Arizona Air Conditioning Installation Archives

Arizona Air Conditioning Mold Prevention – Minimize AC Mold Growth

Written by Rm Harrington on . Posted in Air Conditioning, Air Purification, Arizona Air Conditioning Installation.

Air Conditioning Mold – Critical Growth Requirements

Air Conditioning molds and mildew are classified as fungi. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, extensive mold contamination can trigger allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and various other respiratory complications (1). Mold and mildew are also capable of causing serious structural damage to your home. Affected floor joists and other exposed timbers can rot, warp or crack due to moisture that tends to cultivate fungi growth.

Current reports from the FSEC Education Center define and identify nearly 100,000 species of fungi (2). But don’t panic. Fungi in general are ubiquitous to our environment. As such, humans are constantly exposed to the associated risk. Yet for healthy humans with a normally functional immune system, serious complications caused by exposure to common fungi are uncommon. However… Children, the elderly, and people who already suffer from asthmatic or allergic conditions may experience serious complications when exposed to excessive growth of fungi.

A/C Mold – Critical Growth Requirements

Whether in your heating and cooling system or due to some other source of accumulated moisture, mold growth springs forth when the following four components come together:

TIP! Standing water around your air handler unit can cause mold accumulation and expansion. If the problem persists, contact your ACH Arizona heating and cooling service center.

Mold spores are available
Food for the spores is available
Environmental temperatures suit spore growth
And moisture accumulates.

Fungi spores range in size from 3 to 40 microns – compare to the size of human hair, which ranges from 100-150 microns. Because mold spores are ubiquitous, there is no cost-effective method for complete elimination of the colonies. Any time all three of the other components for growth are available, the food supply can consist of nearly any organic substance.

Because mold grows best in temperatures that are comfortable to humans, the battle to eliminate spores is even more complicated. Yet even temperatures near to freezing cannot deter the growth of certain molds. However, one component of the growth requirement can often be controlled by human initiative. You defensive actions can help regulate the presence of moisture that accumulates in your Arizona home and Arizona air conditioning system.

Various species of fungi may respond to different levels of moisture, but the majority of mold species require relative humidity levels of 70% or better. Thus air conditioning mold prevent involves controlling where and how cool air is disbursed. On the good side: Human beings typically prefer an environment that is far below the 70% moisture threshold. Key point in air conditioning mold prevention: Reducing the availability of moisture is the best strategy for removing and killing active mold growth colonies.

3 Practices That Aid In Your Air Conditioning Mold Prevention Efforts

•Arizona Air Conditioning Operation: Keep the fan system set on AUTO. When an A/C blower runs without ceasing, the moisture that accumulates on the cooling evaporator ends up blowing back into your home. Relative humidity increases. Dehumidification decreases. Moisture accumulates. If, when even in AUTO, your HVAC blower motor continues to run long after the compressor has shut down, contact your Arizona A/C service center. A qualified tech can often disable this feature.

TIP! When water condenses on your air conditioner, it drips into a pan and drains into the external environment. If this drain gets clogged, your home can accumulate mold-inducing moisture.

•Arizona Air Conditioning Selection: When options permit, or when necessity demands that you purchase a new Arizona home air conditioning system, choose equipment that makes us of a variable speed air handler. Demand optional features designed so that you can set the unit to a mode designed for enhanced moisture removal.

• Arizona Air Conditioner Sizing: Right-size your cooling equipment. Oversizing results in poor humidity management. Short on-cycles hinder moisture removal. For more information on A/C sizing and efficiency, read: Energy Efficient Central Air Conditioning.

1) http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/oeh/children/indoorair/mold/index.php

2) http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/buildings/basics/moldgrowth.htm

Energy Efficient Air Conditioning; Central Air Conditioning

Written by Rm Harrington on . Posted in Arizona Air Conditioning Installation, Energy Efficient HVAC.

Central A/C, The Core Of Energy Efficient Air Conditioning

According to the “Energy Saver 101 Infographic” on home cooling from Energy Gov, high-efficiency home air conditioning systems, when coupled with other energy saving actions, can reduce your A/C energy consumption by 20 to 50 percent (1). Considering that American homeowners as a group spend over $11 billion per year for home cooling, updating an over-used and under-equipped HVAC system is worth a long, hard look at cost versus energy efficient air conditioning.

Central Air Conditioning – A Brief System Comparison

Modern home cooling systems come in various shapes and sizes that are functional according to four basic styling: 1) Room or Space systems, 2) Ductless Mini-Split units, 3) Evaporative Cooler Systems, and 4) Central A/C Systems. Cost wise pertaining to original investment expenses, window or room systems come in least expensive whereas the ductless Mini-Split system comes in as most expensive. The comparison pricing includes unit cost plus installation costs. The following breakdown views pros, cons, and other aspects of the primary home cooling systems:

— Room Systems – Room units are popular, available as portable or stationary, inexpensive, and have a life span of 10 to 15 years.

TIP! Learn more energy efficient air conditioning. Visit and download the ENERGY STAR Guide. It provides information for homeowners to learn more about how they can save money while still keeping their home comfortable all year round, so it is a worthy ready.

— Evaporative Cooler Units – Designed to cool outdoor air by circulating it through evaporated water, “Swamp” coolers come in second lowest in price and include an average installation cost similar to that of standard central air conditioning. Evaporative units work well in arid climates but are suited for areas with high humidity. They also tend to require more frequent maintenance than other types of cooling systems. Average life span is 15-20 years.

— Central Air Conditioning – Using a system of whole-home ducts and registers, a central A/C system provides reliable, energy efficient air conditioning throughout your home. The units are quiet, convenient to operate, and less expensive that a ductless mini-split system. For homes not already equipped with the necessary ductwork, installing central air can be somewhat expensive. However, the central cooling systems typically out perform window units and other types of zone-specific cooling units. Life span averages 15 to 20 years.

— Ductless Mini-Split Units — Designed as wall mounted, ductless zoned air conditioning systems, the Mini-Split A/C device is easy to install yet more considerably more expensive than Central A/C. They function in a ductless environment, thus eliminating the need for installing duct work in homes that lack the basics of central cooling layout. Under the right circumstances, installing a highly efficient ductless system makes good sense. But in a home already equipped for central cooling, you should avoid the extra expense. Life span of a ductless mini-split A/C unit is 12 to 15 years.

Energy Efficient Air Conditioning

TIP! The correct HVAC system should have sealed air ducts to minimize heating or cooling loss as air travels to different rooms. Every room is different, and the heating or cooling requirements vary. Make sure your installer covers all the bases.

Modern central A/C systems consume 20-40 percent less energy than a unit that is over 10 years old. They provide much better energy efficient air conditioning than do room A/C units and they don’t take up internal living space or deteriorate the curb appeal of your Arizona home. With over twenty years in business serving the Arizona community, American Cooling and Heating can help you determine the best system for meeting your home cooling needs.

New residential A/C standards have now been in effect since January of 2006. All modern central air systems are required to provide a minimum of 13-SEER cooling efficiency. But for most homes, going a bit higher is well worth a bit of additional startup expense. The trained and certified HVAC techs at American Cooling and Heating will make sure your get a right-sized unit designed specifically for your home and the existing circumstances. Our installation team will ensure that your Phoenix AC installation:

Allows sufficient room for indoor maintenance, service and repairs
Is supported by an adequate duct/register system
Includes proper sealing of all ducts and registry joints
A cleared area around the outdoors condensing unit
Is fully charged with the exact factory-recommended refrigerant
Meets the industry standards for duct-sizing methodology
Is properly sized for your home.

Make contact today: For a free estimate on how to reap the best pricing on Central Air Conditioning in Arizona.

1) http://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-saver-101-infographic-home-cooling

Rural Climate Change – What Does Global Warming and Climate Change Mean To Rural America?

Written by Rm Harrington on . Posted in Arizona Air Conditioning Installation, Climate Change, Global Warming.

The Three-Stage Effect of Rural Climate Change – A 2014 Global Warming Update For Rural America From Arizona Air Conditioning Service Center, American Cooling and Heating

“Climate change and the associated accumulation of global warming directly impacts rural economies and rural populations. According to the Rural Policy Research Institute, current and future climate change legislation will affect rural landscapes, rural prosperity and rural livelihoods (1),” Phoenix ACH research department.

The Three-Stage Cause and Effects of Rural Climate Change

Climate change as defined by a layperson might simply declare global warming the result of man-inflamed changes in global climate. Such a brief definition would not be far off base. However, the official definition from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) establishes a three-point structure behind such shifts in climate. The process is as follows:

Either directly or indirectly, human activities alter the composition of the global atmosphere
The changes aggravated by human activities increase the natural variances in climate shifts
The difference between human provoked changes and the natural shifts in climate can be measured and applied to a comparable time frame (2).

Since the IPCC definition focuses directly to human activities, each segment of society experiences a slightly different process of causes, effects and solutions. For rural U.S. communities, the effects of climate change impacts three primary components of life.

The economics and the populations of the rural region
The changes to rural prosperity and rural methods of earning a livelihood as a result of ongoing policies and legislation for mitigation and adaptation
AND the effects of mitigation and adaptation on the management of rural landscapes.

The rural economy thrives on the natural environment. From agricultural land to watersheds and from fisheries to range-lands, rural communities stand as stewards for the nation. The effects of rural climate change are both positive and negative. Increased levels of carbon dioxide promote quicker and stronger plant growth. However, changes in the atmospheric patterns of precipitation promote water-related complications including droughts, floods, and an increased risk of extreme storms in all areas.

Rural climate change also increases the risks assumed by climate-vulnerable individuals. From seniors to children and from the poor to the destitute, many rural individuals and groups fall into a unique danger zone defined as the “climate gap,” a concept that is primarily associated with the less physically adaptable or less economically adaptable members of U.S. rural society.

Reports from various economic studies indicate that climate change may seriously reduce job opportunities in the agriculture sector of U.S. employment. Furthermore, the current and future “climate crisis” solutions will likely increase the costs related to rural farming and food production. Thus those members of society who fall into the “climate gap” may be forced to struggle even harder for both food and survival.

For many senior citizens and many of the people who are too poor to afford adequate health care, home air conditioning, and other protection from extreme weather, the “climate Rural Climate Change gap” will continue to widen both in inner city communities and in rural communities. Yet according to the Ford Foundation, many of the current climate change policies are flawed and actually increase the vulnerability of people in rural communities (3). U.S. policy makers must keep a close eye on closing the gaps. Research, networking among organizations, and communications help level the playing field, but this aspect of the cause and effect of global warming is far from secure;

What Does Global Warming and Climate Change Mean To Rural America?

Rural communities are responsible for a significant measure of climate change. For example: Rural agricultural emissions kick out up to six-percent of the U.S. annual GGE disturbances. A lack of public transportation in rural areas amplifies the problem, and even those rural residents with personal transportation typically travel longer distances than their urban neighbors.

Furthermore, the effects of greenhouse gas mitigation in rural areas is regional uneven. Big competitors in the food market produce the greater potential for generating greenhouse gases. Regions such as the Rockies and the Southwest are least responsible for greenhouse gases. Yet each group falls under certain aspects of the national mitigation and adaptation policies and strategies

The process of global warming management and control requires an overall integrated approach that includes:

Policy tools
Application of renewable energy resources Investment in on-going climate change research
Renewed attention to energy conservation
Better management of forests, range-lands and wetlands
Advanced methods for preventing complications associated with fire and erosion
New agricultural practices dedicated to reduced emissions, changes in livestock feed products, better farming practices and better control of rotational grazing.

Every local and state region has crafted some measures for managing man-evoked changes in the Earth’s climate. The IPCC presented the results of studies and projections. More policies and rules are yet to come. Understanding how climate change, global warming and all the upcoming rules and regulations will affect rural America is still a question in the making. Meantime, rural America is already mixed up in the struggles.

Global warming and climate change series presented by American Cooling and Heating, Arizona HVAC Sales and Service for Trane, Amana, Goodman, Rheem, Carrier and all other major HVAC brands. For information on current ACH 2014 A/C product promotions, contact: https://americancoolingandheating.com

Disclaimer:

This article and its content do not constitute legal, financial, technical, or medical advice. While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that this document is correct at the time of publication, the company and its employees and agents disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of anything or the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done in reliance upon the whole or any part of this article and its content. All trademarks, logos, and associated content displayed are the property of their respective owners.

http://www.rupri.org/Forms/Climate_Change_Brief.pdf
http://ipcc-wg2.gov/AR5/report/final-drafts
http://www.fordfoundation.org/issues/sustainable-development/climate-change-responses-that-strengthen-rural-communities

Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Thermostats and Advanced AC System Controls

Written by Rm Harrington on . Posted in Arizona Air Conditioning Installation, Thermostats and Controllers.

Thermostats: The Tools That Manage HVAC Performance

In basic definition, thermostats and advanaced A/C system controls in air conditioning and heat pump systems are on/off switches. The switch functions in relationship to a thermostat’s set point as compared to changes in the indoor air temperature of the associated structure. But there is so much more to HVAC performance than what meets the casual examination.

Herein, the Arizona-based HVAC installation and maintenance group at American Cooling and Heating presents a brief overview of air conditioning and heat pump thermostats & advanced A/C system controls.

Basic Thermostat and A/C System Control Processes

In 1883, Warren S. Johnson invented the first electric room thermostat. The Johnson Controls technology used mercury and electrodes inserted directly through the glass. The systems were accurate within one degree of temperature.

Skip ahead. In modern technology, most 2014 air conditioning and heat pump thermostats operate on low voltage control circuits that pull 24 volts AC from a control transformer installed within the home’s heating or cooling equipment. Low voltage control technology provides a safety advantage that enables the thermostat to operate multiple electromechanical contractors, relays and sequencers at inherently safe voltage. Modern systems also include an integrated “anticipation” function that activates the contacts in a manner that prevents room temperatures from overshooting the desired temperature settings. And all this excludes the growing range of features associated with modern programmable thermostats & controllers.

Pre-digital Heating and Air Conditioning Thermostats

In 1953, Honeywell introduced the T-86 “Round” thermostat technology (1). This bimetallic-spring regulated room thermostat still controls millions of home heating and cooling systems throughout the world.

Typically mounted on a central wall within the home, the traditional Honeywell thermostat uses a basic dial-type round-controller design that includes two temperature scales and two temperature pointers. The top scale and pointer provides the adjustable components of the system. The bottom scale shows the actual physical temperature in the chosen area of the home. Rotating the pointer in the top scale to the right increases the desired heating requirements. Rotating the pointer in the top scale to the left decreases the desired temperature setting.

In the early years, thermostats designed to control both cooling and heating included a manual setting switch at the base of the unit. This switch, also seen in rectangular units of the pre-digital era, can be moved from heat-to-off-to-cool or back again. The temperature sensor within the units compare the air temperature near the thermostat to the settings of the system and turn on or off the associated heating or cooling equipment as appropriate. The heat/cool/off control switch assures that only the selected equipment can activate at any one time.

Digital Era Thermostats and Controllers

By the year 2005, nearly 97% of U.S. households used installed heating systems (2). During the same time frame, only 75% of the U.S. households used air conditioning. But the world is changing and the changing climates associated with global warming continue to press upward the demand for installed home air conditioning. Modern programmable thermostat and controller technology bestows a dramatic increase in features and capabilities. From simple on/off heating and cooling to controlled ventilation systems and from manual settings to controllers that respond to electricity price signals the home air conditioning and heat pump management system engages in a whole new arena of thermal comfort and energy savings. And then along comes thermostats and advanced air conditioning controls that link directly into the home Internet networking system.

A Sampling of Thermostats and Controllers Available Via ACH

For homeowners and the HVAC industry, heating and cooling control is blazing a whole new world of opportunities. Here are some examples of thermostats and controllers offered to Arizona residents and installed by American Cooling and Heating:

Trane XL800 Digital Thermostat

Quality remains at the core of every Trane thermostat. Rely on the comfort. Trust the power of the Trane XL800 Deluxe Programmable to provide:

Bright back-lit display with interactive touch screen
Armchair programming with removable screen
Filter clean/replacement key
Programming functions stored in permanent memory
Manual or auto changeover
Minimum compressor runtime
3 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit “dead band” between heating and cooling set points in the “auto” changeover mode
Conventional or adaptive intelligent recovery
Min and max heating and cooling ranges
Daylight Savings Time key
Programmable fan can be programmed in the “on”, “auto” or “circulate” mode for each period
Vacation/leave program will hold vacation/leave temperature for up to 256 days
Five-minute time delay for compressor protection
Outdoor temperature display
Single-stage heat (gas or electric), single-stage cool
AND more.

Trane ComfortLink™ II SMART CONTROL

It’s innovative, fully upgradeable and the best that Trane offers. The ComfortLink™ II control features touch-screen configuration in a digital picture frame environment. Compatible with most brands of standard central heat pumps and air conditioning equipment as well as with Trane products, this controller enables Arizona homeowners with the power of the future. Features include:

Custom control and scheduling
Live weather and dealer contact via wireless networking
Energy efficient indoor/outdoor temperature monitoring
Air quality management designed to boost the efficiency of your air filter system
Remote access from within your home or from any Internet-enabled mobile device

But these two only touch the surface. American Cooling and Heating also installs:

Amana ComfortNet CTK03 Control
Amana ComfortNet CTK01 Control
Amana Digital Thermostats
Goodman Standard Touch Screen Thermostats
Goodman Communicating Thermostats
Rheem 100-Series Non-Programmable Thermostats
Rheem 200-Series Programmable Thermostats
Rheem 300-Series Deluxe Programmable Thermostats
Rheem 400-Series Special Applications and Programmable Thermostats
Rheem 500-Series Communicating and Programmable Thermostats
AND Other Equipment From Major Manufacturers.

American Cooling and Heating Offers Valley Wide Arizona Air Conditioning and Heating Sales, Installation and Services on residential, commercial and industrial equipment, including air conditioning condensers, air handlers, furnaces, heat pumps, refrigeration systems and other HVAC equipment.

Call now for more info:

Arizona Air Conditioning Benefits From New Energy Saving Technologies

Written by Rm Harrington on . Posted in AC Installation, AC Replacement, AC Service, Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Installation, Cooling Tips.

Can New Innovations in Arizona Air Conditioning Cut Your Rate of Energy Consumption?

Arizona Air Conditioning – Even as global warming increases and temperatures rise, the technology to produce more energy efficient HVAC equipment moves forward. Throughout the world, including Phoenix, Mesa and other Arizona regions, the demand for reliable cost-efficient home and office A/C performance is on the increase. The heat wave is here and the future will bring even more.

But will the new innovations in air conditioning actually reduce your Arizona energy bills?

Rising Energy Consumption Reflects A Worldwide Growth In Air Conditioning Demands

Even as the summer sun settles beneath the horizon and fall slips upon Phoenix AZ and other U.S. cities, the luxury of home air conditioning remains a worldwide desire. China and India are finally coming to age, demanding home cooling equipment and driving an A/C buying spree that is increasing at the rate of 20 percent per year. According to the national energy experts, home cooling in the United States requires as much as 185 billion kilowatt-hours of yearly energy consumption. How much demand will ride the coattails of China and India?

Somehow, we must learn to beat the heat without fueling the fires of global warming. We cannot continue to fuel cooling systems with fossil fuels. According to Cheryl Martin deputy director of the U.S. Advanced Research Project Agency for Energy (ARPA-E), prevention and control lies in technology that can reduce the energy consumption of air conditioning equipment.

ARPA-E Funding Applied to New Innovations in A/C Technology

By using chlorofluorocarbons and other refrigerants to absorb heat, conventional air conditioning systems collect internal heat and then expel it into the outside environment. The process requires electricity to power compressors and pumps. New alternatives seek to replace refrigerant materials with solid materials that consume less energy. ARPA-E funding encourages a development of technology that will enable a thermoelectric solid to absorb heat.

The end goal: Produce cheaper refrigerators and air conditioning equipment
What makes it effective: A lack of moving parts
The results: Fewer breakdowns and better reliability in rural areas.

A/C Technology That Uses Membranes and Water Condensing Processes

A project that began with funding via ARPA-E makes use of specialty membranes capable of producing cool air by condensing water. Under development by Dais Analytic Corp, ADMA and other “new innovation air conditioning” performers, the projects have become so effective as to pick up financial backing from the U.S. Navy. The system is being designed to meet the air conditioning and dehumidifier needs for troops and equipment in Afghanistan and Iraq. Efficiency improvements are expected to reach 30 percent or more. This means less fuel consumption, less transportation needs and less life endangerment due to fewer convoys.

Think about how effective such a cost-efficient system would be as an alternative Arizona Air Conditioning solution. A system that supports Navy troops is well worth consideration for home use.

Time is, of course, an issue. From development to commercial, home and office use, membrane technologies will go through many changes. The Navy is pushing. Expect the technology to move forward quickly and efficiently. ARPA-E discussions even include the possibility of cooling via the power of magnets or sound waves.

Affects on Mesa, Scottsdale and Other Phoenix Arizona Air Conditioning Requirements

According to the National Weather Service Phoenix AZ, recent Valley temperatures have exceeded 122 °F+. Some stretches of 100 °F+ temperatures have run as long as 76 days. More efficient Arizona air conditioning can benefit the people and the city. Meeting the growing demand for better cooling in a way that cost-effectively reduces the greenhouse consequences should be a priority of every citizen.

For more information on how new Air Conditioning technology can improve your Phoenix home comfort level, click here.

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Arizona Air Conditioning Mold Prevention – Minimize AC Mold Growth