Knowing What Mistakes To Avoid To Your Houston AC Unit

10 Common AC Mistakes You Should Avoid In Houston

Almost every household has an air conditioner installed in place. Although its main purpose might seem simple, every AC system is made up of several complex components that work in harmony to make this possible. That said, a simple mistake on these units can have a significant impact on the system’s efficiency and overall home comfort. Some of the typical AC mistakes you should avoid are outlined below.

1. Wrong-Sized AC Systems

Investing in the wrong-sized AC system will only result in more problems and higher energy bills in the long run. Unlike popular belief, a bigger air conditioner isn’t always a better option. Too big an air conditioner will only cycle on and off constantly causing temperature fluctuations and increased energy wastage. An undersized AC unit will also be as problematic for it will struggle to keep the entire house cool and comfortable. If it manages to, it will be running in maximum capacity and load, thus increasing the risk of a breakdown and costly repairs.

Have an HVAC professional inspect your home to determine the best and right-sized AC unit to invest in. The contractor will put into consideration your home layout, square footage, load generating appliances, and insulation, among other factors before making any recommendations. The size of your home is, however, the principle factor that will determine which AC unit is best for you.

2. Incorrectly Positioning The AC Unit

Positioning holds the key to improved efficiency and reduced strain. That said, you need to look for just the right spot to position the AC Unit. Several factors, such as direct sunlight, shade, and direction of sunrays need to be considered when picking a spot for the heavy HVAC system. It’s advisable to have the system installed in a shaded spot outside the house and away from direct sun rays. Placing the outdoor unit in a shaded part of the home allows it to function more efficiently. Proper installation is also required to ensure the system is not only well secured but to allow proper drainage. This is particularly recommended for window-mounted AC units.

3. Leaving The AC System ON All Day Long

Most people forget all about the AC system for as long as the house is cool and comfortable. Unless you are home all the time, it’s advisable to turn the thermostat up when leaving the house in the morning (or when about to run an errand) and turn it back down when you come back. Turning the AC system up means it doesn’t have to run full blast all day long. Smart thermostats make it possible to turn the AC system off entirely until when you are just about to step in the door. It only takes a few minutes for the AC system to cool your home, learn to turn it off when no one is home

4. Leaving The AC Unit Off For Far Too Long

While it is advisable to turn off the AC unit when you leave the house, it wouldn’t be wise to leave the unit off for weeks or even days. As long as the unit is turned off completely, it won’t be able to cycle as it should. This creates an avenue for mold, mildew, and other creepy organisms to make a home out of the unit. Whether going for a long vacation or don’t need to use the AC system, have the system run for a few minutes every day. This should help keep it in its optimal health as well as deter these living organisms from infesting it. Investing in a smart programmable thermostat would be an excellent idea too.

5. Wrong Thermostat Settings

Incorrect thermostat settings will have a direct impact on your comfort levels and energy consumption. If you wish to set the temperature at 77 degrees, don’t set it to 70 to accelerate the cooling process. As mentioned above, AC units take only a few minutes to reach the set/desired room temperatures. The same applies to when you wish to set the temperature a little lower. Check the sweet spot where you are comfortable without putting unnecessary strain on the unit. Doing this will leave your home comfortable and is good for your wallet as well.

6. Failure To Use Ceiling Fans

The HVAC unit isn’t meant to replace the traditional fan. The two systems are meant to work together to achieve better results easily. The ceiling fan, for example, helps move air around the room, thus accelerating the cooling process. This means the AC unit won’t take long before it attains the set temperatures. As weird as it may sound, running the two systems together will help you achieve comfortable temperatures fast without wasting any energy. Some of the best ceiling fans create a ‘wind chill’ which might be enough to keep you comfortable on warmer days.

7. Using The Air Filter For Too Long

The air filter plays a vital role in removing dust, pollen, and other debris from the air before it is blown into your home. Although these little components may be efficient at first, they can easily get clogged with dirt and debris as the AC system continues to run. Experts recommend having these filters removed/replaced/cleaned at least once a month. Some of the high-efficiency filters will only need to be cleaned regularly before requiring a replacement. Replacing your AC’s air filters enables it to run more efficiently and also reduces the risk of allergens finding their way into the house. Dirty and old air filters, on the other hand, only reduce the system’s efficiency while causing freezing issues.

8. Letting Fresh Air In While The System Runs

Many people will open a few windows or even the door in an attempt to ‘help’ the AC system cool the home more efficiently. What they don’t know is opening the windows lets in moisture loaded air into the house, forcing the unit to work even harder to remove the excess moisture. That said, it would be advisable to let the AC unit do its work and leave the windows and doors closed for the time. Consider Turning down the AC unit if you have to open the windows or doors for more extended periods.

9. Neglecting the AC Unit

Like any other electrical/mechanical appliance, the air conditioner should be serviced twice per year. This ensures the system is running optimally by having any loose components fixed, and any broken ones replaced to restore its performance. Simple routine maintenance such as clearing outgrowths from the outdoor unit, checking the filters, as well as the ductwork, is recommended too. Have a certified HVAC technician run diagnosis and other routine maintenances for a properly functioning system.While the HVAC expert might only access the units once in a year, you need to make it a habit of running maintenance checks such as replacing the air filter, checking refrigerant levels, and looking out for broken parts.

10. Turning A Deaf Ear To A Straining AC Unit

The AC unit might start producing rattling sounds after some time. While this might be normal, you need to check it out to see if it’s a loose screw and tighten it. These units will continue running even if a fan blade is broken among other issues. If the AC doesn’t cool the home like it used to, you need to check it out. These units will give you warning signs before they break down completely. Have a professional HVAC technician handle technical issues to avoid an emergency in the future.

We at AC Man Houston are experts in HVAC systems. We have trained experts capable of handling all issues related to HVAC systems. This includes installations. Call or contact us today for more information!

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An Overview Of How An AC Works In Houston

Understanding How An Houston AC Works

The basics of how the air conditioner (AC) works is by collecting hot air from the surrounding and then cooling it down before realizing it back into the same space. The AC does this using five installed components, which are:

• Evaporator
• Refrigerant
• Compressor
• Condenser
• Expansion valve

How The AC Works

Picture yourself standing outside on a hot summer day, or you are out and about running an errand. The sun feels like it has dropped closer to the earth, and the heat is unbearable. However, you still manage to find some reason to bear it all since you know you will find some reprieve when you get inside your air-conditioned office or home.

You get to the doors and you are hit by a gust of chilled air when you step inside the office or home. It sends every cell in your body in jubilation, making you feel at ease and better than when you wear baking outside under the sun.

The AC brought out the “cooling revolution” that people can never discount. The journey to what we have today may have seemed to have been a long one. But we are thankful for the generations that used fans and other creative methods of cooling their houses on hot days. The current technology does borrow from the old, but it is significantly more effective when it comes to sheer cooling capacity.

But how do the air conditioners function? We shall be looking into this and see how they do it and why they have become a must-have for many urban regions.

Parts Of An Air Conditioner

When it comes to deciding which AC system to install, you will have to pick between two choices; the split systems ACs, and the Window systems ACs. The two options are then subdivided into either the central systems or the mini-split systems.

Irrespective of the installation type you pick, the AC will have four principal components:

1. Evaporator

This is a heat exchanger coil tasked with collecting heat from the surroundings in a room for it to be directed to a liquid refrigerant. The name comes from the fact that it is where the refrigerant absorbs the heat and then released back into the room as a cooled gas.

2. Compressor

As the name suggests, it is where the gaseous refrigerant gets compressed. The compressor is mostly located in an outside unit which is installed on the exteriors of the building.

3. Condenser

The compressed vaporized refrigerant then proceeds to the condenser where it is converted back into liquid state as the compressor expels the heat. The condenser is also located in a unit installed in the exterior of the building. It is a common feature with the split ACs.

4. Expansion Valve

It is also called the throttling device. It is located between two coils, which are the heated coils of the condenser and the cooling coils of the evaporator. The expansion valve is meant to control the flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator.

For the Window ACs, the components mentioned above are fitted in a small metal unit that is fixed in a window opening. The four form the primary features of the air conditioner.

How Do They Work Together?

The AC will draw in hot air from a given area and then processes it to cool it down before releasing it back into the room. It relies on freon (liquid refrigerant) and several coils to generate the chilled air that it pumps into a given space where is it installed.

The average person thinks that the ACs depend on machines installed inside the unit that produces the cold air needed for cooling a room. They believe this is so because of the electricity the air conditioners consume. All that is a misconception; there is no magic to how the air conditioner works. It only relies on a chemical and a few other physical features to do what it does in your home or office.

To enjoy the benefits of having an AC fitted in your office or house, you need to turn it on, set the desired temperature, and then the thermostat in it will read this and help to manage the functions of the AC to achieve the desired room temperature by cooling the room’s air.

By design, the air conditioning system will draw in hot air through a grille installed at the base of the indoor unit. The air is then directed to the coolant liquid via pipes in which the fluid circulates. The refrigerant will absorb the heat and be vaporized. In the same process, the evaporator coils also absorb moisture from the incoming air, and this process dehumidifies the room.

The heated coolant gas is then pushed to the compressor that is fitted in an outside unit where it is compressed. It is a process the increases the gas’ temperature. The then heated gas, which is also highly pressurized travels to the condenser. That is where the vapor then condenses into a liquid.

When the refrigerant reaches the condenser, it is a hot gas that is rapidly cooled to become fluid as the heat is dissipated to the outside through metallic fins. The refrigerant will then proceed from the condenser when it is back in its liquid state. It then flows through the expansion valve that is designed to control the flow of the coolant into the evaporator, which is where the refrigerant started its journey.

That is the same principle in both the Window ACs and the Split ACs though the latter has separate units installed inside and outside the house, while the former is one unit with all these components installed inside.

As the air conditioning system run, it repeats this process over and over until it achieves the desired room temperature. That means that the AC will continuously draw in the warm air and expel chilled air into a given space, thereby cooling the room until the present temperature is attained.

When the ACs were initially developed, they were not intended for human comfort. We have become overly dependent on these devices, but they were originally meant for the publishing companies to help eradicate certain issues in the manufacturing processes. How these machines intended to support the large-scale publishing of papers become an integral part of the modern office and home is another story for another day.

Find out more. Give us a call or contact AC Man of Houston today with any inquiries!

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