Save Money by Knowing Your Air Conditioner’s 3 Basic Needs

Date: June 23, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

checking ac refrigerantThey say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By being aware of your home air conditioning system needs, you can provide the proper conditions to help it work correctly and efficiently. Recognizing the following needs will also help you trouble-shoot issues that come up. Otherwise, you’ll  keep turning the thermostat down without getting cool.

Air conditioning systems are complex machines. When any of the following things change, the system will not be able to cool your home correctly.

  • The system is sized to meet a specific “load” on the house. The load is changed when more heat is created indoors either from more people or appliances or because of changes in the house. Having a party or did some family move back in? Did you do some remodeling? Maybe you added another refrigerator?
  • A certain amount of refrigerant is required. No leaks allowed! Have a professional check the refrigerant level every two years.
  • There has to be a particular amount of airflow across the coils in the outside condenser. Keep things like foliage, toys, fences and furniture from blocking the condenser. Make sure children don’t stuff foreign objects like sticks or grass into the condenser that might bend fins and block airflow.

Things to do BEFORE a Hurricane is even close

Date: June 16, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

make a planIf you live in a hurricane-prone area like Houston, there are certain activities you need to have done BEFORE the weather forecast declares we’re under a Hurricane Watch.

PLAN

  • If someone in your home has a need for life-sustaining medical equipment, have other arrangements in place for electricity sources and evacuation needs.
  • Have a list of medicines, medical assistance devices and doctors that everybody in the home uses.
  • Talk with your family members to figure out who will be your out-of-state contact in case you can’t reach each other locally.
  • Keep a list of important phone numbers in your emergency kit.
  • Agree on two meeting places for family members to come together. Choose a place near your home and another one outside your region in case you need to evacuate separately.

MAKE AN EMERGENCY KIT

  • Should include 5 to 7 days of food and water for each person and pet.
  • Hand-crank or battery radio with batteries
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • FIrst aid kit
  • Rain gear
  • Plastic sheeting and duck tape
  • Moist towelettes, plastic bags and ties
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Disposable eating dishes (plates, cups, plastic-ware) and paper towels
  • Cash
  • Matches in a waterproof container

KNOW HOW TO STAY INFORMED

  • Use several sources of information.
  • Radio stations 740 AM or 88.7 FM
  • Find out how to get text or email notifications for your jurisdiction

KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS

  • Get to know them BEFORE a crisis hits.
  • If you are young, strong and healthy, find out if any of your neighbors might need help when the hurricane comes. Know who your elderly, medically fragile, and single parent neighbors are.

The Dehumidification Part of Air Conditioning

Date: June 9, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

humidityThe first definition and main goal of air conditioning has to do with humidity control. The indoor recommended humidity conditions are roughly 60% relative humidity maximum at 78 degrees F. When the moisture level in the home becomes more than that, problems with mold growth begin. Health and comfort concerns also become issues that need to be addressed.

Even though you can see the collection of the humid air by the water that drains away, the current day air conditioning system is only able to cool the air. The dehumidification of the air is purely a side-effect. And while we may think most of the dehumidification process happens at the hot times of the year when the air conditioner is running a lot, it actually is at its peak during the mild times of the year when the air conditioner seldom runs.

What can the homeowner do to help dehumidify their home?

  • Purchase a stand-alone dehumidifier.
  • Do not keep the thermostat at the “fan on” position. At this setting, the fan constantly blows air even if the cooling system is not running. The moisture the system just took out of the air will then be circulated right back into the house before it can be drained.
  • Use exhaust fans during activities related to increased humidity. Cooking, bathing, and washing produce quite a bit of moisture inside the home. A fan that directs the moisture outside will help.
  • Don’t line dry clothes indoors. Use a clothes dryer that is exhausted directly outdoors.
  • Keep the windows closed when the humidity levels outside are high.

2014 Hurricane Season about to begin

Date: May 26, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

hurricane seasonIt is that time of year again… Hurricane Season begins on June 1st and ends November 30th.

A “Hurricane Watch” means that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible. The watch is issued 48 hours before the anticipated tropical storm winds begin. This is the time for you to prepare your home and make plans for a possible evacuation.

A “Hurricane Warning” means that hurricane conditions are expected. The warning is released 36 hours before tropical storm winds are anticipated. During the warning, you should complete storm preparations and leave the area if directed to do so by authorities.

Category 1 = Very dangerous winds of 74 to 95 mph will produce some damage.

Category 2 = Extremely dangerous winds of 96 to 110 mph will cause extensive damage.

Category 3 = Devastating damage will occur with winds of 111 to 129 mph.

Category 4 = Catastrophic damage occurs with winds of 130 to 156 mph.

Category 5 = More intense catastrophic damage with winds of 157 mph and higher.

2014 Hurricane Name List

  • Arthur
  • Bertha
  • Cristobal
  • Dolly
  • Edouard
  • Fay
  • Gonzalo
  • Hanna
  • Isaias
  • Josephine
  • Kyle
  • Laura
  • Marco
  • Nana
  • Omar
  • Paulette
  • Rene
  • Sally
  • Teddy
  • Vicky
  • Wilfred

Look for future posts to cover things like hurricane preparedness, evacuation routes, useful phone numbers and stay safe this hurricane season.

History of Air Conditioning in Houston

Date: May 19, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

air conditioned neon signHouston was once touted as the “World’s Most Air Conditioned City”. Quite a claim for a city that by 1920 cooled its rooms, auditoriums and restaurants by placing a block of ice in a container and then circulating the ice water to fan radiators.

The first public room in Houston to be air-conditioned was the Rice Hotel cafeteria which was air-conditioned in 1922. The Second National Bank was the first air-conditioned building in Houston. An air-conditioner unit was installed there in 1923. Two years later, the Majestic Theatre followed suit. And by 1927, the other movie palaces on Main Street were air-conditioned as the public began expecting cool comfort to enhance their movie viewing pleasure. Houston’s first private home wasn’t air-conditioned until 1932.

The May 1938 issue of “Houston”, the old Chamber of Commerce magazine, described air conditioning as “manufactured weather”. According to that issue, there were 427 air conditioning units already installed, including 126 private homes. Houston at that time had a population of almost 400,000.

Air conditioning was still a luxury for most people through the  World War II era. It wasn’t until the 1950s that air conditioning became a middle-class necessity. All new office buildings were constructed with air conditioning. Local city journalists kept a close eye on the expansion of air-conditioning, using Census results to explain how Houston was indeed “the air-conditioning capital of the world.”

In 1965, Houston opened the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. The Astrodome was not only the world’s first dome stadium, but it was also the first air-conditioned stadium.

The overall acceptance and need for air conditioning was the beginning of the end for the typical home design with big front porches, wide eaves and high ceilings. The new, sought-after ranch homes with their low ceilings were much easier to air-condition than the old styles with their high ceilings. Air conditioning also claimed responsibility for the tremendous growth of Houston and other Sunbelt cities. Well, of course! Living through a Houston summer is only endurable if you have access to air conditioning!