Keep It Cool And Save Energy

Your heating and cooling system uses over 50 percent of your energy costs in your home.  While changing the air filter is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your air conditioner working, a regular maintenance routine with an air conditioning professional will keep your unit from malfunctioning during the hottest days of the summer.

A typical tune-up on your air conditioner it’s probably going to cost around $70 to $150. But also keep in mind, many companies do offer maintenance plans that might offer it at a little lower price by signing up for a whole year.

Many experts agree that it needs to be tuned up once a year every year. Also, if the outdoor coils are dirty, if the cooling capacity is not up to par and they are not getting air flow out things like that can show that the air conditioner needs to be tuned up. Going to the outdoor unit we check the indoor coil, the outdoor coil, the capacitors, compressor, do an all systems check on the electrical and make sure everything is tightened check the refrigerant level, the temperatures and make sure the system is efficient and operating as it should. It is true that you can lose up to 5 percent efficiency because if the system is not operating the way it’s supposed to such has dirty coil, over heated motors, lack of refrigerant effects how that system is efficient so as it goes through the year it can lose efficiency if it’s not tuned up properly.

 

Filters improve your indoor air quality ….and they do it inexpensively!

Your first to improve your indoor air quality today step is quick, inexpensive, and will provide immediate results. Replace your current air conditioning filter with a higher efficiency filter!

 If you hold your current air filter up to the light….and can see through it…..then particles are going to go straight through it too!  When you hold your new higher efficiency air filter up to the light, you should NOT be able to see through it. 

Simply put, a higher efficiency air filter will remove more of the smaller airborne particles that can get into our lungs to aggravate us, from the indoor air providing you with cleaner air to breathe.

Although a new air filter will not clean existing dirty ducts, it is a good start in filtering the air circulating through your home.  It will start to reduce airborne contaminants and dust each time the air conditioning is running, providing you with a cleaner air flow.  Once your equipment has been professionally cleaned, your new filter will help keep your air conditioning equipment clean which will also help with your energy bill.

It’s important to note that all air conditioning filters must FIRST properly fit your air conditioning unit. If not properly fitted and installed, air always takes the path of least resistance which means that some of your air will NOT go through the filter and you will not see a reduction in your airborne particles. 

Most air conditioning equipment should have the capacity to handle the additional air restriction which will occur when you use a higher efficiency filter.  Do not use cheesecloth or other very restrictive methods to try to control dust within the air conditioning system as this can damage the equipment.

Call us at Air Duct Aseptics to discuss your filter requirements toll free 888-707-7763 or visit us online at www.ADAflorida.com

AIR DUCT CLEANING SAVES 11% IN AIR CONDITIONING ENERGY USAGE

It takes a lot of energy to heat and cool a home or building an in fact, the systems used for this purpose account for the majority of energy use. These systems – even in new buildings – tend to be dirty, and become heavily fouled through everyday use. Fouled heating and cooling systems can also be problematic for occupants, contributing to poor indoor air quality, system failure and increased energy usage.

Researchers have proven that properly cleaning even lightly-soiled heating and cooling systems can result in energy savings of up to 11 percent. In addition to these savings, consumers who have their heating and cooling system cleaned can benefit from improved indoor air quality, air flow, reduced maintenance costs and extended life expectancy for the heating and cooling system.

While not confirmed, cleaning heavily fouled systems is expected to produce even greater energy savings.

You can read more of this Status Report from the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) regarding their Energy Research Project at www.nadca.com

Air Duct Aseptics (ADA) is a NADCA certified HVAC Duct Cleaning company. Call today for your free evaluation at 888-707-7763 or visit us www.ADAflorida.com

Energy Saving HVAC Tips

CLEAN OR REPLACE FILTERS
According to the US Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program, air filters play a critical role in maintaining indoor air quality and protecting the downstream components of the cooling equipment (coils, blower, etc) from accumulating dirt that reduces equipment efficiency.  Dirty filters force air to go around filtration sections and the unfiltered bypass air deposits diet on the cooling/heating coils rather than on the filter.  Routinely change or replace filters based on either regular intervals or by visual inspection.  Intervals can range from 1-6 months, depending on the dirt loading from both the indoor and outdoor air.  In commercial facilities, measuring the pressure drop across the filter is the most reliable way to rate dirt loading on the filter.

INSPECT AND CLEAN EVAPORATOR AND CONDENSER COOLING COILS
 A dirty evaporator coil will reduce cooling capacity and degrade equipment energy efficiency.  A clogged evaporator coil reduces air flow through the coil, causing the compressor motor to consume more energy,  Exposed to unfiltered outdoor air, condenser coils easily trap dust and debris, raising the condensing temperature and reducing the cooling capacity.   According FEMP, a Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) study showed that a dirty condenser coil can increase compressor energy consumption by 30%.    The evaporator coils and condenser coils should, be inspected at least once per year for clean air-side passage.  Replacing filters on a regular basis will also keep the evaporator coils relatively clean.
FACT: According to FEMP, a dirty condenser coil that raises condensing temperature from 95^oF to 105^oF cuts cooling capacity by 7% and increases power consumption by 10%, with a new (compressor) efficiency reduction of SIXTEEN PERCENT.  In just one 10-ton unit operating 2,000 hours per year, this wastes about $250 per year in operating costs.

FIX LEAKS IN CABINET AND DUCTWORK
Pressurized air can easily find its way to leak through the unit cabinet and ductwork.  Leaking air reduces the cooling capacity and wastes energy from the loss of the cooled air.  According to FEMP, energy benefits from cabinet integrity and duct sealing are estimated to be about 20% of the annual cooling consumption, based on a recent study of HVAC systems in Southern California.   Comfort in buildings with tight HVAC systems is expected to improve because the system will be able to deliver sufficient cooled air (as designed) to serve the space loads.   First, an easy task is to to check the cabinets and correct air leakage.  Some corrective actions include replacing screws or latches, patching or replacing gaskets, or replacing missing screws on loose access panels.

Call us for more tips – 888-707-7763 or visit us online at http://www.ADAFlorida.com

Extend the life of your air handler unit

As your a/c equipment ages,it can become less efficient, detrimental to your indoor air quality and parts will wear to the point that you may be thinking of replacement.  As a tune-up will restore most of your cars’ performance, precision tune ups and remediation to the air handler components can restore lost performance, efficiency and improve IAQ.

Evaporator / Cooling Coils:
The efficiency of the cooling coils can be directly attributed to the level of cleanliness and can be directly measured by the pressure drop over the coils.  NADCA, The National Air Duct Cleaners Association, recommends  yearly inspections of the air handling unit and “cleaning is highly recommended for heat exchange coils, cooling coils, air flow control devices, filtration devices and air handling equipment determined to have restrictions, blockages, or contamination deposits that may cause system performance inefficiencies, air flow degradation or that may significantly affect the design intent of the HVAC system” (ACR 2006, NADCA)

Condensate Pan / Drain:
Microbial-like growth, dirt and debris can clog condensate pans if not properly maintained, causing overflow within the air handler.  This condition could cause microbial growth to occur within the air handler and ductwork.  The pitch of the drainage pan is also important in assisting the proper flow to the building exterior.

Blower Wheels:
Blower wheels and fins can become heavily soiled and less efficient if not regularly maintained and cleaned.  A dirty condition can also result in poor air flow.  Care must be taken not to unbalance the blades when cleaning but efficiency can be substantially increased.

Insulation Liner:
The liner on the internal surfaces of the air handler unit provides insulation and sound dampening.  However, in this microbially vulnerable area of the HVAC system, the liner can fail much quicker than the other components.   If degraded and flaking, particles can enter the air stream and cross-contaminate into the occupied spaces.  Closed cell insulation can be installed to extend the equipment life and provide a non-porous insulation liner within the air handler.

Air Duct Aseptics provides fully certified HVAC systems cleaning and remediation services throughout Florida.  Servicing our clients since 1990, you can count on Air Duct Aseptics for professionalism and superior service.  Call toll free 888-707-7763.

Air Duct Aseptics (www.ADAflorida.com)