How To Prepare Air Conditioner for the Summer

Keeping your home cool when the temperature goes past 90 degrees is important, and if you want to have an air conditioner that works reliably all summer long, there are some things you should do right now to improve the chances that your system won’t cause you problems later. Here are some tips for getting your air conditioner ready for the hot weather in Cedarburg, WI.

Clean the Filter

There’s a filter on your air conditioner that removes contaminants and particulates from the air. It prevents your air conditioner from overworking, and it preserves the quality of the air you and your family breathe. Ideally, you should be cleaning or replacing this filter every couple of months when the unit is in operation. Taking care of this now is a good place to begin.

Clean the Indoor Unit

Air conditioning systems have both an indoor and an outdoor component to them, and making sure that the indoor part is clean is important to both the health of your AC system and the overall health of your family. There can be a buildup of dust and other debris in various parts of the equipment. The first thing you should do when you’re trying to get your air conditioner ready for the summer is to take the time to clean the indoor unit.

Always start by turning off the power to the air conditioner at the electrical box. This is vital for your own protection. You should remove the cover of the evaporator coil and dust it off with a soft cloth. Use a vacuum cleaner if necessary.

Mold can build up in the unit, which can be bad for your health. You can prevent this in the drip pan by using a solution of bleach and water to clean it before replacing it under the condenser coil.

Finally, if there’s a clog in the drain, you’ll want to clear it so that the system continues to take humidity out of the air properly. If water is slow going down the line, you can go to the place where everything empties out. Take a wet/dry vac and suck everything out for a couple of minutes. Make sure that you have a tight seal so that you’re removing the clog.

Clean the Outside Unit

When it’s time to clean the outside unit, you’ll need to remove the grate, which will probably require that you take off a few screws. If you didn’t have a cover on the equipment, you’ll likely find some dirt, twigs and leaves inside it. You can easily get rid of this debris by removing all of the big pieces first and using a vacuum to suck out the rest.

You’ll want to clean the condenser coil, and you can find a cleaner designed for this task at a home improvement store. Follow the directions on the bottle. After applying it and waiting a few minutes, use a hose to spray it away along with any remaining debris. Finally, you should make sure that all of the fins are straight because bent fins can really hamper the efficiency of your unit.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

If you have an older, very basic thermostat, you should upgrade to an energy-efficient programmable model. This simple change can save you hundreds of dollars throughout the course of the summer. This type of thermostat will let you set your ideal temperature for when you’re at home and automatically adjust it for when you’re not. You can also make adjustments using an app on your cell phone. If you’ll be coming home an hour early one night, you can remotely adjust your system to start cooling your house sooner than it normally would.

Check the Ductwork

Another energy-saving tip is to check the ductwork for leaks. Even a seemingly small leak means that cool air isn’t reaching the areas of the house where you actually intend it to go. You can use duct tape, mesh and duct mastic to repair the crack or hole in the ductwork.

Implementing these tips can give you peace of mind and save you money throughout the summer. Because your system will be running more effectively, you can feel more confident that it will make it through the season without a hitch. If you’d like more information on this topic or you require any assistance, take advantage of the many services that Hometown Heating, Air & Electric offers to residents of Cedarburg. We provide heating, cooling and indoor air quality installation, maintenance and repair. Call us today.

What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need for My Home?

Most people do not think about the size of their air conditioner, even when it needs to be replaced. Rather, the focus is usually on getting a replacement similar to what you already have, with an efficiency improvement. However, an air conditioner should fit like a glove for your home, not too big or too small. Here is how you determine the size unit you should consider for your home.

How Is Air Conditioner Size Measured?

You may have heard the term BTU when it comes to air conditioners, but do you know what it means? This actually stands for British Thermal Unit and is the standard we use even in the United States. One BTU is the energy required to raise 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.

Being we are talking about cooling rather than heating, the BTU rating gives you an idea of the cooling capacity per hour. The higher the rating, the more that particular unit will be able to cool in an hour.

Given this definition, a common misconception is that if you simply go to a larger capacity, your system will work faster. Unfortunately, that is not the case when it comes to your central air conditioning unit.

Does Size Really Matter?

In the case of your home AC, you really want to find a unit that is just the right size, not too big or too small. When you go with a smaller system than your home needs, you will end up running longer cycles. This translates into much higher utility bills and unneeded wear on your system.

On the other hand, if your system is too big, your system ends up running shorter cycles but more frequently. This means the system never gets to dehumidify your air the way it should, leaving the air muggy. It also means your system is going through more start-up processes, which increases strain, shortening the system’s service life.

The way to get the most from your system at the best cost overall is to get the right size. So let’s look at how you determine the size needed to effectively cool your home.

Determine How Much Space You Need to Cool

If you remember buying your home, you probably remember how many square feet it boasted in the listing. That may be a good reflection of the space you need to cool, but it’s always worth double-checking.

The simple calculation for square feet is to multiply the width of a rectangle or square by the length. If your home is not a perfect rectangle or square, you may need to do some extra work to get at a good number.

Go room by room and calculate the square footage of each. Do not forget areas like hallways and closets in your calculations. Do not include spaces like your attic, garage, or basement unless there are vents serving those areas.

Going From Square Feet to BTU’s

Once you have the rough square footage you are trying to cool, it’s time to figure out how many BTUs you need. There is no specific conversion that is perfect for everyone. However, a general rule of thumb is to use 20 BTUs per square foot as a starting point.

So if your home is roughly 1,500 square feet, you simply multiply this by 20, giving you a 30,000 BTU need. Once you have this rough starting point, consider the other factors affecting your need.

Going Beyond the Rule of Thumb

Other factors include how much shade your home receives and how many occupants you typically have in your home. The rule of thumb takes into account two people. If you have more, you should increase your BTU calculation by 600 for each additional person. Be sure to consider how much entertaining you do during the hot months as you consider this factor.

Also, think about the shade you have around your home. If your home is mostly shaded the majority of the day, you can reduce your need by about 10%. However, if it is in direct sunlight all day long, you may need to increase it by the same factor.

Ultimately, the best way to know you have the right size is to work with an experienced air conditioning professional. Consider getting multiple quotes before making your decision, and then go with a company you feel like you can trust. Not only will the company do the installation, but they will provide the warranty service if something breaks down.

Hometown Heating, Air & Electric has been an award-winning air conditioning provider for people around Cedarburg since 2016. Our team is sought out for heating and cooling installation, service, and maintenance, along with indoor air quality solutions. Call to schedule your consultation with one of our expert air conditioning professionals today.

Who Invented Air Conditioning?

During summer, when the temperatures increase, and there is a need for cooling, a simple press of a button can bring cold air flowing into the house. This has been made possible by the invention of the air conditioner. For most people, it is hard to imagine a life without an air conditioner. However, this device was only invented in the 20th century. Since its invention, the air conditioner has helped millions of people live a more convenient life and allowed for advancement in several commercial industries.

Necessity Is the Mother of Invention

Different cooling systems have been invented by people throughout history. The ancient Egyptians used a system of hanging wet mats at the doorway for cooling. The Romans used aqueducts to circulate fresh water through indoor pools, causing a cooling effect in the interior space. However, the modern air conditioner was not invented until 1902.

At the end of the 19th century, the manufacturing landscape in America had expanded with different types of products being produced. The paper printing factories were especially vulnerable to high temperature and humidity, which caused issues with the paper not allowing for proper printing. It was important to solve this issue if paper factories were to operate in regions with fluctuating temperature and humidity.

Willis Carrier: The Father of the Air Conditioner

One paper factory in Brooklyn, New York, hired an engineering firm to find a solution to this problem. The engineering firm assigned this project a young engineer named Willis Carrier, who was a graduate of Cornell University. Carrier had experience in experimental engineering and had worked on finding innovative solutions for the clients of his employer.

As a solution for the paper plant, Carrier made a device that had cold water pass through coils, which reduced the temperature of the air flowing through the coil system. This formed the basis of the concept of an air conditioner. The air conditioner we use today has gone through several improvements in design and technology, but the basic concept of the modern air conditioner has remained the same as invented by Carrier.

With the stunning success of his invention of the air conditioner, Carrier went on to start his own air conditioning company. The air conditioners were initially only used in commercial applications, but by 1914 the air conditioner was being used on residential premises. Carrier kept on improving on his invention and devolved a more efficient model of the air conditioner. This model was called the centrifugal refrigeration machine, commonly known as the “chiller.” This product was ideal for movie theaters and was installed in over 300 locations.

The Legacy of Willis Carrier

The legacy of Carrier lives in our homes, malls, cinemas, airplanes, ships, and anywhere that has an air conditioning unit. The concept used in air conditioning helped engineers and scientists develop other useful products. The air conditioner allowed for an increase in the productivity of its manufacturing plants during the summer months. The transformative device by Carrier helped to manifest plants control the temperature and humidity. This was essential not just for paper factories but for many other types of factories.

Architecture was another industry heavily impacted by the invention of the air conditioner. Before the invention, homes, and factories had to be built with thick walls and systems allowing for insulation from the climate outside. It was common for buildings to have thick walls, high ceilings, balconies, courtyards, windows facing away from the sun, and other necessary features to survive the hot weather. With the invention of the air conditioner, however, homes and factories could be built faster and more cheaply. Plus, they needed less space. Another major impact of the invention by Carrier was the great migration of Americans to the Sunbelt. The air conditioner allowed more Americans to settle in the southern states, which had higher temperatures.

Schedule an HVAC Service Appointment With Us

To schedule an appointment with our technician at Hometown Heating & Air, you can contact us through our website or give us a call. We are a full-service HVAC company, providing heating and cooling services. We are located in Cedarburg, WI. At Hometown Heating & Air, we also provide services for indoor air quality and maintenance services for solar units, boilers, gas furnaces, garage heaters, and more. All of our technicians are certified and experienced in performing these services. They carry all the latest tools and technology for diagnostics, repair, replacement, and other types of services. Contact us now to schedule a service.

How do Air Purifiers Work?

Most homeowners in Cedarburg, WI, are shocked to learn that the air in their homes is up to five times dirtier than the outdoor air. Indoor air pollution comes from many sources, including your house’s furnishings and the materials used to construct your home. The everyday activities you do and the products you bring into your residence add to indoor air pollution. One way to improve the quality of your home’s air is to install an air purifier. Here’s what you need to know about how they work and who should consider having one installed in their home.

What Air Purifiers Do

Air purifiers clean the air. They trap or inactivate a variety of particles. There are two types of air purifiers. Portable air purifiers are designed to clean the air in one room, such as a bedroom. A whole-home air purifier sanitizes all of the air in your house. Both types are rated by their airflow rate. You should choose an air purifier that will handle all of your home’s or room’s air at least twice per hour. This allows the appliance to remove contaminants, such as sneeze clouds laden with viruses before you have a chance to breathe those particles into your lungs. There are two ways air purifiers work.

One way that an air purifier works is by trapping particles. They may have a filter that does this. The filter media includes layers of fibers that trap particles. These air purifiers will need filter changes once every two to four weeks. An air purifier may also trap particles through electrostatic charges. They do this with ions, and the particles then stick to plates. The metal plates need to be cleaned about once per month.

Another way an air purifier may clean your air is through particle inactivation. There are two types of technology for particle inactivation in air purification systems. The first is with a UV-C lamp. A UV-C lamp is a special type of light bulb that emits UV-C energy. This type of energy bombards the outer protein coats of bacteria, viruses, and allergens. The particles break apart into harmless components. The other type of technology that can inactivate particles is ion emission. Ion emission air purifiers release positively and negatively charged ions that inactivate particles. Some of the particles will stick to each other, and they’ll be big enough to be trapped by the unit’s air filter.

How Effective Are Air Purifiers at Cleaning the Air?

Air purifiers are very effective at inactivating and trapping particles from a house’s air. They do the best job with large particles, such as pollen and pet dander. They also do a good job at inactivating infectious germs, such as the viruses that cause the common cold or influenza. To get the best results from your air purifier, you’ll need to keep up with the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations for cleaning the plates or changing the filters. UV-C air purifiers will need a bulb replacement every one to two years. It’s also a good idea to pair the air purifier with an HVAC filter that has a high minimum efficiency reported value (MERV) rating. Look for a filter with a MERV rating of at least 13. These filters trap particles like dust, bacteria, oil droplets, and pet saliva.

Who Should Consider Using an Air Purifier?

If you or anyone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, then an air purifier may remove some of the particles that trigger your symptoms. By inactivating allergens and germs in your house’s air, the air purifier also lowers your risk of getting sick. This is helpful for anyone with allergies, asthma, or a compromised immune system. If your household includes a baby or an elderly person, an air purifier could help them breathe easier and give you peace of mind. You may also want to consider an air purifier if you’ve noticed more dust buildup or if you find yourself coughing, sniffling, or sneezing more frequently.

Hometown Heating, Air & Electric employs a trusted installation team for air purifiers. You can also count on us for dependable heating and air conditioning maintenance, repair, replacement, and installation services. Our maintenance agreements will make your life in Cedarburg more convenient, save you money, and give you peace of mind. For more details about air purifiers and how they work, get in touch with us at Hometown Heating, Air & Electric today.

What are the Major Parts of an Air Conditioner?

Summertime in Cedarburg, WI, is warm and humid. You’ll need a properly functioning air conditioning system to maintain a comfortable environment in your home. Central air conditioning systems have many parts, and they all have to be in good working order for the system to keep your home cool and to remove excess humidity. Here are seven of the major components of an air conditioner.

1. Refrigerant

Air conditioners contain a chemical refrigerant. These chemicals transfer states between liquid and vapor as they absorb and release heat and become pressurized. The first generation of air conditioners used Freon as the refrigerant. By the 1960s, scientists discovered that Freon contributed to ozone depletion. Its use was phased out. In 2010, the production of Freon ended. Newer air conditioners use a refrigerant called R-410A. This refrigerant doesn’t damage the ozone layer. An old air conditioner that uses Freon can’t be refilled with R-410A.

2. Evaporator

The evaporator is a coil contained in the indoor portion of your air conditioner. The cold refrigerant cycles through it. The coil extracts both heat and humidity from your home’s air. The coil needs an annual cleaning from a certified technician. Dust or dirt on the coil can interfere with its ability to absorb heat from your home’s air.

3. Air Handler

In most air conditioners, the evaporator coil is contained within the air handler. The air handler also includes a blower and motor. The blower pushes warm air from your home across the cold evaporator coil. Moisture condenses out of the cooled air, and the water is drained into the condensate drain and pan. The air handler also contains the housing for the air filter. Most air conditioning systems use disposable air filters. We recommend checking them monthly and replacing them every one to three months.

4. Compressor

The compressor’s job is to compress the refrigerant. This turns it into a hot liquid. The liquid gets hot enough that it is able to pass through the condenser coils and release its heat. The compressor is located between the evaporator and condenser coils.

5. Condenser

The condenser is part of the outdoor unit. The condenser contains a fan with a motor. It also has a large coil. The refrigerant travels through the coil. The condenser’s fan blows outdoor air across the coils, which cools the refrigerant. Heat dissipates to the outdoors. A stainless steel housing protects the fan, motor, and coil. The outdoor location of the condenser makes it prone to wind, hail, and rust damage. We recommend cutting back tree branches, grass, shrubs, and other vegetation at least three feet away from the condenser. Doing this allows the heat from the refrigerant to flow away from the condenser. If you ever notice ice on the condenser coils, this is a problem that requires urgent repairs.

6. Expansion Valve

An expansion valve decreases the pressure of the liquid refrigerant. This lowers the temperature of the refrigerant, turning it from a warm liquid into a cold liquid. The cold liquid is ready to enter the evaporator coil and absorb more heat energy from your home’s air.

7. Thermostat

The thermostat is your air conditioner’s command and control center. It has an air temperature sensor. When the air temperature in your home is above the temperature setting, the thermostat triggers the air conditioner to turn on. It does this with a wired connection. Smart thermostats also connect to your home’s Wi-Fi. Through Wi-Fi, the thermostat can communicate with an app on your phone.

Other Air Conditioner Parts

Air conditioners have many additional parts. The capacitor delivers a high level of power at the startup of a cooling cycle. This energy is needed to start the motors. Air conditioners also have pressure valves and sensors. They include a control panel, wiring, and switches. The condensate drain and pan are also important. The system’s air filter traps particles and prevents them from circulating through your home or settling on the evaporator’s coil.

At Hometown Heating, Air & Electric, we’re the trusted installation team for air conditioners. We also install heating systems. Our heating and air conditioning maintenance and repair services keep you comfortable all year long. You can also turn to us for affordable indoor air quality services. For more information about the major parts of an air conditioner, contact us at Hometown Heating, Air & Electric as soon as you can.