Orange Park Air Conditioning

By: Martin Applebaum

Trane Air Conditioners are amongst the world’s best air conditioners since decades. As their slogan goes, “it’s hard to stop a Trane”. These air conditioners work on innovative technology that only provides cool air but clean air with its patented technology. No matter, whether you call it a revolution or breakthrough but Trane calls it an essential new element to your home’s comfort system. 

They also claim that using their Trane Clean Effects technology in every Trane air conditioner air filtration has reached to the next level. Studies prove that their air filtration system can remove up to 99.98% of the particles from your filtered air in the room. 

Before we further discuss about different Trane air conditioners and their features, let us trace back history a little to know when this company was started and who did it. Well, story began with a legendry man called Reuben Trane, the founder, who patented his first air conditioning system in 1931. 

The story continues even as of today when they are hundreds and even thousands of different air conditioner manufacturers. That is because every central air conditioning unit and air conditioner they make features the durability and reliability. Actually, these features are the true hallmarks of every Trane product. 

Not just their durability, but Trane air conditioners are known for their reliability, excellent performance, and efficiency. That is because; they are products of mechanical and electrical experts who work tirelessly to produce the best-quality Trane air-conditioning system. 

Today’s air conditioners are more comfortable and efficient then ever. Irrespective of the size of your home, whenever you need cool, comfortable, cleaner air, Trane air conditioners are built to provide the very best investment you can make in ensuring the comfort of you and your family. 

Every Trane air conditioner possesses tons of added features and qualities to maximize its efficiency and performance in almost every working condition. One of these special add-ons is called Comfort-R. Actually, Comfort-R decreases temperature variances by working in two ways i.e. by enhancing airflow and effectively controlling humidity in cooling and produces warmer air during start-up of XL19i Weathertron Heat Pump. With all its benefits and significant features, it is practically no wonder why Trane’s XL19i won Best Buy in the Premium Category of Consumers’ Digest. 

As a commitment to provide high quality and reliable products, Trane recalled approx. 10,580 air conditioners after incidents of units smoking in November 2006. The firm in cooperation with the CPSC voluntarily conducted the following product safety recall. The recall included 208, 230 and 265-volt models of the Trane PTEE and PTHE Series Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs). They were manufactured from about March 2006 through July 2006. 

The main hazard was related to the heating element on these commercially installed units could become displaced and, if it contacts metal, could short circuit. If the electric heater on one of those units short-circuits, wiring problems on 265-volt models could allow the unit to remain energized while the unit’s fan is turned off, causing it to overheat and smoke. 

About the Author

We provide information on Trane air conditioners and all your home cooling needs along with free standing air conditioners. Visit our site for more information today! www.myportableair.com

By M. Applebaum

(ArticlesBase SC #619702)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – The History of Trane Air Conditioners

Jacksonville Duct Cleaning

By: M. Scott Smith

About the Author

Scott Smith is an expert on air quality and air purifiers at achooallergy.com.

(ArticlesBase SC #466076)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Why Indoor Air Quality is Essential For Good Health

There ’s growing proof these days that over half of all of the air conditioning systems installed in the U.S. today are not installed properly or are working at reduced capacity causing homeowners expensive repair and utility bills. Most of these problems can be avoided by choosing the right contractor to install your new air conditioning system which will reduce future breakdowns and reduce high energy bills.

First off let me start off by saying that the cheapest contractor may not be your best choice.  A lot of times (but not always) they are the cheapest for a reason, they have to cut their costs somewhere and it  will probably be on the materials used for your installation or on the experience level of the installation crew. Neither of which will be good for you the homeowner or your new air conditioning system.

The question that we get all the time is, Can I put in a bigger unit that what is installed now. There are definitely some issues to oversizing a system for a home. The biggest issue is that the humidity removal will be very poor on an over sized system. The system will run shorter cycles maintaining temp while not removing the proper amount of humidity (latent heat). Your house will be cold and clammy and it opens the door for all kinds of microbial growth such ad mold and mildew. Do not up size your system unless a complete load calculation is performed by a qualified contractor. This will determine the proper size unit for your home. Most of the time when we perform this calculation the system is sized correctly…..but this brings us to the next issue…

Duct work sizing and design. This is where we find the majority of a homes heating and cooling problems. Usually when the duct system was originally installed it was not sized correctly or over time the duct system has deteriorated.

See this article for more info on this subject.

 Make sure that the contractor checks your existing duct system for leaks and routing issues. You would be amazed at what hides up in your attic un-noticed for years. Complete duct runs not attached, large holes in duct work from squirrels, crushed ducts, these are problems that should be addressed with your new installation. You could be losing up to 30% of your systems capacity in the attic or crawlspace. Make sure the contractor goes into the attic or crawlspace and inspects the duct work before giving you a final proposal.

With the transition from refrigerant 22 to the new replacement refrigerant R-410a there have been some issues regarding the different lubricating oils that are  used with the two different refrigerants. On your new installation if it is in your budget and possible to do I would recommend having your copper refrigerant lines replaced with your new equipment. If this is not in your budget make sure that the contractor is using an approved flushing agent to remove any of the existing mineral oil from the existing copper line set. If this oil is left behind it does no mix well with the new lubricants and will cause problems to your new system down the line. Also make sure if the existing copper line set is going to re used it will be pressure tested for leaks before installing your new system.

The last issue that has a huge impact on your new air conditioning installation is the refrigerant charge. After the system is installed and properly evacuated your contractor should be charging your new high efficiency air conditioner by the manufacturers recommended procedure; which is to weigh in the refrigerant for any additional line set lenth over the factory charge. This procedure when used in conjuction  with sub cooling will assure that your system has the proper amount of refrigerant, which in turn will provide you with the energy efficiency that you purchased. The ”old school ways” of charging a system do not work on today’s high effiecient systems. Ask the technician or sales person what method they will use on your new system installation.  

So make sure to check these few items to ensure a quality installation that will give you years of trouble free comfort.

If you are in the Jacksonville Fl area and are considering repalcing your air conditioning system give us a call for a no obligation quote on a new Comfortmaker hih efficiency heat pump system.

**** STOP!*** Check These Things First Before CallingYour Jacksonville Air Conditioning Company!

Most of us regularly have our cars tuned or at the very least have our oil changed every 3000 miles. That’s why I find it so funny that people expect to run their air conditioning systems year round down here in Florida and not have it tuned up.

I believe at the very least you should have your air conditioning system system inspected by a professional  Jacksonville air conditioning company at least once per year. Most of the  time small problems can be found and repaired before they cause large, expensive problems.

Here are a couple links explaining the benefits of an AC Tune up.

“Why Should I Tune Up My Jacksonville Air Conditioner”

“Air Conditioners Benefeit From Professional Tune Ups”

Call now…904-276-8100 to schedule your 27 point Energy Saving Tune up from Jacksonville’s Premier Air Conditioning Company or visit Jacksonville Air Conditioning  to learn more about us

Do you feel like your spending too much on your energy bills? If you haven’t checked on your home insulation lately, you may well be. Recent data published by the U.S. Department suggests that at least 44 percent of the energy used in Americans home goes to cooling and heating. And if your walls, attic, and floors are not adequately insulated or not insulated at all, chances are good that more than half of your costly conditioned air is heading straight for the outdoors.

Home Insulation Benefits

Home insulation essentially saves you more money than you can imagine. An effective insulation system resists and reduces heat flow, making your home more efficient in utilizing energy both for heating and cooling. A well-insulated home is essentially comfortable all year round. By reducing drafts and minimizing heat loss, your home can and will stay warm in the winter and cool during summer.

Homeowners also consider home insulation systems because of its ability to act as a sound absorber. When properly fitted in ceilings and walls, it not only regulates the transmission of sound from one room to another but also inhibits sounds outside from going in. In an environment like ours, more and more homeowners, especially new parents, are considering to soundproof their homes. And having insulation installed is one of the most convenient and practical ways to do it.

Shopping for Insulation

But how much insulation do you really need? It essentially varies where you live. A home insulation contractor should also consider the following factors when doing “energy audit” and determining how much insulation your home really needs:

• Model building code
• When was the structure built
• Insulation in the attic, or the lack of it
• Type of heating and cooling system
• Wall type
• Variety of floor

Other factors include the types of ceilings and attic. For example, homes with cathedral ceiling essentially require an insulation value of R-60 while attics need anywhere between R30 to R60. A home insulation contractor should provide you with the data of the R-value for your home, which is a system that defines the type of insulation according to its resistance to heat flow. As the R-value goes up, the greater the material’s insulating capability.

When it comes to shopping for a home insulating system, home owners can now choose from a variety of insulation materials, including mineral wool, fiber glass, foam, cellulose, and cotton. The most popular of home insulation systems are made from cellulose and fiber glass.

There are things you need to consider before deciding on an insulation material:

• Durability. Installing a home insulation system isn’t exactly cheap. Choose a material that does not easily deteriorate or even settle over time.
• Moisture. Some home insulation systems will loose their insulating value when wet. When the material wasn’t designed to absorb moisture, it can affect other building materials like drywall, wood, and even metal. This leads to poor indoor air quality that, in return, can cause respiratory problems.
• Fire safety. When it comes to this category, experts can only name two: Cellulose and fiber glass. Aside from these fire-resistant materials, it is advisable that you shop for flame-retardant facings.

Installing a home installation system is one of the most important investments any homeowner can invest into. Therefore, consulting with an experienced and reliable home insulation pro is a great start to saving money on your energy bills.

These tips will help you reduce your need for air conditioner repairs.

Your thermostat should be properly calibrated. This will ensure accurate temperature control and operating cycle. This will save you on operating cost and assure your comfort level.

Improper refrigerant charge can damage your compressor, which is the heart of your air conditioning system; this is an expensive air conditioner repair. Systems improperly charged will cause increased electric bills because this will reduce the efficiency of your air conditioning system. The proper refrigerant charge will provide longer equipment life, lower your utility bills and reduce the need for air conditioning service.

A dirty condenser coil (outside unit) will reduce your air conditioning systems ability to remove and reject heat from your home. This will cause your system to run longer and increase your electric bills. The benefit of a clean condenser coil is proper heat rejection, reduced run time and lower energy bills. A dirty air conditioning condenser can lead to system failure and the need for your air conditioner to be repaired.

Dirt and house dust that escapes through your air conditioning filter can cling to the cold moist coil. This will restrict the air flow through the coil reducing your air conditioning system of performance and capacity. Maintaining the evaporator coil will ensure that proper air flow is delivered to all areas of your home, increase comfort levels, provide better dehumidification, and a cleaner healthier indoor environment. Inspecting and changing your air filter on a monthly basis will help prevent air conditioner repairs.

As your air conditioning system removes heat from your home, humidity is extracted from the air. The condensation created by warmer air passing over a cold coil must be drained from your system. This is done through a condensate drain line. The drain must be checked and cleared of algae build up or foreign particles clogging the drain, which could cause water damage to the ceiling or floors of your home. By keeping your air conditioner drain line clear you will reduce the need for air conditioning service and overflow problems which can result in water damage. Proper draining will also aid in maintaining indoor humidity levels.

Dirty blower wheels can affect the air flow to your home; limit your air conditioning system’s capacity and your comfort. It can also spread dust particles which irritate sinus and allergies. A clean blower wheel and fan motor will provide maximum air flow, improved comfort levels and proper cooling. Most of air conditioner repairs are caused by dirt and the lack of maintenance.

Moving parts in need of lubrication can cause increased electrical consumption and air conditioner repairs. This is due to additional power required to overcome the resistance in motors and drive shafts that are not lubricated. Proper system lubrication will offer smooth motor and shaft operation, extended part life and less air conditioner repairs.

The electrical components on your air conditioning system should be inspected regularly for signs of wear. Faulty electrical components can lead to very expensive air conditioning repairs. A thorough inspection will reduce the need for air conditioner service if the faulty or worn parts are replaced when found.

Following the above tips will help reduce the amount of air conditioner repairs you will encounter over your air conditioning systems lifespan. If you are in need of air conditioner service  make sure the company you choose is licensed and insured to do the required work.

We get asked this question a lot… and the answer is YES.  We say this because the in the majority of households the house is empty most of the day. Parents are off to work, kids at school. We find it is very beneficial to “Set it and Forget it”.  

Most household’s daily schedules do not vary to much from day to day and  week to week, so once you have your programmable thermostat  installed and programmed you can forget about setting the temperature up and back when you leave for work or before you go to bed. This alone could save the average family 10% on their heating and cooling costs. (Heating and Cooling is about 50% of the average family’s energy costs)

Most programmable thermostats come with at least 4 time settings per day which means you can set the temperature a little warmer or cooler in the morning when you get out of bed, and then have the thermostat re- set the temperature while the house is empty most of the day (Saving energy all day). This re-set feature also works great at night when you want it to be cooler or warmer for sleeping.

The programmable thermostat gives us one less thing to think about in our busy lives and it will usually pay for it self with in four years. Not a bad return on investment and you also are helping out the planet by consuming less energy.

There are many different styles and features on programmable thermostats so do a little research to see what one works best for your daily schedule.

Air Technology sells and installs Honeywell Brand Programmable thermostats. Please feel free to call us to see what model would be right for you.  

 “Set it and Forget it” and start saving today!

Go Green and Save Energy, Fuel, and Your Hard-Earned Money

By: Chet ValWe now hear “Go Green!” and “Conserve Energy!” on a daily basis. It is the rally cry of mother earth. The awareness of a need for increased energy savings is in the spotlight thanks to pollution, energy shortages, obvious waste and abuse, as well as because of politics and human greed. But why it has come to the forefront of so many conversations is not as important as the fact that it has. Television ads, newspaper editorials, magazine articles, and informational internet sites have educated people around the world more in the last five years than in the previous one hundred years in regard to the conservation and saving of energy and gasoline in particular. Reasons for saving fuel and energy are many, but the two most predominant ideas that stand out are the destruction of our only home; the earth… through pollution and greenhouse gases, and secondly for financial savings and the cost of harnessing, producing, and using fuel and energy . Someone has to pay for energy and for gasoline, it has never been free and it never will. We will focus on the latter of the two. Can we raise the bar on energy savings by pushing the fact that less energy used equals smaller energy costs on a personal level? Is an individual’s personal wealth an easier sell when it comes to saving gas and energy? 

Let’s look at the costs of daily life in an industrialized nation. The most obvious example is lighting which is powered by electricity. The invention of the light bulb has extended the usefulness of daily life well into the night and even through the nighttime hours until sunrise. There’s heat in the fall and winter seasons powered by various fossil fuels including oil, natural gas, coal, wood, and electricity (generated by fossil fuels). We need to cool ourselves in the summer months through air conditioning. It’s invention and widespread use has increased summer electricity use exponentially. Water flows freely from your faucet as well. However, water is far from free. To pump it from an underground well you need electricity. If you have access to public water, it is delivered through a system of public pipes and water lines. This water is pumped from strategically located pumping stations through the use of high capacity electric pumps but only after being thoroughly filtered and treated at a local water treatment facility, which of course requires a large amount of electricity to operate. Then there is the automobile… a staple of life in developed nations. Motorized vehicles require fuel like gasoline and diesel fuel to operate. Fuel is produced by refining oil which is pumped from well beneath mother earth. The process to develop gasoline is a process that requires energy and then that finished product is consumed as energy for our vehicles after we’ve purchased it from a filling station of course. 

Some of us may conserve resources because we care about the future of our planet but unfortunately many do not. It is inconvenient for some to take a bus to work or to turn down the thermostat in your living room. However when we look at energy savings as a means of putting cash back into our pockets every month the idea of energy saving becomes much more appealing. A ride on the bus to work each day is not everyone’s cup of tea, but turning down a thermostat shouldn’t be an issue for anyone. As a rule of thumb, every degree above 68 that you set your home heating thermostat costs you an additional 3 to 5% on your heating bill. With today’s utility rates this could mean $200 to $400 dollars annually if you kept your house at 72 degrees. And in summertime, does your home air conditioner really need to run all day? In most cases no… In warmer regions where air conditioning is a part of daily life it could be just a matter of raising the thermostat a few degrees to realize hundreds of dollars of savings on your electric bill annually. How about the family car? Do the kids really need it to drive to school when the bus rolls past the house every day? Can you combine errands and eliminate some miles rom your driving? With gas prices fluctuating in relation to weather, natural disasters, oil prices, and the stock market, it is difficult to estimate the savings at the fuel pump for any individual. But there are plenty of online gas calculators available free of charge that can help you see your specific fuel spending as well as some idea of how much you can save yourself. 

These are merely three of the many examples of how saving energy and fuel can directly affect your personal life and that of your family immediately. In tough economic times, the media should place more emphasis on saving your hard-earned money for other things beside utilities and handing over your hard-earned cash at the gas pump. The thought of rewarding ourselves in cash may be just what we need to spark even more energy savings worldwide. 

About the Author

Chet is an associate of the Walegamart Energy Concepts, an informational site dedicated to energy saving ideas and money saving fuel calculators. Walegamart is owned and operated by Val Marketing of Carbondale, Pennsylvania and can be found on the web at www.walegamart.com.

(ArticlesBase SC #884152)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Go Green and Save Energy, Fuel, and Your Hard-Earned Money

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Preparing for the R-22 (hcfc) Phase Out Starting in 2010

By: Daniel Stouffer

Market Demand for R-22 HCFC Refrigerant Gas Will be 20% Higher than Available Supply

R-22 is the most widely used refrigerant in the world. Since the 1940’s R-22 has been the refrigerant gas that we use in central air-conditioning (AC) systems at home and work. It is efficient, non-toxic and easy to use. It’s difficult to grasp how important R-22 is to our society.

R-22 based air-conditioning was the catalyst of southern United States growth. Without R-22 and other refrigerant gases farmers and grocers wouldn’t be able to provide their product to such a diverse marketplace across the entire U.S.

R-22 is an HCFC class refrigerant containing chlorine giving it the potential to damage the ozone and therefore has been targeted since the 1990’s for eventual phase out by the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty.

The vast majority of AC/HVAC manufacturers began building and selling non-ozone damaging systems that leverage non-ozone depleting R-410A refrigerant gas. Although the adoption by contractors and consumers has been slow for R-410A, the upside is that R-410A is more efficient and is chlorine free.

Phase Out of R-22 Refrigerant Gas

In 2007 and 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published an industry model of the expected HCFC market size and the related demand for R-22. The current and new demand for R-22 refrigerant gas will ever increase as new leaks and service events need to top off the gas. This will increase the shortage of available R-22 in the marketplace.

Based on the market demand model crafted by the EPA and published in the Federal Register, two proposed rules for meeting the 2010 phase-down called for by the Montreal Protocol of R-22 and other HCFC refrigerants emerged.

The first rule regards the 2010 allocation of production and import rights of R-22. There is a SIGNIFICANT phase down of HCFCs R-22 and other damaging refrigerant gasses in the immediate future.

The second proposal is on the ban on production, import, and sale of R-22 in new equipment post January 1st, 2010.

As of writing this article, organizations and the EPA are in a comment period where changes can be proposed and or adopted in the emerging rules. In any way you wish to look at it, these rules regarding the phase out of R-22 refrigerant gas will become effective January 1st, 2010.

Key Points of the Proposed R-22 Phase Out Legislation

By law written into the EPA legislation, HCFCs are scheduled to be phased down in 2010 by 75% of the baseline cap (set in the 1990’s).

On January 1st, 2010, it will be illegal to import, produce, or sell R-22 for use in new equipment or pre-charged in new equipment of any kind. This is a very significant piece of legislation that may not be on the radar of 90% of the organizations running AC/HVAC systems.

There is an allowance (loophole) that allows equipment manufactured after 2009 to be charged with reclaimed refrigerant. This too will be further evaluated to ensure existing and future legislation continues to benefit the environment.

After a significant number of comments from equipment manufacturers, owners of AC/HVAC systems, industry groups, and distributors, the EPA clarified the pre-charged rule to allow for R-22 equipment, such as window air conditioning units, manufactured before January 1st, 2010 to be sold after January 1st, 2010. This gives some breathing room for smaller businesses and home owners but it is well known that regulations regarding refrigerant gases will continue to be ratcheted down.

What the Phase Out of R-22 Means to Your Organization

Under the phase out rules for R-22 production and import, all allocations across the refrigerant industry will go from about 312 million pounds to about 110 million pounds, a 64.8% reduction across all shapes and sizes of organizations. This is the first time that R-22 has been reduced in anyway and in such a pervasive manner.

In 2003, R-22 was allocated to 100% of the allowable cap and the step down was covered by the phase out of foam blowing agents. The world and the United States in particular is about to embark on an era where R-22 refrigerant gas will be restricted and capped. This will have a far greater impact on day-to-day operations across the entire economy.

What Your Organization Should Do to Protect Against the R-22 Phase Out Risk

Keep accurate maintenance records and understand your R-22 usage and reporting requirements, and ongoing needs. This means tracking your refrigerant gases down to the individual pound across your entire organization. It is critical to track R-22 but many other refrigerant gases are regulated due to their harmful effects on the environment.

Used refrigerant must be reclaimed and re-certified by an EPA approved reclaimer before it can be sold to a third party. It can however be re-used in your own equipment without re-certification. It is best to start as soon as possible to truly understand and manage your refrigerants as they will and are turning into vital assets that should not be vented or just given away during service events.

The EPA requires leaks to be fixed within 30 days and can impose fines of up to $32,500 per day/ per unit for excessive leaks. Ignorance of these regulations is not an excuse. The protocols and regulations, like the Montreal Protocol, were put in place decades ago. To make a point, the EPA continues to impose hefty fines to organizations who do not comply. To protect your organization, we suggest you buy virgin R-22 from certified wholesalers; fines of up to $300,000 per 30 pound cylinder are possible for illegally imported product.

About the Author

Daniel Stouffer has experience working with the EPA, food retailers, and refrigerant manufacturers. He offers refrigerant compliance and consulting services. The EPA proposals and a detailed summary of the R-22 phase out are located at http://www.carbonissues.com

(ArticlesBase SC #758522)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Preparing for the R-22 (hcfc) Phase Out Starting in 2010

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