Are You Still Paying Huge Air Conditioning Bills? Call in the Professionals
I have discussed in another article that there are some simple actions that you can do to improve on or to maintain the efficiency of your air conditioning units, but when it comes to highly technical tasks, it is best to leave them to the experts.
Air conditioner adjustments and repairs should be done by professionals. An air conditioning unit is much more complex than it seems. There are refrigerant gases, brazing joints, compressors, fans, coils, fins, electrical starters, thermostats, overload switches, filters, dryers, lubricating oil, drain pans, insulation, mountings, control systems, remote sensing, and many other components that an air conditioning technician needs to understand.
In addition, there are tools specially made for air conditioning work - flaring tool, tube bender, cutter, gas charging manifold, vacuum pump, fin comb, coil cleaning chemical, ratchet socket wrench, brazing torch, solder, voltmeter, clamp meter, and many others.
When the air conditioning unit needs servicing, a professional service technician should clean the evaporator and condenser coils, check refrigerant pressures, and adjust and lubricate moving parts. If there is not enough refrigerant gas, the system needs to be topped up. This can only be done by checking on the pressures in the system. He will also look for other symptoms that can lead to failure or inefficiencies and then rectify them.
If you have a packaged system, the technician will help to inspect the duct damper and if necessary, repair or replace it. Air conditioning systems that share ductwork with a furnace must have a damper in the duct. It prevents cool air from entering the furnace cabinet in summer, and warm air from escaping to the air conditioner in winter. A missing or malfunctioning damper can waste tremendous amounts of energy and lead to corrosion of the furnace. This has to be rectified.
How often do you need to call in the professionals? It really depends on how much your cooling system operates. As a rule of thumb, you will need to call them in at the following recommended intervals:
Hot regions (operating 8 or more months per year) - once a year.
Warm regions (operating 5 to 8 months per year) - every 2 to 3 years.
Cold regions (operating less than 5 months per year) - every 3 to 5 years
Sometimes, just maintaining the cooling system is not enough. You may need to replace the air conditioning system with newer equipment. Air conditioner replacement makes sense if:
The air conditioner is over 10 years old. The air conditioner efficiency (SEER or EER) is below 7 or 8. Repairs or modifications of an existing unit will cost more than half as much as a replacement. The unit does not operate properly and can't be fixed. You've sealed your home's walls, floor, ceiling and ducts, installed storm windows, and performed cooling system maintenance, but still can't keep your home cool.
These are some of the things that a professional can help you:
Replace the air conditioning system
In some situations it makes better sense to replace an older air conditioner with a new, high-efficiency unit. Air conditioner replacement should be considered if the existing unit is worn out, inefficient, or significantly oversized.
Repairing an existing air conditioner may seem to be the least expensive option, but it may cost more in the long run. Paying for repairs on an older, inefficient system may simply prolong the inevitable need for replacement. Installing a new, energy-efficient system may be much more cost-effective. A cooling system technician can help you evaluate whether a new air conditioning system is appropriate.
Sizing your air conditioner.
Bigger is not always better when it comes to your air conditioner. For starters, oversized equipment can be less effective at dehumidifying your house. Not only can this lead to moisture problems in a home, but the higher humidity may force you to lower the thermostat to achieve the same comfort level - increasing your energy use. An oversized unit also cycles on and off more frequently, which increases wear and tear, shortens the service life, increases the frequency of repairs, and reduces efficiency. Plus, it costs more to purchase oversized equipment in the first place. If purchasing a new air conditioner, cooling loads should be carefully calculated by your equipment supplier.
Evaporative coolers.
If you live in a hot, dry climate, such as the Southwest, an evaporative cooler (swamp cooler) may be a good alternative to a refrigerant-cycle air conditioner. Evaporative coolers use considerably less energy than standard air conditioners. Check with a local air conditioning contractor to find out if such a system makes sense for your home.
An air conditioning system professional's advice and expertise is certainly needed when you have to deal with such complex designing, installing and commissioning works like these. It will certainly pay you back in the long run. Just leave it to the experts.
Related Tags: energy, savings, bills, professional, air conditioning, repairs, efficiency, replacement, servicing
Thomas Yoon specializes in cartoon illustrations at that will make an impact on people's opinions. More information on Marine and M & E engineering.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Lawn Mowers Electric Vs Petrol - Which Is Better?
When searching for the perfect lawn mower, many homeowners find themselves wondering which kind is b - Popular Types Of Mattresses
It is needless to describe the utility of mattresses for having a sound night's sleep; bed mattresse - Furniture Sofa Legs - Making The Old Sofa New Again
Home decorators get excited when confronted with an old sofa with a lot of potential. For those who - Finding The Right Granite For Your Home
The massive amount of options that are available can make choosing the right granite countertop for - The Truth About Black Mold Toxicity
The term "toxic mold" is not accurate. While certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce t - Bunk Beds For Older Individuals - Are They Genuinely Worthwhile Acquiring?
Typically people think it a little random when adults get to sleep in loft beds. Nonetheless, in the - Kitchen Countertop Ideas: Ceramic And Granite
Ceramic tiles for kitchen countertops have become a must have in home buyers' kitchens.Whether you p - Why Front Door Security Is Important
It is an important aspect to realize the fact that even by having a fully fledged home security syst - Use Fire Seals On Fire Doors And Save Lives
Basically, a fire door is designed to save lives. This is the reason why there is such a big require - The Importance Of Front Door Security
The importance of your home's security hinges upon your door's quality and the lock system. For that
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Learn About The Basics of Basement Dehumidifier
Ever wonder how people keep their basement dry? Let me tell you a little secret. With proper air con - Cable Lock Foundation Repair
Foundation repairs are the most expensive, and sometimes the hardest type of damage to detect. This - What's Covering Your Windows?
At one time, curtain rods were used for only one purpose – hanging curtains. Today they are mu - Wooden Railings and Their Many Uses
Wooden railings remain one of the most common types of railings throughout the country. They not onl - Feng Shui To Greater Luck In This New Year
There are at least six ways to learn Feng Shui Luck. First you must learn and understand the very b - Adding A Pleasant Marble Coffee Table To Your Home
Usually, the couch or entertainment center get most of the attention in one's house, but there is no - Scroll Saw Basics
Scroll Saw Basics by Lee Bowman If you are wanting to try your hand at scroll work, a - How To Clean Wood Furniture
A room full of beautiful wood furniture brings warmth and elegance to any room, however, it's inevit - Welding And Metalwork: Strength And Function, Part 2
Metalwork is the art of making various objects out of metal. Most metalworkers are also called machi - The Bahamas Hurricane Shutter
Every year, hurricanes are formed in the ocean and wreak havoc when reaching land. This usually occu