Signs Your AC Compressor Needs Replacing

Your air conditioning system’s ability to cool your home is dependent upon a functional compressor. All air conditioning systems have a compressor. Located in the outdoor unit – the condenser unit – the compressor is a motorized device that’s responsible for the transfer of heat. It essentially moves refrigerant from the evaporator coil to the condenser unit while simultaneously converting the refrigerant from a gas to a liquid state.

Compressors can fail, however. Even if it’s worked fine in the past, the compressor in your air conditioning system may be on its way out. So, how do you know if your compressor needs replacing? There are a few signs that may indicate your compressor is bad.

Poor Cooling

If your compressor is bad, you may experience poor cooling when running the air conditioner. Air conditioning systems can typically still blow air with a bad compressor; they just won’t blow cold air. With a bad compressor, your air conditioning system may fail to remove a sufficient amount of heat from the air inside your home. In turn, your air conditioning system’s cooling performance will suffer.

Excessive Vibrations

Another possible sign of a bad compressor is excessive vibrations. Compressors contain an electrical motor. When running your air conditioning system, the motor will pull refrigerant from the evaporator coil to the condenser unit. As the motor begins to fail, though, it can vibrate excessively. You can inspect the condenser unit for vibrations. Some vibrations are normal, but excessive vibrations are a possible sign of a bad compressor.

Rattling Noises

You may hear rattling noises originating from the condenser unit if your compressor is bad. Rattling noises is a telltale sign of a bad compressor. Compressors contain many different parts. As some of these parts begin to loosen, they can rattle during operation. Neither the compressor nor any other components within the condenser unit should rattle. If you hear rattling or other unusual noises coming from the condenser unit, you should schedule an appointment with a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) technician.

Circuit Breaker Tripping

Finally, a bad compressor can trip the circuit breaker. Compressors contain electrical wiring, which is needed to supply the motor with power. If any of the wiring breaks – or if the shielded of the wiring becomes exposed – it may trip the circuit breaker. Broken or exposed wiring can cause grounding, which then trips the circuit breaker.

5 Simple HVAC Tips for Seasonal Allergy Sufferers

Seasonal allergies are a common problem for millions of Americans. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly one in five adults suffers from seasonal allergies. Also known allergic rhinitis, it can cause serious discomfort during the spring and early summer months. Fortunately, you can gain the upper-hand on seasonal allergies by following these heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) tips.

#1) Get Your Ducts Cleaned

When was the last time your air ducts were professionally cleaned? If it’s been longer than three to five years, you should consider getting them cleaned. Pollen and other allergens can accumulate inside of air ducts. Getting your air ducts cleaned will remove these allergens so that they don’t contribute to seasonal allergy attacks.

#2) Maintain Humidity Level

Maintaining an appropriate humidity level inside your home can lower your risk of seasonal allergy attacks. There’s a strong correlation between allergies and indoor humidity. If the air inside your home is too humid, it will encourage mold to grow. If the air is too dry, on the other hand, allergens will be able to float around from room to room with greater ease. Using your home’s air conditioner, you can lower the humidity level so that it’s not too humid nor too dry.

#3) Change the Air Filter

Don’t forget to change your HVAC system’s air filter. A clean air filter is your HVAC system’s first line of defense against allergens. Before being conditioned by your HVAC system, air must travel through the filter. The air filter will remove a myriad of common airborne allergens, including pollen, dust, dander and even mold.

#4) Clean the Registers

Another tip to lower your risk of seasonal allergies is to clean the registers. Registers are the supply vents that expel conditioned air into your home. You’ll often discover dust and debris on the surface of the registers. Using a damp washcloth, though, you can clean them. Cleaning the registers will reduce levels of airborne allergens in your home.

#5) Check the Condensate Drain

Check your HVAC system’s condensate drain to ensure that it’s not clogged. Most HVAC systems have at least one condensate drain. It’s a drainage pipe that transports condensation to your home’s exterior. If the condensate drain is clogged, water will pool up around up, which can lead to mold growth. And because mold is an allergy, it may contribute to allergy attacks.

How the Thermostat Sensor Works in Your HVAC System

A faulty thermostat sensor can harm the performance of your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system. All thermostats rely on a sensor to work. It’s an essential HVAC component that’s responsible for measuring the air temperature. To learn more about thermostat sensors and how they work, keep reading.

What Is a Thermostat Sensor?

A thermostat sensor is a device that’s designed to measure the temperature of the surrounding air. Some of them are installed inside the thermostats with which they are used, whereas others operate remotely.

Remotely operated thermostat sensors are installed in a different area, such as the living room or the master bedroom. Regardless of where it’s installed, though, the thermostat sensor will measure the air temperature.

How a Thermostat Sensor Works

There are different types of thermostat sensors, but they all work in the same way. They measure the temperature of the surrounding air so that the HVAC system can respond with the appropriate action. HVAC systems, of course, are controlled via the thermostat. Whether you want to make your home cooler or warmer, you’ll need to adjust the thermostat. For your HVAC system to respond correctly, however, a thermostat sensor is required.

The thermostat sensor allows your HVAC system to cool or warm your home. If you set the thermostat to 70 degrees on a hot summer day, for example, the air conditioner will run until the thermostat sensor reaches 70 degrees. The thermostat sensor tells your HVAC system what the air temperature currently is inside your home. With this information, your HVAC system can respond by cooling or warming your home to the appropriate temperature.

How to Identify a Faulty Thermostat Sensor

If the thermostat sensor in your HVAC system is faulty, you may notice one or more signs. A telltale sign of a faulty thermostat sensor is continuous running of the air conditioner or furnace. If your air conditioner or furnace runs nonstop – even after cooling or warming your home – the thermostat sensor may be faulty.

A faulty thermostat sensor can also cause your HVAC system to prematurely cut off. In other words, it won’t cool or warm your home completely. Alternatively, your HVAC system may not turn on if the thermostat sensor is faulty. These are just a few common problems attributed to a faulty thermostat sensor. If you believe your HVAC system has a faulty thermostat sensor, you should consider getting it repaired or replaced.

Why Window Units Are a Poor Substitution for Central AC

Many homeowners use window AC units to maintain a cool and comfortable environment during the summer months. As you may already know, window AC units are mounted in an open window (or a pre-cut exterior wall). They operate like central AC systems by absorbing heat from inside your home and transferring it to your home’s exterior. While similar, though, AC units are a poor substitution for central AC.

Laborious to Install and Remove

With window AC units, you’ll have to install and remove them each year, which can be laborious. They often weigh 30 to 60 pounds. When the warm weather arrives, you’ll have to haul the heavy window AC units into the appropriate windows where you can then install them. When the warm weather comes to an end, conversely, you’ll have to remove the window AC units. Central AC is more convenient since it doesn’t require any physical labor such as this.

Dedicated Circuits

Many window AC units require a dedicated electrical circuit. You can’t just plug them into any wall outlet. If an outlet has a shared circuit that’s currently powering one or more devices, a window AC unit may cause the circuit breaker to trip.

Limited Cooling

Window AC units offer limited cooling power. You can find them in a wide range of British Thermal Units (BTUs). The BTU rating of a window AC unit is a measurement of its cooling power. Some of them have a 5,000 BTU rating, whereas others have a 12,000 BTU rating. Window AC units with a high BTU rating are able to produce cooler air than their counterparts with a low BTU rating.

The problem with window AC units, however, is that they don’t provide house-wide cooling. Even if a window AC unit has a high BTU rating, it probably won’t cool your entire home. The room in which you install it will likely remain cool, but the other rooms in your home will remain warm and humid.

Creates Air Leaks

Another reason window AC units are a poor substitution for central AC is because they create air leaks. It’s nearly impossible to install a window AC unit so that it’s completely sealed. Most of them have side panels consisting of plastic material. When installing a window AC unit, you can extend the side panels to fill the exposed space. But even with these side panels, air will leak into and out of your home.

What Is an Air Conditioner Pad?

The outdoor unit of an air conditioning system typically isn’t installed directly on the ground. Rather, it’s installed on a pad. Known as an air conditioner pad, it serves as a solid and stable foundation for the outdoor unit. What is an air conditioner pad exactly, and do you really need one?

Overview of Air Conditioner Pad

An air conditioner pad is a solid block of material – typically concrete or composite – on which the condenser unit of an air conditioning system is mounted. In a central air conditioning system, the condenser unit is a large box that contains the condenser coil as well as the compressor and a fan.

Instead of installing condenser units directly on the ground, most heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) companies install them on an air conditioner pad. After choosing the right area for a condenser unit, HVAC companies will lay down the air conditioner pad. They will then place the condenser unit on top of the pad, followed by completing all the necessary connections.

Do You Need an Air Conditioner Pad?

It may sound insignificant, but an air conditioner pad is important for several reasons. It will protect the condenser unit from moisture damage, for instance. The condenser unit is less likely to sustain moisture damage if it’s installed on a pad.

The condenser unit will inevitably be exposed to moisture since it’s installed outdoors. If it’s directly on the ground, though, it will probably absorb and retain more moisture, which can cause it to sustain damage like rusting or corrosion. An air conditioner pad will protect your condenser unit from moisture damage by keeping it off the ground.

Along with moisture, an air conditioner pad will protect your condenser unit from insects. Condenser units aren’t closed. Rather, they are partially open so that heat can dissipate from the condenser coil. This partially open design means that insects can make their way into the condenser unit. Installing the condenser unit on a pad will discourage insects from entering it.

An air conditioner pad will also provide a flat and level surface for the condenser unit. Because they contain a compressor, condenser units vibrate during operation. If you have the air conditioner turned on, the condenser unit will vibrate from the compressor’s motor. Fortunately, an air conditioner pad will stabilize the condenser unit. Even during heavy vibrations, it won’t move from its original location.

5 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Air Conditioning System

Air conditioning systems don’t last forever. Research shows that most residential air conditioning systems, in fact, have an average lifespan of about 10 to 15 years. Regardless of your air conditioning system’s age, though, there are several things you can do to extend its life.

#1) Professional Inspections

Regular inspections by a trained heating, ventilating and cooling (HVAC) professional can make your air conditioning system last longer. Many HVAC companies, including Atlanta Heating and Air Solutions, offer inspections. During an inspection, an HVAC professional will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your air conditioning system and all its respective components to ensure its functioning properly.

#2) Avoid Short-Cycling

You should avoid short-cycling with your air conditioning system. Short-cycling occurs when an air conditioning system frequently turns on and off. It usually happens with oversized air conditioning systems. If your air conditioning system is too big for your home, it will quickly cool your home’s interior. As a result, it will short-cycle by turning on and off many times throughout the day.

#3) Clean the Coils

Cleaning your air conditioning system’s coils can extend its life. All air conditioning systems have coils. They have an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condenser coil. Over time, these coils can accumulate dirt and debris. If left unchecked, dirty coils can degrade your air conditioning system while shortening its lifespan in the process. You can prevent this from happening by cleaning the coils on a regular basis.

#4) Set the Fan to Auto

Another way to extend the life of your air conditioning system is to set the fan to auto. Most thermostats allow you to switch between “auto” and “on” for the fan. With the former setting, the fan will be synchronized to your air conditioning system and furnace. Whenever the air conditioning or furnace is running, the fan will run. If neither of these systems are running, the fan won’t run.

#5) Add More Insulation

Adding more insulation to your home can have a positive impact on the performance and longevity of your air conditioning system. Homes that are poorly insulated require more energy to cool during the summer months. In turn, their air conditioning systems have to work harder, which can shorten their lifespan. If your home is missing insulation or has insufficient insulation, you should consider upgrading it with more insulation.

What Are Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) Ratings?

Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) is commonly used to measure the efficiency of heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) equipment. When shopping for a new air conditioning system, you’ll probably notice a SEER rating. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in fact, requires all new air conditioning systems to have a SEER rating. What are SEER ratings exactly?

An Introduction to SEER Ratings

SEER ratings are a measurement of cooling efficiency for HVAC equipment. It takes into account the cooling output of an air conditioning system during a typical cooling season — such as the summer — as well as the air conditioning system’s energy usage.

In the United States, SEER is expressed as a ratio of an air conditioning system’s cooling output during a cooling system over the air conditioning system’s energy usage during that same period. A SEER rating is simply a number that’s derived from this formula. Some air conditioning systems have a SEER rating of 10, whereas others have a SEER rating of 16. Air conditioning systems with a high SEER rating are more energy-efficient than those with a low SEER rating.

Why SEER Ratings Are Important

You can’t ignore the SEER rating when shopping for a new air conditioning system. Since it’s a direct measurement of efficiency, it will reflect the air conditioning system’s operational costs. You’ll spend less money to cool your home by choosing an air conditioning system with a high SEER rating.

Air conditioning systems with a high SEER rating often cost more than those with a low SEER rating, which may discourage some homeowners from choosing them. While more expensive upfront, though, they’ll save you money in the long run. With a high SEER rating, your air conditioning system will consume less energy to achieve a cool and comfortable temperature inside your home.

You may be eligible for a tax credit by choosing an air conditioning system with a high SEER rating. The federal government offers tax credits on certain high-efficiency air conditioning systems, as well as heat pumps, with a high SEER rating.

New air conditioning systems are also required to have a minimum SEER rating of 13 or 14. If your air conditioning system is older than 10 years, chances are it has a lower SEER rating. Older air conditioning systems are less efficient than newer air conditioning systems, so they tend to have a lower SEER rating.

The Benefits of Using a Tankless Water Heater

Have you heard of tankless water heaters? Also known as instantaneous water heaters, they’ve become a popular alternative to traditional tank-based water heaters. Tankless water heaters work on demand. As cold water flows through them, a heating element will warm it. Below are some of the top benefits of using a tankless water heater.

Unlimited Hot Water

With a tankless water heater, you won’t have to worry about running out of hot water. It will offer an unlimited supply of hot water for you and your family.

Traditional water heaters have a tank. Depending on the size, some of them may store 40 gallons of hot water in the tank, whereas others may store up to 80 gallons of hot water in the tank. Once the tank has been depleted, you’ll have to wait for the water heater to refill it.

Conserves Space

A tankless water heater will conserve space. Since they don’t have a tank, they are smaller than traditional water heaters.

Traditional water heaters often measure 2 or 3 feet tall. Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, are about half this height. Their small size allows them to fit into small spaces. A tankless water heater won’t consume an excessive amount of space. Rather, you can install it just about anywhere.

Saves Energy

You’ll likely save energy by switching to a tankless water heater. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), tankless water heaters are about 24% to 34% more energy efficient than traditional heaters.

Why are tankless water heaters more energy efficient exactly? Traditional water heaters are designed to always maintain a full tank of hot water. If you use the hot water, a traditional water heater will heat new water with which to refill the tank. Tankless water heaters operate in a different way. They’ll only heat new water when you use the hot water inside your home. Because of their on-demand method of operation, tankless water heaters are more energy efficient.

Safety

Another benefit of using a tankless water heater is safety. They are generally considered safer than traditional water heaters. Traditional water heaters can explode if the tank becomes overly pressurized. All traditional water heaters have a pressurized tank. When water becomes hot, it expands within the tank to create pressure.

Tankless water heaters are protected against such failure. They don’t have a tank, so pressure isn’t a concern. Tese are just a few benefits of using a tankless water heater.

On vs Auto Thermostat Settings: What's the Difference?

When adjusting your home’s thermostat, you may notice that it has two different fan settings. There’s an “on” setting and an “auto” setting. Most thermostats have these two fan settings. Regardless of which one you use, it shouldn’t affect the temperature inside of your home. So, what’s the difference between the “on” and “auto” settings?

What is the On Setting?

The “on” setting means the fan will constantly run. Your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system has a fan that’s designed to blow conditioned air through the ductwork and into your home. It’s usually found in the attic or crawl space near the evaporator coil. When activated, the fan’s blades will spin while subsequently blowing air into your home.

If you use the “on” setting on the thermostat, the fan will run indefinitely. To turn it off, you’ll have to switch the thermostat to the “auto” setting.  The “on” setting simply tells the fan to run all the time.

What is the Auto Setting?

The “auto” setting, on the other hand, means the fan will only run when the air conditioner or furnace is running. With the “auto” setting, the fan will be synchronized to the air conditioner and furnace. Whether you’re trying to cool or warm your home, the fan will run until the temperature set on your thermostat has been reached. The fan will automatically shut off upon reaching this temperature.

The “on” and “auto” settings are both used to control the fan. The “on” setting is designed to constantly run the fan, whereas the “auto” setting is designed to only run the fan when the air conditioner or furnace is running.

Choosing the Right Fan Setting

Most HVAC experts will agree that the “auto” setting is the better choice. Your HVAC system will consume less energy, for instance, if you use this setting. The fan requires electricity to spin and blow air. If you use the “on” setting, it will constantly run, meaning it will constantly consume energy.

Because it consumes more energy, using the “on” setting can lead to higher utility bills. You’ll have to pay more for electricity if you use this setting. To save money, many homeowners opt for the “auto” setting.

Using the “auto” setting can also protect your HVAC system from wear and tear. Fans contain many different moving parts. The longer the fan runs, the greater its risk of failure. You can make your fan last longer by using the “auto” setting.

Is Your Air Conditioning System Ready for the Warm Weather?

As winter comes to an end, you can expect warmer weather. Georgia, of course, is known for hot and humid summers. Temperatures in the Peach State regularly exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit during this time of year. By ensuring your air conditioning system ready for the warm weather, however, you can beat the heat.

Clean the Condenser Coil

To prepare your air conditioning system for the warm weather, you should clean the condenser coil. The condenser coil is the outdoor unit. Central air conditioning systems have an indoor unit, known as the evaporator coil, and they have an outdoor unit, which is the condenser coil.

Because they are located outdoors, condenser coils can become dirty. Leaves, pine straw, branches and other yard debris may accumulate inside of them. If not cleaned, this debris can lower the cooling performance and efficiency of your air conditioning system.

Check the Air Filter

You should check the air filter to determine whether it needs replacing. If it’s visibly dirty – or if you’ve been using it for longer than two or three months – you should replace it.

The air filter will work year-round to remove pollutants from the air inside of your home. During the spring and summer months, though, the air filter is particularly important. Airborne pollutants are more common in warm weather than cold weather. There’s usually more mold and pollen in warm weather, for example. By maintaining a clean air filter, you can keep levels of these and other airborne pollutants in check.

Inspect Refrigerant Lines

It’s a good idea to inspect the refrigerant lines to prepare your air conditioning system for the warm weather. Most air conditioning systems have two refrigerant lines, both of which are copper pipes. There’s a small refrigerant line that’s used to transport liquid refrigerant, and there’s a large refrigerant line that’s used to transport gas refrigerant.

The large refrigerant line should be insulated. If any of the insulation is missing or damaged, you should replace it. Without proper insulation, condensation may develop and drip from the large refrigerant line.

Flush Condensate Drain

Speaking of condensation, you may want to flush your air conditioning system’s condensate drain to prepare it for the warm weather. Your air conditioning system will produce moisture as it removes heat from your home. This moisture will fall into a pan where it’s dispelled through the condensate drain.

Condensate drains can become clogged. If you discover that it’s not flushing moisture properly, contact a a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) professional to have it cleaned.

How to Eliminate Hot and Cold Spots in Your Home

Is there a noticeable temperature difference in certain areas of your home? Central heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems are designed to create a consistent temperature. If you feel any hot or cold spots, it’s usually a sign of an underlying problem. The good news is that you can typically eliminate hot and cold spots without having to replace your HVAC system.

Check the Vents

Start by checking the vents to ensure they are open and unobstructed. To create a consistent temperature, your HVAC system needs to move air through the vents. It will suck up air through the return vents and release air out the supply vents. If any of these vents are closed or obstructed, the conditioned air may not reach all of the rooms.

Look for Air Leaks

Hot and cold spots can occur if there’s an air leak in your home. Air leaks involve a breach between your home’s interior and its exterior. With an air leak, conditioned air will be expelled out of your home, and it will be replaced with unconditioned air that enters your home through the leak. Doors and windows, for instance, can create air leaks if they aren’t properly sealed.

Change the Air Filter

Sometimes all it takes to eliminate hot and cold spots is a new air filter. Most HVAC systems have a single air filter. It’s found near the air handler or blower. As your HVAC system pulls air through the return vents, it will pass the air through a filter.

Because they are designed to remove particulate matter from the air, air filters can get dirty. If your HVAC system has a dirty air filter, air won’t be able to easily flow through it. The lack of airflow may then lead to hot or cold spots. Fortunately, you can change the air filter to improve airflow and achieve a more consistent temperature.

Consider HVAC System

While hot and cold spots can usually be eliminated by improving airflow, this isn’t always the case. If your HVAC system isn’t the right size, you may notice an inconsistent temperature in certain areas of your home.

Both the furnace and the air conditioning system must be the appropriate size for your home. If either of them is too big or too small, they may cause temperature fluctuations in different areas of your home. If you believe your furnace or air conditioning system isn’t the right size, contact an HVAC technician for a professional inspection.

5 Ways Your Air Conditioning System’s Compressor Can Fail

If your air conditioning system isn’t blowing cold air, a faulty compressor could be to blame. The compressor is the heart of your air conditioning system. It’s responsible for squeezing and compressing refrigerant as it travels from the evaporator coil to the condenser coil, thus changing the refrigerant from a gas state to a liquid state. Below are five common ways that compressors can fail.

#1) Lack of Refrigerant

Lack of refrigerant is a common cause of compressor failure. Compressors are designed to operate with a specific amount of refrigerant. If the refrigerant level in your air conditioning systems drops below this amount, the compressor will be exposed to greater mechanical wear and tear.

#2) Too Much Refrigerant

In addition to low refrigerant, too much refrigerant can lead to compressor failure. Slugging is a phenomenon in which the compressor’s piston cylinders become flooded with refrigerant. With too much refrigerant, it will fill these cylinders where it can damage the compressor. Your air conditioning system still needs refrigerant, but too little or too much refrigerant can damage the compressor.

#3) Dirty Coils

Another way your air conditioner system’s compressor fail is from dirty coils. With their rigid and patterned texture, coils often accumulate debris. Neglecting to clean your air conditioning system’s coils will place an additional strain on the compressor. If the condenser coil is dirty, for instance, it won’t be able to effectively release heat from the refrigerant. In turn, the compressor may overheat and succumb to heat-related damage.

#4) Oil Leak

Your air conditioning system’s compressor can fail if it has an oil leak. Compressors contain more than just refrigerant; they contain oil as well. Oil is used to lubricate the inner parts of the compressor so that they can move more smoothly. With an oil leak, the compressor won’t have the necessary lubrication to minimize friction. As a result, the compressor will wear down more quickly, or it may fail altogether.

#5) Obstructed Suction Line

Finally, an obstructed suction line is an underlying cause in many compressor failures. Most air conditioning systems have a single suction line. Consisting of a copper pipe, it connects the evaporator coil to the compressor. Refrigerant will flow through the suction line before reaching the compressor. If the suction line is obstructed, the compressor won’t receive the refrigerant. This can cause the compressor to overheat and sustain critical damage that renders it inoperable.

Duct Cleaning: The Importance of Clean Air Ducts

Air ducts are a vital component of your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system. Consisting of hollow tubes, they are used to transport the conditioned air into living spaces. Your HVAC system will warm or cool the air, after which it will transport the conditioned air into the ducts where it’s distributed throughout your home.

Unbeknownst to many homeowners, however, air ducts can get very dirty. Dust, dirt and debris can settle inside these hollow tubes where it builds up over time Rather than turning a blind eye to dirty air ducts, you should get them cleaned. A professional air duct cleaning service is a smart investment for several reasons.

Heating and Cooling Performance

Clean air ducts will improve your HVAC system’s performance. Whether you’re using the air conditioner or furnace, your HVAC system’s performance is dependent upon airflow. After the air has been warmed or cooled, it will enter the ducts.

Dirty ducts will restrict the conditioned air from reaching your home’s living spaces, thus degrading your HVAC system’s performance. For improved heating and cooling performance, you need to maintain clean air ducts.

Energy Efficiency

Getting your air ducts cleaned can make your HVAC system more efficient. Your HVAC system will consume less energy to warm or cool your home if the air ducts are clean. The conditioned air will be able to flow out the supply vents more easily, and the unconditioned air will be able to travel through the return vents more easily. With proper airflow, your HVAC system will become more efficient.

Health

Another reason to consider an air duct cleaning service is to protect against health problems. HVAC systems are designed to remove pollutants from the air by passing it through a filter. If the pollutants remain trapped inside of the air ducts, they won’t reach the filter. Instead, they’ll gradually be dispelled out the vents and into your home’s living spaces. Exposure to these pollutants may cause allergies or other respiratory ailments, which is why it’s important to maintain clean air ducts.

Prevents Damage

You can protect your HVAC system’s components from wear and tear by getting the air ducts cleaned. Dirty air ducts will force your HVAC system to work harder in an effort to warm or cool your home. Over time, this additional strain may cause certain components to fail. Blower motors, for instance, can fail from lack of airflow. Compressors can also damage if they don’t receive a sufficient amount of air.

What Is the T&P Valve on a Water Heater?

The water heater is a device that’s responsible for warming the water inside your home. Most water heaters have a tank. Cold water will enter through the bottom of this tank where it’s heated via an electric or gas heating element. Aside from a heating element, though, water heaters contain several other components, one of the most important being a temperature and pressure (T&P) valve. What is a T&P valve exactly?

The Basics of T&P Valves

A T&P valve is a water heater component that’s designed to protect the equipment from damage caused by excess pressure. You can usually find it at or near the top of the tank. The T&P valve has a lever that you can lift to release excess pressure.

Importance of the T&P Valve

Water heaters create pressure as a byproduct of warming water. Most water heaters, in fact, hold roughly 150 pounds per square (PSI) of pressurized water. As they warm the water, the water will undergo thermal expansion, meaning it will become pressurized inside of the tank. The T&P valve is a safety mechanism that protects against the buildup of excess pressure.

Your water heater will still create pressure with a T&P valve. The T&P valve simply acts as a failsafe in the event of excess pressure. If your water heater exceeds the PSI for which it’s rated, the T&P valve will open. As a result, the excess pressure will be released in the form of steam and hot water through the discharge pipe. The T&P valve will then close once the pressure drops back to a normal level.

Signs of a Bad T&P Valve

If the T&P valve is bad, pressure may build up inside of your water heater to dangerous levels. There’s only so much pressure your water heater can hold. If it exceeds this limit, it may explode.

While T&P valves typically last for many years, they can still fail. Most failures involve the T&P valve staying either opened or closed. If the T&P valve stays open, your water heater won’t be able to retain pressure. As soon as the hot water expands, it will be released through the discharge pipe.

If the T&P valve stays closed, pressure will continue to build up inside of your water heater. This may result in a rupture along one of the seams. If you notice water leaking from a seam on your water heater, it could be a sign of a bad T&P valve.

An Introduction to Indoor Air Pollution

Air pollution isn’t limited to the outdoors. It can occur inside your home as well. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in fact, concentrations of airborne pollutants are often two to five times higher indoors than outdoors. By understanding what causes indoor air pollution, you can create a cleaner home that’s better for you and your family’s health.

What Is Indoor Air Pollution?

Indoor air pollution refers to contaminants suspended in the air inside of a home or building. Contaminants can consist of particulate matter, gases or microorganisms. Regardless, all contaminants are unnatural substances that float around in the air. As levels of these contaminants increase, the air will become more polluted.

Common sources of indoor air pollution include:

• Dust

• Pet dander

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

• Cleaning chemicals

• Combustion gases

• Pesticides

• Air fresheners

• Radon

• Mold

• Bacteria

Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution

Different people are affected by indoor air pollution in different ways. Some people are allergic to certain contaminants. When exposed to a common airborne contaminant, they experience an allergy attack.

Depending on the specific type of contaminant, indoor air pollution may cause respiratory irritation. The EPA notes that eye, nose and throat irritation are some of the most common health effects of indoor pollution. Respiratory irritation such as this often occurs from exposure to VOCs, cleaning chemicals or combustion gases.

Indoor air pollution can increase the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer. Radon, for example, is a radioactive gas that’s been linked to lung cancer. It can enter a home through the rocks or soil around the foundation. Being that radon is odorless and tasteless — as well as invisible — it’s not easy to detect.

How to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution

How can you reduce indoor air pollution exactly? Since combustion gases are a contaminant, you should be cautious when using gas-powered appliances or when using a wood-burning fireplace. Fires produce combustion gases that need to be vented outside. Otherwise, they’ll cause indoor air pollution.

Adding plants to your home’s interior can reduce indoor air pollution. Plants are like air filters. They catch contaminants while simultaneously releasing fresh oxygen.

Maintaining your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system will reduce indoor air pollution. Whether you’re using the air conditioner or furnace, your HVAC system will circulate air through a filter. Air filters, of course, are designed specifically to remove contaminants. If there are contaminants in the air, the filter will remove them.

Why Your Furnace Keeps Tripping the Circuit Breaker

Does your furnace constantly trip the circuit breaker? A circuit breaker is an essential electrical safety component in homes and buildings. If there’s an excessive amount of current flowing to a given circuit, it will automatically block or interrupt the current for that circuit. Rather than simply resetting the circuit breaker, though, you need to find out why your furnace is tripping it.

Short Circuit

A short circuit may cause your furnace to trip the circuit breaker. This electrical phenomenon occurs when electricity takes an unintended path. Instead of following the path of a wire, for instance, electricity may breach out of the wire and onto a conductive surface.

Alternatively, if a hot wire comes into contact with a ground wire, it may cause a different type of short circuit that trips the circuit breaker. Furnaces have hot wires and ground wires. When these two wires touch each other, it can cause a short known as a ground fault.

Overloaded Circuit

You should check the circuit on which your furnace is installed to ensure that it’s not overloaded. An overloaded circuit is one of the most common reasons furnaces trip circuit breakers. Furnaces should typically have their own circuit. If other appliances or electrical systems are connected to the same circuit, it may become overloaded with an excessive amount of current.

The circuit breaker will inevitably trip when overloaded to protect your furnace, as well as the other connected appliances, from damage. To solve this problem, you must move your furnace to a dedicated circuit.

Restricted Airflow

Restricted airflow can cause electrical problems with your furnace, including a tripped circuit breaker. If there’s an insufficient amount of air flowing through the ductwork, your furnace’s blower will have to work harder. The blower is responsible for moving air through the ductwork. With restricted airflow, it will consume more power in an effort to circulate air through the ductwork.

Depending on how much additional strain is placed on the blower, it may cause the circuit breaker to trip. The blower may draw an excessive amount of current, which causes the circuit breaker to trip. If you believe restricted airflow is to blame, check the air filter. Replacing a dirty air filter with a clean and new air filter will allow air to flow more easily. Blocked or obstructed vents can contribute to restricted airflow as well. Make sure all of the vents inside of your home are open and not blocked or otherwise obstructed.

Refrigerant Flooding: What You Need to Know

Short-cycling isn’t the only problem that can affect your air conditioning system’s performance. Another common problem is refrigerant flooding. It can affect all types of refrigerant-based air conditioning systems. What is refrigerant flooding exactly?

What Is Refrigerant Flooding?

Also known as compressor floodback or refrigerant floodback, refrigerant flooding occurs when liquid refrigerant enters the compressor of an air conditioning system. The liquid refrigerant essentially floods the compressor.

What Is the Compressor?

The compressor is the part of an air conditioning system that moves refrigerant from the evaporator coil to the condenser coil. After collecting heat at the evaporator coil, refrigerant travels to the compressor where it’s compressed. The compressed refrigerant then travels to the condenser coil where the heat is released.

Compressors, however, are designed specifically to compress refrigerant in a gas state. They aren’t designed to compress refrigerant in a liquid state. Refrigerant, of course, changes between a gas and liquid state as it moves into and out of your home. The evaporator coil will typically convert refrigerant from a liquid state to a gas state. With refrigerant flooding, this conversion doesn’t happen. Refrigerant will remain in a liquid state as it travels from the evaporator coil to the compressor.

The Dangers of Refrigerant Flooding

With refrigerant flooding, your compressor may sustain serious damage. Compressors contain lubricating compounds, such as mineral oil or synthetic oil, to reduce friction between their moving parts. If liquid refrigerant enters your air conditioning system’s compressor, it may remove these lubricating compounds. The liquid refrigerant will collect the lubricating compounds, after which it will move them to other parts of your air conditioning system.

Without the necessary lubricating compounds, your air conditioning system’s compressor may seize up. Compressors are motorized devices. Like other types of motors, they feature an oil-filled crankcase that provides lubrication. Refrigerant flooding will remove oil from the crankcase so that the compressor is vulnerable to friction- and heat-related damage. Damage such as this can cause the compressor to seize up.

Even if it doesn’t render the compressor useless, refrigerant flooding can reduce the efficiency of your air conditioning system. Air conditioning systems work by moving heat through refrigerant. The refrigerant picks up heat inside your home, and upon reaching the condenser coil outside of your home, the refrigerant will release the heat. With that said, less heat will be released from the refrigerant if it’s in a liquid state rather than a gas state.

5 Home Heating Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

Heating your home may sound like a simple enough task. Whether it has a furnace or heat pump, you can heat it by controlling the thermostat. All central heating systems support the use of a thermostat. With that said, there are certain mistakes you should avoid when heating your home this winter.

#1) Turning Thermostat All the Way Up

When the mercury begins to drop, you may assume that cranking the thermostat all the way up is the best way to stay warm. While it may keep your home nice and toasty, it comes at a cost. When turned all the way up, your central heating system will consume more energy. It won’t warm your home any faster. It will simply run for a longer total length of time, resulting in increased energy usage.

#2) Overlooking Drafts

Don’t ignore drafts. Drafts occur when air leaks into and out of your home. You may feel them around doors, windows and attic vents. If you discover a draft, you’ll need to seal it. Otherwise, the warm air produced by your central heating system will leak out of your home. It will then be replaced by cool air that leaks into your home.

#3) Relying on Space Heaters

While convenient and easy to use, space heaters aren’t a viable substitution for a central heating system. Space heaters often cause or contribute to fires. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), over four in 10 residential fires involve space heaters. Furthermore, space heaters are only designed for use in single rooms. To heat your entire home – both safely and effectively – you’ll need a central heating system.

#4) Closing Air Vents

Don’t make the mistake of closing air vents when heating your home. When closed, warm air won’t be able to travel through the vent and into your home’s living space. It will remain stuck inside the ductwork where it’s rerouted to other vents. Why is this a problem exactly? As the air accumulates, pressure inside of the ductwork will increase as well. This pressure can damage the ductwork, potentially causing it to burst open.

#5) Neglecting Maintenance

Neglecting to maintain your home’s central heating system is another mistake to avoid. Like air conditioning systems, central heating systems require regular maintenance. You’ll need to replace the air filter, for instance. You may also need to have certain components professionally inspected and adjusted. Regular maintenance ensures that your home’s central heating system works at optimal levels and without wasting energy.

What Is a Heat Pump and How Does It Work?

When most homeowners think of central heating systems, they envision furnaces. Furnaces offer an effective way to warm indoor spaces. They’ll consume electricity or burn gas to generate heat. In the Southeast, however, heat pumps have become a popular alternative. Heat pumps provide similar indoor heating capabilities, but they work in a different way than furnaces.

Heat Pumps Explained

A heat pump is a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system that’s designed to transfer heat. It can warm your home by transferring heat from the outside to the inside. A heat pump will extract heat from the air or ground outside of your home, which it will transfer inside of your home.

There’s always some heat in the air or ground. Even if the temperature drops below freezing, a heat pump will extract this heat so that it can be used to warm your home.

Heating and Cooling

In addition to heating, heat pumps offering cooling capabilities. A heat pump can warm the inside of your home during the winter and cool your home’s interior during the summer.

A heat pump is a complete HVAC system. If you have a heat pump in your home, you won’t need an air conditioning system, nor will you need a furnace. Nearly all heat pumps offer both heating and cooling capabilities. You can switch a heat pump from heating to cooling or vise versa at the thermostat.

How Heat Pumps Work

Although there are different types, most heat pumps use a similar method of operation. They feature an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. Between these two units is a refrigerant line. The refrigerant will absorb heat at either the indoor or outdoor unit, depending on whether it’s heating or cooling mode, after which it will transfer the heat to the opposite unit.

When used for heating, the refrigerant will absorb heat at the outside unit. The hot refrigerant will then travel to the indoor unit where it’s exposed to the blower. As air from the blower runs over the refrigerant-filled coil, it will produce hot air that enters your home’s ductwork.

To cool your home, a heat pump will operate in reverse. The refrigerant will absorb heat at the indoor unit, and it will release this heat at the outdoor unit. This is the same way that air conditioning systems work. Air conditioning systems use refrigerant to move heat from the inside of your home to the outside.

The Benefits of Using a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats have become increasingly popular. After being introduced in the 1980s, they quickly made their way into millions of U.S. homes. Programmable thermostats are defined by programmable settings. Also known as setback thermostats, you can program them to automatically adjust the temperature inside your home at different times of the day. Here are several benefits of using a programmable thermostat.

Convenience

With a programmable thermostat, you won’t have to manually adjust the temperature each time you want a cooler or warmer living space.  You can program the thermostat to do it automatically.

Programmable thermostats support scheduling. You can create a schedule with different temperatures for different times of the day. When a scheduled time rolls around, your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system will turn on automatically. It will continue to run until the specified temperature has been reached, after which your HVAC system will shut off.

Notifications

Depending on the type, a programmable thermostat may offer notifications regarding the health of your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system. Many of them, for instance, will alert you when it’s time to change the air filter. They’ll display a filter change notification, informing you that the air filter is overdue for a replacement.

Energy Savings

A programmable thermostat will likely reduce your home’s energy usage. It won’t necessarily consume less energy than a manual thermostat. Rather, a programmable thermostat will allow you to control your HVAC system automatically so that it only runs when it needed.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), homeowners save an average of 10% on their heating and cooling costs by lowering or raising their thermostat 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours per day. If your home is unoccupied for an extended period during the day, you can program the thermostat so that it’s cooler during the winter or warmer during the summer. Of course, you can also program it to turn on when your home is occupied.

Temperature Consistency

A programmable thermostat will help you achieve a more consistent temperature in your home. With a manual thermostat, you may find yourself cranking up the temperature during the winter or cranking down the thermostat during the summer simply to minimize trips back and forth to the thermostat.

For a more consistent temperature, you should use a programmable thermostat. You can program it to warm or cool your home according to a custom, pre-set schedule.