The Benefits of an Air Purifier

Indoor air mold and how an air purifier works to help improve indoor air quality.

Indoor air quality is an increasing health concern. Pollutant levels (airborne particles, gases, chemicals, and volatile organic compounds) are actually higher inside the home than they are outside. Poor quality indoor air affects people to different degrees, depending on an individual's age and relative health. There are different ways of protecting yourself and your loved ones against indoor air pollutants.

Indoor air mold

A most common indoor air pollutant is air mold. Mold exists wherever moisture and oxygen are present. Inside your home, molds can often be found in damp basements, closets, bathrooms, air conditioning systems, humidifiers, and any humid place. Here are some steps on how to improve the quality of air in your home.

Improving indoor air quality

• The first step in improving indoor air quality is to attempt to control the source of the pollutant. If it stems from indoor air mold, smoke, or some type of chemical, you can actually remove it from your home through a thorough cleansing. On the other hand, some indoor air pollutants such as dust or pollen are not so easily eliminated.
• The next step is to improve the ventilation in your home. Bringing fresh air into the house by opening windows is not only helpful but also very simple. However, opening a window on a high pollen-count day or in a smoggy city will probably worsen the air situation in your home.
• Finally, you can purchase an air purifier. There are numerous types of air purifiers on the market--be sure to buy one that is well suited for the dimension of your home.

Types of air purifiers

Air purifiers are designed to clean and purify the air people breathe. They can reduce odors and airborne pollutants that contribute to poor air quality, and filter common allergens such as pollen, mold and dust. Cleaner air benefits everyone, especially those who suffer from allergies or asthma. Air purifiers can be conveniently portable or permanently installed.

Tips on choosing an air purifier

Area Coverage - Make sure the square footage recommended for the air purifier is close to or slightly greater than the square footage of the room where you intend to use it.

Air Changes Per Hour (ACH) - This number informs us how frequently the air purifier can exchange all the air in a given room in an hour. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, you will want a higher ACH rating.

Filter Replacements - Filters have to be replaced on many types of air purifiers. Be sure to find out the cost of the filters and how often they must be changed.

Noise Level - Some air purifiers are very quiet, while others can be quite loud. Ask for a trial demonstration of the unit before purchasing it.

Energy Usage - Because air purifiers operate on energy and run continuously, the amount of energy they consume will be reflected on your energy bill.

Mold Removal Unit website - www.moldunit.com.

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Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips

For efficient working of an air conditioner, you definitely need to take proper care of it. Read on to know some air conditioner maintenance tips.

Nowadays, the use of air conditioners is on the rise, as the temperature is soaring day after day. People use them at the fullest when needed, but don't take proper care of it in off seasons. If you want your air conditioner to be in a working state and have a durable life, you need to take some precautions regarding its maintenance. If it are not maintained properly, it can become defunct, and that can make you spend a significant amount of money on repairs. Air conditioner maintenance is an easy task to perform, and also an important one. It won't only increase the working life of the AC but will also keep a hold on your electricity bills.

Before following any air conditioner maintenance tips, always read the instruction manual carefully. The product manual contains necessary maintenance information provided by the manufacturer, which will enable you to understand about the important parts and components of the air conditioner. After you are well informed about all the components, maintenance is just the next step ahead.

Air Filter Replacement and Thermostat's Temperature

Make it a point to replace the air filter as per the recommendations given by the manufacturer in the product manual. The more inexpensive the filter, the more frequently you'll need to replace it. There are some filters which are supposed to be cleaned once in a month or a quarter. Maintain the thermostat's level at a constant temperature, irrespective of you being at home or not. If the temperature is the same constantly, the air conditioner have to work less to provide cooling. There is a common misconception among some people that the thermostat's temperature should be increased when leaving the house. If this is done, the AC will have to consume more power to cool the room.

Cooling Coils and Air Vents

Ensure that the cooling coils are cleaned and checked once in a year. They may be cleaned by putting water on them using pressure. But make sure ensure that the device is switched off while doing so. Also make sure that some kind of absorbent protection is present under the return air vent. If air conditioners are not in a well-kept state, water may come out of these air vents.

Compressor

The compressor component also needs to be kept away from dust and dirt. You may utilize a water hose for getting rid of the dust. By doing so, you enable the airflow to work more expeditiously across the cooling fins on the component. When the AC is not needed, as in winter, simply cover the compressor with a cloth which will prevent dust from accumulating. You even need to examine if the hose connections have leaks, and the condensate tube is able to drain freely.

Check if the air conditioner panels are screwed tightly. If they are not, simple fasten the screws. In case of window ACs, it's recommended that you remove them when they're not needed for months. Window ACs are supposed to be positioned in windows which are least exposed to direct sunlight. Those which are placed in a shade need less power to function effectively. You may use plants or shrubs to shade the AC, but ensure that they do not block the airflow.

Along with all these air conditioner maintenance tips, you should also get the air conditioner checked and examined by a professional technician from time to time. Maintaining it well will simply result in less repair costs and reasonable electricity bills.

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Free Feng Shui Tips

We are all on a constant quest to find peace and prosperity. Many believe that the answer lies in feng shui. If you are one among them and hope to change the negatives in your life into positives, these free feng shui tips should come in handy.

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese subject that delves into the laws of both Heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography), and enables the balancing of energies, as well as the harnessing of positive energies to promote good health and fortune. Meaning "wind-water" in English, it is analyzed using the extremely accurate Chinese compass (luo pan), and the Ba-Gua. Central to the feng shui is this concept Qi, that rides the wind and scatters, but is retained when encountering water. In channeling positive energy into your home, you need to learn how to balance the five feng shui elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water). This forms the basis of feng shui decorating tips, be it in your bedroom, home or office. To get you started, here are some free feng shui tips.

Feng Shui Home Tips

• One of the primary aspects of feng shui for your home involves clearing away any shoes or slippers lying around outside the main door of your house. The reason for this is that when the chi (energy) is carried in by the wind, it gathers the smells of the shoes and slippers into the house, which consequently causes sickness.
• An indoor water fountain is very highly recommended. When the chi travels within your home, it searches for water to stay in. Thus an indoor water fountain, correctly positioned, can attract all that you desire.
• Having understood the importance of water, you will understand why a fish tank is recommended. If your home is already graced by a fish tank, ensure that it is correctly placed to tap on the "Divine Water Dragon's Den", and bring fortune. One must be cautious to get the positioning right, for a wrongly positioned fish tank can attract lawsuits, bankruptcy, work pressure and other troubles.

Feng Shui Bedroom Tips

• The bedroom is supposed to be a place of tranquility and relaxation, which are the same values feng shui tries to establish. While this may be difficult for most people, the bedroom must not contain a television set. If it is not feasible to move the TV set out, then it must be covered with a plastic table cloth when not in use. In addition to this, other items such as a computer or exercise equipment must also be moved out of the bedroom.
• Mirrors play an important role in feng shui, and are said to attract a third party into the relationship, if placed opposite the bed or at the side of your bed. One is also discouraged from having a mirror at the side of your bed.
• As air is the carrier of chi, the presence of fresh air in the bedroom is also very important for good feng shui. People are recommended to open the windows frequently to enable circulation, and or utilize a good quality air-purifier if the air around the home is polluted. Plants must not be kept in the bedroom, and if they are, their presence should be restricted to the areas far from the bed.
• Lighting is also crucial, and candles are among the best form of bedroom lighting. If possible, have adjustable lighting in your bedroom, which may be dimmed when required.

Office Feng Shui Tips

• Your desk and computer should be positioned in such a way that it allows for a clear view of the door. However, if this is not possible in your office, then one may use a mirror that makes it possible to see the door.
• Clear away all kinds of clutter, be it from your office, desk, desktop (never use shortcuts to programs) or inbox.
• When you enter your office, the corner at the far left is your wealth and prosperity corner. Needless to say, this corner must not be cluttered. A small tabletop fountain or a valuable item when placed here will enhance your prosperity. Ideally, incorporate the colors of prosperity: red, blue and purple.

While these are a few basic ideas, there are many more feng shui aspects that go into ensuring good health and wealth. Some indepth reading will merit you a proper understanding of feng shui, and enable you to truly harness its benefits. However, I do hope these free feng shui tips are useful, and will be responsible for an abundance of peace and prosperity in your life.

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Hepa Home Air Filters - Discover How Air Cleaning Technology Makes a Difference

HEPA filters are the way to tackle damaging indoor air pollution. Keep your family safe with a home air purifier.

When you think about air pollution, the last place you expect to come across it is in your family's home. However, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution could be two to five times higher - and some of the time more than a hundred times as high - than outside levels. That means below par indoor air quality is one of the top five risks to better health. Since we spend 90% of our time inside our homes, that's a dilemma.

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) filters are one possible strategy for better indoor air quality. HEPA filters have been used since the 1950s when the US Atomic Energy Commission considered it important enough to remove tiny radioactive particulates from the air.

HEPA filters work along these lines: think about one sheet of HEPA paper (in fact it's made of a paper-like fiber or polymer) with very tiny holes that filter out pollutants. In view of the fact that the surface area is restricted, only tiny amounts of air are able to pass through. If the size of the sheet was doubled, it would be possible to get 2 times the airflow and two times the filter life.

A larger surface area would make a more productive filter. So instead of increasing the dimensions of the sheet itself, the surface area is increased by being folded back and forth many times. Some filters have as much as forty sq feet of filter material. HEPA material is actually a rather incredibly thin bond of fibers.

Air is forced to go through this sophisticated network of fibers and in the process, particles hit the fibers and stick. HEPA filters naturally filter out the larger particles like dust, however they also work very well against mold spores, viruses and bacteria.

All types of air purifiers say that they clean 99.97% of the air that goes through the HEPA filter - but what they don't disclose is that some air doesn't flow through the filter. If the air doesn't go through the HEPA filter then certainly it isn't filtered. That makes the issue of 99.97% efficiency somewhat questionable.

The best quality HEPA filters don't have a problem in this particular area because their designs include fans that in fact push air through the filter - the more air that flows through the filters, the better the air becomes.

The size of the room is an important matter when determining the size the air purifier needs to be. Evidently the bigger the room is, the larger the filter ought to be. A further possibility is to have two smaller filters. They can divide the work - and allow double the amount air to make it through the filter.

Remember that HEPA filters do not filter out chemicals, gasses and odors. That's because these molecules are much too tiny compared to HEPA's 0.3 micron holes. In order to filter out these destructive molecules, some type of substance is vital to absorb them - activated carbon is mostly used.

Take time to ask questions before deciding which air filter to purchase for your family's health. Reputable business owners know about their brands and can best suggest which size of filter is necessary to guard your home and ensure it's as healthy and clean as it can be.

Discover invaluable information about how to make your home safer and more comfortable for your family. Karen Naylor offers tips and tricks to help you make the best decisions about affordable window blinds, affordable area rugs and duvet covers

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Dehumidifiers: Home and Commercial Dehumidifier Buying Tips and Reviews

Read on to know more about Dehumidifiers and for some good buying tips if you are looking to buy one for your home...

Dehumidifiers are used to control the humidity within the atmosphere of a room. They remove the moisture from the air to lower the humidity. The recommended levels of humidity are between 40 to 50%. Dehumidifiers can be extremely helpful in humid places to keep your home or office free from atmospheric moisture.

Dehumidifiers can be used to remove the humidity within a room or a house or a basement or even a closet, and even in commercial circumstances. Humidity can cause a variety of problems such as:

• Increasing dust mites which can lead to allergies,
• Causing condensation on water pipes and windows which can lead to pipes rusting and wallpaper peeling or even wall paint blistering,
• Rusting of metal and warping of wood,
• Condensation on electrical items which can cause a lot of damage and can be extremely dangerous, and
• Smelly, musty areas which lead to the development of mold and fungus which can damage health.

How Dehumidifiers Work

Dehumidifiers work on the principle that water condenses on a cold surface. A fan is used to blow warm air onto coils of cold metal. As result, the humidity condenses onto these coils and the water drips down into a bucket. Then this cold air is passed over the warm coils and this brings the air back to room temperature.

Types of Dehumidifiers: Home Dehumidifiers & Commercial Dehumidifiers

There are a variety of dehumidifiers in the market. Each of them has a variety of features and performance levels. Dehumidifiers are broadly classified into two categories: Home Dehumidifiers and Commercial Dehumidifiers. Home Dehumidifiers are used to reduce the humidity in the house. Commercial Dehumidifiers are used in commercial environments such as in factories and offices. These usually are high performance and load bearing dehumidifiers.

Home Dehumidifiers: Buying Tips and Reviews

There are a variety of brand names in the market which make and sell dehumidifiers. These include: Kenmore, LG, and Whirlpool to name a few. It is very important to shop around for the right dehumidifier which will suit your needs.

The box in which the dehumidifier is packed in often contains pertinent information such as the size of the room, the amount of moisture that can be removed etc. Knowing this information can help you decide if you want to buy a single dehumidifier for your whole house or whether to buy smaller ones for each room of your house. Also for this information to be useful, you need to know how much humidity exists in your house in the first place. Also, if you have a leaking roof or a bad plumbing then you need to buy a dehumidifier which will remove more amount of moisture from the air.

There are some other features to look for while shopping for a dehumidifier. They are:

• An auto shut-off facility when the water storage tray gets full. Some dehumidifiers have a feature wherein the water gets drained off via a floor level drainage system. This can often prove to be a very beneficial feature. Alternatively, a dehumidifier may have some sort of a visual indicator which will tell you when the water tray is full.
• A good feature to have in a dehumidifier is the presence of a built-in humidistat which is a hygrometer (humidity meter) which controls the amount of humidity in the room. This prevents the room from getting too dry.
• On the other hand, a frost sensor is also useful because it can shut down the unit automatically when it gets too cold.
• Often it can be useful to have an on / off switch on the front panel of a dehumidifier for added convenience.
• Having wheels on dehumidifier units can be useful for mobility purposes.
• Low noise is one of the most preferred features in dehumidifiers.
• Also most dehumidifiers have variable speed settings for the fan.

Depending upon the features present in the machine and on your requirement, you can purchase either a whole house dehumidifier or smaller dehumidifiers for each room of your house.

Places such as basements and bathrooms have a lot of moisture. There are special dehumidifiers which can remove a large amount of moisture. These can be useful in such areas of your house.

Some people also prefer having dehumidifiers in their closets so that their clothes do not get the musty smell. These closet dehumidifiers can vary from panels filled with silica gels to electrical dehumidifiers specially designed to be installed in closets. If you are going for silica gel panels which can be mounted in the closet wall, look for those which have some kind of an indicator which tells you when these silica crystals need to be refreshed. The process of refreshing silica crystals is simple: either you can place them in the sunlight or you can put them in the oven on low heat. This ensures that the moisture within the crystals evaporates, making them useful again.

Thus, good dehumidifiers will help remove the humidity from the atmosphere of your room / home and make your home a moisture-free zone for you to live in peacefully and comfortably.

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Green Remodeling Improves Indoor Air Quality

Did you know that the average American spends approximately 90% of their day indoors? This is why indoor air quality is an important issue for everyone, particularly for those family members afflicted with asthma or allergies. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) gives its members the opportunity to learn how to remodel green, and seeks to teach homeowners across the country how to remedy poor air quality issues.

Green Remodeling Program Participant Ron Cowgill, CR, CKBR, said, "Many sources can contribute to poor air quality inside a home, including pollutants brought in from the outside such as radon, carbon monoxide and pesticides." He continued, "Indoor pollutants can come from products existing in the home and used during a remodel, such as paints, adhesives, carpets, vinyl and wood treatment products." These products can release toxins, called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. VOCs can include formaldehyde, benzene, xylenes, toluene and ethanol.

Some concerns with VOCs is that they contribute to pollution by reacting with sunlight to form ground level ozone, a major component of smog, and they cause indoor air pollution levels two to three times higher than outdoor air. Some products report the parts per million VOCs on labels, and the fewer parts per million the better. Green products are made with water-based solvents that are less harmful to people and the environment.

Some indoor air quality issues have to do with gases that leak inside a home, as opposed to off gassing inside it. Radon is a toxic, gaseous, radioactive element that comes from the breakdown of uranium usually found in soil and rock. Leaking begins underneath the house, most commonly in the basement. It is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers since there are no immediate symptoms. Symptoms show up anywhere from five to twenty-five years after harmful exposure.

Measure radon levels in your home once a year and be aware that radon levels inside a home tend to increase during the winter. When remodeling your home ask your contractor to check for cracks in the foundation where radon leaks through, and repair them.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by unfinished burning of materials containing carbon such as propane, gasoline, oil, natural gas, and coal. These fuels can be found in furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, and car engines, which, if they are not ventilating efficiently, can build up and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Air quality can be protected with adequate ventilation and locating air intakes away from exhaust vents and driveways, and using products that are nontoxic. Signs of poor ventilation include condensation on windows or walls, stuffy air, dirty air systems, and mold growth.

By incorporating green remodeling practices, homeowners can avoid grave health issues linked to unhealthy indoor air.

NARI members represent a select group from the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying themselves as professional remodelers. NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics. Consumers can search by zip code on http://www.RemodelToday.com to find a qualified professional who is a member of NARI.

Consumers can also call the NARI National hotline at 800-611-NARI and request a free copy of NARI's brochure, "How to Select a Remodeling Professional."

About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. With more than 7,700 member companies nationwide, the Associationbased in Des Plaines, Illinoisis "The Voice of the Remodeling Industry."TM For membership information, or to locate a local NARI chapter or a remodeling professional, visit NARI's website at www.RemodelToday.com, or contact the national headquarters office at 800-611-NARI.

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Do You Have A Pure Air Problem

Is your air polluted? Discover ways to reduce the pollutants in your home environment.

A friend of mine, when asked what he did for a living, used to respond, "I breathe the good, pure air". Unfortunately, pure air has become a commodity, and air purification has become a business, thanks to human and industrial pollution of what some consider to be a basic human right.

Municipalities and governments have attempted to pass legislation ensuring pure air for all, but greed and politics have combined to undermine many of those attempts. Yet the most polluted front cannot be protected with laws: that is, pure air in the home and workplace.

The EPA has issued warnings concerning the importance of pure air: They state that indoor air is ranked among the top five risks to public health. Why? It has to do with how our lungs and our modern buildings are constructed.

An adult breathing about 16 times per minute takes in about 2,000 gallons of air a day. How much air a person can take in and exhale in a breath is called the vital capacity. The vital capacity varies between individuals and is dependent upon such things as whether they smoke cigarettes, if their air is pure or polluted, their posture, ability to get enough exercise, metabolism, weight, and lung capacity.

The main determinant of our lung capacity is the actual structure of our lungs. They look like sponges, with millions of tiny pockets that increase the surface area of the lungs tremendously. If these pockets are full of pollutants, the air passageways narrow, making it more difficult to breathe. Clogged and irritated air passageways encourage emphysema and bronchitis. Carbon monoxide and other pollutants reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Nicotine squeezes the blood vessels, elevates the blood pressure and heart rate, and irritates the heart itself. In pregnant women these poisons are transported across the placenta and harm the baby.

We retreat into our homes to what we believe is pure air, but then indoor pollution comes into play. We've been told to insulate and weatherproof our homes to conserve energy, but the result is that indoor sources of pollutants are now effectively trapped inside. High temperatures and elevated humidity levels can concentrate some kinds of indoor pollution.

Toddlers, pregnant and nursing women, seniors, and those with respiratory or heart diseases are the most vulnerable, and may not even be able to tolerate minimal exposure to pollutants such as cigarette smoke. These people are also most heavily affected by other types of indoor pollution.

Many new building materials such as insulation, carpets, and treated lumber release chemicals into the air in gaseous form, and these are trapped by our otherwise environmentally-friendly energy efficient homes.

No matter how clean you keep your home and office, both are still filled with air pollutants. Natural-gas ovens, hair sprays, disinfectants, cleaning materials, wall paint, floor wax, cigarette smoke, radon, insecticides, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, particle-board construction, new furniture, and carpets are but a few of the sources of the fumes, gases, and particles that are emitted inside our homes. In the workplace there can be off-gassing from office machines and office chemicals. Even air-conditioners, dehumidifiers, and furnaces spread germs, vapors and other pollutants around the home and office.

Without pure air, there is chronic misery for many people including itchy, runny noses and eyes, sore throats, coughing, wheezing, achy chests, difficult breathing, headaches, disorientation, insomnia, irritability and more. The best solution when your air is no longer pure is the removal of the problem. For example, clean your furnace filter, replace gas appliances with electric, stop smoking, use environmentally friendly building supplies and cleaning products, and so forth.

The second solution is to open your windows and let in the good clean air. Exchange the air in your home daily. If you can, turn down your thermostat, put on a sweatshirt, and leave a window open at all times. If you want to sleep with a window open, but don't like how sleeping in a draft makes you feel, open a window in another room and leave your door open.

The third solution for pure air indoors is the use of air purification machines. There are various kinds of air purifiers electrostatic, charcoal filtration, and negative ionization. Each has its place, with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Do your own research before you invest and find the one best for you.

Sue Fleckenstein suffered from allergies and asthma until she started working out of her home in Ontario, Canada. Read more on pure air problems and about how you can solve your pure air problems with a free trial of an air purifier.

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Auto Air Conditioning - Some Tips To Save On Repairs

How we ever survived before auto air conditioning came along I'll never know. As a result we tend to take the car air conditioner for granted until it breaks down. When you get the quote for repairs you had better be seated because the expense is historically a very big one. Here are some tips so you can hopefully avoid the most common mistakes people make.

Auto air conditioning repair seems to be getting more and more difficult. There are a handful of individuals with the skill and know-how to take on this task but they seem to be a dying breed. Auto air conditioning is built in and around the engine of the car, so upkeep should be handled by a professional. For instance, do you know how much refrigerant does your car take? Auto air conditioning service and repair cannot be undertaken by just anyone, you need the right equipment and the knowledge to undertake such a repair. In some countries it is illegal to repair an air conditioning system even an auto A/C system has to be repaired by a licensed mechanic.

Automobile gas leak and the consequent resealing of the system. It has been observed, that a large percentage of older (4 years or older) cars, seem to have continual slow refrigerant leaking problems. Even when the leaks are identified and repaired, many are low on charge by the following summer. Leaks can be difficult to detect. Specialist equipment is necessary to find the leak and further equipment is needed to correctly recharge the system after repairs have been carried out.

Auto air conditioning repair is also one of the largest overcharged repairs on automobiles today. It is very common for repair bills to reach well over $1000. As you can see, there are some businesses that are taking advantage of consumers due to the specialist nature of the repair and the qualifications needed to do it properly. But do not despair there are honest repair technicians / businesses out there that will charge a fair price for the work carried out. Try to obtain quotes for the repair and do not make the mistake of settling for the first quote you receive.

Tip: During winter many motorists forget about their auto air conditioning because it isn't necessary to use it during those cold months. But did you know that using the air conditioning on the windscreen will clear any internal fogging very efficiently, and having the heater on at the same time stops you getting cold as well.

Tip: Using the auto air conditioner as noted above will also help to alleviate any need to re-gas the system. Why? Because an auto air conditioner compressor uses a seal on the drive shaft to keep the refrigerant from escaping. This seal works with the help of a thin film of oil, during winter the non use of the air conditioner allows the oil to dry up thus letting the refrigerant escape. The unknowing driver does not find out their system isn't functioning till summer arrives. Run your car air conditioner once every 2 weeks for a few minutes and you will have no problems or use it to defrost and defog your windscreen during winter.

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7 Tips To Increase The Longevity Of Your Split Air Conditioner

So you have bought a split air conditioner to beat the heat of this scorching summer? Now remember some tips to ensure that it performs superlatively throughout its life.

The global warming has wrecked havoc on the earth as the temperature is rising and touching a new high every year. The people across the globe are suffering from the ill effects of global warming. Coupled with the scorching heat, the humidity has made life tougher than ever before. To save themselves from this unusual climatic condition, many people have fallen back on air conditioners a lot.

Whether you buy a split AC (air conditioner) or a window AC, the most important thing is to know whether they will perform smartly under tough circumstances. Since, we tend to overuse the air conditioners during the summer, we need to be prepared for their maintenance just incase they fail to perform up to the desired level. Take a look at some of the maintenance tips for split ACs that should be applied to boost the efficiency of your split air conditioner.

The smooth functioning of a product depends on its proper maintenance. So, if you have a product, then you need to take god care of it. In case of an AC whether domestic or commercial, the following points should be noted for better performance and durability of the product. The various components of it include:

1. Air conditioning filter is an important part of an AC. It should be changed every month or every two months regularly depending on its use. If not the air would be dirty and filled with pollutants. The dirty air conditioning filters also increases the air conditioning repair and maintenance cost.

2. Another important part is the compressor. It compresses low pressure, low volume gas making them the high pressure, high temperature and the gas needed for the AC. It also removes vapor from the evaporator to maintain a low boiling point. Make sure to clean the compressor regularly to get cool and refreshing air. Oil specially designed for the ACs can be used for its longevity.

3. When air passes through the system, the evaporator coil absorbs the heat to provide cold air through out the space. Replacing the old evaporator coil improves the air flow and air circulation inside the home.

4. Air conditioning maintenance also includes cleaning of air ducts or ducts. In the air conditioning system, air ducts are spread through out the entire house keeping the area cool and pleasant. Hence, the ductwork ought to be cleaned regularly to remove the dust collected on air ducts.

5. All air conditioning system use refrigerant to absorb the excess heat and supply cool air inside the house. Sometimes there might be a refrigerant leak. So, a reliable air conditioning company or contractor should be called to check and repair that part.

6. Sometimes there might be problem with the heating and split air conditioning of your air conditioner. You need to clean your air filters. If, still the problem continues, then it`s time to call an expert.

7. In some of the cases ice blocks the tube and no cold air comes from the air conditioning filter instead of the filters recently cleaned. It indicates that the air conditioning refrigerant is low and needs to be adjusted or replaced.

Although the running cost of both window and split AC is almost the same, the power consumption of a split AC could be little higher because of the additional motor it requires. Moreover, the capital expenditure of it is a bit higher than the window AC as well. A split air conditioner scores higher than a window air conditioner because of its `silence` feature. The compressor of a split air conditioner is kept away from the indoor unit and thus, ensures complete silence inside your room.

This article can be accessed in portuguese from the Article section of page Air Conditioner

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for PoloMercantil.

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Cooling Tips For Buying A Split Air Conditioner

Selecting a split air conditioner can be extremely taxing given the number of brands available in the market. Learn more.

Considered an icon of luxury a few decades back, Air Conditioners (abbreviated to AC) are now a basic necessity of almost every household. The growing use of ACs can be primarily attributed to the rise in global warming on earth. Technically put, air conditioner is an electronic appliance to control the temperature by dropping the humidity. The functioning of an AC is very similar to that of a refrigerator. It pulls out the heat from an area using a refrigeration cycle to keep the environment cool and fresh.

Most of the air conditioners work almost in the same way irrespective of their shape and size. The most popular among the air conditioners available in the market is referred to as a split system air conditioner. In this kind of air conditioners the compressor is installed inside the home where as the condenser remains outside and they are connected by means of refrigerant pipes. The noise produced in case of split air conditioners is very less as compared to its other competitor. The wall mounted split air conditioner has a rotary compressor, which forces cold air into the room.

Facts you should know about split ACs:

The tonnage of the air conditioner determines its cooling capacity. It depends on the size or area of the room you need to use it in. Spilt ACs are available in 0.50 ton, 0.75 ton, 1 ton, 1.5 ton and 2 tons. If you go for a lower tonnage AC to reduce its cost, then it troubles you with more power consumption that is not favorable in the long run.

BTU or British thermal unit per hour is the unit for standard measurement of the cooling capacity of an air conditioner. Hence, the strength of the AC largely depends on the cooling capacity. As a matter of fact, the cooling capacity of an AC of one ton can be 12000 BTU per hour.

There are some home truths about Split Air Conditioners that buyers must be aware of:

Size Does Matter - It is easy go get confused regarding the various sizes of split air conditioners that is dependent on the size of your room. For instance, a 35 sq. ft. area will need 0.75-ton air conditioner whereas a 2-ton AC will suit well for a room having an area of 250 sq. ft. if you want to cool a large hall, you can divide it into small rooms to calculate the accurate tonnage it will need.

Hole in The Wall - For installing a split AC in your room, like or not, you might need to make a hole on you wall. The depth of the hole depends on the unit you have decided to buy. Usually, it is 3 inches in diameter.

Tubing - A split AC requires an additional component such as Tubing to function properly. So you need to purchase it additionally from the market. It usually acts as a connecter between indoor and outdoor units. Generally, the size of the tubing depends on the distance between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

Dual Zone and Triple Zone- If you think simply buying a split AC will solve all your purpose, think again. If you live in a house that consists of multiple rooms, then you must go for Dual Zone or Triple Zone depending on the number of rooms in your house. Basically, it means the number of air handles required to cool a room. If your house is like an open area that has multiple rooms in it, then you may need to go for one air handler; however, you need to ensure that BTUs are adequate to cover the area of all rooms.

Installation Cost -When you consider installing a split AC in your house, make it a point to include the cost of installation as well. Installing a mini AC or split air conditioner is considered more complex than installing a window AC. As a result, you will need the help of a professional who is familiar with the installation process of the split AC.

Selecting a split air conditioner can be extremely taxing given the number of brands available in the market. Starting from LG, Voltas, Whirlpool, Samsung to Cruise, there area wide range of brands with different models and features can be found in many online stores. However, there is something that you should always remember as a prudent buyer of a split AC, if you stick to a less known brand just to save a few bucks, it might cost you more in the long run in terms of poor quality and durability.

On the top of it, some cheap split air conditioners tend to consume more electricity resulting higher electricity bills. Hence, it makes perfect sense to go for a well-know brand over their cheaper alternatives.

This article can be accessed in portuguese from the Article section of page House_Garden

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for PoloMercantil.

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