Showing posts with label AC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AC. Show all posts
5

Why are Toronto homeowners shifting to Ductless Mini Split?

Every other home in Toronto and Mississauga has a duct system installed in it and it was for a long time that central heating and cooling has remained the most widely used home heating method. However, a shift has recently taken place and people are now preferring ductless system over the duct system keeping the benefits that it offers and also the headache of duct maintenance that it takes away.
Below we discuss the prime reasons why homeowners are preferring to shift to ductless systems.

Energy Efficiency - Saves up to 30%

A lot of energy is lost in the ductwork as the air flows through it. The ductless system helps save up to 30% energy by taking the duct out of the equation. 


Supreme Indoor Comfort using Zoning features

The latest zoning feature has fascinated homeowners, even more, to shift to ductless. The reason being the ability to warm/cool different indoor spaces differently with separate Thermostats. Also, the unused spaces need not be treated, unlike the duct system in which the system warm/cools the entire space.

Easy Installation and DIY maintenance

The installation of a ductless mini-split system is far easier than the duct system. For a duct system to be installed, the ductwork needs to be installed prior to it which itself takes several thousand dollars and a huge space. Comparatively, the ductless is easy to install and takes only a couple of hours to be fully installed. Also, maintenance is relatively easy. Homeowners can easily clean the filters of the interior unit while the outdoor unit can also be washed with a low-speed hose.

Accommodation and Replacement ease

People are now living in small rooms and apartments. Such spaces can't afford ductwork installation and leave homeowners with the choice of space heaters or room coolers. Ductless mini-split offers a space-saving solution in this case. Also, replacement and relocation is easy. So if you change homes, you can take your system with you.

Several indoor units supported by one outdoor unit

The latest mini-split ductless units of Lennox and York support up to 5 indoor units with only one outdoor compressor unit. This suggests that the temperature of different areas can be controlled differently. A huge amount of energy can be saved this way.

Cooling as well as heating solutions

Earlier, the mini-split ductless units were only used as home cooling. The latest technology has allowed their usage for home cooling as well as for home heating.

Safer for home and locality

The conventional duct systems contain large piping outside of the exterior walls. This has often served as an inlet for burglars. The mini-splits units, with no such pipping, provides safety and saves from such unhappy incidents.

There are convincing reasons why homeowners want to shift to ductless mini-split units for home cooling and home heating. The previous year showed an increase in the purchase of split systems. Also, some latest models are now offering air cleaning features within a mini-split unit as well.

Are you still on central heating/cooling or have made a successful shift to ductless mini-splits?
How is our experience with the mini-split systems?

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What Not To Do When AC Stops Working

A good AC is one that boasts exceptional home comfort by even temperature, reduce the energy bill and deliver the highest or exceptional reliability. HVAC manufacturers keep rolling out the enhanced and competitive product to exceed the expectation and leave no stone unturned to provide homeowners the best of the best HVAC equipment. However, there are still some inevitable consequences of neglecting timely AC maintenance which leave homeowners in an urgent need of appliance repair. But hey! There are things that must not be tried as part of DIY. Read on the article to know what not to do when the Air Conditioner stops working.

Don’t lose the cool and try not to fix it yourself:

Don’t be panic; call Air Conditioner specialists for the fastest emergency service. Tinkering with the AC unit is not as simple as it seems and is best to be left to the HVAC technicians. They can troubleshoot the system to get it up to function smoothly. Meanwhile, you can google to wrap your head around to watch HOW TO VIDEOS or DIY tips to troubleshoot the problem.
Unless you have prior experience with troubleshooting unit or mechanical repair, pass the problem to a pro who can fix the problem in half the time.

Don’t ignore the obvious:

Before you lose the cool and start calling the expert or looking at the replacement parts yourself. Be sure to check Thermostat to ensure program settings are correct; it should be set to auto. It is also good to verify that the thermostat battery is not running out.
Make sure the circuit breaker is not tripped, if so, flip the breaker on and see if the unit works. The other glaring problem can be clogged air, clean the filter with soft brushes, lukewarm water, and soap and check if it remedies the problem. 

Most frequent AC Unit Problem homeowners face:

The best remedy to make AC unit work again is to clean and repair the filters. If the problem persists, there may be a list of other issues to diagnose with simple DIY methods. However, if you are running a new system and have no knowledge about HVAC equipment, consider availing the services of a professional – especially when problem is severe and can’t be fixed on your own.

- AC unit not blowing the cold air
- Ac unit does not turn on
- Ac does not turn off
- Leaking water inside and outside
- Sudden leakage when turned off
- Unusual smell and noise
To resolve the issues outlined above requires expertise. Therefore we recommend consulting an HVAC technician. 

Avoid switching on and off your AC unit:

When AC runs as it supposed to, it automatically turns on and off according to the changing temperature. When you repeatedly switch on and off; it puts an extra burden and maximize the chances of wear and tear. 

Don’t Miss Out Yearly Inspection

We wholly rely on an air conditioner in hot and humid months hence can’t afford its sudden breakdown. Having an AC unit serviced annually makes it run more smoothly, improves longevity, and saves you money on electric bills.

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How to control indoor humidity in Summers without installing a Dehumidifier?

High humidity may sound unimportant to those who have never experienced the consequences of it in the indoor but those who have, they know that excessive moisture in the indoor can lead to complete distress. Some of the immediate consequences of high indoor humidity are; itchiness, soggy food items, production of mould & mildew and stuffiness. While on one hand, this situation affects the homeowners, on the other hand, it also leaves impacts on the interior of the home, tightening your budget even more by increasing expenses on repair. So there is a need to take immediate action when the indoor moisture goes beyond normal. There are multiple solutions to dealing with this problem unlike what many homeowners think, i.e installing a Dehumidifier. Below we discuss, how you can manage excessive moisture without spending money on purchasing an HVAC add-on.

Control Humidity without Dehumidifier


Figure out the cause 

First thing first; figure out the cause. The indoor moisture could be more than the outside moisture. In this case, it is the indoor producing the moisture; cooking, baking, washing, bathing or other heat and moisture producing activities. Since high temperature increases the humidity, even more, you'd need to find out where the warmth and moisture are being produced. For example, a pipe leak in the basement or attic could be increasing the moisture in the indoor. Not venting the moisture in time could be circulating it in the indoor etc. In this case, the production of the moisture in the indoor needs to be controlled and/or vented in time.
But there are cases in which the weather, in general, is so hot and humid that it is the outdoor weather itself that causes the indoor to develop high moisture content. In this case, proper ventilation and using desiccant can help.

Fix excessive indoor moisture - Here's how 

Whether the moisture is produced within the indoor or is coming from the outside, three practices can help fight with this ghost.

Absorb it! 

In order to stop the spread of moisture in the entire indoor, absorb it! The simplest of ways to do this is to place a desiccant in the indoor, for example, Silica, Calcium Chloride or others. They are cheap chemical materials with the property to suck moisture without causing any harm.to the indoor air quality. Placing a few bags close to the places that produce the most moisture; kitchen, bathroom etc can help absorb the moisture, reducing humidity.

Dry it!

The air gets moist when there is excessive water content in it. And what do we do when we want to dry the water? We dry it with warmth. By using an electric heater or wooden stove, warm the indoor. This will help dry the moisture. This solution is especially good when you are cleaning cupboards, bedsides etc and there is the presence of mould and mildew because of high humidity.

Ventilate it!

The easiest of all solutions has been discussed at the end. And the reason is, most people suffer from excessive indoor humidity only because of not providing the indoor with fresh air. The indoor needs to breathe in fresh to rid itself of the moist air. You could easily fight the moisture problem, in many cases, simply by allowing the indoor to have good air flow. As the fresh air flows in and the moist air goes out, the humidity comes to normal. Make use of windows, Air Conditioner fan and exhaust fans to execute this plan.
Note that ventilation is important on a daily basis. However, do keep a check on outdoor humidity and when on very hot summer days, the outdoor humidity level is high, avoid opening windows for ventilation in the day, except in the early morning time.

Using these ways, you can keep the indoor humidity always in control.

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Air Conditioner Buying Guide 2019-2020

Our unbiased guide will run you through the essential factors you must consider before buying an air conditioner for your home. There are various kinds of central air conditioners available, and each associated with different pros and cons. To beat the heat effectively - choose the air conditioner that can cool the entire place effortlessly. Eco-conscious consumers are more inclined towards the energy efficient air-conditioner which are less costly to run and can keep you cool and comfortable for the extended period of time.


Basic types of central air conditioner:

Before you are all-prepared for installing the new air conditioner; acquaint yourself with the major distinctions of two types of air conditioners that are presently in-use in Canada.

Split system Air conditioner
Ductless Air Conditioner
The system will have two major components evaporative coil and a condensing unit.
A ductless air conditioner will have a wall-mounted indoor unit and one compressor.
The compressor unit delivers the refrigerant to evaporator coil and removes moisture.
It distributes the air through piping, not from large air ducts.
Split air conditioners are easier to fix and repair.
Ductless air conditioners are comparatively less expensive.
If you have a furnace in the home, it is possible to amend the existing ducts in such a way, that air conditioner can be easily accommodated.
The ductless air conditioner can only be installed in a place that has no pre-existing ducts.
A split air conditioner is larger in size.
It is perfect for small finished attics

Perfect sizing:

An air conditioner is a long-term investment for your place and it should be the one that accurately fits your home and budget. When it comes to perfect sizing, you should acquaint yourself with two fundamental terms:
·         Cooling load is the sum of heat that accumulates in space, in the absence of a cooling system.
·         Cooling capacity is synonymous with the size of the air conditioner and it is designed to remove the heat.
Sufficient cooling capacity is essential to meet the cooling load of a home. in order to mitigate the discomfort, humidity and dampness, calculate the cooling load effectively through any method developed by the Canadian Standards Association.

Efficiency:

Efficiency is the amount of cooling generated by the unit against each watt. The more SEER (seasonal energy-efficiency rating) means the less cost to run an AC. There are some factors like advanced compressors, efficient heat exchangers and a good refrigerant flow that act as core determinants to make the SEER as high as 17. Make sure you choose a split air conditioner with a minimal SEER rating 13.

Programmable Thermostat and a maintenance plan:

A programmable thermostat has the potential to reduce the cooling cost by 10%. When buying a central air conditioner choose a maintenance plan that has a well-constructed inspection plan with labour discounts and other benefits in repairs.

Noise rating:


Most municipalities in Ontario have a certain level of noise allowed. Therefore, Canadians have to consider noise factor in-check prior to installing an air conditioner in the home. Generally, an energy efficient air conditioner will have minimal sound ratings. 

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Does your wife always fight over Thermostat? Do this

Sounds funny? Doesn't it? But if you already have had fights over Thermostat, you can relate to the very statement. It is no gender stereotype, it is in fact, as fact that men and women feel differently when it comes to the outside temperature. So this happens in almost every home that females want the Thermostat to be turned a few degrees up while males of the home prefer it to be turned down to produce more cooling. Today, we'll explore why exactly do men and women have different temperature needs and living in a family, how to fix these differences wisely.

Thermostat Fights

Men feel different than Women because:
There is a genetic difference
We know men are different than women when it comes to genetics. These differences are also present when it comes to body temperature.
Difference#1
Studies show that women have an evenly distributed layer of fat that helps them store heat to their core organs, however, this same layer of fat also contributes in making them feel colder than men because all the major heat goes to the core organs. As a result, as soon as there's a little decrease in the outside temperature, women begin to feel colder and this intensity is more than what men feel because they have heat throughout their body and because of having uneven layers of fat, the heat is spread in most parts to help face the drop in outside temperature.

Difference#2
There's another thing we know about the men-women genetic differences and that is; men have a higher metabolism than women. Since metabolism is responsible for producing bodily heat, bodies of men are warmer than that of women's. This is why women want more outside heat than men.

How to fix Thermostat fights?
It's okay to do nothing if your fights are just little fights that fix up and the difference you and the other member/members feel is just a slight difference but in case it is otherwise; your fights are serious then fix the problem right away with one of the two solutions mentioned below:

- Switch to Programmable Thermostats
There's a wide range of Programmable Thermostats in the market that allow up to 7 days of scheduling. Using a Programmable Thermostat, the temperature of husband's choice can be auto set at his expected time to come home so that he doesn't complain about the temperature. And the wife can enjoy the cooling of her choice through the rest of the day. It's like 50/50.

- Switch to Zoning System
But as said earlier, if your fights and the temperature difference both are serious, you too need to take serious steps. The Programmable Thermostat idea is good but it can still not provide with all time temperature of your choice. A better choice then is Zoning system. By switching to zoning system, it's like everybody having his own Thermostat. Zoning supports up to 7 zones/rooms to be conditioned with different temperatures using one single AC unit. So now you can have a different temperature in the living room and different in the bedroom, different in the kid's room and different in the guest room depending on the requirements of the inmates. And yes, there's no need to fight over the poor Thermostat now. Convert your HVAC system to zoning and the next time it feels like you need more cooling, just go to any room and set the temperature of your choice. Sleep tight!  

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