Category: Heating & Air Conditioning


One of the best professions to consider is AC repair. There are always going to be air conditioning systems that need repaired or replaced. Learning the very latest in how to do this will provide you with a good clientele if you provide great service, they will recommend you to others.


The first thing you should do if you are interested in this type of work is to find out what type of training you will need to be licensed in the state in which you live. Many states require certification for installing air conditioners as well as repairing them.


The classes you take will include the basic types of refrigeration, the components that are used, evacuation and recycling. The voltage used in AC and DC circuits; resistance and power will all be covered. Some prerequisites are required before actually taking the courses. The course that will teach about the piping used in HVAC system may require a class on Construction Industry Standards. The best way to find out what type of prerequisite classes will be needed is by looking at the admissions book at the school you will be attending.


Learning how to maintain the heating and cooling systems is an essential part of this learning process. From motors and compressors to ducts and pipes, learning how all the components in these systems work and relate to each other is one of the main aspects to learning this trade. The design of the systems, building codes, safety when using refrigerants as well as the different classifications, air quality for indoors and out and technology as it relates to this field will all be courses that are required. The importance of keeping up with new technologies will be stressed also because most states require HVAC technicians to renew their licenses from time to time.


One of the licenses the HVAC technician will be required to have is for working with refrigerants. This is a must to be able to purchase the refrigerant as well. Learning about the three types – low pressure, high pressure and small appliance – will be taught and then an exam will have to be taken to receive the license.


Working as an apprentice will help the learning process. Working with a certified technician will give you the experience and hands on training that is needed to advance in this career. When you are ready to become certified, taking the Technician Certification exams that are required by the Environmental Protection Agency will be the next step.


The type of certification that you get will be according to the size of the appliances you will be working on. As mentioned above there are three types. AC repair is a great career choice and the demand for certified technicians is expected to increase.

AirZero offer the most reliable AC Repair Clearwater services around. We also offer our services at prices you can afford. If you are in need of any ac repairs or installation services just contact our Clearwater Air Conditioning Repair Team today. We look forward to serving you. Be sure to visit our website to take advantage of special discounts.

Why consider buying a portable air conditioner? Perhaps the size of the home is one consideration to gauge the purchase and utilization for portable air. Standard air conditioning units that are external to the home and generally are designed for square footage over 1,500 square feet will drive up the monthly utility bills, often much higher than those bills for heating a home in the winter. Air conditioning units of the size that can cool an average three bedroom single family home, may prove to be too much for too little, both in budget and in amount of square footage that would need to be cooled at a time. Portable units are very suitable if living in a one bedroom efficiency or studio apartment, for example.


Portability is also a great feature for homes that have areas that need extra cooling when other areas do not. With a target cooling utility such as this it is possible to save money cooling certain rooms rather than an entire home. When one room gets more use or is the only place that would need to be cooled, this type of air cooling device fits in perfectly. These units have standard three prong electrical plugs and are self containing regarding how moisture is re-circulated. They have a wide flexible hose and mouthpiece that fits into a flexible window adapter to push out warm air and can easily be moved about a home with couple of windows.


For those who live in efficiency sized homes or apartments, this is the perfect solution. Renters and apartment dwellers might be the most likely candidates for the swamp cooler that rolls, simply because the unit will cool a small area effectively and efficiently and it can be packed up on moving day when it is time to relocate as many renters and apartment dwellers tend to do. Often apartments, rental units or vacation cottages do not have air conditioners that provide enough cooling or there is none provided. This is a perfect scenario for deployment of the portable air conditioner.


It is best to choose a unit that serves the need to cool with the recirculation of the moisture feature as condensation will accumulate if the unit is used for long periods of time. Units that move the condensate moisture out the hot air ventilation hose that pushes the hot air outside through the window are the best types to consider. However, the evaporative cooler could still need moisture drainage and the user’s manual should be carefully consulted regarding this potential event.

Author writes about a variety of topics. If you would like to learn more about portable air conditioners, visit http://www.coldair.net.

Maintaining your central air system is a chore we usually don’t want to think about. Most people are looking for ways to cut back on their budgets, and as a result some preventative care for your cooling system may have fallen by the wayside. But if you’ve opted out of this maintenance, it may seem like you are saving money; that is, until a hot, sweltering summer day comes, and your A/C crashes! If you’ve been in this regrettable quandary, you know that it costs much more to fix your central air than it would have cost simply to conduct a tune up.


Experts recommend regular checkups of your central air. You should service your cooling system often, maybe even twice a year. This approach will help you rest assured that your system is functioning properly, especially when the seasons change.


Moreover, regular checkups make your system last longer. As a home owner or prospective home owner, you can respect that notion. Nobody wants to dole out 4,000 greens to replace something you could have prevented from breaking in the first place!


So, here is a tip to remembering to service your system. At the beginning of the year simply pencil this task into your calendar. The spring and the fall are two great times to have your air system checked. Just think of it as part of your spring cleaning practice, and part of the back-to-school to-do list. Scheduling these checkups in advance will help you avoid forgetfulness later.
Now that you are prepared for scheduling your service, decide if you are going to do it yourself or hire a professional, or technician. You may only want to take on conducting your checkup alone if you have experience with central air systems.


If DYI is your choice, the first thing to do is check your home’s air filter. Air filter changes need to be done regularly. The frequency of the change will depend on what kind of air filter you currently have installed. Some filters are higher quality and can last longer between changes. You also should consider the climate you live in. If you live in a highly dusty environment (such as a desert climate) you may need to replace filters more regularly.


After this simple step is complete, you can move on to the more technical part of the servicing. You will need to check the cleanliness of your system’s coils and its surroundings. Checking your unit’s fluid levels is also vital to ensure appropriate function.


Some people would rather have a professional do the job. You can locate a professional in your area very easily. For instance, if you live in Utah, or more specifically, Salt Lake City, you can search Salt Lake cooling & air in order to find a technician near you. Different results may be found if you choose to search a Salt Lake cooling & air tech in a local phone book, then if you plug in the words Salt Lake cooling & air to an online search.

It’s important to have a trustworthy plumber to take care of your plumbing needs and air conditioning, and heating

The electric fireplaces are becoming quite popular due to their advantages and features that can make the customers satisfied. Electric fireplaces make the environment comfy and friendly. When you reach home tired after a day’s work, you surely will feel relieved and relaxed with having such an appliance in your house.
There are many models of electric fireplaces in the market but to choose one that can fulfill your requirements, is really a daunting task. Dimplex is a world’s leading company in producing electric fireplaces. It was established in 1973 in UK and has 60 years of experience behind it in making quality fireplaces.


The different advantages of buying Dimplex electric fires are as follows:


The compact size of the fireplace enables you to carry it easily from one place to other. It can fit even in small rooms. The elegant and beautiful designs can match with any décor. The flames that the fire provides, give real effect and a remote control is also provided so it is convenient to adjust the temperature.


The Dimplex electric fires do not need any dominant heater to operate. The top and the sides of the fireplace remain cool when the heater is on, so there is no danger for kids. The best part is that it is an environment friendly product. Since it runs on electricity, there is no smoke of the wood and unlike other brands; it also does not emit carbon monoxide.


The designs of Dimplex electric fires are quite realistic, original, and exclusive. The 3D flame created by the fire illuminates the room which looks very attractive. The heat is produced instantly. You can make your room warm just with the press of a button. These fires do not require any venting as well.


After seeing so many advantages of Dimplex electric fireplaces who would not be tempted to buy them?

Looking for more information on Fireplaces? Discount Fires offers an extensive collection of gas fires, Dimplex Electric Fires, electric stoves and even wood burning stoves, all of which are massively discounted and with free UK delivery.

Would winter be the right time to buy electric fireplaces? How about summer, when prices go down? Maybe the right time is when you actually need one?

To explain the title, I will tell you up front that the two reasons to buy an electric fireplace are for the functionality, namely the heat, and to improve your decor. As far as when is the right time, there is a story behind these questions.

We moved to Georgia from Florida a few years ago. We had been long time Florida residents. I’m talking 50 years long. That is enough time to get used to a climate.

We moved in July, so it was still pretty hot.. no, very hot. But being from Florida, we were used to it.

When November came around it started to get cooler. This was not unexpected. But when the temperature hit below twenty degrees, we were surprised at how cold that actually is. Fortunately, we had gas heat and a real fireplace.

I had been wanting an excuse to get some natural heat going like the early settlers, so I was excited. Put some logs in the pit and started the combustion. A few minutes later I heard my wife screaming something about the house burning down. I ran in to find the room full of smoke. Brilliant me had forgotten to open the flue. Once I did that, everything was fine… for a short time.

I took the dog out for a walk and when I looked up, I saw flames at the top of the chimney. I quickly doused the flames and called my neighbor to find out what my problem was. He told me that the flue had never been cleaned since he lived there.

A quick call to the chimney sweep solved that problem. But I was already thinking that I may buy an electric fireplace insert instead of the natural thing.

I did end up having to make a purchase, but it wasn’t for that problem. If you have ever moved after being at the same place for most of your life, you will know that there is a constant flow of friends and neighbors who come to visit you in your first and second years of residence. Sometimes they came in packs. I had to put up some of them in the basement.

It turns out that the basement is not on the heating system. It’s kind of chilly down there. That’s when I had to buy an electric fireplace. Ordered it online.

It took only a short time to put the thing together. What a nice surprise we got. Not only does it heat the basement quickly and cheaply, but it also has this realistic electronic flame. One of the cool features is that you can even turn it on without the heat just for the ambiance that it creates.

If you are at all thinking that you may buy an electric fireplace, do it. You won’t be disappointed. Buy yours online at at http://www.buyanelectricfireplace.com.

Electric space heaters are very effective tools that keep you and your family warm inside your home. Aside from it being functional, it is also efficient as it avoids consuming too much electricity by heating only a specific area of your home. Central heat consumes a larger amount of energy then space heaters do because they are heating a much larger area. This strategy help you save money and be greener at the same time.

There are several types of electric space heaters available in the market. You can choose between a radiant and a convection type. Radiant electric space heaters warm up a specific area, and it can also focus on a specific person. Convection heaters, on the other hand, are intended to warm up whole rooms. It is also ideal to use this type when people are always moving around. The latter type has sub types, oil and water filled units being the most efficient.

Now, if you are deciding whether you are going to buy an electric space heater or not, you need to know all their pros and cons. The pros of choosing them are as follows:

  • These are practically priced. You can buy quality electric space heaters without really breaking the bank.
  • They are uncomplicated to install. You just have to follow the simple instruction included in the manual and you will be ready to use them in no time.
  • There are a variety of models in different sizes you can choose from. Having more choices will let your decide what really suits your need. For example, if you want to heat your spacious garage, you can opt to buy a larger model.
  • Unlike other space heaters, electric space heaters do not produce fumes such as carbon monoxide which can be harmful to your health.

The limited cons against electric space heaters are:

  • Some people claim that instructions included in larger models are a little vague.
  • Warranty for these products are short compared to the others.

So, are electric space heaters safe? Of course they are, especially if you install and use them properly. Many of them only cause problems do to not being used correctly. Here are a few of the many tips to ensure your safety:

  • Look for models that have been approved by Underwriters Laboratories. This will ensure you that they safety standards have been met. Insurance companies have a vested interest in making sure products do not set fire to the homes their clients have home owners polices on.
  • Place your heater away from any combustible materials, preferably 3 feet away.
  • Do not place your heaters on areas with water unless it was specified that your model can be used in such areas. This present the possibility of electrocution.
  • Keep your heater away from the reach of small kids. Children are usually curious and this may lead to them to touch or adjust parts of the heater.
  • Plug your heaters directly into an outlet. Do not use extension cords.
  • When not in use, turn off and unplug your heater.

Following these guidelines will surely make you warm during the bitter cold of winter. Just make sure that what you buy suits your needs and that you are keep everyone safe! They are definitely worth the investment if they save you over your long term energy costs. Just bare in mind that if you set your house on fire or burn yourself you are working against what you originally meant to accomplish when you set out to purchase one.

Hoby B. is an advocate for helping consumers find deals online and make informed purchasing decisions like finding the best information on great products like a Delonghi space heater and great info on Honeywell space heaters as well.

If your boiler is more than fifteen years old you may want to consider a boiler replacement as a home improvement project. With the increasing cost of fuel oil and gas you may be able to save a lot of money and have a more reliable boiler. There are government tax incentives available for installing an energy efficient heating system and a credit “cash for junkers” program is in the making to help you out. Replacing a boiler that is operating on old technology can also contribute to reducing greenhouse emissions. In addition to the federal government incentives for upgrading your heating system there are many states that offer incentives for green remodeling and improvement projects.

Increasing energy efficiency is the most important consideration when considering a boiler replacement. New boilers such as a System 2000, runs at 86% efficiency and is relatively maintenance free. That means that 86% of the fuel entering the boilers combustion chamber is converted into heat. Most 15- 20 year old boilers operate at roughly 60 percent efficiency, at best. This 21% difference adds up to a lot of fuel cost savings for you in a year. Putting it in dollars, if you are burning 800 gallons of fuel oil a year to heat your home and provide domestic hot water, you can save approximately 168 gallons of fuel oil a year. That comes to about $504 a year if you are paying $3.00 a gallon for your fuel oil.

For residential heating systems, boilers essentially heat hot water that is circulated to baseboard heating units or air handlers that convert the hot water heat to forced hot air heat. Many homes use a combination of both baseboard heating units and air handlers for forced hot air for heating. In addition, the boiler heats the domestic hot water by circulating the hot water from the boiler to a heating coil in a hot water tank to heat water. There are several very efficient boilers available on the market. However, I am partial to the System 2000 boiler because it is a very reliable system that incorporates the latest in digital technology control. It has a state of the art digital energy manager (computer) that controls the unit. The boiler uses less than 0.75 of a gallon of fuel oil per hour to heat a 2000 square foot home that is well insulated. The System 2000 comes in two different sizes depending upon your heating needs. The boiler can also operate on natural or LP gas.

Like all heating systems a boiler requires periodic maintenance to insure it is operating at peek proficiency and prolong its life. A system 200 only requires cleaning every two years as compared to other boilers that require cleaning every year. Such periodic maintenance and adjustments should be performed by a licensed boiler professional. A System 2000 boiler replacement or new installation cost approximately $4,500. This may seem expensive but the pay back can take as little as nine years in addition to giving you the assurance that you will have a reliable heating system and is certainly greener than any 15-20 year old boiler. If you’re heating system is due for a boiler replacement, consult with a heating professional to insure that you get the latest in boiler technology and what the state and federal incentives are for updating your heating system. Your home heating system upgrade will save you money.

Home Addition Plus Perks provides extensive suggestions on home improvements and decorating ideas to enhance your home and quality of life. Your home is a major financial investment and like all investments, it requires frequent attention to maintain its value as well as providing a comfortable place for your living enjoyment. Given the cost of home improvements by someone else, a contractor, it can be more cost effective to do things for yourself and by yourself. We will help you in that effort by providing suggestions and recommendation with detailed instruction as necessary. We also offer home decorating and gardening suggestions for enhancing the interior and exterior of your home. To help you stay healthy we offer suggestions on diet and exercise too. You can find us at http://www.homeimprovementplusperks.com

Investing in a Geothermal Heat Pump System

You may or may not of heard of a geothermal heat pump system. If you have, than you have probably even though about installing a system and seeing how it works. I’ll give you all the details and the low down to what the system is, how it works and how much money save you save.

What is a geothermal heat pump system? : A Geothermal Heat Pump System (GHPS) is a system of pipes and tubes which run underneath a property and collect the warm air from the Earth and then transfer it to the home. No heat is created in the process; air is only transported from underground to above ground. This system can be used to cool or warm up the house depending on the needs of the consumer. The tubes collect the air from underground and then run parallel to your floors and release the free heat into the surrounding room.

How does it work? : A series of tubes, connected to a device called a heat pump, run underneath a home underground. These tubes are filled with a liquid, normally some sort of refrigerant, and the whole system works just like the tubes in a refrigerator. The tubes transport the liquid underground and then back up where they enter the heat pump. The pump then removes the heat from the liquid and the liquid enters the pipe system to once again receive the heat from the Earth. The heat removed from the pipes enters the house and warms it up. This process is reversed in the winter to cool down your home.

Why use a GHPS? : There are plenty of reasons why to use a geothermal heat pump system. In the long run it will save you money. The step up cost is large but after a few years, 2-10 on average, you will have saved much more money and evened up the costs of heating had you stayed with a conventional system. They provide a free source of constant heating that will never run out. They are quiet. It can be installed inside a home rather then having components built up in the outdoors, or having an air conditioner leaning out your window. The system is very clean and the average family can reduce their carbon footprint by 2.5 to 5 tons of CO2 per year. It quite low maintenance and the pipes don’t have to be cleaned out by any unnecessary means such as removal of the pipes. It has many uses such as heating up your floors, keeping your driveways and walkways snow free in the winter, hot water for appliances and hot water for any uses.

How much money can I save with a GHPS? : A system can save you 35-70% of your energy costs per year. From 400-1400$/Yr. As well as yearly savings, the resale value of a home can increase by over 20 000$ on average.

How much does a system cost? : For a typical 2000 sq. ft. home, a system can cost from 5000 to 12000$. On average, a typical geothermal system costs 10000$ to install for the first time. Many states and government programs offer incentives to buying and installing a system that will reduce the cost. As well as maintenance is rather cheap and rare in between. Systems typically last over 30 years before components need to be replaced.

Is a geothermal heating system a good investment? : Yes, if you can afford it. We don’t want anyone going into long-term debt with the massive initial cost of the system, however if you plan accordingly the amount of money you’ll get back by the system will be enormous. You’ll be doing yourself a good deed in saving a lot of money in the long run, and you’ll also be doing the Earth a good deed by reducing your carbon footprint. The initial cost of a system may be large, but the overall savings are greater.

Investing in a Geothermal Energy Heating System
Save Money at Home

We all know that water flows down hill. If you want water to move up hill you have to “do some work” to get it there. If you do not want water to flow down hill you have to “do some work” to stop it like building a dam. “Doing some work” is like paying your energy bill because it causes some discomfort.

The first thing you need to know is that heat naturally flows from a hot area to a cold area.

Heat moves in three ways

One way heat moves is radiation. We all know that if we are exposed to direct solar radiation we can feel the heat from the sun flowing directly to us. The sun is very hot so the heat flows from the sun to the earth. Sunburn is the result of solar radiation.

The second method of heat movement is called conduction. Conduction describes heat moving through a solid. The handle of an iron fry pan gets hot by conduction. We insulate our house walls and attic to slow down the conduction of heat through the structure of the building.

Convection is the last type of heat transfer. Convention refers to moving heat by moving either air or water that has been heated.

An example of convection that we use to heat our houses is a forced air furnace. The furnace heats air that is pushed through the house, by a blower, to heat up the house. This movement of warm air is an example of convection. Heat is carried, by the air, from the furnace to the house.

Convection can also work against us. An example is warm air flowing up a chimney that conveys heat out of a house in the winter.

In the summer, we have more heat than we want in our living spaces. We force heat to move the wrong way by taking heat out of our houses and putting it out in the hotter outdoors. This takes a large input of energy to accomplish because we are “doing some work” against the normal flow. It is like pushing water up hill, it takes a lot of energy.

In the summer our furnace fan, moves warm air to the cold coil inside the ductwork. This is convection, using air, to move the heat from hot to cold.

Energy Saving Action Items

Heat flows into our homes when it is hotter outdoors, than indoors. We can slow it down by shielding and insulating our house. Shielding and insulation is like building a dam to delay water from flowing down hill.

By shielding, I mean shade trees and radiant barriers like aluminum foil or special paint. Shielding that either blocks the sun or reflects radiant energy back where it was coming from stops the sun’s rays from heating our houses. Solar window screens act as partial sun blocks. Reflective radiant barrier materials act like a mirror and reflect or deflect radiant heat away from your house. Reflective film on windows works this way.

We want the solar radiation to hit our houses when it is cold outside in the winter. Planting trees that give summer shade and let the sun shine in during the winter are a natural way to have seasonal shielding.

The other way heat travels is by conduction through materials. Insulation acts like a speed bump slowing down the movement of heat through materials like roofs, ceilings, floors and walls. The more insulation you have the slower the heat moves. The R number rating on insulation materials indicates how well they resist the conductive flow of heat. The higher the R number the more it slows down the flow of heat. For more information on this read my article titles……..

We like convective heat transfer when warm air moves from the furnace through the house. We also like it when warm air moves from the house to the cold coil of the air conditioner. We do not like convection when it helps heat escape up the chimney, around windows, or under doors.

Saving energy means having high efficiency equipment to move heat only to where we want it to go. It also means doing the best possible job of blocking or slowing down the movement of heat where we do not want it to go.

Improving your home’s weather sealing, radiation shielding and insulation are some of the very best things you can do to reduce your energy bills.

You can save money on your energy bills at home at work by visiting the ENERGY BOOMER blog at http://energyboomer.com

I am a Baby Boom Vintage Energy Engineer with a mission to help folks save money on their energy bills.

I am building on my work experience, or rather trying to put it to work for my readers.

Trying to save the planet from global climate change or delaying the economic collapse that using peak oil is expected to cause are good motives. But, saving some cash right now is better.

I just want to help folks save a buck, both at home and at work.

If it helps promote energy independence, I can support that too.

When we each shave a little off our energy bills, it is good for the environment and good for our economy.

It is nice to have good side effects while keeping cash in your pocket.

I graduated from Michigan State University with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1971 and have had a long career saving energy in a variety of industries.

Summer and fall heat throughout the U.S. can be unbearable if you don’t have central air conditioning. A window conditioner is often a good alternative. But if you can’t use a window unit, or you want to air condition more than one room, then a portable air conditioning unit may be your best choice.

Before you shop, you should know the basics about buying a portable air conditioner, so that you can do more than just ‘kick the tires’.

Why Buy a Portable Air Conditioner?

Portable AC units are not mounted in a window or through a wall, so they are far easier to install than window units. Also, you can move them from one room to another, so they can be more useful. Portable air conditioning units, however, tend to be more expensive than window units and are not as efficient.

What Do I Need to Install a Portable Air Unit?

Portable air conditioners generally require three things:

1. the space for the unit;
2. an electric outlet rated at 15 amps or higher (some larger units require 20 amps and a special type of plug);
3. an external window or wall exhaust vent for the hot air exhaust.

What’s the biggest installation challenge?

The vent hose, or hoses. The vent hose is essentially an exhaust hose through which hot air is removed from the room being cooled. The hose runs from the unit to some place where the warm air can be released, such as a window, another room or a drop ceiling.

The vent hose is typically about 5 feet long. An exhaust hose kit designed to allow you to vent the hose through a window comes with most portable air conditioners. Portable air conditioners have either a single hose or dual hose system.

A single-hose system takes in the air from the room, cools it and puts it back into the room. A dual-hose system takes in air from the outside with one hose, cools it for the room, then expels the hot air out the other hose.

Using the window kit and installing the hoses can go smoothly – or not. It depends on your window type, the utility of the kit, and your personal prowess. The good news is, it’s not rocket science.

Don’t Air Conditioners Create Water?

Yes, they do. And where and how this water is expelled is another important issue to keep in mind when shopping. There are generally two ways the water removed. One type of portable air conditioning unit requires you empty the unit by hand (usually less expensive units). The other way water can be expelled is with an auto-evaporation or self-evaporating feature. These units discharge most of the water through the exhaust hose (usually more expensive units).

How Do I Pick the Right Size Portable Air Conditioner?

The power of a portable AC unit is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). The larger the room you want to cool, the more BTUs you need.

Generally, you need 5,000 BTUs for a room as small as 150 square feet and 16,000 BTUs for a room as large at 400 square feet. You can look at a table of room sizes and BTU requirements at www.portableacguide.com/portable-air-unit-size.php.

One way to save money on energy is to buy an energy efficient unit. You can determine this by looking at the EER (energy efficiency ratio). The higher the EER the better. A unit with a EER of 10 uses half the energy of a unit with a EER of 5.

To aid in your search, look for a unit that has a government Energy Star. To receive an Energy Star, a unit must use at least 10% less energy than those rated at 8.0. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends you buy a unit with an EER of 10 or above.

So, stay cool by shopping smart. You can find a list of every portable air conditioner sold in the U.S. on http://www.portableacguide.com/models

PortableACguide.com is the net’s premier source for information on all portable air conditioners. You’ll a list of every model, including pictures, prices, features, descriptions, and user reviews. You’ll also find a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about portable air conditioners before you decide to buy.

http://www.PortableACguide.com

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