Air Conditioning - Thermostat Basics

What Is It?
A thermostat, the unassuming box on the wall, pretty much controls the comfort of your family. It is a temperature-sensitive switch that controls a space conditioning unit or system, such as a furnace, air conditioner, or both. When the indoor temperature drops below or rises above the thermostat setting, the switch moves to the "on" position, and your furnace or air conditioner runs to warm or cool the house air to the setting you selected for your family's comfort. A thermostat, in its simplest form, must be manually adjusted to change the indoor air temperature. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Limiting Your AC's Energy Consumption

Here are some tips for beating the heat while limiting your energy consumption:
- Substituting fans for air conditioners on mild summer days can reduce energy use by 60% or more.
- A programmable thermostat can save as much as 10% on your cooling bill by simply turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours. You can do this easily using a programmable or a setback thermostat |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Window Unit Air Conditioners: An Overview

Recent developments in technology and increased choices for consumers have lead to the window AC unit becoming a must-have purchase for apartment dwellers and those without central air conditioning systems in their homes. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Wall Unit Overview

Wall unit air conditioners offer an alternative to window AC units and are typically mounted in spaces that are actually cut-out of your home's exterior walls.These types of air conditioners are not for everyone. If you rent your home or live in an apartment building, wall units are not an option as cutting through your walls is neither permitted or desirable. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Keeping Your Energy Bills As Low As Possible

Air Conditioner Articles: Keeping Your Energy Bills LowKeeping Your Energy Bills as Low as Possible

It's hard to ignore the huge increases we all often see on our summer cooling energy bills. The increase in temperature often closely corresponds to a major increase in our electric bills. While some extra expense is to be expected, there are many easy things you can do to help to ensure that your bills are as low as possible. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - How To Quiet A Window Unit Air Conditioner

Though a variety of causes may be responsible for a particularly noisy window air conditioning unit, oftentimes it is vibration that is the culprit.
The first thing to do with a noisy air conditioning unit is to ensure that all of the screws on the front panel of the unit are tightened. You should methodically check each screw to make sure that they are all screwed in as tightly as possible and that no additional, unnecessary vibrating is occurring. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Tips For Fixing A Window Unit AC

If your window AC unit is not working properly, you might be able to diagnose it and fix the problem on your own before sending to be repaired.
There are several, fairly easy steps you can take on your own (including giving the unit a good cleaning), before sending it out for repair. It is always a good idea to have a friend on hand to help you out with heavier AC units. Begin by removing the front grill of the AC unit with a putty knife. If the grill is held in place by screws rather than clips, you can simply unscrew them. Unplug the air conditioner, remove it from the window, and place it on a sturdy surface. Find the unit's mesh filter (it covers the radiator-like fins on the evaporator coils). Remove the filter. Wash both the filter and the grill in a mixture of warm, soapy water and bleach. This should remove any mold or other undesirable dirt or gunk. Shake out any excess water and leave the filter and grill to dry. Vacuum the evaporator coils thoroughly with your vacuum's brush attachment. Should any dirt remain, remove it with a scrub brush. Look closely at the "fins" on the coils and straighten any that may be bent. You can do this by hand or with a "fin comb" that can be purchased from an appliance store. Turn the air conditioner around so that the back is facing you and examine the second set of condenser coils. If they are dirty, vacuum these coils as well. Should any dirt remain, remove it with a scrub brush. Inspect the back fins as well and use the fin comb to straighten any that may have become bent. Remove any extra dirt or lint that has accumulated inside the unit with your vacuum's brush and crevice attachments. Vacuum the fan blades. Put the air conditioner back into your window and secure it. Reinstall the filter (once its dry) and front grill. Plug in and turn on your air conditioner. Make sure to continue cleaning your filters about once a month to ensure that your AC unit is working at its top capacity. You'll also cut your energy consumption by 5-15%. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - BTU's & EER

BTU is the measurement that most air conditioners have their capacity rated in. British Thermal Units, or BTU refers to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit (0.56 degrees Celsius). For comparion, 1 BTU equals 1,055 joules (the amount of energy used).In laymen's terms, BTUs measure the amount of heat an air conditioner can remove from the air over a given period of time. The higher the BTU number, the greater the cooling capacity. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Types of Air Conditioning Units

If your home does not have a central AC system, there are three different types of air conditioning units you should consider for cooling your home.
Window AC Units

Usually easy to install into any standard, double-hung window. Offers multiple cooling options (from low to high). Less expensive than other AC options. Higher-end models may include timers or remote controls. Window AC units work very well for smaller houses or apartments, or for extra rooms that you may have added onto your house. You must consider the size of the room you wish to cool, as well as any other special requirements you might have for your air conditioner, before deciding whether a window unit AC is right for you. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Glossary

Air Conditioner Articles: GlossaryBTU – BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and is the measurement of the amount of heat that is required to raise the temperature of one pound of water (0.45 kg) 1 degree Fahrenheit (0.56 degrees Celsius). 1,055 joules equals 1 BTU and 1 "ton" equals 12,000 BTU. This is a standard unit of measurement with both heating and cooling systems. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Extended Warranties

Are Extended Warranties Worth It?

The question of whether to purchase an extended warranty on a new air conditioning unit is something that likely crosses the minds of everyone who makes his or her way up to the register. Extended warranties are more commonly offered on many larger appliances and electronic purchases and are often pushed very hard by retailers. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Energy Store

Along with an air conditioner's EER (energy efficiency rating), many newer models are marked with an Energy Star label. These units work more efficiently and save more energy than other similar air conditioners. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Tune Ups And Maintenance

As wonderful as it feels to walk into a cool room on a hot summer day, it's important to remember that things may not remain so cool and comfortable if you do not take care of your AC units. Air conditioning units require tune-ups and upkeep to make sure that they are working properly and cooling off your home efficiently. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Tips For Buying An Air Conditioning Unit

When purchasing a new air conditioning unit, there are several factors to take into consideration. You should make sure to identify your needs, measure your space, and think about the sort of use you plan to give your AC unit. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Getting The Most Value

Getting the most value out of your air conditioning unit is better for both the environment and your bank account. Particularly during the summer months, energy bills can be sky high. There are several things to consider when purchasing and using your air conditioning unit to ensure that you are operating it with the best level of efficiency. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Portable Units

Portable air conditioning units are both affordable and incredibly convenient. Unlike window and wall unit air conditioners, portable air conditioners can be easily brought from room to room for the most versatile cooling capabilities. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Ceiling Fans

The use of ceiling fans, along with window and portable air conditioning units, can significant reduce your energy bills, particularly in the summer months.  There are several types of fans that may be used in your home, depending upon the cooling needs of your space and family. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Electrostatic Filters

Most window, portable, and built-in AC air conditioning units come equipped with a filter. The filter works to capture all of the dirt and dust particles in the air to ensure that the air conditioner is not recirculating them. However, some filters are better equipped to do this than others. For those who wish to make certain that their air is as clean as possible, an electrostatic filter might be the best choice. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Asthma And Allergies

For those who suffer from asthma or allergies, it is particularly important to pay attention to the quality of air in your home and the type of air conditioning units you use.
The air we breathe often contains minute particles of different varieties. Some of the larger particles will often settle on the surfaces of your furniture and walls, and the smaller particles may be breathed into our lungs on a daily basis. For most people, these tiny particles are not noticeable and don't cause any real problems, however, for those with asthma or allergies the story is very different. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Air Conditioner History

Willis Haviland Carrier is the man to thank on those dog days of summer when the temperature soars and the only thing to look forward to is coming home and turning on your AC.
In 1902, Carrier developed the very first air conditioner unit for the printing company he was working for shortly after he graduated from college. Carrier was inspired to create the air conditioner because of some printing problems his firm, the Buffalo Forge Company, was having. Major fluctuations in heat and humidity began to cause the dimensions of the paper to shift, which, in turn, caused a misalignment of the colored inks. Thanks to Carrier's invention, fluctuations in temperatures were no longer an issue and aligned four-color printing became possible. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Why Are Women Always Cold

The temperature is rising outside and you're feeling the heat, so you crank up the AC and sit back and enjoy as your place starts to cool off. Before you know it, your wife/daughter/mother (fill in the blank!) begins to complain that she's "FREEZING!" We've all been there, and the battle over the air conditioner is often no fun. Why is it that women tend to always be colder than men? Several theories abound, though none have necessarily been proven to be ultimate truth. |  read more »

Air Conditioning - Air Conditioner Sizing

Many people mistakenly believe that "the bigger the better" is the mantra to follow when it comes to air conditioners. It would seem logical that larger, more powerful AC units would translate into cooler, more comfortable rooms. |  read more »