In terms of keeping your air conditioning costs down, it pays to use every tool in your toolkit. Here are energy efficiency tips to reduce costs associated with your AC this summer.
If you’ve ever been in a situation and asked an IT professional why your computer isn’t working, they may have responded with a question: “Have you tried restarting it?” Like many appliances around your house, air conditioners are getting smarter and sometimes require a good old-fashioned reset. Even older models that suddenly stop working can benefit from a reset, especially after a power outage.
How to Reset an Air Conditioner
You’ve successfully completed a reset! Next, go to your thermostat and make sure it’s set to “cool” and a temperature that’s lower than the current temperature inside your home. After a few seconds, your air conditioner should start up. Place your hand by the vents to confirm that cold air is blowing through your ductwork.
In most cases, this button is small and red, situated on or near the unit. Look for the clearly labeled 'reset' button. Upon locating it, press the button for approximately three seconds and monitor the air conditioner. Verify if the AC starts operating immediately; if not, press the button again for an additional three seconds. Your AC should emit three beeps and restart promptly.
If you are having difficulty finding your air conditioner unit reset button, review the manufacturer's manual or search online to identify the reset button's placement on your particular model.
The most common reason for an AC unit needing a reset is when the protection circuit breaker in your AC unit kicks in. This typically happens after a power outage and is in place to prevent fires and explosions. A reset can also correct an AC that’s only blowing warm air, even when the thermostat is set to “cool.” There are a handful of reasons your AC could be blowing warm air, but one of them is a general thermostat error. Sometimes a hard reset of your AC can solve that problem.
While resetting an air conditioner is generally an easy task, if you are uncertain or uncomfortable, please contact an HVAC professional to assist by requesting an appointment with Great Northern Heating and Air. As a final thought and precautionary note, accessing your reset button may require you to open your condensing unit plan and with certain units, this could impact your warranty. Please check your warranty guidelines before attempting to reset your air conditioner.
When it comes to air conditioning, size really does matter. An air conditioner that is too big for your space may cool it down quickly, but there are some major cons that can come with too large a unit.
When an air conditioner cools a room too quickly, it will cycle on and off more frequently. This can put much more wear and tear on a system compared to one that is appropriately sized Plus, you’ll spend more on maintenance and repairs. Whenever the unit is running, you’re likely consuming more energy than necessary to keep the room cool.
A unit that is too small will run around-the-clock. This will drive up your energy bill Plus, it may never reach your desired temperature, meaning you’ll have an uncomfortable summer. As the cooler months come to an end, it’s time to prep for the summer heat. For some, it may be time to install a new air conditioning. When making the decision, there are a lot of things to consider, including price, brand, and energy rating. One thing that should never be overlooked is the size of your air conditioner, as getting the right size can make a huge difference.
What to Consider When Sizing a Central Air Conditioning Unit:
· Square footage of the space you want to cool
· The climate in your area
· Your home’s insulation
· The layout of the rooms in your home
When you are choosing a central unit, it pays to consult an HVAC professional who can consider all these factors and present you with the pros and cons of choosing between two sizes if you’re right on the borderline.
It most often starts with a smell. Mold in your AC unit or AC vents may not be visible, but the steady buildup of mold can spread mold spores that cause nasal congestion, throat irritation, coughing, and an odor that you notice every time the unit kicks on.
For your health and for your nose, it’s important to take the time to find out whether there’s mold in your air conditioning ducts or the AC unit itself.
Having mold in your air conditioning system is no more or less dangerous than having mold in any other place in your home. The difference—and the danger—is in airflow. Mold in air conditioning ducts can quickly spread through your HVAC ducts and linger in any room in your home with air vents. As a result, mold spores can impact your health anywhere, as opposed to being a more isolated problem when limited to a single room like your basement or attic.
The smooth metal surfaces of AC units and air vents are not well-suited to mold growth, but mold can still grow on metal if it can find organic elements to consume, like human and pet dander found in household dust.
It’s not always easy to tell if your AC unit has mold. Many homeowners rely on a few signs of mold, including:
Mold spores that have spread throughout your air ventilation system can create new mold deposits in other moist areas of your home. If you discover mold indoors, it’s always worth inspecting your air vents and AC unit for mold that may have contributed to the spread.
Mold in a central air conditioning unit requires professional service. If you discover mold in your central air unit, stop using the unit immediately. You may also turn your thermostat’s fan function off to reduce the amount of air being circulated in your home.
AC units create moisture during normal operation. The key to preventing mold in your AC unit and its spreading throughout your HVAC system is to keep a careful eye on excess moisture buildup. Make inspecting drains, drip pans, intake vents, and air vents a regular part of your HVAC maintenance routine.
The more frequently you use your air conditioner, the more important it is to check for the signs of mold. This could be as often as every other week, depending on the moisture levels of your climate. Annual HVAC inspection from Great Northern Heating and Air will also reduce the risk of developing mold.
There are many manufacturers who make air filters for allergies, but not all filters are created equal. For individuals with severe symptoms, every allergy mitigation effort is worth it. Finding the best air filter for seasonal allergies is one way to help minimize symptoms and get back to enjoying life.
Tackling dust and dander or seasonal allergens like ragweed and tree pollen require just the right filters. Most airborne irritants are tiny, but even microscopic allergens vary widely by size and that impacts how effective filters are at removing them from the air.
Along with filter-specific rating systems like Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, allergy sufferers should also look at the Clean Air Delivery Rate, or CADR. This measures the rate of clean air moved through your HVAC system and into your home.
One rule of thumb for determining the appropriate CADR is the 2/3 Rule. This means you’ll need a device with a CADR of two-thirds of the square footage you’re looking to filter. A 1,200 square foot home should have a CADR of 800 or more.
Air filter performance is very heavily impacted by its material and construction. As you’d expect, the top-performing air filters for allergy sufferers may cost a little extra, but you’ll be glad you made the investment.
Here’s how a few types of air filter materials stack up:
Fiberglass Air Filters
Also called “spun glass” filters, fiberglass is the most common type of air filter material used due to its low cost and longevity. However, these are not the best filter for individuals with allergies. They capture less than 10% of allergens in your home, which means they’ll do little to help ease symptoms.
Pleated Fiberglass Air Filters
Pleated fiberglass filters include an additional layer of cotton and polyester to improve filtration. They’re slightly more expensive than traditional fiberglass filters but do a much better job removing allergens. Depending on the CADR and MERV ratings, pleated filters remove between 20% and 50% of allergens.
HEPA Air Filters
High-efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are considered the best option for allergy sufferers because they remove 98% of airborne pollution. Used in portable air purifiers, HVAC systems, or whole-house air purifiers, HEPA filters are so thick they require an especially powerful fan (or two!) to push air through. These are the most expensive air filters and aren’t compatible with all devices or systems. Check with Great Northern Heating and Air to see if a HEPA filter will work in your HVAC system.
HEPA filters deliver the best performance overall, but may not be suitable for your home’s HVAC system. Read your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer to find the highest-rated filter compatible. Find the highest MERV rating compatible with your HVAC system and use a clean portable air filter to offset seasonal allergies when needed.
One size never fits all. Find the filter and cleaning regimen that makes the biggest difference in your symptoms and stick with it!
And remember, finding and using the best air filter for your air purifiers and HVAC system is only part of the solution. There are many other ways to reduce allergy symptoms:
Get Allergy Relief from the HVAC Pros
Allergies don’t have to ruin your summer fun! With the right air filters for your air purifiers and HVAC system, the allergy sufferers in your home can breathe a little easier.
The friendly, professional technicians at Great Northern Heating and Air can help you choose the right filter and make other air quality improvements. Call (406)-471-7560 today!
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