This is a cooling method in which a central unit dehumidifies and cools air before it is circulated throughout a home or building. It is also referred to as central air and is often grouped with a heating system. The reason is that both of these systems depend on comparable amounts of ductwork and electrical power to distribute heated or cooled air. Central air conditioning is in direct contrast with other systems that depend on separate units being placed in a suite of rooms or just one room.

For these bigger buildings using central air is important because the stale air can become very humid, especially when the weather starts to become warm. The outdoor heat can cause the building to start to warm up and so can the heat generated from all the people who are working there. All of this can make working there unbearable. When central air is used it will keep the building at a comfortable temperature for those working there. If it is a department store it will make it a more pleasant shopping experience.

Homes located in climates that get hot in the summer can also benefit by using central air conditioning. When using this type of system it will eliminate the use of having window units in various rooms to cool that area such as bedrooms, kitchen, and living room. With central air the homeowner can also set the thermostat so the temperatures in the home are kept within a comfortable range while still maintaining its energy efficiency. When it is grouped with such measures as designing a home that is appropriate for that particular climate and insulating it in order to oppose external temperature changes will help to increase the energy efficiency of the central air unit.

When a building or home has central air conditioning the central unit is most likely outside or in an isolate section of the building. The reason is that they can produce a lot of noise, which is made when the refrigeration cycles, which help to take out humidity from the building and to cool the air, is running. The main unit is connected to ductwork that goes throughout the home or building. Cold air is blown out of the ducts in order to cool down areas of the home or building. The air conditioner also has vents going outside to clear the excess moisture and heat. There is also ductless air conditioning that uses individual wall units to pump in the cool air and pull out the hot air and moisture instead of relying on ductwork.

Summer is winding down, you feel the first chill in the air. It reminds us of a lot of things: leaves, the holidays, all things pumpkin but what you should also put on that list is your fall maintenance on your heater! After a long summer, your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning System) needs all of its parts checked out! A check up ensures your system is running at top peak performance.

Why do you need Fall Maintenance?

Just like your car, your HVAC system requires routine maintenance to keep it running effectively and efficiently. Here are some additional reasons it helps to be properly prepared for the next season!

• To ensure proper efficiency of your furnace
• Keep your entire HVAC unit running smoothly
• Routine Maintenance of your furnace is easy and a quick maintenance or tune-up will ensure that you can last through your fall/winter season without incident. You can visually inspect the outside of your unit but we recommend calling a professional to visually inspect the portions of your system you can’t see. It is important that you are having your system serviced BEFORE the upcoming season is in full swing whether it be spring or fall.
• Keep your system trustworthy
• Nothing is worse for a homeowner than a system that breaks down in the middle of a cold winter! With proper maintenance you can count on your system working for you when you need it most!
• Protecting your investment
• Anyone whose been there can tell you a new HVAC unit can be incredibly costly! Some systems cost upwards of $10,000 depending on a variety of factors. Not only does maintenance guarantee to help your system run at peak efficiency but properly running system consume less energy!

So how do you prepare your HVAC system for fall?

Call your local, trusted HVAC contractor! Appointments start filling up fast so get to it! In addition to having a contractor come to your house you can help out by:

• Checking your filters. Make sure to inspect them every month and change them every 3-4 months or sooner if necessary.
• Make sure the area around the filter is cleared. This helps the unit from overheating. Make sure to never store flammable materials around your furnace.

The HVAC units are a huge investment. By properly inspecting furnaces and routinely maintaining your systems and keeping them running smoothly, you will ensure that your systems have a long life ahead.

Choosing the best HVAC contractor is not an easy thing and there are things that have to be mastered so as to make sure you end up with only the best. Contractors are different and therefore you should carry out adequate research to ensure that you find the best in the field. The contractors usually have a terrible reputation for different reasons, but it doesn’t mean that all of them are bad. There are still very good companies that can handle your HVAC needs. You should still give someone a chance to install your air conditioning. Choosing a contractor is therefore a great part of how good the services you get will be like. When you choose carefully, you won’t be in any trouble and the conditioning that you get installed will actually be able to serve you for a long time.

1. Estimates over the phone

If you call a contractor and they are ready to give you an estimate or bid over the phone, you should be worried. You need to know that each air conditioning unit is unique from all others. Giving a bid or even an estimate over the phone is not a reasonable thing. This is because there are very many factors that should be considered before any money can be quoted. The best contractor will first check the registers, the insulation, the ducting, the windows you have and so many other things. All these things are physical and you cannot conduct them over the phone. Even if they do visit, don’t be too comfortable with a person who doesn’t inspect the house critically before giving a calculation.

2. Replacement

If a contractor replaces the old conditioner with another one that is similar to the unit, be very careful. A good unit can last for around 15 years. Just like vehicles get upgrades even though they are in the same category, the same thing applies to the air-conditioning units. A hood contractor will give some recommendations so as to make sure that your home is up to date and efficient enough. When they pitch to you old models, they may be trying to unload some old inventory that won’t sell. The most current and most energy efficient units should be used so as to give you the kind of service that you deserve.

3. Experience

It is true that experience attracts a lot of people, but you need to be aware that it is not the only thing. Someone may tell you they have been doing the installations in a certain way for many years, but you should always know that the business keeps on changing as other technologies do. There are so many exciting technologies that are coming into the market every now and then. Such technological advancements can actually decrease the utility costs and offer better cooling. The contractor should be able to use the cutting edge technology and this includes control units that are up to date. While experience is important, it isn’t the only thing to consider.

4. Licensing

The best contractors need licensing from the authorizing body and this is something that you should always check.

What do you want your bathroom to look like? Usually, bathrooms contain a cold toilet and marble floors. Well, a bathroom should be a comfy place where you can shower and cover yourself in a soft towel. As a matter of fact, you can’t make your bathroom comfortable enough if you don’t have an electric heater in your bathroom. If you are looking for a way to improve the heating system in your bathroom, you may want to invest in one. Below are a few tips that you may want to keep in mind.

An Electric Heater Is The Best Deal

Usually, electric heaters are relatively the best type of heating system for your bathroom due to a number of reasons. For one, they are considered on the list of more productive options as they are very good at producing heat in an efficient manner. Aside from this, they are not hazardous because you can connect them to the power source and they will start working. You don’t need to worry about any flammable liquids that can cause a fire.

An Exposure to Water

You should be extra careful when it comes to installing an electric heater in your bathroom, as there is lots of water source in there, such as faucets and taps. The cords shouldn’t get in contact with water or there can be electric short circuit. Make sure it is away from the taps and faucets, and the cords are waterproof.

Wall units

If you are going to buy a wall unit, you can go for either an electric heat or radiant heat. Most of them fall under the category of electric heaters. Radiant heaters, on the other hand, tend to heat bathrooms with electric coils. These coils reflect the heat off its powerful back panel making your room warm.

Protection Against Other Health Hazards

After you have had a shower, germs and mildew take advantage of the heat and tend to spread at a rapid pace. However, if you have an electric heater in your bathroom, it will keep the room warm reducing the humidity level. And germs and mildew can’t grow fast enough in the bathroom.

Electric heater

If you are looking for the best one, you can go for an electric heater. Among them, the electric baseboard ones are very popular as their heating coils make a lot of convection heat. That is the reason they are on the favorite list of most people who are familiar with them.

Inside the slots draw lots of cold air in, and the coils heat up the cold air. So, if you are on the lookout of one that can improve your bathroom environment, you can go for an electric heater.

To cut a long story short, electric heaters are energy efficient on the whole, and can save you plenty of money down the road. Based on your needs, you must take into account all the factors before choosing a one.

Choosing the right heater for your household can be a challenge, especially since they are an essential utility that will be regularly in use. However, finding the right type of heater for your home is easy as long as you know the primary use it will have. There are two primary types of heaters you can purchase for your home, ovens, which are primarily used for cooking, and furnaces which are used for heat. Both of the heaters available for residential use can be used with both gas and wood for fuel, depending on availability in your region and budgetary allowances.

If you are in the market for a heater to use as an oven, then a wood fire oven is a good choice to get a rustic smoked flavor to any dish cooked in it. A wood fired oven is a nice touch that helps to make your food seem more high-brow and authentic. A disadvantage to wood fired ovens however is that they require a consistent supply of wood as fuel if they are to be your primary method of preparing dishes. If you value having readily available fuel and low maintenance then a gas powered oven is probably a safer investment for your home. Gas ovens are readily available and can be installed into any home with no hassle which is a good choice for people who are busy but still want rich tasting food.

However if you are using a heater as a furnace, there are a lot more choices. Heating a house can be done with a discreet gas furnace or a comfortable modern fireplace that is as much décor as it is a utility. Gas heated furnaces are often used as more of a utility than as décor so they will often be out of the public eye. This is a helpful feature for those who don’t have a lot of space for their heater and it also offers a great convenience in fuel supply. While the accessibility of wood is still an issue with fireplaces, there are solutions for areas without constant access to firewood. Pellet based heaters use readily available wood shavings formed into pellets in order to create a highly efficient clean burning fireplace that can heat a home for close to thirty hours. While pellet heaters don’t have the nostalgic image of a log roasting in a fireplace, they can still be designed to fit very well into your house to look natural and comfortable.

The amount of heaters on the market is nearly endless, allowing for a model that is the one for your home and needs, but it can be difficult to determine which one is the best investment for your life is. With a clear idea of what the market has to offer and the help of local specialists, it can be painless to get the perfect setup for your household.

What actually is a boiler service and what does it involve?

The boiler servicing procedure is very different for many companies.

For some, no names, it’s just, inserting the flue gas analyser probe into the flue, printing off the readings.

If they are within the limits, that’s the boiler serviced.

To me, a boiler installer, that is not a boiler service, it’s just a combustion check and nothing else.

The boiler servicing procedure that I use goes a little like this.

Arrive at the property at the arranged time, if running late, contact the client to keep informed, nothing worse than waiting for someone to arrive.

Once at the property, introduce yourself, show the client the Gas Safe ID card, explain how to check the card details.

This will reassure your client that you are a professional registered gas safe engineer.

Now the card is out of the way, politely ask the client to show you the boiler location.

Ask if they have experienced any problems with the boiler recently, has anything changed on the heating system, has the system been drained, any radiators replaced.

This will give you an idea of what to look out for.

Now The boiler Servicing

First, we carry out a visual inspection of the boiler.

1 Check that the boiler is installed correctly, and to current regulations.

2 Is the flue connected to the boiler the correct way and safe for use?

3 Look for any damage to the boiler that may impair its operation.

4 Ensure that if ventilation is required it is the correct size.

5 Check for any signs of water leakage within the boiler.

6 Look for any former repairs.

7 Make sure the boiler is right, for the size of the property.

8 Run the boiler in both heating and hot water modes before commencing the service.

By running the boiler, this proves that both the hot water and heating were both working at the time of the service.

Some scrupulous customers try to say the boiler was working before you carried out the service, when in fact is was not.

By carrying out this check you can confirm if the boiler was working or not.

Now onto Checking The Gas Meter

Check over the location of the gas meter, carry out a risk assessment, making sure it all conforms to current gas regulations.

Does the Emergency Control Valve have a handle fitted, so the gas can be isolated and made safe should a situation occur?

Check the Protective equipotential earth bonding is connected to the outlet side of the gas meter and is the correct size.

Check the gas for leakage

Carry out a let by test to establish the emergency control valve is not letting gas through when switched off.

Now carry out the gas tightness test over the prescribed times, once complete, print off the results and attach to the boiler service certificate.

The Boiler

Some makes of boiler have a fault memory that can be checked, they normally store up to 10 faults, this will tell you what has been happening and what to look out for.

Check the gas operating and working pressures, making sure they are within the limits.

Isolate the power supply to the boiler, while at the same time check that the fuse fitted is of the correct size.

Depending on the make and model, follow the boiler servicing procedure as per instructions in the boiler manual.

If you don’t have access to the boiler manual you can download a copy from the internet, just search for the make and model you need, and download it.

Turn the boiler power back on, recheck both the hot water and heating are still working.

Now we move on to the gas rate, this needs to be checked to make sure the boiler is getting enough gas. There are many apps available to help you carry out a gas rate.

We now carry out another gas tightness test at the meter to ensure there are no gas leaks.

Boiler Servicing procedure Certificate

Now that the boiler service has been completed, remove all tools and any dust sheets from the site, making sure the working area around the boiler has been left clean and tidy.

Enter all the details of the boiler service on the certificate.

If needed, attach any warning notices to the boiler, fill in a warning notice certificate and inform the client of your findings.

Explain why the boiler has failed, and what is required to bring it up to regulation standards.

Finally, hand over all the paperwork to the client including the invoice.

Ask the client if they are happy with your service, and would they be so kind to leave a review for you.

Every company has their own way of carrying out a boiler service, the above is our boiler servicing procedure.

Cooling fans make up an essential part of these items that protect from heat damage, and this is why all major electronic equipment has these devices in built. However, chances are that you might need to replace them, upgrade them, or even install a cabinet cooling fan in a cabinet that has a number of important electronics for your business. Each cooling fan is not without its accessories, and these can make a big difference to the performance of your fans and the integrity and durability of your electronics. Here are several of these essential cooling fan accessories that you need to invest in for your home office. The first item that you should invest in is a reliable and durable fan guard, as this will help your fan work more efficiently and help protect it from impact damage and other accidents that can happen in a busy home office.

These generally come in plastic or wire designs, both of which have their advantages and disadvantages. There are also mesh designs of fan guard for your electronics or cabinet cooling fan, which can be useful too depending on your specific needs. Although this might seem like too simple an item to give too much thought to, a fan guard can actually make a huge difference to your electronics. The reason behind this is that a cooling fan is essential to keep electronics cool -if electronics are not cooled down effectively then they will eventually become damaged, and will do so at an increased rate if the cooling fan is ineffective. Fan guards drastically affect air flow to electronics to help them keep cool, and therefore can help your electronic devices last a great deal longer. The next fan accessory that you should look to buy for your home office is the green power cord for your fan, which will help it work more efficiently and make great savings on your energy bills over time. These are a relatively recent and creative creation, so you may need to search for models of this from leading suppliers.

These cords work to detect temperature, thanks to an integrated thermostat. Once the temperature has reached a certain level – hot enough to cause damage to electronics – the cooling fan will become activated and will work to bring the temperature down. Once the temperature has hit a safe level the fan will switch off again, saving energy.

This is great not only for environmentally and energy-conscious office owners, but also those on a tighter budget. Having a green cord for your cabinet cooling fan can help make sure that you only use your fan when it is needed, therefore using less power and making some significant savings. The final accessory that you should invest in for the cooling fans in your home office is anti vibration mounts, as these can significantly cut the noise from this device.

A noisy office can be hard to work in, and vibrations from fans can cause damage to electronics. For this reason, anti vibration mounts can be a great purchase. Whether for your PC housing or your cabinet cooling fan, soft silicon anti vibration mounts can be fitted to absorb the shock of vibrations so that fans make far less noise and so they do not adversely affect the valuable equipment that you are using in your home office to run your business.

All electronics and electronics cabinets require fans to keep them cool – this is critically important, as the integrity and longevity of electronic devices is significantly affected by heat and fluctuations in temperature. Cooling fans play an essential role in stopping devices from overheating and maintaining an overall stable temperature.

Despite this, the fans themselves also need to be kept in top condition, as this will keep them performing optimally and performing their role well when it comes to cooling down the associated electronics and ensuring that they last for as long as possible. An efficient fan will also use less energy, which will result in savings made on the part of the owner.

To make your cooling fans more energy efficient, save money and ensure that your electronics are kept in top working order for as long as possible, the first thing to do is invest in an appropriate fan guard. There are plenty of options on the market today, but there are several features that you should look for to ensure energy efficiency.

The first feature you should look for is a guard which has excellent air flow, whether a 80mm fan guard or a 120mm one. There are many different sizes of guard, many of which are made from different materials too, and all of them are important in determining the level of airflow.

Make sure that your fan is appropriately sized in order to provide great airflow, being neither too small or too large for the cooling fan. You should also look for one that strikes the right balance between protecting the fan and allowing enough air to pass through – 120mm and 80mm wire fan guard options are often excellent for this very purpose.

This is because wire fan guards offer an optimal amount of toughness as well as space to allow air to flow through. This means that cooling fans will be working less hard to cool electronic equipment due to the abundance of air that is easily accessible to them.

The next thing you can do to ensure that your cooling fans work more efficiently is to start using green cooling fan cords, which work to detect the temperature that electronic equipment reaches and then start the fans to cool these electronics only when the temperature is elevated enough.

In a similar fashion, when the temperature drops low again, the thermostat in the cord will readjust, and the cooling fan will stop working. This is good for electronic equipment because it ensures that temperatures will remain stable, so they are therefore prevented from overheating.

Furthermore, this means that cooling fans become far more energy efficient, as they are using less electricity to function. This is due to the fact that they are not operating constantly, instead being responsive to the temperature of the electronics and the ability to cool them only when necessary thanks to an in built thermostat.

A final way to make your fans more energy efficient is by mounting them properly with anti vibration mounts, as these will act like shock absorbers for the vibrations caused by the fan’s vibrations. Again, this is a small point to make, but this can make a significant difference.

The reason for this is that the fan can lose energy though the kinetic energy that it creates, but this can be buffered by soft silicon anti vibration mounts. This will mean that there is less energy lost and therefore less energy is required to make the fan work – meaning that this item is far more energy efficient.

From the right 120mm wire guard or 80mm fan guard that allows optimal air passage right through to installing green cooling fan cords, there are several great accessories on the market nowadays to ensure your equipment is protected, you fans work optimally and that they are far more energy efficient when in use.

Summer time is about barbecues, pools, sun tans, and fun outdoor activities. But when the scorching heat of summer bears down on you from above, the last thing you need is for your air conditioning unit to break down. After a sweaty fun day out in the sun, you need your air conditioning in the summer to work properly. While repairs and maintenance are inevitable with anything mechanical, there some things that can be done to make sure your air conditioning unit works when it should. Here are a few common air conditioning mistakes not to make this summer.

1. Not keeping up on regular maintenance

Regular maintenance on your air conditioning unit can prevent many issues before they become major repairs. Make sure to change out your air filter as frequently as recommended by the manufacturer of the unit. Changing out the air filter regularly not only prevents dust, mold, pollen, and other air impurities from blowing through your air system into the air of your home, but it maintains proper air flow which increases the efficiency of your air conditioning unit. If your unit has an evaporator coil or other dials to check the efficiency of your unit, make sure to do so.

2. Leaving your air conditioner on all day

Leaving your AC unit on all day is a common mistake. While it is important to keep an overall stable temperature in your home, especially if you have pets, it is best to regulate the temperature throughout the day manually or by using a timer on your thermostat. Most people go to work in the mornings and return in the evening. During the hottest part of the day, it doesn’t hurt to raise the temperature slightly and set it lower during the night when everyone will be home. Not only will this keep your air conditioner in the summer running better, but it will save you money as well!

3. Failing to schedule regular maintenance checks

Upon purchase of a new air conditioning unit, you often times have the option of purchasing a maintenance plan, or utilizing free service calls provided by the manufacturer. Take advantage of these opportunities to have your unit regularly checked out and serviced. Often times a skilled technician can find any troublesome issues and fix them before they turn into expensive or time consuming repairs. Even if your unit is under warranty, in the heat of summer you do not want to be without it.

These most common mistakes tend to cause the most grief for homeowners during the summertime. Avoid having issues with your air conditioner during summertime and don’t make these crucial mistakes!

Simple Tips To Help You Save On The Heating Bills

We all like to come home to a warm house when the temperature drops outside, but at the same time we don’t want to be wasting money. I have listed some tips below that will keep your home warm while at the same time save you money on those ever increasing fuel bills.

Thermostats

If you have a room thermostat fitted to your central heating system make sure it’s fitted in the right location, it should be fitted in the last room to heat up, this is normally the hallway area. If you don’t have one, then have one fitted.

Smart Thermostats

There is a lot of new technology around today to control our home central heating systems, and one of the best to come onto the market is the smart room thermostat. There are many makes to choose from, but they will all help you cut down on those fuel bills. Most of them work through an app on your smart phone. Depending on what one you choose, they can sense when no one is home and adjust the heating accordingly. They also check the outside temperature via the internet and adjust the boiler heat output, plus they have many more money saving setting. These thermostats are well worth investing in.

Radiator Thermostats

If your radiators don’t have TRVs (Thermostatic Radiator Valves) fitted, then consider having them fitted to all your radiators. They work by sensing the temperature in the room, you adjust the temperature on the valve head, once the temperature is reached they will close that radiator down, as the temperature drops, the valve will open and the radiator will reheat the room. They don’t need any form of power to work.

Don’t Set The Thermostat Too High

If you turn the room thermostat too it’s highest setting because you have come home to a cold house and want to heat up quickly don’t, thermostats don’t work like that, be patient and wait a little, it will save you money.

Overnight Room Temperatures

When it’s excessively cold outside, don’t turn the heating off when you got to bed, keep the heating on, but lower the room thermostat. The most expensive part of heating your home is from cold to hot. It’s better to keep the heating ticking over and keeping the costs down.

One Of Your Rooms Not Reaching Its Temperature

If you find one of your rooms is not reaching its temperature but the radiator is very hot to touch, then it could be down to an incorrect radiator size, but before you do anything first make sure all windows are closed, and if the radiator is fitted under the window that the curtains are open. When the curtains are closed they will restrict the heat from heating the room.

Boiler Service

When was the last time the boiler was serviced? All boilers need an annual service to keep them in tip-top condition. When your boiler was made at the factory it was fully tune to give you the user the best optimal performance, but just like any car or machine they need to be maintained. If your boiler works on Gas, then call your Gas Safe Registered company to arrange a service, it will save you money in the long run.

If Going On A Short Break

If you are going away for a long weekend don’t turn the heating off, turn the thermostat down to a low setting, it will stop the pipes from freezing in your home. If you have a smart thermostat fitted it will protect your home from freezing, it will also sense no one is home but also sense when it get excessively cold.

These are just a few tips that could help you save money on your fuel bills and keep you warm at the same.