How to Buy a Central Air Conditioner
Upgrading or installing a new air conditioner is not a do-it-yourself job. You will need the help of a fully qualified and licensed HVAC technician. A typical job might proceed as follows:
1. You identify and contact a licensed HVAC technician
2. You set up an appointment with them to visit your home. At the appointment, they will inspect your existing system, and collect a wide range of information about your home — how many windows it has, which direction they face, how thorough is its insulation, etc. The technician uses all of this information to calculate the load — the correct capacity for the system that they would install.
3. You should receive a written estimate from the technician. Make sure that the estimate breaks out the different charges that the technician expects to encounter — i.e. how much will the system itself cost? How much in additional work to comply with code. Do they recommend work on your home’s ducts?
4. If you want a second opinion and one of the technicians submits a bid that is dramatically different from the other bid, don’t be shy about asking the technician to explain the difference — they may have noticed something that the other technician missed.
5. You should make sure that the technician is properly licensed and insured, ensure that warranties are properly spelled out; a permit is included and generally make sure that you get what you think you are going to get at the end of the process.
Choosing the Right Contractor
Most people take for granted the comfort provided by their central air conditioner, heat pump or furnace until something goes wrong and the unit needs to be serviced or replaced.
When this happens, you need a quality heating, ventilating and air conditioning/ refrigeration (HVACR) contractor who is knowledgeable, skilled and qualified to do the job.
A Quality Contractor:
- Complies with state and local codes and regulations and carries the proper business and workers’ compensation insurance
- Is prompt, courteous and provides fast, reliable service while attempting to perform service at your convenience
- Has the skill and knowledge to not only service your equipment, but if necessary, to design and install the right system for you
- Is up to date on the newest developments in equipment, technology and design procedures in order to choose and install a system which will be the most efficient and most reliable system for you
A heating, ventilating and air conditioning system is designed to suit your needs. Your contractor selects each part of the system individually so that everything works at top efficiency to provide the comfort you need. All the system components are matched-the furnace, the condensing unit, fans and blowers, air conditioning coil, the duct work-to produce a heating and cooling system that will work best for you.
A quality contractor listens to your problems and cares about your comfort
- While attempting to find out if any rooms are too drafty or dry during the winter, or too hot or damp in the summer.
If a new system is necessary, a quality contractor will perform a Manual J® load calculation
- … And explain any changes which might be necessary in your duct system, and present options to help you make the best decision regarding replacing your old
A quality contractor does not offer price as the only consideration.
- While it is a major factor, there often are valid reasons for price differences.
When Consulting an HVACR Contractor:
- Ask the contractor for references. Find out if other customers were satisfied.
- Ask the contractor about his or her license. If a license is required in your area, ask for the license number.
- Ask the contractor for proof of insurance.
- Ask the contractor if he or she is a member in good standing with the BBB
- Ask the contractor if a permit is required and if he will pull it.
- Ask if the contractor’s technicians are NATE certification. NATE-certified technicians have proven their knowledge of modern HVAC systems.
Carrier Air Conditioning: A World Leader
The Carrier Corporation is one of the leaders in the industry of heating, refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Carrier air conditioning units have been sold in the United States since they were first designed in 1902, and are now available in close to 200 different countries across the world. With the main headquarters located in Farmington, Connecticut, Carrier air conditioning, heating and refrigeration businesses employ over 45,000 employees worldwide and is constantly expanding and increasing their market and services offered.
Carrier Corporation has several different divisions include the retail and commercial sectors that sell Carrier air conditioning, heating and refrigeration products and services. In addition there is a commercial HVAC building and industrial division, refrigeration and food service division, transportation refrigeration division and a passenger comfort division that focuses on climate control for marine vessels, busses and recreational vehicles. These different divisions all strive to increase the efficiency and power saving features of their products as well as promote environmental awareness and options for recycling and innovations in different heating and cooling systems.
One of these innovative cooling and heating systems that uses Carrier air conditioning technology is the hybrid heat dual fuel system. These systems, both heating and Carrier air conditioning systems, are able to sense the temperature and heating or cooling needs and adjust the type of fuel they are using to help minimize fuel bills. The systems are set to run off the lowest cost energy source when heating and cooling requirements are low or moderate, but when the temperature becomes very cold or very hot the system automatically switches to the most efficient fuel source under these conditions. In essence the system only uses the most expensive fuel when there is a need for immediate heat or cold, switching back to the less expensive system for the average operation of the heating or cooling unit.
All Carrier air conditioning products come rated with a SEER number. The SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) that is indicated with each unit allows homeowners to select the most energy efficient product for their home cooling needs. The higher the SEER number the more efficient the air conditioner is operating. The United States government regulatory agency requires a SEER number of 13 for all new products on the market. Carrier air conditioning units typically range from 13 all the way up to 21, which provides a significant reduction in the amount of energy needed to produce the same amount of cooling as a lower SEER rated air conditioner would. Talking to a professional that is familiar with Carrier air conditioning units and products will help determine which air conditioning unit best meets the needs for your home cooling requirements.
Air Conditioning Repair – What You Need To Know To Be Safe
There are a great number of air conditioning repair options that are fairly straight forward and easy to do for the average handyman or handywoman, however there are also some dangerous aspects to air conditioning repair that should be well understood before starting any repair project. The first and most obvious safety issues when it comes to air conditioning repair is that this is an electrical appliance, and as such needs to be completely disconnected from the electrical outlet before starting on the repair. Simply turning the unit control into the off position is not all that is needed, rather the unit needs to be completely unplugged or the wiring disconnected to the power source. This is particularly important when working within the system or around the fan area of the air conditioning unit.
Another fairly obvious component to air conditioning repair that is a safety issues is particular to the window and wall mounted units. These units can be incredibly heavy for their small size and typically are awkward and difficult to physically handle for one person. If during the repair you have to remove the air conditioner from its mounting be sure to have at least one other person to assist with the project. This can be much more difficult with heavy window mount units that will require someone on the inside as well as someone on the outside of the house to successfully move the unit without damaging the window frame or resulting in some type of physical injury.
In some cases where the conventional or forced air cooling systems are used the installation may have been done improperly and the vent lines from the air conditioner may have been incorrectly hooked to the sewage lines or the plumbing vents. In these situations the system can build up dangerous levels of bacteria in the damp, moist conditions created in the lines plus sewer gases can also back up through the air conditioner creating serious health concerns. If any foul smell or odor is noticed in the air conditioning system or in the air when it is on, do not attempt the air conditioning repair yourself, rather call in an expert that can safely correct the problem.
Newer air conditioning units use other coolants that are safer than Freon, however even Freon itself is not harmful in small amounts unless there is an open flame present. If you believe that the air conditioner is leaking coolant or if you smell any “odd” smells in the room or air after completing some type of air conditioning repair the best option is to turn the unit off and immediately contact a trained and certified technician. Since Freon is odorless it is likely not the problem, however there may be some other issue that is causing the noticeable smell. Make sure all furnaces, stoves or any other type of flame is completely out in the house or area until the unit can be checked and repaired.
Tips On Air Conditioning Troubleshooting
Occasionally the air conditioning unit in a house or residential building may stop working or stop working as effectively as it has in the past. Often this lack of cooling ability by the system can be easily corrected with a bit of air conditioning troubleshooting that is simple and easy. If, after trying these air conditioning troubleshooting tips the problem is not corrected, an air conditioning technician should be called to repair the unit.
Always make sure the air conditioner is unplugged or disconnected from any electrical power source before attempting any cleaning or repair work. Window mounted air conditioning troubleshooting tips include the following:
• If the unit stops working completely, check at the electrical cord has not been damaged and that the wall plug in is still “hot”. Plug in any other electrical device the outlet to check this. If the second electrical device does not work, check that the breaker has not been shut off. If the wire to the unit has been damaged, replace the wire or call an electrician. This is one of the most common air conditioning troubleshooting problems and is very easy to correct. A dedicated circuit may be required if the breaker is constantly being tripped.
• Poor air circulation or output is likely due to a dirty filter. Remove the front of the unit as per the manufacturers instructions and remove the filter. If it is brown and dusty looking, wash according to directions or rinse with warm, soapy water until the filter is clean. Avoid any type of chemicals and do not push or damage the filter. Use a fin cleaner or a very soft brush to clean the aluminum fins that act as the cooling mechanism. Don’t use water as this can actually make the dirt turn to mud and cause further damage.
• Check to make sure the blower fan is working. If the air conditioning unit is not making any sound or is making an unusual noise it is likely the fan or the fan motor. You will need to call an air conditioning repair person for this.
• If the unit has plastic dials on the front to set the temperature and turn the unit on and off check to make sure that the knobs are properly seated on the hub, resulting in an actual on or off connection being made. In older unit the dial and the hub can become worn, allowing the dial to rotate on the hub without changing the hub position. If the knob or dial turns very easily and does not give resistance this is likely the problem. Position the knob or dial and hub in the off position and use an epoxy glue to fix the dial and hub together. Allow to dry using the manufacturers suggestions before turning.
Other problems can include the thermostat within the unit becoming damaged or an electrical short or malfunction within the unit itself. A repair person will often ask if you have tried these basic air conditioning troubleshooting tips before asking you to bring the unit in for repair.
Adding Value and Comfort To Your Home With Air Conditioning Options
In most areas, but especially in the southern climates, air conditioning is a definite must. Not only is it essential for general comfort, but in the very southern states it is also a health benefit as temperatures reach into the hundred plus degrees during the long summer months. Air conditioning in these areas is a key factor in resale values of properties and many residences without central air conditioning will be devalued on the market, regardless of the size, condition or architecture of the house.
There are two basic types of air conditioning, central air, which means that the cold air is blown through the house from a central cooling unit, typically located outside of the house. There are options within central air conditioning systems including conventional systems, also known as forced air and high velocity air cooling systems. There is some difference in price between these two systems but both are designed to effectively maintain a reasonable temperature in the house. These systems work on thermostats, just like the furnace does in the winter. Air conditioning systems of this type may be coupled with humidity control systems that work to adjust the amount of moisture in the air during the hot summer months. In dry climates additional humidity may be added to the cooled air and in humid climates dehumidifiers are used in conjunction with air conditioning systems to ensure a comfortable room temperature and humidity level. Although either forced air or high velocity air cooling systems are the most expensive to install and maintain, they also add the most value to your home or residence.
Another option for cooling your home is to use window units. These are small, semi-portable systems that are installed in the bottom section of a window and draw air through the system cooling the temperature and blowing it into the room. The condensation is drained outside from the back of the unit as is the heat vented out of the room. These small window type air conditioning units are effective for small rooms but typically are not powerful enough to maintain a consistent temperature in a larger room or throughout more than one room. For older homes or homes that currently don’t have the duct-work and space needed to install a conventional or whole house air conditioner, these window units may be all that is required. Since they are not a permanent fixture in the house they may or may not be included in the sale, however they also don’t add any value to the house.
