The right AC in a home might not be ideal for the other. When determining whether an air conditioning system is best for any given property, you must account for the size of the home. You should look for a system that will cool your home evenly. However, a too-large system will cost you more in AC repair and cycle too fast, not regulating the humidity or cooling your home evenly. Unfortunately, this also means your system will be exposed to more wear and tear. On the other hand, a too-small system will strain to cool your home, eventually breaking up. All this means is that installing a too-large or too-small system will precipitate issues requiring frequent AC repairs. Thus, you need a system that best fits your home’s heating or cooling needs. For this reason, professionals use tonnage calculators to determine what system best suits your cooling or heating needs.
How Do HVAC Tonnage Calculators Work?
Before heading out to understand the role of an AC tonnage calculator, understanding what s being calculated would help. Here, the key terms to keep in mind include;
BTUs: US EIA (Energy Information Administration) defines British Thermal Units as the “quality” of heat needed to raise the temperature of a pound of water by a degree Fahrenheit at that temperature in which the water is at its highest density.
AC Tonnage: It takes a ton of heat to eliminate 288,000 BTUs from the air per day. That is the amount of British Thermal Units that must be removed for a ton of ice to melt within 24 hours. Hence, a one-ton Air conditioning unit is rated at 12,000 British Thermal Units per hour.
The total square footage of a home is the main factor in calculating the best air conditioning unit. Therefore, you must consult your air conditioning repair technician on AC tonnage calculations per square footage. However, that is just a rough guide. It might not even be accurate in all instances. To understand the capacity of AC required, you also have to consider other essential factors such as;
The Type of insulation used
Ceiling height
Number of Occupants
The number of exterior doors available
Number of windows in your home, and
Whether you have a crawlspace or basement at your home.
It is great to liaise with an AC repair professional if you plan on replacing your existing air conditioning system. Besides removing your older unit and installing another one, they can help you choose the right one.
When doing this, the professionals insert the critical numbers based on the above-listed factors into the predefined formula for calculating the required tonnage. Along with these essential numbers, they also account for extra factors they might deem relevant. Professionals do not rely merely on the air conditioner tonnage/sq. Ft. They also consider the other elements that could affect your needs.
However, there are many air conditioner tonnage calculators on the internet. However, that doesn’t mean you can rely on their results and purchase a new unit. That means you could be exposing yourself to issues discussed in the introduction. Remember, they are standardized and aren’t tailored to the specific requirements of your lifestyle or home.
Benefits of Using Air Conditioning Tonnage Calculators
Coordinating with professionals that understand how to use an air conditioning tonnage calculator is critical, especially when purchasing a new unit or planning to replace an older one. Calculating AC tonnage has the following benefits;
Saving Money
To reiterate, you don’t have to spend much money purchasing a too-large or too-small system that your home needs. By leveraging the findings of tonnage calculations, you’ll arrive at the ideal or perfectly sized unit, meaning you’ll save money big time.
Staying Comfortable
Calculating the required tonnage for your air conditioning system correctly does not just prevent you from purchasing a larger or smaller than appropriate unit. If your system has sufficient tonnage, it will cool your home adequately. This is not a problem you’d want to deal with in Arizona. Further, if your air conditioning system is too small, you may be inclined to use it too often to cool your home. This means that you’ll reduce the unit’s maximum service life. Thus, you might need premature AC repairs or replacements, and this is one of the costs you don’t want to incur. Running the air conditioning unit too frequently and on high settings because it doesn’t cool your home perfectly will result in higher energy bills.
Avoiding Unexpected Problems
A too-large HVAC system is not just expensive. Like a too-small one, it also is prone to breakdowns. This is because greater tonnage than required makes it start short cycling. This means that the unit will turn on and off frequently, increasing the operational costs, wear and tear. This means that you could have to replace the air conditioning system prematurely. Thus, don’t make this mistake. Have a professional measure or calculate the required tonnage before purchasing a unit.
Adjusting to Changes
You can easily assume that the right tonnage for the next air conditioner is the same as the current one. However, many factors might make this not the case. It is always a great idea to consult professionals when planning to replace the air conditioner. To begin with, it could be entirely true that the present system’s tonnage is not ideal. Enlisting an AC repair technician to confirm the AC tonnage won’t hurt. Changes such as other doors or windows, an increase or decrease in the number of occupants, additional rooms to your home, or even a change in the insulation material have a bearing on the required AC tonnage.
We Can Help!
Are you looking to replace your old AC or install a new one? Calculating the AC tonnage is a critical step in the process. Contact us at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Prescott for tonnage calculation, AC installation, and maintenance.
What Causes Rumbling Sounds in Your Furnace? A Guide from Your Reliable Heating and AC Repair Company
During the heating season, your furnace is your best friend. It ensures that your indoor temperatures are bearable even when the outside temperatures are freezing. Unfortunately, if you don’t maintain your furnace, it is bound to experience issues that might require the urgent attention of a heating and AC repair company. Before the furnace completely malfunctions, it shows you can understand what it is trying to tell you if you are attentive. One of the signs your furnace might give out is a loud rumbling sound, which should be a cause for concern. Any unexpected new sounds from your system should be alarming. The new noises shouldn’t pass unattended, particularly those so loud and disruptive. In this article, you’ll learn what rumbling noises usually mean about your furnace and what steps you should take whenever you hear them.
What Causes The Loud Rumbling Noises In Your Furnace?
Have you heard a loud rumbling sound from your unit? Many potential problems could be in play. The underlying problem could be major or minor, but regardless, they all need your immediate attention. Rumbling usually is associated with several particular issues with your heating system, as we’ll discuss below. However, these aren’t the only malfunctions that could cause the rumbling sounds in your furnace.
When The Burners Are Dirty
Have you recently noticed that your furnace produces a rumbling sound whenever you turn it on? The most common reason for that is dirty burners. During the combustion, the byproducts, such as soot, might collect on the furnace burners. This usually happens in normal furnace operations and requires regular cleaning. Your reliable heating and AC repair company will do this during the annual furnace maintenance. The soot might block the airflow if the burners aren’t regularly cleaned. In such instances, the furnace burners will not receive enough airflow for complete combustion, leading to the furnace making that rumbling, loud noise. This rumbling noise arises during the heating cycle and the furnace operation. This is an issue you can address with annual furnace maintenance. When was the last time you had a furnace maintenance? If you cannot clearly remember, then it might be about time you have a professional come over for a tune-up visit. They will inspect different parts of the furnace, including the burners, to see whether there’s soot around them. If there are any, the professionals will clean the burners, ensuring enough combustion gases are in the burners and preventing further production of rumbling sounds.
Pilot Light Problem
Is your gas furnace over 15 years old? Then it most likely relies on a pilot light for initiating combustion. A pilot light also can make your furnace start producing rumbling noises if it is not appropriately adjusted or covered in soot. You’ll hear the rumbling noises when the furnace is running or even after completing the heating cycle. Have a look at your furnace’s pilot light. Does the component appear to be covered in soot? Does the flame appear low? Do loud rumbling noises follow this? Then you should immediately reach out to your HVAC technician to come and inspect, clean and adjust the pilot light properly. If your furnace still uses a pilot light to start combustion, you should consider investing in a replacement unit.
When the Draft Inducer Motor is Dirty
The draft inducer of your furnace sits near your unit’s heat exchanger. It moves combustion gases into the exhaust/flue pipe to be safely exhausted from your home. This is critical as it prevents exposure or explosion within the heat exchanger. It also helps at directing oxygen to the burners for their efficient performance. If loose or dirty, the component could result in rumbling noises when the furnace starts a heating cycle. Enlist a heating and AC repair company to inspect your furnace and the draft inducer. Better yet, retain them for regular maintenance of your unit. This will ensure that they can catch minor issues before they worsen. If the results of the inspection show that the draft inducer motor is dirty, the professional will clean it and make sure it’s secured within the furnace properly.
Loose Panels
Another reason you could be hearing the rumbling sounds from your furnace is because of loose panels. When the exterior access panels become loose, they will start producing noises when the system is running. Usually, they bang around, although rumbling can also arise if the screws are too loose. Hence, check the exteriors of the furnace to ensure all its metal panels are secured and properly fit.
Cracked Heat Exchanger
This is probably the most serious problem your furnace can have. Do you suspect that your furnace’s heat exchanger may be cracked? You should immediately turn it off and call an emergency heating and AC repair company for a repair or even replacement, depending on the extent of the damage. Cracked furnace heat exchangers prevent complete combustion, producing carbon monoxide. The toxic gas permeates your living space through the cracks on your furnace’s heat exchanger. Typically, the carbon monoxide or dioxide would safely vent outside. However, permeating through the cracks into your living space creates a risk of deadly carbon monoxide exposure.
Usually, the sound produced by cracked heat exchangers is a rattling or clinking, although a low-pitched rumbling sound also can occur in some furnaces. If you don’t find any signs of the above-outlined causes, the culprit behind the sound could be a cracked heat exchanger. Rather than guess, turn off the unit, gut off the gas supply, and call a furnace repair technician for further inspection.
Expert Furnace Inspections and Repairs
Any new furnace sounds shouldn’t be ignored. Does your furnace produce a loud rumbling sound? Let One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Prescottsend a technician for a further inspection. Our technicians will locate the cause of the rumbling and conduct the required repairs to restore its quiet and safe Operation. Contact us today and schedule a service.
What are The Benefits of Using Energy Star-certified Mini-Split Systems? Insights from Your Reliable AC RepairCompany
Time and technology are two things that have diversified the equipment and appliances available to homeowners. As technology advances, how homeowners heat and cool their homes have changed to better and more energy-efficient methods and systems. However, before converting from traditional heating and cooling systems to modern ones available in the market, it is best to investigate what they offer your home. Also, consider consulting an AC repair company on your home’s needs for efficient heating. Modern systems offer more energy efficiency than conventional heating and cooling systems. But these advantages depend on a certified system with an Energy Star rating. This article will outline the benefits of an Energy Star-Certified mini-split system.
Benefits Of Energy-Star-Rated Mini-Split Systems
Energy Efficiency
The primary benefit of a mini-split system is that it is more energy efficient than traditional heating and cooling systems. Due to its ability to control the temperature of each room differently, it reduces the overall energy use in your home. Unlike traditional heating and cooling systems, where your entire home has a constant temperature, in a mini-split system, you can reduce or switch off the temperature control in rooms that are not in use. Consequently, this reduces energy use and your monthly energy bill. With reduced energy consumption, the mini-split system helps you reduce your home’s carbon print, thus conserving the environment.
Notably, a mini-split system has advanced technology that allows it to produce more temperature control for a fraction of the energy used by the traditional heating and cooling system. Therefore, in addition to setting different temperatures for different sections, a mini-split system uses minimized energy to deliver the same results as a conventional heating and cooling system.
Additionally, a mini-split system takes heat from the surrounding environment and transfers it to your home instead of generating it. Therefore, by taking advantage of the environment and not having to generate heat, this system reduces your home energy consumption. Consequently, a mini-split system offers you a comfortable interior at minimized price.
Allows Zoning
The other significant advantage of installing a mini-split system through a certifiedAC repair company is its ability to segment your home into zones. This system allows you to create sections in your home depending on their temperature needs. For example, you can cluster all the bedrooms in one zone, the living room and dining room in another, and the kitchen in a different zone. Depending on the zoning, each sector can have different temperatures that will make it comfortable for your family. A unit controls each zone with a specified number of BTUs. Therefore, each unit is clustered according to the square footage, which helps the system adequately provide cooling and heating.
Therefore, the higher the BTU number of your mini-split system, the higher the extensions and sections you can create in your home. Each room will have a single unit mounted on the wall, and all the extensions will be connected to the central unit. Therefore, it operates more like a traditional HVAC system with more control and without air ducts.
Convenient and Quiet Operation
Traditional heating and cooling systems have distinct running sounds. They can be a nuisance and hard to ignore. Therefore, it can be hard to concentrate and sleep with them operating. Due to the advancement of technology, mini-split systems have evolved HVAC mechanics that make them run very quietly, especially the energy star-certified models. An energy star certified mini-split system has high-end fans and compressors hence the quitter running compared to traditional HAVC systems.
Eliminates Ductwork
Traditional heating and cooling systems depend on a maze of air ducts from the central unit to each room to efficiently heat or cool your home. This makes transferring conditioned air from the system to your interior and used air from your home to the system possible. The mini-split system only needs outdoor and indoor systems to cool and heat your space efficiently. Therefore, this eliminated the need for bulky air ducts, which can significantly cause inefficient system operation.
For example, if the air ducts in a traditional system are clogged, it can contribute to energy inefficiency, high bills, and ineffective heating and cooling of some rooms. In turn, these cause additional fees for hiring an AC repair company and, in some cases, unnecessary repairs. Consequently, running inefficiently and many unnecessary repairs compromise the system’s lifespan.
However, by eliminating the need for air ducts, the mini-split system is efficient and uses low energy. Conversely, a mini-split system eliminates the possibility of losing conditioned air in the ductwork as it travels from the central unit to the room needing air conditioning for reasons such as damaged air ducts. Therefore, a mini-split system is ideal if you want a less bulky efficient system with outstanding energy efficiency.
Its air comes through a direct line that connects the indoor and outdoor units. This line consists of electrical wiring and refrigerant tubing and feeds through a hole in the wall of your home to provide hot or cold air depending on the system setting. Consequently, your home gets clean air and comfortable temperatures.
Easy Installation
Due to their lack of air ducts and compact features, a mini-split system is easy to install and maintain. Therefore, an AC repair company will take a short time between installation and having the system fully operational. In addition, these systems are small and compact. Therefore, they do not need much space to function. They are also a great addition to your home since they are available in designs that effortlessly complement your home décor.
Always Look For Energy Star Label
A star-certified mini-split system will offer your home convenient and quiet operation while saving you money. Therefore, although its initial price is high, it will be a worthy investment in the long run. Contact us at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Prescottto schedule an appointment for the best mini-split installation services.
Why Should You Incorporate Air Scrubbers in Your Air Conditioner Installation Plans?
Did you know that studies by EPA show airborne pollutants in your home could be about five times more dangerous and concentrated than outside? If you know this fact, you have taken all the available measures to ensure clean indoor air. One of these measures is installing an air scrubber. If you don’t have one and haven’t installed quality air filters or even cleaned the air ducts recently, the odds are that you are inhaling contaminated air even without realizing it. Unfortunately, indoor air pollution exposes you and other members of your family to serious risks. But what are air scrubbers? These devices are attached to the air ducts in your heating and air conditioning system. They remove different contaminants, as we shall see later. Hence, you should consider including them in your air conditioner installation plans.
How Do Air Scrubbers Work?
Air scrubbers remove dust and pollen, where these pathogens often stick. However, their versatile filtration system can catch both larger and smaller particles. Within an air scrubber, the primary filter is the HEPA filter. Combined with advanced technologies, these filters can catch vapor molecules and hazardous gases. The airborne contaminants first pass via multiple fine layers to thoroughly clean the air. On top of the primary HEPA filter is an optional carbon filter that heightens the firewall, which the airborne pollutants must pass through to enter your indoor environment. The main types of air scrubbers an air conditioner installation technician may install include;
Wet Air Scrubbers
These air scrubbers use damp pads and water-based solutions for entrapping molecular contaminants. They work best for environments that increase fire hazards as they drench flammable pollutants in non-toxic agents.
Dry Air Scrubbers
Sometimes, the integrated air scrubbers are dry. These don’t use systems similar to wet types but can improve indoor air quality and just as efficiently filter out the contaminants. Most portable scrubbers are preferred dry to remove sludge from the filtered contaminants after it passes via the wet air scrubber.
What Are The Impacts of Air Scrubbers On IAQ?
The harmful particles in the air can make you or other members of your family sick. Unfortunately, they can enter your home from many sources, including windows, doors, or crevices. When you turn on the exhaust fan, your indoor space is not just allowing unpleasant smells out and clean air in. The negative pressure may prevent clean outdoor air from entering your home and indoor pollution. Based on the air balance at your home, outdoor pollution may enter via the chimneys and mechanical ventilation systems too. The lower indoor pressure may trap the contaminants in the exhaust tubes and block fresh air from entering, lowering the indoor air quality.
Indoor Air Quality
IAQ, or Indoor Air Quality, measures air quality around or in an indoor space. IAQ is measured by detecting the amount/volume of VOCs or volatile organic compounds indoors. In some industrial inspections, the volume of carbon monoxide present in the indoor space is also measured. When higher CO or VOCs exist, the IAQ is considered congested with polluted air or contaminated. While the above chemicals are the only ones picked when measuring indoor air quality, many more contaminants pollute indoor air. Hence, you must take the necessary steps toward minimizing indoor air pollutants. This includes incorporating the air scrubbers in your air conditioner installation plans.
Airborne Contaminants
As the polluted or contaminated air passes through your indoor space, it might trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and even worse respiratory infections. With many airborne contaminants, air purifiers and filters won’t always catch all the contaminants. However, installing an air scrubber in your HVAC system will effectively clean the indoor air and remove those nasty odors using ultraviolet light, ozone technology, and HEPA filters. Below are some of the common air pollutants;
Chemical Fumes and Toxic Gases
Carbon monoxide is human-made. It is generated when synthetic materials are burned and there is incomplete combustion. Compared to fairly safe carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide is more hazardous. CO is odorless, tasteless, and invisible. Unfortunately, it is a deadly gas whose presence is only detected by carbon monoxide detectors. Thus, if you have gas-powered air conditioning systems, you should also have an AC installation technician fit a CO detector in all rooms at your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
These organic compounds are found in everyday household items such as air fresheners, paints, and perfumes. VOCs are among the toughest contaminants to trap or eliminate from the indoor air. It reduces the air quality in any environment. Fortunately, you can catch most of it with proper devices such as scrubbers and HEPA filters. If your home has an air purifier, it also can catch the VOCs, but it has to have UV light functions.
Mold Spores
Do you develop sores or skin rashes or even experience nausea, headaches, vomiting, and other problems with vision? Mold spores could be the culprit. Mildew and mold might be the worse contaminant yet. They form when excessive and unchecked condensation is on your air ducts or coils. It also can happen if the drain pan overfills or becomes clogged. Mold growth may be extended, so you can call an air conditioner installation technician to replace the old unit.
Dust Mites
Dust mites don’t need water for survival. It absorbs the moisture present in the air and survives on the stagnant indoor humidity. Although they only live for several months, they also reproduce very fast. Hence, you want to take every measure to prevent their formation or spread if already present. And what better option than installing an air scrubber?
Enhance Your IAQ By Installing Air Scrubbers
You should take the required precautions to enhance the indoor air quality. Installing an air scrubber ensures just that. Do you need help choosing or fitting one into the air ducts? Contact us at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Prescottto book an installation appointment or consultation.
A Simple Guide To Finding a Reliable AC Repair Company
When the weather gets too hot, you rely on the air conditioning system to keep your ambient temperature within a comfortable range. Therefore, when your air conditioner breaks down, it can cause serious disruption and make a living inside your house extremely uncomfortable. Besides, some air conditioning problems can put your family and home in grave danger. However, although the principles by which air conditioners operate are quite straightforward, air conditioning problems are not easy to handle. Therefore, you need to have a professional AC repair company to can trust to help you fix your air conditioning system in the event of a breakdown. This is because DIY HVAC solutions are not only ineffective but also risky and needlessly expensive.
Unfortunately, although there could be many HVAC companies near you, it is not always easy to find a good AC repair service. Most are too incompetent or unreliable to be trusted with something as valuable as your air conditioner. Therefore, if you want to change your HVAC repair service or it is your first time hiring an HVAC contractor, you must be extremely careful not to settle for incompetent people. Here is a guide you can follow to this end.
Ask Around And Search The Internet
If it is your first time trying to hire an HVAC contractor, you need to familiarize yourself with the various HVAC companies you can potentially hire. To this end, you can go to the internet and search for professional AC repair services near you. Alternatively, you can talk to the people you know and ask them to refer you to the HVAC companies they know. This way, you might list the top HVAC companies near you. However, you have to be careful not to settle for an AC repair company simply because it has been recommended by a person you trust. As such, you need to do your research about the various HVAC contractors on your list for you to get more information about them and eventually make an informed choice.
Consider Licensing
HVAC contractors are usually regulated by local authorities to protect people against receiving substandard HVAC services that might damage their equipment and put them and their buildings in danger. Indeed, the professionals need to be trained and experienced enough to receive the licenses that prove their competence. Therefore, while some licensed HVAC contractors may not be good enough to be trusted, all good HVAC service providers must be duly licensed. Therefore, before hiring an HVAC company, you need to ask if they are duly licensed. A good HVAC company will display its license for everyone to see. Therefore, if you have noticed that the HVAC contractor you are about to hire is unwilling to show you their license, you should not trust them with your HVAC system.
Ask About Insurance
Some HVAC problems can be quite risky in the sense that they might expose the person doing them to the risk of sustaining severe physical injuries. For instance, handling your HVAC equipment could expose the technician to the risk of electrical injuries or even Freon poisoning. Unfortunately, this means you might be at risk of getting held financially liable for the injuries your HVAC service provider might sustain while working in your house. The good news is that good HVAC contractors prepare for such risks by ensuring they are adequately insured. If your HVAC services provider is well insured, you will not have to worry about such risks because their insurance company will shoulder them. Therefore, before you can settle for any given HVAC company, you need to be satisfied that they are well-insured. If you have reasons to believe that a given plumbing contractor is not duly licensed, you should not risk hiring them.
Consider Experience
Air conditioners are quite complex appliances. Therefore, repairing some of their problems effectively calls for many years of experience. Therefore, HVAC contractors generally seem to get better at their work with experience. In other words, the more experienced an HVAC contractor is, the better they are likely to be at solving air conditioning problems. On the other hand, an inexperienced HVAC services provider may not be conversant with some rare and complex air conditioning issues, meaning that they may not meet your expectations in some cases. Therefore, unless the AC repair company you are about to hire has been in the business for more than a few years, you should not trust them with your HVAC equipment.
Ask If You Will Get A Warranty
No one is perfect, and therefore, even a seemingly good HVAC contractor may fail to meet your expectations. This is because the person who will be sent to your house can make mistakes and fail to decisively solve the problems you are facing. Unfortunately, this means that you might soon be forced to spend more money on the same issue. The good news is that a good AC repair company will protect you against such risk by giving a warranty for the services offered. With the warranty, you will be entitled to getting the job redone for free should the issue you are facing reoccur within a given time. However, it is important to note that not all HVAC contractors offer warranties for their services. Therefore, before settling for a particular HVAC services provider, you need to ask if you will get a warranty for the services offered. If the answer is negative, you should avoid them.
The Takeaway
Overall, it is apparent that if you are shopping for a reliable HVAC contractor to help you handle any air conditioning issue in your house, you need to do thorough research to avoid settling for incompetent people. If you are looking for a dependable HVAC company near you, One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Prescott is an excellent choice. Feel free to call us today to learn more about our company and services.
