Month: May 2018

Homeowners’ Guide To Optimizing Air Conditioner Efficiency

In the last post, we discussed some maintenance steps necessary for your AC unit to work as efficiently as possible. Studies show that regular maintenance of your commercial HVAC system will reduce unexpected breakdowns by about 70% to 75%, and having an understanding of the full range of maintenance procedures can help your air conditioner work as efficiently as possible throughout its entire lifespan. Here’s part two of our homeowner’s guide to optimizing air conditioner efficiency.

Clean The Coils

Near your air conditioner’s evaporator are the condenser coils, and both of these components of your air conditioner need to be cleaned every so often, as they accumulate dirt and debris over time. When too much debris gathers around the coils, it not only reduces air flow, but it insulates the coil and makes it harder for it to absorb heat. Look at the area surrounding the outdoor condenser coils; if it’s particularly dirty or dusty, or if there’s a lot of foliage in close proximity, chances are the coils will build up dirt faster than normal. It’s best to consult an HVAC professional to assess this problem and help you find and maintain a solution, but fortunately, the cleaning process tends to be relatively simple.

“Use a soft brush to dust off the coil, then spray the coil with commercially available no-rinse coil cleaner (available at home improvement stores). The spray will foam up and then drip into the drain pan. Clean out the drain pan with soap, hot water, and a little bleach. Then, pour a cup of 50% bleach/50% water down the drain. To keep the drain clear longer-term, place a commercially available drain pan tablet in the pan. This will inhibit future algae growth,” writes Jeff Wilson on DIY Network.

Readjust Coil Fins

Finally, it’s important to mention that over time, it’s not uncommon for the aluminum fins located on the evaporator and condenser coils to bend and affect airflow. Straightening the coil fins isn’t too difficult, but unless you know exactly what you’re doing, it’s best to consult an HVAC professional.

Ultimately, understanding these essential maintenance tips is the key to maximizing the efficiency of your AC unit.

How To Reduce The Cost Of Your Air Conditioning System

Let’s face it, residential air conditioning systems (commonly referred to as AC) are simply essential in most places during the long summer months. Without a properly functioning AC system, we’d be seriously uncomfortable – and some of us (particularly the most susceptible, like the elderly and the very young) would even face health repercussions such as heat stroke. In fact, more than half of all homes, more than sixty percent of all homes, have air conditioning (AC) systems in the United States alone – a considerable increase from just around two decades ago, in the early nineties, when less than seventy percent of all homes and residential buildings had AC units.

Air conditioning services are absolutely essential to stay cool in summer in many cases, as discussed just above, but it’s also true that they’re expensive. A residential cooling system can cost a home owner (o Continue reading “How To Reduce The Cost Of Your Air Conditioning System”

The Benefits Of Choosing Low VOC Paint

From choosing a clear coat for painted wood to looking into nursery paint, there are a number of considerations to take regarding the color of the paint (as even a clear coat for painted wood may come in slightly different shades and tones) as well as the safety of the paint that you choose as well as the painting process.

The color of the paint that you choose, porch and floor pain to the wall primer you use (and everything else in between, such as a clear coat for painted wood) is essential. In fact, for those looking to put their homes on to the market to sell, painting can be a helpful way to get the highest price possible in the sale of their home. Statistics show that even the color of the bathroom matters, as homes that incorporated one or more bathroom with blue paint (or even blue paint detailing) sold more nearly five thousand and four hundred dollars more than homes on the Continue reading “The Benefits Of Choosing Low VOC Paint”