Air conditioners come in various types, models, and features. For most air conditioners, their primary function is to cool the air until it reaches a desired indoor temperature. These cooling systems are especially useful during the summer when temperatures are at the highest. In addition, some air conditioners come equipped with secondary features. They may be used to clean the air, maintain the air quality, or even provide moisture control when needed.
Depending on the type of the air conditioner, the features and functionalities may differ. However, there are certain devices that you expect to find inside every air conditioning unit. These air conditioner parts are essential to the overall cooling mechanisms of the system. In other words, they are the core components that explain how air conditioning works.
Here are the seven different air conditioner parts that you will find in a typical unit:
The summer season is fast approaching. As the temperature begins to rise, you should make sure your air conditioner is functioning properly in the upcoming weeks. It would be rather unfortunate if you turn on the cooling system during the hot and torrid summer, only to find out that your air conditioning unit doesn’t even work.
Doing regular air conditioner maintenance will reduce the risk of your unit breaking down frequently. It is also advisable to have professional HVAC companies perform the routine check-ups on your behalf. While you may conduct some of these inspections on your own, there are more technical tasks that require the expertise of an air conditioner maintenance crew.
The best time to perform air conditioner maintenance is before the summer season arrives. Summer is naturally the busiest time for HVAC companies, so the air conditioner maintenance and service prices may peak based on the high customer demand. Besides, you want to identify any potential malfunctions as early as possible. By conducting the check-ups earlier, you can fix the problems quickly and settle into the summer season without any worries.
Here are seven air conditioner maintenance tips to ensure your unit is working optimally for the summer:
Tip #1: Cleaning and Repairing the Air Filters
One of the most crucial air conditioner maintenance check-ups is cleaning or changing the damaged air filters. When damaged, the air filter may compromise its ability to filter the air and separate unwanted particles effectively. If the evaporator coil is exposed to dust or dirt particles, its ability to absorb heat is hindered. As such, a faulty air filter could make the entire air conditioner unit lose its functionality.
In some cases, cleaning the air filters can be an easy fix to this problem. However, there could be potential complications that necessitate replacing the air filters altogether. The decision between repairing and replacing the air filters depends on its current physical condition. You can do these checks on your own if you are familiar with the inspection process. Otherwise, hire a professional air conditioning maintenance company if the situation is too complicated for a DIY attempt.
You should fix your damaged air filters as soon as possible. If this is left unattended, the problem can affect other areas of the air conditioning unit, which may complicate repair work. The longer you leave a damaged air filter in the system, the more debris it will accumulate over time. At a certain point, the damage could become so severe that you have no choice but to replace the entire air conditioner.
Tip #2: Cleaning the Air Conditioner Coils
A good air filter keeps the evaporator coil of your air conditioning unit clean. However, these will still accumulate dirt and dust over time. The collected debris will then insulate the condenser coils, which could lower their ability to absorb heat. As a result, the entire air conditioning unit works inefficiently and uses more power to get the desired results.
As you are cleaning the air filters, go the extra mile and clean the condenser coils as well. This will unclog the entire air conditioning system and leave your unit working at optimum levels. As a result, you will avoid extra power costs and future replacement costs.
Tip #3: Clear Debris from the Air Conditioning Unit
During summer, there is a tendency for leaves and dirt to accumulate on the outside of the air conditioning unit. The debris eventually finds its way into the air conditioner, which compromises the efficient function of the internal components.
When this happens, you should clear the debris on the outside of the unit. Since some of the debris may have seeped into condenser, you should also gently clean the air conditioner’s fins. Cleaning the fins at a 45-degree angle with a water hose is the recommended method. You should avoid cleaning the fins with a power hose, since the impact may cause damage to the delicate interiors of the unit.
To minimize the amount of debris from accumulating, you should trim and prune any shrubs growing near the air conditioner. If possible, avoid placing the air conditioner unit near any trees so that the leaves are less likely to fall into the system.
Tip #4: Straightening the Coil Fins
The condenser coils and evaporator’s aluminum fins can easily get bent over time. This restricts the flow of air through the air conditioner and may eventually block the system. If left unattended, this could become a costly neglect because the bent coil fins will render the air conditioner unit useless.
Straightening the coil fins is a practical solution to this problem. It’s a simple enough procedure with the help of a condenser fin comb. However, you should still be gentle in applying a moderate amount of pressure on the coil fins.
Tip #5: Clear the Drains
The optimal functionality of your air conditioner is affected by clogged drains. Congested pipelines compromise the ability of the air conditioning unit to effectively remove humidity from the air. This may cause staining on floors and carpets if the problem persists for too long.
You should work to unclog the drain lines in your air conditioner. This can be done by passing a stiff wire through the drains or blowing out the drain with pressurized air, which decongests the pipes and allows air to flow freely through the air conditioner system.
Tip #6: Checking the Coolant Lines
The pipes that run from the air handler to the evaporator are mainly covered with insulating material, which allows them to retain as much energy through the pipes as possible. Checking the pipes for vulnerabilities could result in substantial savings in energy costs.
You can quickly address the sections of the pipes where the insulating material has deteriorated by installing foam insulation sleeves on the affected areas. The insulation helps to ensure the temperature in the lines are maintained and the humidity around the lines will not condense and create water damage. This is essential for the entire air conditioning system to work efficiently.
Tip #7: Checking the Thermostat
In some instances, you may assume the air conditioner isn’t working optimally, but the actual issue could just be a broken thermostat. Just in case, you should examine the thermostat and ensure that it is working correctly. If you are using the old mechanical gadgets, you are better off upgrading to a newer programmable model.
The modern thermostats allow you to input pre-set room temperatures, which automatically change depending on whether people are inside or outside the room. The thermostat can also be pre-set in such a way that it starts cooling the house for a couple of minutes before you arrive home. This way, you get to go home to a cool environment customized to your preference.
Your water heater is an amazing appliance. It delivers clean, hot water to your shower and helps you wash your clothes and dishes safely and easily. But a water heater can feel less like a wonder and more like an annoyance when you’re constantly running out of hot water. How do you prevent that? Having the correct size of water heater for your household is the key.Continue reading
Have you ever wished you could save space in your house by reducing the number of large appliances you have? Or perhaps you’ve wished there was a way to combine similar functions in your home, such as heating water and heating the house, in a single device? If this sounds familiar, then you need to know about the combi boiler, a two-in-one appliance that can provide your home with heat and hot water at the same time, thereby saving you time, money, space, and more.
What Is a Combi Boiler and How Does It Work?
To understand how combi boilers work, it can help to understand how water heaters and boiler systems work. Water heaters are typically large water tanks equipped with a holding tank and burner. The burner warms the water in the tank to a desired temperature and then the city water pressure carries it throughout the house as necessary when you turn on a faucet. A boiler works similarly, but instead of hot water traveling to your taps, it pumps it through the home’s radiator system or in floor heating system using a pump, where the water transfers heat to the air to provide warmth. Combi boilers simply combine these two appliances into a single high-efficiency unit that provides both the heat and hot water for your home.
Combi Boilers Save Space
Combi boilers are incredibly compact and can save a great deal of space. For one thing, they are on-demand water heaters, meaning they don’t require a tank to store hot water. Instead, they heat water as necessary to supply your faucets and radiator system. Another way they save space is by eliminating the need for two separate appliances for hot water and heat.
They Also Save Energy and Money
Tankless water heaters are far more efficient units than conventional ones, and this means a combi boiler can reduce your energy consumption and bills. And by combining the functions of two appliances into a single unit, the combi boiler will further reduce your energy bills. Overall, these appliances could save you 15% or more on utilities. Moreover, it’s far cheaper to purchase, install, and maintain a single unit than it is a separate water heater and furnace, so this is yet another way a combi boiler can save you money.
Determining if a Combi Boiler Is Right for Your Home
Combi boilers are compact but also have a smaller capacity than conventional water heaters, making them ideal in small houses that have limited space and typically only one bathroom. As such, combi boilers are best for small families or couples. However, if you do have more than one bathroom and want the option to run multiple hot taps simultaneously, then you can explore the possibility of getting an extra storage tank for hot water.
When you want more environmentally friendly and less expensive options for heating your home and your water, the combi boiler is an excellent solution, especially if you don’t have a large house or big family. For more information about combi boilers or to schedule a free estimate, call Climate Experts Inc. today!
Many Canadians rely o
n natural gas to power their home appliances including stoves, furnaces, and dryers. Natural gas is so popular because of its abundance in Canada, its high combustibility and therefore heat output, and many cities have the piping infrastructure to direct as much as gas as needed into a home.
Homes with gas burning hardware can be vulnerable to leaks. How do you know when you’ve got a leak in your home and what should you do if it happens? Here are five signs to help you avoid a potentially dangerous situation.
1 – Sulphur/Rotten Egg Smell
This is the top indicator that you have a gas leak. Under ordinary circumstances, natural gas actually has no odour as with carbon monoxide. So companies deliberately add a non-harmful odorant called mercaptan which causes any leaking gas to smell and can be the first warning that you may have an issue.
2 – White Mist or Frost
You may notice a white substance with the appearance of frost or vapour building up around gas pipes and appliance connections, which can signify a rupture.
3 – Gas Bill Increase
Your gas bill may be showing higher than normal charges since more gas is escaping into the house than you have been actually using. Keep an eye on your bills and ensure that they are relatively consistent and proportionate to the amount of gas you use.
4 – Pilot Light Issues
Most gas burning appliances have a pilot light. When gas is leaking, this light may frequently burn out. Leaks may also cause the flame of pilot lights and gas stove tops to become orange or yellow in colour when they should appear blue. So pay closer attention when you’re igniting your cooktop or checking on your pilot lights.
5 – You Or Your Animals Have Physical Symptoms
If you experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, or lightheadedness, and see similar symptoms or behaviours in pets, this is unlikely to be a virus going around. Breathing in too much natural gas can have serious health consequences for both people and pets, though pets may be affected sooner than humans.
If you know or ever suspect you have a gas leak in your home, stop what you’re doing and leave. Do not turn on any electronics or do anything that could create a spark, flame, or electrical current potentially igniting the gas. From a safe place, call your gas company right away to have them turn off the gas to your home. Then, call a professional gas line repair expert to inspect the problem and make any necessary repairs.
Understanding natural gas safety helps you take care of the appliances that take care of you. We can help you keep your gas burning appliances in top shape. Contact us today for our furnace repair and maintenance services, to get more information, or for a free estimate!
It’s understandable that many people want to save money when they can. After all, it’s hard to make, but easy to spend, and when it’s something more mundane, such as repairing a broken AC system, it can feel like money that’s going down the drain. Central air conditioning, however, is a complex piece of equipment, and when it comes to central air conditioning repair, even when you want to save money, sometimes the best way to do that is getting a professional to do the job, rather than trying to fix it yourself and making the problem worse. If you’re thinking of trying one of the six things on this list yourself, stop and give it another thought.
1 – Replacing The Coolant
Under normal circumstances, this is not something a homeowner should ever attempt to do. Coolant in an air conditioner is “permanent” in that it doesn’t get burned up like fuel in a car. If your air conditioner is not working properly because it’s run out of coolant, this isn’t as simple as refilling an empty tank. A leak check will have to be performed and the leak repaired prior to recommissioning the system and adding the refrigerant. Get a professional to do this for you.
2 – Burnt Smell Coming From The Condenser
The outdoor unit of your air conditioner may, from time to time, give off certain smells, especially if you’ve let leaves get into it, which start to rot. However, if you smell something burnt, that may be faulty wiring or damaged insulation. Don’t attempt to fix this yourself.
3 – Different Parts Of The House Not Getting Cooled Down
This could have a few different causes, so it’s definitely not recommended that you take up a screwdriver or drill and try to this central air conditioning repair yourself. There may be underlining causes with the distribution system or building envelope causing hot spots in your home. A technician will be able to point out possible flaws in the overall system and in some cases there may not be any issues with the air conditioner functionality at all.
4 – Musty Smell From Vents
This could be a sign of a mould infestation in your vents. Not only does this make your air smell terrible, it actually poses a health threat to the lungs of people inside. This type of problem could be located anywhere in a ventilation system and is extremely difficult to track down without the right tools and experience.
5 – Condenser Is Making Unusual Noises
You should definitely not try to address this issue yourself. A condenser is bound to make a certain amount of noise as its fan spins up and it starts drawing in air that is then cooled. But if it makes grinding, uneven noises with no rhythm, and you’ve never heard them before, don’t try to find and fix the problem yourself, this has already entered into the realm of a serious, complex problem.
6 – Moisture Or Liquid Appearing
This isn’t as easy as spotting a wet area in your air conditioner and wiping it down or wrapping some duct tape around a leak. When liquid appears where it didn’t before, this could indicate low coolant causing a freeze up or a blocked drain. This will require a professional central air conditioning repair to address properly.
We Can Find It
Climate Experts Heating & Cooling can quickly assess whatever problem you have with your cooling and tell you exactly what steps need to be taken for a successful central air conditioning repair. If you have a problem, contact us on our website or call us, and we’ll be happy to hear you out and send a technician to your home to diagnose the issue.
You might not even realize it, but your home’s air quality could be affected by numerous microscopic factors that can have a serious impact on the health and comfort of your family. Obviously, we need oxygen to survive, but if your indoor air is full of bacteria and other harmful pathogens, you could be harming your family in more ways than one.
Learn more about indoor air quality testing and decide for yourself if you should be investing in an indoor air quality product for your home.
What’s Really In The Air?
Did you know that microscopic bacteria, dust, debris, and other pathogens could be floating through your air at home, even as we speak? These tiny particles may be invisible to the naked eye, but their presence can cause a wide variety of problems in the home. Some of the most common effects of impurities in the air include:
Increased allergy symptoms.
Worsened asthma symptoms.
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
A sudden rise in illness in your family.
Mold and mildew are growing in the home.
Excess dust around the home, even after cleaning.
Any number of these issues could point to a problem with your indoor air quality. Additionally, poor indoor air quality can also lead to more infections and the appearance of respiratory disease in your family.
Why Choose An Air Quality Test?
An air quality test is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a test to analyze the particles found in your indoor air. Using a special kit, it’s able to test a sample of your indoor air and examine the levels of toxins present.
A comprehensive air quality test will look for things such as mold spores, dust, pet dander, pollen, and other bacteria and pathogens that could be making your family uncomfortable.
The air quality test will also examine the concentration of these toxins since sometimes, small levels of certain impurities are expected. For example, if you have a pet, there will always be a small amount of pet dander in the air.
The Next Steps
Once the air quality test results are in, it’s time to start taking action. Some results will require more extensive work while less serious results can be handled at a more basic level. A few ways you can improve your indoor air quality (IAQ) and protect your family from impurities in the air include:
Make sure your HVAC air filters are changed at least twice per year. If your family suffers from asthma or if you have pets at home, you should consider changing the filter more often. Changing the air filter on a regular basis will help keep dust and debris out of the air and will also reduce HVAC costs at the same time.
If your air quality test results showed significant mold, you should consider a full clean of the home and the installation of a dehumidifier. These tools will help regulate the humidity in the home and reduce mold.
A UV air sanitizer is another option for perfectly pure air. These units are attached to the HVAC system and use UV-C light to neutralize dust, debris, bacteria, and other pathogens.
Climate Experts Heating & Cooling are your HVAC and indoor air quality professionals. Our team can help choose the right indoor air quality product to help ensure healthy, high-quality indoor air. For more information or a free estimate, contact us today!
2017 was an especially warm summer for Pickering and the GTA, in general we had a few heat waves that extended all the way into Thanksgiving weekend! Don’t let that warmer autumn weather fool you, when winter comes you’ll still be relying on the comfort of your furnace to keep everyone warm at home.
It’s always a good idea at this time of year to consider having one of our qualified technicians come in for furnace maintenance and tune-up for the upcoming winter. If you have any doubts as to why this is necessary, we’ve got five good reasons for you to consider.
1 – Keep Your Warranty Valid
Some people may think a furnace inspection and tune-up isn’t necessary because a unit may still be under warranty, so even if something does go wrong, the repair is free! That however is not true for every instance of a furnace breakdown. In fact, some warranties specify that if damage to a furnace occurs due to neglect that could have been avoided, the manufacturer retains the right to not honor the warranty. This can be easily avoided with an annual maintenance and tune up.
2 – Maintain Efficiency
Once winter arrives, a furnace will be running on a regular basis during both day and night. That means a lot of different components at work, some of which can lose their effectiveness or efficiency over time through constant use. This means that while everything’s working, you can lose efficiency on your furnace and pay a bit more every month on your energy bill. A tune-up tightens, cleans and restores items on a furnace to return that efficiency to its previous levels and ensure your product runs problem free throughout the heating season.
3 – Preventive Maintenance
An inspection and tune up on a furnace are similar in nature to your recommended six months check-up by a dentist. If you’ve been taking care of your teeth, hopefully, nothing bad will come up. If it does, catching it early means addressing a smaller, cheaper problem, rather than a bigger, more expensive issue later down the road. Furnace servicing catches these issues for your central heating system.
4 – Continued Safety
For the health and safety of residents, a furnace or boiler tune-up is a great idea. Only a qualified technician can easily spot defective components, or possible production of carbon monoxide because of component failure or a defective heat exchanger. Both these problems can pose serious dangers for your home and health if there not easily spotted and prevented from getting worse or continuing.
5 – Keep Your Furnace Healthy
A furnace tune-up ultimately means that your furnace will last longer and cause less problems. Getting it inspected and tuned-up just before another cold winter is the best way to ensure that everything is prepared for the increase usage the lies ahead. A furnace in good condition also can add value to your home for resale purpose and can save you money year over year on unnecessary service calls.
We’re Ready To Get It Done
Climate Experts Heating & Cooling is ready to help homeowners in Durham and the GTA get ready for another chilly Canadian winter! Contact us on our website or call us today if you’re in need of any repairs, equipment or inspections that you want to be carried out by experienced professionals!
A split system air conditioner includes an outdoor unit with a compressor and condenser, plus an indoor unit that contains an air handler. Typically, there’s a lineset between these two units that houses copper refrigerant tubing, a power cable and a drain for condensation.
Split systems are different from packaged units, which house all components in one single cabinet. They’re also not the same as window units that have a fan, compressor and coils inside a window or wall-mounted box.
Many people prefer split system air conditioners because of these benefits:
An Easier Installation Process
When compared to traditional systems, a split system requires a lot less work to install. Not only is there no ductwork necessary, but the connector between your indoor and outdoor units only requires an opening that measures about 3 inches in diameter. Once that’s done, all that’s required is access to electricity and a location to mount your units. Manufacturers offer different lengths for refrigerant tubes, so your indoor and outdoor unit can be up to 100 feet apart.
Greater Energy Efficiency
Central systems lose a lot of energy through ductwork, and leaky ducts can see a loss of up to 30 percent in cooling energy. When you have uninsulated ductwork or ductwork that’s been installed in unconditioned spaces, this causes energy efficiency problems. Since split systems offer a completely ductless design, this upsurges your energy savings and reduces money spent on future utility bills. In some cases, ductless air conditioners can exceed double the efficiency of a standard air conditioner, achieving above 30 SEER.
They Blend With Your Décor
With a split system air conditioner, indoor installation is highly flexible. You can suspend them from your ceiling or hang them on walls. In addition, many offer elegant and sophisticated jackets that are aesthetically appealing. Moreover, split systems are less obtrusive when compared to window units that require you either cut a hole in a wall or dedicate a window to your air conditioner.
Quiet Operations
An indoor ductless unit can operate as silently as 19 decibels, which is significantly quieter than a window unit. Its ductless condenser is also much slimmer in profile, and makes it easy for you to position them in various locations where noise might be a factor or there isn’t a lot of space.
Increased Security
A split system air conditioner is a lot more security friendly than a window unit, which offers intruders a way into your home. The small hole for your conduit doesn’t pose much threat to your home’s safety, whereas an open hole in your wall or window may target you for an easy break in.
Zoning
Split system air conditioners cool different areas of your home by splitting the space into zones. Each zone will have its own thermostat, unlike traditional AC systems that have one thermostat for your entire space. Separate thermostats give you control over which areas of your home are cooled and allow you to limit the cooling to specific zones. This means you’ll use less energy over the long term while also saving money.
Ductless air conditioners are great for renovations where ducting isn’t feasible, older homes with poor distribution, electrically-heated houses and homes with hydronic heating.
Homeowners who are tired of changing out disposable furnace filters every few months might be interested in learning about washable furnace filters as a longer term option. There are many benefits to using a washable furnace filter, but there are also a few downsides that you should be aware of before you run out and make your purchase.
Environmental Impact
One of the biggest reasons that people want to convert to washable furnace filters is that they are more environmentally friendly than their disposable predecessors. Since these filters can be rewashed over and over they are known to last up to five years. Considering most disposable filters only last three months, this is a huge amount of waste being saved from the landfill.
Cost
Compared to disposable filters, washable furnace filters are relatively more expensive. Again, this is a result of the stronger materials that are made to last for years to come. Where a disposable filter may only cost you a few dollars a quarter to replace, a washable filter will definitely be more expensive. However, that one time expense is still cheaper than the cost of buying disposables on a regular basis. Continue reading
