House And Home Tips And Tricks

Honeywell surveyed several thousand homeowners who bought a Honeywell Electronic Air Cleaner to help control their allergies to ask how the air cleaner worked for them.

Eighty-one percent of the respondents reported that the Honeywell Electronic Air Cleaner provided them “significant” relief.

Key Features for Honeywell F300 Electronic Air Cleaners:

• Meets American Lung Association Health House guidelines.
• Advanced, easy-to-use technology. Three-stage filtration includes exclusive electrostatic postfilter that improves filtration with minimal resistance to airflow.
• Easy maintenance. Optional Air Watch system reminds you to wash the filter cells.
• 5-year warranty.
• Model Numbers: Honeywell F300E1001, F300E1017, F300E1027, F300A1035, F300A1620, F300A1625, F300A2020, F300A2025, F300A2021, F300B2012, F300A2012.5, and F300B2012.5.

Capturing up to 98% of particles (3.0 - 10.0 micron) that pass through the filter, the Honeywell F300 offers one of the highest level of filtration on the market.

You can say goodbye to monthly filter replacements by simply washing the air cleaner cells in your dishwasher or sink.

Compared to throw-away furnace filters, the Honeywell F300 “Super Cells” give years of high-efficiency air cleaning while requiring no recurring replacement costs and only simple cleaning maintenance. The durable lightweight cells (9 1/2 lbs.) can be washed in your automatic dishwasher or soak them in any conventional wash container. What does it cost to operate? Very little. The F300 uses about the same amount of electricity as a 40-watt light bulb.

That’s 20 to 40 times higher efficiency than throwaway furnace filters, making the Honeywell Electronic Air Cleaner one of the best air quality control product on the market.

Julian Arhire is a Manager with DtiCorp.com - http://www.DtiCorp.com sells brand new Home, Residential and Commercial Honeywell HVAC controls, Thermostats and Honeywell Electronic Air Cleaners.

If you live in an area of the country where it gets extraordinarily hot during the summer months, you know that air conditioning is crucial to your comfort. Air conditioning can also prove very useful in rooms that contain computer equipment, such as servers, in order to keep all of the electrical equipment cooled off so that it continues to function properly. It can be costly to install and then run a permanently mounted air conditioner, yet a portable room air conditioner provides an efficient solution for your seasonal cooling needs.

One benefit you will receive from using a portable room air conditioner is that you can position it exactly where you need it. Because it moves on smooth-rolling casters, it is a simple matter to change its position to the best advantage around your home or office. For example, a portable air conditioner can help you start your day with pleasant cool air in your kitchen along with your first cup of coffee. Kitchens typically get rather hot with stoves and dishwashers going, and can be unpleasant to work in. Bring the pleasure back with a portable room air conditioner that cools your kitchen off so you can cook in comfort. Read the rest of this entry »

When the hot days of summer bring escalating temperatures, you will want to rely on an air conditioner to bring cooling air to your home or office. Permanent air conditioners are big and bulky, however, and they usually cool an entire floor of a building, which is a money waster if you are cooling rooms you are not using. Portable room air conditioners on the other hand, are a good investment because you can position them to where they will be most effective, you only pay for the cooling you need, and they offer other air conditioning features besides cooling.

One great feature of a portable air conditioner is that you can position it in any area of your home or office that would benefit from cooling air. You are not stuck with a permanently mounted unit that cools one area very well and outlying areas poorly. With a portable model, you can focus the cool air where you need it most. Imagine a bedroom in cool comfort even though the temperatures are sweltering outside, because you can roll your portable air conditioner into your bedroom. The next day, your portable unit can move with you into your home office, covered outdoor living space, or any other room in your home where you are and where you want it cool. In an office setting a portable room air conditioner can be just the thing you need to keep your server and other hot-running electrical equipment operating at optimal levels because the room is kept in the correct temperature range. Read the rest of this entry »

To cover the basics, a portable air conditioner is called such because it can move. It is given this distinction because there are certain air conditioners that once they are put in place are fairly permanent and cannot be moved from room to room. Normally portable air conditioners are lighter than most window units and weight between 60-80 pounds, are on wheels and are fairly simple to transport or if you will, are portable. If this sounds up your ally then you’re looking for a portable small air conditioner

The RA 9KE Small Portable Air Conditioner Unit

While these portable air conditioner units are small, they still pack a 9000 BTU wallop. They can be moved from room to room via four wheels on the bottom and have programmable timers for up to twelve hours via an included remote. This small portable air conditioner unit is a great supplement to a larger central conditioning system in those areas that receive extra midday sun.

Cost is both saved on both the portable air conditioner unit itself as well as the fact that no install is needed making it cheaper. Because these smaller portable air conditioners from Royal Sovereign are indoors collected mildew and mold are less of a concern over traditional air conditioner that have the compressor outside.

Small portable air conditioners can be perfect for cooling your home or small office. Portable room air conditioners are not totally stand alone however and do require that you are able to vent the warm air that the conditioner “sucks” out of the air. This is done via a flex tube to a window, door or other existing vent already in place. The hot air just needs to get out of the room for the portable air conditioner to do its job effectively.

You will find that most manufacturers will supply a flex hose with your air conditioner purchase and longer than standard 5-7 feet lengths can be purchased if needed. One thing to remember is that the longer the hose, the harder your portable unit needs to work to pump out the hot air. Try to stay away from distances longer than 15 feet and sharp kinks or obstructions in the hose.

What portable air conditioners do have in their corner is quick installation without destroying any part of your house. They are also a better option when trying to cool extra hot spots that are already serviced by central cooling units.

Another consideration when picking out a portable air conditioner unit for a small room is that the AC is narrow. This will allow for less of an intrusion on the room and save valuable floor space.

Delonghi portable air conditioners have been all the rage lately. They are one of the most sought after smaller portable air conditioners. They are high quality and energy efficient, which is important in our attempts to lessen out impact on the environment. In my opinion the thing that has made Delonghi portable air conditioner unit so popular is their blend of quality, price and reliability.

Another often mentioned portable air conditioner manufacturer on the market is Soleus. Soleus is the name most people will find if looking for a cheap portable air conditioner. This seems to be exactly the case by looking at forum discussions on this particular company. Reviews are not good for this cheap portable air conditioner at present. Reviews of low power levels, small water tanks, incomplete units and lack of customer support seem to be the major issues. One particular unsatisfied customer stated that the Soleus air conditioners do not work and the company doesn’t even care, citing that the warranty is useless. Quite a strange thing to read about a company that says there products are ” the most powerful products on the market”.

Portable air conditioner parts

Portable air conditioners are relatively simple machines and don’t have as many small parts as you would expect. It basically breaks down into five major parts and I would only mess with one of them if you are getting adventurous.

Cooling system
Blower fan
Thermostat control
Selector switches
Air conditioner filter.

As long as you clean your air filters regularly and do not allow water to stagnate in your drainage basin and cause odor, you can expect many years of quality cool air from your portable room small air conditioner while using less energy than a larger non-portable unit. These units are relatively maintenance free so looking for parts is not much of a concern.

Thanks to the miracles of modern science, air conditioners can save you from the fire and brimstone of summer heat. When you are out looking for air conditioners there are two main styles that you will be sorting through. Unit coolers and central cooling systems. If the house is yours and your budget is unlimited, a central air conditioner is the crown jewel.

Central air conditioners

When buying new central air conditioning equipment, it is very important to have the work done by a qualified contractor. Most review sites and available information say that the best way to save money on a central conditioning unit is by hiring a good contractor. This is followed in close second by picking an energy efficient system. A proper installation of a central air conditioner will ensure that the unit is tightly sealed and no energy is wasted thought leaky ducts thus saving as much money as possible.

When speaking of saving money through efficient air conditioning systems the topic of SEER usually comes up. Central air conditioners are rated by something called SEER or seasonal energy efficiency ratio. Without going into details, the higher the SEER the more efficient your central conditioning system is thus saving you money and helping the environment through less power demand.

Portable air conditioners

For those of us that rent or cannot afford thousands of dollars for a couple of cooler degrees, the portable or unit systems will be the best choice.

Unit systems include portable air conditioners and window air conditioners. These are called unit systems because they are self contained and do not require duct work that must be added to the house. The portable conditioner systems weight between 50-80 pounds and can be wheeled from room to room as long as you can run the exhaust tube to a nearby window. The window air conditioners must be installed in a window frame and do require minimal installation that can be handled with common home tools.

Central air conditioners work to cool down your whole house, not just one location. They do this by being hooked up to a central duct work system that pumps the cool air from the conditioning system, through the duct work to all area’s of the house. One big advantage of a central cooling system is that the intricacies of measuring room sizes, BTU’s and placement of the conditioner are no longer such a major concern. Now the whole house will be cooled through one central machine and then dissipated out evenly via duct work.

Mini Split air conditioners

Mini split air conditioners are a cross between a window or wall air conditioner and a central air unit. The mini split air conditioner has the compressor outside with a vent unit coming into your home. While they are a compramise between an expensive cental cooling system and a room air conditioner, the mini split will need to be installed by a HVAC professional. This could cost you more on the install but the lack of noise from the system is a great plus in its favour. Another plus to the mini split air conditioner is that there will only be a 3 inch hole in your wall as opposed to a 12 inch one from a window style air conditioner. As well it is a ductless air conditoiner, and that means no running serious ductwork through your house.

Buying A Brand Name Air Conditioner

Lennox, Carrier, Trane and GE

When selecting any product of substantial value that you want to last, you should go with a name you trust. air conditioners are no different. Besides looking at consumer reviews for opinions, you will also want to go with the trusted names like General Electric, Trane, Lennox, Whirlpool, and Carrier air conditioners. These companies have been around for years and as such their air conditioners have stood the test of time. If you do end up spending a little more on you cooling system, the peace of mind and longer warranties will more than make up for it.

A Word About Carrier air conditioners

Carrier air conditioners have been setting standards of excellence since 1902 when a gentleman name Willis Haviland Carrier decided that things needed to be cooled down a little. Carrier is a large air conditioning manufacturing company specializing in cooling and refrigeration systems. At present Carrier has a work force of 43,000 employees in over 172 countries. Carrier air conditioning has been touted as the major company responsible for the development of the modern air conditioner.

Carrier covers the full spectrum of air conditioners and accessories including; portable, window, central systems, RV air conditioners and special industrial applications. Not only do they cool air down but Carrier has a full line of heating and refrigeration systems as well.

After doing some research about different companies, it’s my opinion that you can always tell a lot about a company by what they do of their own accord. Carrier is committed to a higher level of social responsibility and strives to help the community through financial contributions to groups like environmental agencies that are closely related to or affected by the technology that Carrier produces.

Air Conditioner Parts

Air Conditioner Filters

One of the most important things to maintain on your new cooling unit is the air conditioner filter. Dirt and debris in the filter will reduce the air flow and thus the effectiveness of your conditioning unit. Once your air conditioners filtering unit becomes very clogged with dirt and debris, those dirt particles will bypass the filter and start messing up the air quality along with the machines working parts.

While some air conditioner filters can be cleaned and reused, some need to be replaced altogether. If the filter on your cooling system can be replaced, it should be done or at least checked every month or two. Just like in any machine, the frequency that you change your air conditioning filters depends on the external operating conditions. Dusty environments combined with heavy use will speed up the need for a cleaning or replacement of your systems filters.

Perhaps the most widely used air conditioners are the window air conditioners. They are quite popular for heating and cooling in both domestic and commercial premises. The basic advantage of a window air conditioner is that unlike the central air conditioners and the split air conditioners, it fits well in the window giving a good look and it does not occupy any space of the room at all.

Moreover, window air conditioners do not need to be shifted every now and then from one place to the other. However, like any other air conditioning equipment, it produces noise, the intensity of which differs with the type and size of the window air conditioners. Constant noise can indeed be very disturbing and distressing to the home and surrounding residents.

It is, therefore, advisable for the consumer to compare window air conditioners by checking the sound power level labels on the unit or in the literature specifications. The noise levels are often given in decibel ratings and the higher the decibel level, the louder the unit will be. The sound pressure increases by a factor of ten for every 10-decibel increase. For example, 60 Decibels is 10 times louder than 50 Decibels and 100 times louder than 40 Decibels.

The compressor and the fan are combined in a single unit and mounted in the window air conditioners and this is the source of all the noise in the air conditioner. The other causes of noise could be worn bearings, cabinet rattles, dirty or rusty fan blades, worn rubber mountings and compressor wear. Regular maintenance can reduce the noise to some extent but with the passing of time, there is bound to be an increase in the level of the noise.

You should check whether your window air conditioner is vibrating or producing a rattling noise and if so, then it is not a normal situation. The reason for this can be improper installation or loose side panels. If, however, you hear a scraping noise, you should either take the help of an authorized service provider or you can also try to find out the cause and repair it yourself.

The following steps can help you in tracking the fault and repairing it:

You should tighten the screws holding the front panel onto the unit. You should check carefully the window all round the unit. You should then turn the window air conditioner on and press your hand against the sash. If you find that as you press your hand against the sash, the sound changes in pitch, then you should put some wooden shims in the gap between the window air conditioners frame and the sash. If, however, the pitch of the noise changes when you press your hand on the glass, you should use some insulating cellophane tape between the glass and the frame. You might have to use putty if that does not reduce the noise.

If you feel that the sound is originating from within the unit, you should take the unit out of the window and check to see if the fan blades are bent. If so, just bend them back so that they match the others.

Portable air conditioners Ensure Economy And Convenience

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.

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air conditioners

Air conditioning Articles

The air filter in an air conditioning system keeps the cooling coils and air inside the room clean and free from all pollutants, pet dander, ozone emissions and airborne particles.

There are many different kinds of air filters available today, such as HEPA, standard, pleated, electrostatic and electronic filters. Of these, standard, pleated and electrostatic filters are the most common types of filters that are used in air conditioners. Generally these filters are located in walls, ceilings, furnaces, or in the air conditioner itself.

Standard Air Filters, having the capacity of removing 10 percent of the airborne pollutants, are made of spun fiberglass with cardboard frames. They should be changed once a month.

Pleated Air Filters catch around 35% to 40% of the particles in the air. Owing to their greater surface area with filter material folded back and forth like a paper fan, manufacturers claim that they can last from two to four months. The cost of these filters ranges from $5 to $20 which is slightly more than that of standard filters.

Electrostatic filters use filter media, which use an electric charge to attract the dirt particles in the air. These filters may have electric charge built-in, or else the air moving through the layers of the system creates electric charge. They may cost from around $20 to over $100 each. These filters only need to be changed once a year.

Sometimes people with allergies may consider the usage of an electronic air cleaner in the air conditioner, which works on the same principle as that of electrostatic filter. However, it is far more effective than electrostatic filter and does not hinder the flow of air inside the air conditioning system. Whatever type of air conditioner filter you use, it is advisable to check the cleanliness of the coils of the filter by a contractor at least once in a month.

Perhaps the most important measure that will ensure the efficiency of an air conditioner is frequent replace of its filters. One should change the air conditioner’s filter regularly, as clogged, dirty filters block normal air flow and reduce the system’s efficiency significantly by impairing the coils’ heat-absorbing capacity.

Air Filters Info provides detailed information on home, car, electronic, and HEPA air filters, as well as air conditioner filters and air filter manufacturers. Air Filters Info is the sister site of Air Purifiers Web.

There are a few things you can do to take care of your air conditioner and make its life a little longer and a little easier.

How does your air conditioner work? Simply stated, an air conditioning unit removes heat from the air and blows it outside with an outdoor fan. An indoor fan pulls room air across an evaporator coil filled with refrigerant and transfers cool air into your home. Obviously, the movement of air by fans is a big part of the system. That’s why it is so important to replace the filter at least once a month.

As dust is picked up, it is trapped on the filter, and you would be surprised how quickly the dust accumulates. Trying to pull air through a clogged filter just makes the fan work harder, raising your utility bill.

The same is true for the fan in the outdoor unit. Make sure the outside of the unit is away from shrubs and other vegetation growth, and keep the unit as clean and free of leaves and dirt as possible. Provide at least five feet of clearance at the top and two feet on all sides of the unit.

When using your air conditioning, the best method is to leave the temperature setting at one comfortable spot. The more you move the temperature up and down, the more work your system must do. If you must move the temperature setting, make the smallest movement possible.

Another way to prolong the life of your air conditioning unit is to operate your other appliances wisely. Dishwashers, washers, dryers and stoves all generate heat and humidity indoors. Try to schedule laundry and cooking during the mornings or evenings to avoid taxing your air conditioner in the heat of the day. Use an exhaust fan in the kitchen, and vent your clothes dryer outside to give your air conditioner a hand.

Sunshine is also an enemy of air conditioning. Keep drapes and shades pulled to prevent sunlight form streaming into rooms. Over 20 percent of your bill can be due to sunlight.

Also, make sure the drain your condensation drips into is clear. Pour a cup of regular laundry bleach down the drain once a month to kill algae and mold and keep the drain running smoothly.

Scott Ethridge is a senior air conditioning consultant with R.S. Andrews in Atlanta, Georgia.

Air conditioning units are quickly becoming the norm in today’s world and can be found in homes, offices, and transportation systems all over the country. So why are these technological marvels so popular? Air conditioning units provide a controlled comfortable climate that can be altered according personal preference - whether it be too hot or too cold an air conditioner will make it just right.

Not only is the temperture manipulated but the air has the added benefit of being dehumidified and cleaned by means of series filtration systems . Some units also have special filters that are designed to remove pollutants contained within the air.

The principle is generally based on the same principles that are found in your modern refrigerator, but on a larger scale whereby the area that is being controlled is now extended to cover a whole room or building. air conditioners have three primary parts - a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator.

The coolant or refrigerant is in a vapor form when it reaches the condenser - here it is then put under immense pressure, so much so that it is converted in to its liquid form and the excess heat energy removed. Looking at the condenser more closely you will notice it has fins similar to that found on a car radiator, these fins help disseminate the heat faster.

The liquid coolant then flows down the air conditioning unit through to the evaporator coils where it latterly absorbs the heat from the air that has been drawn in. This process causes the coolant to transform into a gas. The evaporator is also equipped with small metal fins which aids in the transferring the heat from the air to the coolant. When the working fluid leaves the condenser, its temperature is much cooler and it has changed from a gas to a liquid under high pressure. This is then channeled back up through to the condenser and the process is repeated till the desired temperature on the thermostat is reached.

The Department of Energy has put together a set of efficiency standards that dictate the minimum requirements for air conditioning units. The unit that is used to measure this is the “SEER”, otherwise known as seasonal energy efficiency rating. Generally speaking the higher the SEER the more energy efficient the air conditioning unit will be - ideally you would want one rated 12 to 17.

Visit Guide4Home for more technical information on filters and central units.

It is said that one sixth of all the power generated in the united states is used on air conditioners alone. While you don’t need to overheat to save the enviroment, lets look at a few things about power, how air conditioners use it, and what we can do to save our resources.

The power of air conditioners in the united states is spoken of in units called “tons of refrigeration”. This TOR is defined as the amount of cooling power a ton of melting ice shows in a day or 24 hours. Same as lights have candle power, air conditioners have TOR. In normal electrial power terms, 1 TOR equals 3510 watts of power. Normal home central air conditioners are rated between 1 to 5 tons of refrigeration.

From this you can see if you have a couple of million homes running their window air conditioners all at the same time, it can add up in power resources. This is why during a power failure, air conditioning is the first thing the power company will ask you to turn off for a bit.

Studies have shown that the average air conditioning unit wastes 40% of the inputed energy. It seems that besides using home air conditioners only when needed the second step should fall on the manufacturers to produce more efficient machines. Please look at SEER Power for more on grading air conditioner efficiency.

Where is the majority of air conditioner energy wasted? In the heat that needs to be expended by blowing it out the back end. When someone figures out a solution to this situation, the nations power usage could be cut by 40% on every air conditioner out there. This is staggering to think about.