A well-maintained air conditioning system will use 15% to 40% less energy than a neglected one. Do you need a professional to help you achieve this savings?

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.

Thomas Yoon specializes in cartoon illustrations at that will make an impact on people’s opinions. More information on Marine and M & E engineering.

Underfloor heating is growing in popularity because it has many advantages over the traditional form of heating, such as: low installation cost and no maintenance costs. The heat is spread evenly over the whole room instead of being centered around a radiator or a fireplace, and because radiant heat is used, it reduces the airborne circulation of dust and house mites, which is ideal for asthma sufferers.

The commercial sector has increased its use of underfloor heating, and since the late 1990’s there has been a 25% yearly increase in demand for this heating system. High-profile buildings throughout the UK have had underfloor heating installed, such as: the Scottish Parliament building, Greenwich Museum, the British Museum, the Imperial Museum and Canary Wharf.

In most cases, underfloor heating can be the primary source of heating in a home that is adequately insulated. It is also advisable to add floor insulation when the underfloor heating is installed, to prevent heat loss into the sub-floor, otherwise more energy will be used to heat the room.

There are generally two different types of underfloor heating: warm water (wet) systems, or electric (dry) systems. Today’s homes mainly use the electric system, as the electric cables are located directly under the floor and heat the floor quickly, thus making them more efficient and cheaper to run than the wet system. The electric cables are usually installed onto an insulation board and covered directly with the floor covering of your choice. The temperature control for each room is made easy by a programmable digital thermostat.

Underfloor heating can be used in every room in your home, including the conservatory and the bathroom. Installing underfloor heating in the conservatory allows you to enjoy your conservatory all year round, and in the bathroom, after you’ve bathed, you can step out of your bath onto a lovely warm floor. You’ll have family and friends queuing up to bathe so they experience your flooring!

Once underfloor heating is installed it can enhance the appearance of a room, because there aren’t any unsightly radiators taking up wall space. It allows you freedom of choice for furniture location, as you don’t have any radiators to avoid. In public places, it can improve health and safety because there aren’t any hot pipes or sharp surfaces to cause a health hazard.

Underfloor heating can be used with wooden and concrete flooring and with different types of floor covering, such as: stone, tile, wood, laminate and vinyl. For small to medium sized rooms, the underfloor heating can be fitted on a DIY basis. The underfloor cable heating mats come with full installation instructions but it is strongly advised a qualified electrician attaches the cable heating system to the household electrical mains. If the thought of doing DIY makes your hair stand on end, or you have a large area that needs underfloor heating, the system can be installed by a company that specialises in this system. The internet has made it easy to gather information about underfloor heating, and to find a company who are experts in their field.

Underfloor heating is not a new phenomenon. Wealthy Romans first used underfloor heating in their homes; but their system did not survive the passage of time. In Korea, around 37 B.C – A.D 668 the Koreans created an underfloor heating system, called an ondol (meaning ‘warm stone’) and this system is still used in some modern Korean homes.

Underfloor heating is the way forward to improve your home and business.

Paul Mockford wrote this article about underfloor heating. Underfloor heating is gaining in popularity in today’s society because it can reduce overall heating costs. For more information on electrical underfloor heating visit http://www.floorheating.ltd.uk

Are you feeling a bit chilly in your house? Did you have it made or did you buy it as is? You should consider these factors when shopping for a home because the age of the house can play a huge role in how much trouble you will have with the plumbing, cooling, and heating of your home. You might even buy an costly place only to discover later that everything needs to be updated. You should try to find a home that is up to your standards or if you know you need to fix it then it should be reflected in the price.
You need a solid frame that won’t let leaks go through it. You need good plumbing, electrical work, and your windows should seal shut. You should know about heating that you can buy for your flooring. Floor heating can be a great purchase when you want to do a home improvement project.

Floor heating systems are not a new idea if you aren’t that familiar with them. My sister and her husband bought one a few years ago when they were building their own home. They talked to me about floor heating and then decided that this would be a great option for them. If you live in a cold climate than this is a great option for you. If you get hardwood floors then you may have to go with floor heating. If you hate walking to the kitchen in the morning with your bare feet pressing against the cold floor then you should consider getting this kind of floor heating system. Floor heating systems are one of the most popular designs for people who are creating their home on their own. You can add lots of different types of features to your home so make this one that you can enjoy all winter long.

If you want floor heating for your home that you want to build or if you want it for your current home then you can shop in lots of ways. Look online to figure out some great deals on floor heating systems. You can search different websites for the best options and keep your feet warm all winter long!

Kurt Schefken’s reports can be discovered on a lot of web publications linked to granite floors and marble flooring. His publications on href="http://www.insidewoodworking.com/flooring/794stone-flooring.html">stone flooring are published on his webpage and other online sites.

Before you call a air conditioning service repair man to check your air conditioner that’s not cooling you may want to check some of these possible causes. First and most obvious is to be sure your system air filter is not restricted. In many cases this will cause your evaporator or indoor coil to freeze up. If the system has a fan v-belt make sure it is not cracked broke or slipping. If the evaporator coil is froze up you may notice condensate leaking in and around the furnace, air handler or window type A/C unit. Another more apparent sign would be actually seeing ice build up on the coil or refrigeration lines connecting the evaporator and condenser.

Another cause for your system freezing up could be closed or blocked supply registers. In some cases people will close registers to unoccupied areas of their home for energy savings but closing to many can cause more problems than it’s worth. System freeze ups can also be related to a lose of refrigerant with in your air conditioner. If your system is low on refrigerant you will have to have a qualified air conditioning repair technician locate and repair the leak as well as properly recharge the system. Any time your air conditioner system is froze up you should place the thermostats fan switch to the on position and the cool system switch to off for a long enough time to allow the coils to completely thaw. After checking some or all of the potential problems you can try to run the air conditioner again. If you have air blowing out of your supply registers but it’s not cool you will want to check the condenser or out door unit to be sure it is running. If you do not hear anything running check the breaker or disconnect switch at the condenser. Their may also be bad fuses in the disconnect box. Tripped breakers or blow fused are typically caused by problems that need to be addressed by a technician . It is possible that a power surge or electrical storm could also cause a breaker to trip and once you reset it the system will be fine. Another common cause for the condenser not functioning is a broken or shorted low voltage wire. Mice and other rodents will tend to chew though these wires. The low voltage wire is typically a small two conductor wire that runs along side the refrigerant lines. If the condenser is running but not cooling you may want to clean it. This can be done by turning off power to it, then wet it down with a garden hose. Apply a air conditioning coil cleaning solvent to the coil surface. Convenient aerosol spray cans or mixable powder form can be purchased online at HVAC Maintenance & Supplies.

(www.mainsupplies.com) Allow the coil to soak for 3-5 minutes then flush out with a garden hose. Be sure the water pressure is not so high that it damages the coil fins. A coil fin tool, also available online at HVAC Maintenance & Supplies can be used to straighten the fins. Repeat this process until the water starts to flush out relatively clear. Safety glasses and rubber gloves should be worn when using coil cleaning chemicals. If your air conditioner is a portable window type you can carefully remove the units outer casing, apply coil cleaner to both evaporator and condenser coils then flush with water. Most dirt will build up on the inside of the condenser coil that can not be seen with out removing the units outer casing. These tips may not resolve all your air conditioning problems but I can tell you that as a service technician myself these are some of the most common problems I have encountered.

Information provided by Terry Manlick with HVAC Maintenance & Supplies. Other maintenance articles as well as hvac maintenance products such as filters, v-belts, humidifier filters and coil cleaners can be found online at http://www.mainsupplies.com

For some, the fireplace is the focal point of the home - a place where the family gathers for quiet time, and where visitors congregate for conversation and cocktails. But when it comes to wood burning fireplaces, much of the heat that the fireplace is supposed to create, is actually lost through the venting system. Gas log fireplaces, however, offer a clean, alternative method of heating.

Gas log fireplaces resemble wood burning fireplaces but the method of burning relies on gas rather than wood. Gas is delivered through a line that runs straight to the fireplace. When the owner wishes to start a fire they simply turn on a switch that ignites the gas. Flames ignite around simulated logs to create the ambiance of a natural wood burning fireplace. Using this type of fireplace means you don’t have to chop firewood or keep wood on hand in order to start a fire. You are also spared the mess that often comes along with burning wood.

When choosing from among gas log fireplaces, you will be required to decide between ones that vent to the outside of the home - just as wood burning fireplaces - and those that have no venting system whatsoever. The difference between the two lies in the intensity of the flame that it produces. When you burn wood or gas the result is the same - the production of carbon monoxide. With the use of vented fireplace, the carbon monoxide is vented to the outside of the home. In the case of fireplaces that are not vented, the carbon monoxide and other materials produced by the fire are combustible in the flame of the fire - the heat of which is at such an intensity that it can accomplish this task.

No matter which of the two you choose, it makes sense to install a multitude of carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that can spread throughout the home without your knowledge. If it should reach dangerous levels it can result in severe injury and even fatality to the people within the home. Detectors can alert you to any unseen gas taking up residence in the home. It is also a good idea to crack a window during the burning of gas log fireplaces so as to allow fresh air into the home. And, of course, never allow a fire to burn while you sleep.

Gas log fireplaces should always be installed by a professional who can safely install gas lines and instruct owners on its safe operation. Check to make sure that the fireplace you are installing - especially unvented fireplaces - is allowable in your particular location.

There can be no arguing that a fireplace can add another whole dimension to a room - including ambiance, style, and warmth. Whether you choose wood burning fireplaces or gas log fireplaces, you will likely get years of enjoyment from your fireplace - not to mention added value to your home.

For more information on fireplaces, try visiting http://www.fireplacechoices.com - a website that specializes in providing fireplace related tips, advice and resources including information on gas log fireplaces.

Hooking up a hot water heater is one of the more common home repair jobs and is easy to learn. But, be sure to read all of the directions before beginning. You do not want to find that you are stuck with no hot water.

Obviously, the first thing you must do is disconnect and remove the old hot water heater. Be careful, though, as it is still full of hot water. Turn off your gas or electricity, whichever is connected to the water heater. You then need to drain the water from the old heater. A drain valve should be on the heater for this purpose. For a gas heater, separate the vent pipe from the draft hood which should life off after you remove the sheet metal screw holding it. Confirm that the pilot light is out, disconnect the gas line at the heater and cap it.

You will next need to remove the water heater from the pipes, but be careful since the water pipes may still have hot water in them which is still hot enough to burn you. You may need to use some pipe wrenches to remove them, but there should not be many pipes connected so this step should take little time or effort. Once completed, you can remove the water heater and dispose of it. Keep in mind, though, that may local and state laws have restrictions on disposing of hot water heaters. Check with the local authorities for any disposal requirements in your area.

It is now time to install the new unit. Do not drag the new unit into your home as there are fragile parts inside that can be damaged if it is jolted too much. Try using a dolly to transport it into your home. Once moved, position the new heater so the piles can easily reach it. If you are using gas, be careful that the gas pipe can reach easily to prevent any gas leaks.

You now need to connect the hot and cold water, which is a simple process. Connect the new water heater to the same connections as the old one, and connect the third pipe to the main water line. If you are confused or there are no connections, refer to the user manual. Connecting the pipes is the most common mistake made during installation. You can test it by turning on the water. If the cold water turns hot and your hot water never warms, you will need to switch the pipes.

Next, you must locate the relief valve on the new hot water heater. The temperature and pressure relief valve is an important part of the system, as it releases excess heat and pressure automatically so that the unit does not explode. This is a valuable and important safety feature that is standard on all units. Finally, connect the new hot water heater to the power. Connect it either to the gas line or the electricity so the water can be heated. The instruction manual can explain how to do this.

Being particularly interested in cordless tools and power tools, Greg Hansward was authoring many informative papers in the area. You might see his abstracts on ryobi tools over at http://www.insidewoodworking.com/ryols/index.html and different sources for ryobi tools information.

Paint removal is no longer a difficult task with the advent of the heat gun. This handy tool is particularly successful at removing paint from most surfaces if proper care is taken. The temperature can be regulated to make sure that the area does not become damaged due to overheating.

The instructions must be read carefully to know the correct temperature for the type of material you are working with. It would be best to experiment on any object you would not mind scorching as holding the heat gun too close or for too long over an area causes it to scorch, and you would not want to scorch any valuable furniture.

The heat gun is used to heat the paint as much as required to make it malleable and thereafter it can be scraped off with any stripping tool of your choice. Gloves should be worn during the heating process and one should make sure to direct the hot air away from one’s hands. Care must be taken while choosing the stripping tool as it should be compatible with the heat gun so that it can resist higher temperatures.

It is advisable to try it out for sometime and gain confidence before you attempt the real task. The heat gun must always be held at a stipulated distance away from the material. Once the paint starts to soften you must scrape it with care and keep an old towel or rag in hand to wipe off the sticky paint on the stripping tool.

Even the thickest layers of paint can be removed with a heat gun from any surface. The heat gun works especially well on wooden surfaces. An example of such a process would be the restoration of your antique furniture to a state of previous beauty.

Dixita is an article writer for various organisations across the globe. This is the first time I am trying out article writing for myself. For more information about me, do visit: Random Rants

You can read more at : Embossing using a Heat Gun

The plumbing industry has benefited tremendously with the introduction of the heat gun. This compact and useful tool has become quite indispensable to the plumber, making his job a lot easier. The number of benefits that a heat gun provides are innumerous and so it is extensively used for running and repairing plumbing.

The heat gun speeds up the process of bending PVC pipes which makes plumbing lines run smoother and decreases the number of joins that are required. Conventionally an elbow would have had to be added at every corner by the plumber, now however, with the use of a heat gun and a special wire coil the PVC pipe can easily bend to fit the desired angle.

Using PVC adhesive is an option chosen by few nowadays as the heat gun makes the work faster and easier and also makes it stronger. Apart from the advantage of not having to wait to let water flow through the glued joints, plumbers also value the absence of the sticky mess produced by most conventional adhesives and cleaners used for making joints.

Joints in a pipeline cannot be completely done away with, sometimes they are necessary but the heat gun has certainly replaced the smelly glues which the plumbers would have otherwise had to use. The heat gun is used to heat the end of the hose or pipe which is then pushed into the joint piece. Expansion and contraction of the hot plastic serves to make it a much tighter join.

Dixita is an article writer for various organisations across the globe. This is the first time I am trying out article writing for myself. For more information about me, do visit: Random Rants

You can read more at : Heat Guns for Stripping Paint

The heat gun is an extremely versatile tool and can even be used for fabric welding. The restricted hot air blasting from the heat gun helps fuse sheets of plastic tarpaulins together creating an impermeable seam that is capable of withstanding stress while in use. The seam therefore becomes as strong as the original material because the heat gun melts the fabric together.

Plastic sheets can be welded together to make tarpaulins and customize them for a large number of uses. With the heat gun this can be done faster than usual and the process becomes extremely easy. This helps you to make customized pieces of durable plastic sheets in practically no time at all. The added benefit is that you can use such customized pieces for a variety of tasks as the tasks may require different sized plastic sheets. Many people use such plastic sheets to make covers for their boats or trucks and other such vehicles. With your heat gun you can therefore create a cover to shield your goods while in transit.

To weld two pieces of plastic fabric into one you need to cut both pieces according to the required size with an inch and a half of extra material to be used while making the seam. The next step is to lay the sheets out making sure that the extra material overlaps by an inch. A slit nozzle is then attached to the heat gun and the hot air produced from it should be directed over the overlapping material so that it melts and is welded into one piece. You will then need a feed roller to press the area of the seam.

With a heat gun you will realize the potential to create customized pieces of sheeting that can be put to a variety of uses. They can range from vehicle covers to coverings for your patio. With the many diverse uses of a heat gun one of which is to weld together two pieces of fabric, you will be able to use this instrument in a vast way.

Dixita is an article writer for various organisations across the globe. This is the first time I am trying out article writing for myself. For more information about me, do visit: Random Rants

You can read more at : Plumbing with Heat Guns

Did you get your heating bill this month? Did it knock your socks off?

A friend of mine said hers was nearly $500 dollars. Mine was $200.

What’s the difference between my house and hers?

Built during the first energy crisis in 1976, my 2100+ square foot house is built on a small footprint…36′ X 24″. It’s earth sheltered, it faces south and gets good heat gain in winter and shade in summer, it is heated by a propane heater on the ground floor, supplemented by a wood stove for the coldest days. We can cook on the wood stove if the power is off. There is air conditioning provided free by the higher altitudes of our mountain location and the plenum effect of our stacked three floors.

Her house is in a city in a location where she gets little sun. The basement is unusable, except as a media room. The windows and insulation are poor even though her house is newer, bigger and more expensive. She has a conventional gas heating system and electrical cooling system that are both inefficient and expensive to run.

I work from home and don’t…and wouldn’t commute. If disability forces me to move to a house without stairs at some point, I will go to an underground house.

Envision money leaking out of your bank account. That’s what a typical conventional house does. It’s more than bad karma that is sucking money out of our pockets to run our homes. It’s bad science that will cost us
lots of money from now on and into the foreseeable future.

Sound familiar? Most conventional houses in the US are power hogs…really bad science. I hate bad science that costs ME money!

So what can we do to save money? There are three viable strategies.

1. Use less power and gas with more efficient systems including heaters, appliances, thermostats, light bulbs, air conditioners, hot water heaters, etc.

2. Increase insulation in a poorly insulated structure. One of my neighbors has a cold kitchen in winter and a hot one in summer. Why? Because the kitchen is directly above her garage and the floor of the kitchen is not insulated. She’s been reluctant to pull down the sheet rock in the garage and fix the problem, but this month’s bill has changed her mind. New sheet rock and insulation aren’t that much money and it’s a one-time expense. Her heating and cooling bills come EVERY month.

Insulation can make a difference. Even upholstering the walls can help. Another strategy is to put cabinets or shelves with doors all over the inside walls of the perimeter of your house. Are your windows and doors in decent condition? Plastic can make cheap storm windows.

You can landscape to shade your house in summer or build a porch or pergola to shade the windows. An earth berm and evergreen windbreak can buffer your home from winter winds or hot sun.

These strategies are old science that people used in every structure that was built before the advent of cheap and readily available heating and cooling. If it’s going to cost more to heat and cool, maybe it’s time to bring back some of these ideas.

3. Build structures that are good science. Few builders bother to do it. To do so they would have to learn something new! Conventional structures in this country suck resources the way frat houses suck liquor on the weekend.

Homes here are overly large, too fragile, and use poor quality systems. Consumers can demand higher quality or learn what to ask for.

Houses on small footprints are more energy efficient. Smaller houses are MUCH cheaper to run, heat, cool, and buy. If floors are stacked over each other, they can be heated and cooled more efficiently through a plenum effect.

Earth sheltering is a good strategy. Under ground temperatures stay around 55 degrees. Fully underground structures need small amounts of heating and dehumidifying. Some may not need ANY heating or cooling. Best of all they are storm and fire resistant.

Radiant floor heat and earth heat pumps make heating and cooling conventional structures more efficient and cheaper. Houses with lower ceilings are easier to heat and cool. You can add solar collectors to your house or yard, too. The idea of selling MY excess power back to my local utility when I don’t need it is really exciting to me.

In cold climates consider an inglenook or small warm room like the Scandinavians.

Being cheap isn’t really fashionable, but some of us care less about fashion than good science. Save some money to invest in something else.

Paula Stone is a former Realtor and Black Belt homebuyer and seller. She works with her husband Ron in his mortgage business. You can contact them as well as find great Free Mortgage and Real Estate information for All States at their alabama mortgage website at http://www.alabama-mortgage-specialists.com