing in.

Cleaning the window air conditioning filter on a regular basis not only helps with cooling but also with the efficiency of the system. A good idea is to clean the filter once before turning on the air conditioner in the spring and then again every three to four weeks while the system is being used. If you live in an area where there is lots of fine dust, smokers in the house or pets you may find that cleaning the air conditioning filter every two weeks is more beneficial.

Window air conditioning filters are the easiest to clean and are typically made of either a sturdy foam type material or a fine mesh. The most common and recommended type of filter is made of polypropylene, which is actually electrostatic and will trap small particles. To clean these types of mesh screens simply wash in warm soapy water and rinse well. Always allow the filter to completely dry before putting it back in the unit. Foam filters should be replaced with a new filter that can be made at home from foam sheets purchased at a home supply store.

A large outdoor conventional air conditioning filter can be cleaned with commercial solutions, however they often are not as effective after they have been cleaned. A better option is to simply remove and replace the large filters every two months of use. Brush the fins of the outside unit that are located behind the filters and remove all debris and dust either by blowing with compressed air or using a shop vacuum. Always keep the area around the outside unit free from long grass, bushes or vines that may obstruct air flow or add debris into the unit or filter.

With the high cost of electricity and other forms of energy sources for houses and commercial buildings the demand for energy efficient heating and cooling systems has dramatically increased around the world. There are several options when considering an energy efficient air conditioning unit and they can range from the window air conditioners through to conventional forced air or even a high velocity air conditioning unit.

No matter how energy efficient the rating of the new air conditioning unit may be, consumers need to be aware that they have to correctly install, select and maintain the unit to get those efficient results. Air conditioning units that are installed incorrectly or below recommended standards or those that are simply too small or much to large for the size of the room space they are designed to cool will reduce the energy efficiency and even create energy overuse.

Even the most energy efficient air conditioning unit needs to be used and operated properly to ensure that it stays that way. Some of the most common mistakes that people make when using, installing or maintaining an air conditioning unit that lead to inefficiency include:

• Leaving doors and windows open while the unit is running. This forces the air conditioning unit to continue to run without being able to cycle on and off. Even when the open window or door is on the other side of the residence or building it will still decrease the air temperature and trigger the air conditioner to stay in the cooling part of the cycle.

• Improper insulation within the house. Like leaving windows and doors open, poor quality or lack of insulation in the house allows the warm air outdoors to warm up the cool air indoors, or more correctly keeps the outside walls of the house warm, thereby transferring the heat to the inside walls and the inside air. Proper insulation around outside doors and windows also helps reduce cold air loss and prevents the unit from cycling on and off.

• Incorrect size of air conditioning unit for the room or space. Smaller units are often less expensive, so home owners or building managers may try to use smaller units despite the large floor space. This is very energy inefficient as the unit is constantly on and working to produce enough cold air to try to bring the room temperature to the set level. Buying a bigger, slightly more expensive unit that is designed for the floor space is much more energy efficient and significantly cost saving over the long run.

• Setting the temperature too low. Keep the thermostat set at 70 or above, cooler temperatures force the unit to work much harder and will result in a significant energy drain.

Review consumer reports and learn about the various types of energy efficient air conditioning units before making your decision.

Having a central air conditioning system is almost a necessity in some of the hotter climates but it is also a good option in more central and even northern areas where summer temperatures get above 80 degrees. Maintaining a consistent temperature in your house adds both to the comfort level as well as to the resale value and even the life of your home. Houses that are kept between temperatures of 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit consistently throughout the year have less cracking, moving and buckling of wood within the house.

Keeping your central air conditioning system functioning is important in maintaining the temperature in the house. There are some general tips for upkeep on a central air conditioning system that are simple and easy to do, however if you have purchased a maintenance contract as part of the installation package of a new system this may be done for you for the period listed in the contract. By correctly maintaining your system you can be assured that it will work longer as well as more efficiently, costing you less in both repair and power bills even as the unit ages.

All central air conditioning units have two separate and different components that are equally important in the functioning and efficiency of the system. The part that is outside is the condenser unit and while it is a sealed unit, it does tend to collect debris, dirt and organic material. Keeping the condenser clean and free from these items will help with air movement across the condenser coils, making the unit work more efficiently. Some of the basic maintenance that should be done before using the unit for the first time in the spring or summer include cutting down all weeds, grass or bushes that may be drawn into the unit by the fan or may stop the flow of air to the fan. In addition commercial condenser coil should be used to clean the coil prior to the first use. The fins, the small aluminum pieces around the unit, need to be carefully cleaned with a soft brush or a special fin cleaner. Don’t use water as this can cause the debris to turn into mud and may damage or bend the soft metal the fins are made of.

The evaporator unit in the central air conditioning system is in the house, typically in the main furnace duct just above the furnace in what is know as the plenum. If the plenum is solid, the system will have to be serviced by an A/C technician, but if it is removable the homeowner can do some basic maintenance themselves. Clean the unit with a cleaning brush, don’t use a cloth that can catch on parts and possibly cause damage. In addition clean the drain pan located below the evaporator. In humid climates where a lot of water will sit in the tray, check to make sure the drain (weep hole) in the tray is clear and add one tablespoon of bleach to prevent the growth of mold and fungus.

Installing a conventional forced air type of air conditioning system is typically done by professional installers that have been trained and are certified as HVAC technicians. There is always the option to do your own air conditioning installation, or at least do some of the advanced preparation to help keep costs down and make the installation smooth. Also if you know a bit about air conditioning installation it will better help you understand any questions or comments your contractor may make, as well as any changes to the plans or blueprint he or she may be requesting.

There are several different “do it yourself” air conditioning installation programs offered through the internet, some which are very valuable and others that offer just the very basic steps for installation. It is important to keep in mind than incorrectly doing your air conditioning installation can end up costing you more money in the long run, so be sure to clarify any questions and completely understand the process before you start.

The first step in completing your air conditioning installation process is to completely read through the manufacturers manual. You will need to be trained and certified in handling the refrigerant or coolant or you will need to contract with someone to do this step. In addition if you are not an electrician it is always best to have a professional complete this step so you don’t end up wasting time and money later when the building is inspected. If you need to acquire any permits be sure to do so prior to starting the air conditioning installation.

Make sure that you have all the necessary supplies before starting the project. This includes tools, the air conditioning unit itself, ducts and hangers and other equipment or supplies needed as per the manufacturers instructions and your own particular building. The next step is to locate the outdoor part of the unit on level ground, ideally in a shady spot, close to the home and at least three feet from an electric or gas meter as per building codes in your area. Have a concrete pad to position the unit on and fasten as required. A small hole is then drilled through the wall to allow electrical wires pipes from the internal to external units.

Place the internal unit in the plenum above the furnace as per the manufacturers instructions. Attached the suction line that will carry the moisture between the inside unit and the condenser on the outside. At this point the high voltage connects need to be made by a professional electrician. There are also low voltage wires that will need to be connected, these can be done by the electrician or by the homeowner as per the air conditioning installation instructions provided.

If you are planning on installing or repairing an air conditioner, there are several air conditioning tools that can make the job easier and much more efficient. Some of the air conditioning tools are used in electrical, welding or other areas as well, plus there are some specific tools with regards to testing the refrigerant and voltage in the system that are unique to specific types of work.

A general description of the various groups or types of air conditioning tools can be found below, although there are other specialty tools used by those certified as heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians and specialists.

• Air conditioning leak detection tools – these are specialized systems leak detection tools that are able to detect small amounts of refrigerant outside of the sealed system to alert the repair person to the presence of a leak. These air conditioning tools are very sensitivity and are necessary to detect the pinhole or incredibly small leaks that resulting in a slow loss of refrigerant, or in older system Freon, that lead to poor performance of the air conditioning unit.

• Dye Injectors – these can be a variety of sizes and shapes, however they are all designed to allow the technician to inject dye into the refrigerant system, which will then show up at the spot where even a small leak is occurring. Often the dye is fluorescent and a specialized light that is directed over the tubing will illuminate the dye on the area of the leak.

• Air conditioning gauges – these are used to measure the internal pressure of the coolant systems. The gauges can be used on residential, commercial as well automotive air conditioning systems, plus other systems as well.

• Air conditioning diagnostic equipment – one of the most useful tools is the refrigerant identifier tool, which allows the technician to take a sample of the liquid in the system and have it correctly identified. It can also identify contaminated refrigerant before it is put through recycling machines, preventing damage to the recycling equipment. Another useful air conditioning tool for the technician is a temperature differential measuring device. This allows the technician to determine if the condenser unit is functioning properly and dissipating the heat from the system.

• Adaptors and retrofit sets – these are the couplers and adaptors that allow the repair to work. Most technicians will carry a good supply of these items along just to be prepared for any hose size change or other size difference that might occur in new parts with older units. Fin combs and straighteners are also must have air conditioning tools for both repair technicians as well as those that do installations.

Having the right air conditioning tools and supplies will only ensure that the air conditioner can be fixed quickly and correctly. There are several online A/C specialty stores as well as repair shops that sell the various tools.

If you are planning on installing or repairing an air conditioner, there are several air conditioning tools that can make the job easier and much more efficient. Some of the air conditioning tools are used in electrical, welding or other areas as well, plus there are some specific tools with regards to testing the refrigerant and voltage in the system that are unique to specific types of work.

A general description of the various groups or types of air conditioning tools can be found below, although there are other specialty tools used by those certified as heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians and specialists.

• Air conditioning leak detection tools – these are specialized systems leak detection tools that are able to detect small amounts of refrigerant outside of the sealed system to alert the repair person to the presence of a leak. These air conditioning tools are very sensitivity and are necessary to detect the pinhole or incredibly small leaks that resulting in a slow loss of refrigerant, or in older system Freon, that lead to poor performance of the air conditioning unit.

• Dye Injectors – these can be a variety of sizes and shapes, however they are all designed to allow the technician to inject dye into the refrigerant system, which will then show up at the spot where even a small leak is occurring. Often the dye is fluorescent and a specialized light that is directed over the tubing will illuminate the dye on the area of the leak.

• Air conditioning gauges – these are used to measure the internal pressure of the coolant systems. The gauges can be used on residential, commercial as well automotive air conditioning systems, plus other systems as well.

• Air conditioning diagnostic equipment – one of the most useful tools is the refrigerant identifier tool, which allows the technician to take a sample of the liquid in the system and have it correctly identified. It can also identify contaminated refrigerant before it is put through recycling machines, preventing damage to the recycling equipment. Another useful air conditioning tool for the technician is a temperature differential measuring device. This allows the technician to determine if the condenser unit is functioning properly and dissipating the heat from the system.

• Adaptors and retrofit sets – these are the couplers and adaptors that allow the repair to work. Most technicians will carry a good supply of these items along just to be prepared for any hose size change or other size difference that might occur in new parts with older units. Fin combs and straighteners are also must have air conditioning tools for both repair technicians as well as those that do installations.

Having the right air conditioning tools and supplies will only ensure that the air conditioner can be fixed quickly and correctly. There are several online A/C specialty stores as well as repair shops that sell the various tools.

There are several different ways that vehicle owners can help to cut down the cost of car air conditioning repair. The first way is to routinely and according to the manufacturers recommendations have your car’s air conditioning system tested and serviced. Often owners don’t worry about the car air conditioning system or possibility until there is a problem and by then the repair bill is likely to be substantial. Having the air conditioning system checked at least once a year, ideally in the spring before the system is used each year is a great way to monitor hoses, clamps, coolant and other aspects of the system that can easily be fixed or maintained to provide longer life to the entire air conditioning unit.

One major type of car air conditioning repair that owners need to ensure is completed according to manufacturers specifications is to keep the system fully topped up with the refrigerant. Of course if the vehicle is losing refrigerant there is likely to be a leak somewhere in the system so simply filling up the refrigerant won’t stop the leak. There are several products on the market that can be added to the refrigerant and provide a dye that can easily be seen when and where it leaks out of the car’s air conditioning system. If the leak is significant it will be obvious without the use of the dye, however small little pinhole leaks in rubber hoses and seals are often difficult to detect even with the dye. The service technician that tops up the refrigerant may recommend having the vehicle in for a complete air conditioning service.

Besides topping up the refrigerant, a routine evacuation and recharge of the coolant is necessary. This is like flushing the radiator; it removes all the coolant out of the car air conditioning system, then cleans it through a recycling process and the technician then fully recharges the system. Some mechanics indicate that this is the more accurate option as the recharge can be done to the specific pressure recommended by the manufacturer. If you have a leak in the system or if there has been repairs done to the car air conditioning unit a full evacuation and recharge is typically recommended to ensure no foreign materials or debris is in the coolant.

Whenever you are having work completed on a car air conditioning system be sure to get an estimate, in writing, as to the cost of the repair. In some cases the cost of repairs may be outside of the budget, and knowing this information in advance can help determine if you want to complete the repairs now or at a later date.