Archive for July, 2012

Media HVAC Guide: Using Heat Pumps for Air Conditioning

Monday, July 30th, 2012

Many times when we hear the words “heat pump” we think of just that: heating an internal space.  However, heat pumps do more than just heat air: heat pumps also air condition indoor air.  As a licensed air conditioning company in Media, Cool It HVAC understands how heat pumps work and can help you see how they might work for you as well.  So when it comes to the question of how using heat pumps for air conditioning works, let us be your guide!

How Heat Pumps Air Condition Indoor Air

Heat pumps utilize only a small amount of energy which must be purchased within the process of cooling indoor air.  A heat pump creates cold air through the process of thermal energy in which air is moved from one location to another and in the process the air is cooled.

While normally heat pumps pull heat from the air (air-source heat pump) for use in heating indoor spaces the process is just revered for air conditioning.  With air conditioning purposes heat pumps pull the cold temperatures from either the air or ground.  During the air conditioning process hot air from inside is pumped outside while the cold air from outside is pumped inside.  It is one of the simplest methods of air conditioning and heating around.

There are many great qualities about heat pumps.  One is the fact that they are very energy-efficient, especially in the winter when the heating element is being utilized.  This is because they use only a fraction of the amount of purchased energy which other heating systems take to heat.  While in air conditioning mode they are still very energy-efficient but it is more comparable to what air conditioning systems offer as well.

Even so there are other distinct advantages of using heat pumps such as the fact that they are smaller in size and are generally located outside, which means they save on space indoors.  Because they provide both heating and air conditioning, that also means easier installation with one single unit, as well as less maintenance and fewer repairs since you do not have to do those things for separate air conditioner and heating units.

Use Your Heat Pump for Air Conditioning!

Cool It HVAC is a certified air conditioning company in Media that provides a wide variety of air conditioning services such as heat pump installation and replacement, as well as heat pump repair and maintenance.  Our Media AC technicians will provide you with quality workmanship which is completed in a timely manner.

 

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Media Air Conditioning Question: What Does the AC Condensate Drain Do?

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

A frequent question that contractors report getting from homeowners pertains to the condensate drain – what is it and what does it do? The condensate drain is one of those components of your Media air conditioning system that you hear about fairly often, but its exact function tends to be a mystery to most people.

The Condensate System

In addition to cooling the air in your home, an air conditioner also removes humidity. It does this by drawing in ambient air, which then passes over a coil filled with cold refrigerant, called a condenser coil. When the warm ambient air comes into contact with the cold condenser coil, the moisture in that air condenses from gas to a liquid state – water.

This water is collected by the air conditioner and drained off, thereby removing it from the air entirely, resulting in less humidity in your home.

The Role of the Condensate Drain

The condensate system consists of a number of parts: a drip tray to catch and collect the condensed moisture, a small pump to drain the water from the tray and the condensate drain.

The job of the condensate drain is just what you would expect based on its name and what you just read about the condensate system as a whole – that is, it drains away the condensed water. Via the condensate drain, this moisture is drained out of the air conditioner and out of the house.

Where this condensed moisture goes varies from system to system. Sometimes it empties into a basement floor drain, other times it may makes its way to the waste line. Either way, it is because of the condensate drain that this moisture is able to leave the AC system and the house.

Problems with Condensate Drainage

The condensate drain is an important part of the air conditioning process, as leaving that excess moisture around can cause problems, like mold growth, rust or insect damage. Any time your Media air conditioner’s condensate drain is not working properly, due to a clog or a bad pump motor, you are at risk for these problems to crop up. Call Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning today if you are having any problems with your air conditioning system!

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Media AC Tip: Central Air Conditioning Buying Guide

Monday, July 16th, 2012

Looking to buy a central air conditioner in Media? Not sure where to start? Read through this handy guide to give yourself a jumping-off point.

1.       Budget

Before doing anything else, figure out how much you can afford to spend on a new air conditioner. That budget figure will help guide your decisions throughout the process.

2.       Size

You need to know what size air conditioner you house will require. The right cooling capacity is an essential trait of central AC. There are ways to estimate this figure yourself, but for the most accurate sizing figure and best results, you should have a Media AC professional do a load calculation on your whole home. This will take into account not just the space, but also what types of rooms are to be cooled, the quality of the insulation and windows and how many people will be in a room at a time, all of which affect cooling.

3.       Consider all options

Cast a wide net when looking at your AC options. Have you considered the benefits of a ductless system over traditional central air? Have you looked at all the energy efficient models? Since you have this opportunity to get exactly what you want for your home, take advantage of it.

4.       Consult with a professional

Rather than being its own step, this should really be going on throughout each step in the buying process. A Media air conditioning professional can help you with sizing, inform you of your options and install the new system for you once you have made a decision. The assistance of a pro in this matter is invaluable.

5.       Decide and enjoy!

With all the difficult decisions out of the way, you are free to enjoy the comfort of central air conditioning! For any assistance, feel free to call Cool It Heating and Air Conditioning!

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Here Come Another Heat Wave! Is Your AC Ready?

Friday, July 13th, 2012

Heat Wave | Delaware County | Cool It HVACTemperatures that soared over 100 degrees sent people in the Delaware County area searching for ways to cool off. It looks like another stretch of hot weather is headed our way. At Cool It Heating and Air Conditioning we want to make sure that you and your family are prepared for the hot weather. Being without air conditioning during the hottest of weather is not only uncomfortable, but can be dangerous.

Be sure to drink plenty of water and maintain hydration, don’t exert yourself, and when temperatures are that high we recommend saying indoors in the AC. If you are without AC or having an aging system that might not make it through another heat wave call the experts at Cool It HVAC today. We offer professional AC installation, maintenance, and repair.

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Springfield AC Question: What Is the Difference Between Ductless and Central Air Conditioning?

Monday, July 9th, 2012

When considering air conditioning solutions that cover the whole house, some Springfield homeowners are surprised to learn that they have options besides just traditional central air conditioning. While that is still the best option for many people, another option to consider is ductless air conditioning.

They both keep your whole home cool, so what’s the difference? Actually, there are a few, having to do with the configuration of the machinery, relative ease of installation and some other factors.

Equipment & Installation

The two types of systems are alike in that they both have indoor and outdoor units, but they differ in just how those units are arranged and what they do. Ductless systems consist of an outdoor compressor/condenser unit and several indoor air handlers. Each indoor unit is designed to cool one room or area and is controlled independently of the others. The indoor units are connected to the outdoor unit via a conduit that is filled with refrigerant. By having the individual indoor units perform the air handling, ductless systems can be installed more easily, since usually just a small hole for the conduit is all that is needed to connect the outdoor unit to the indoors.

Contrast that configuration with central AC, where the air handling is done by a central indoor unit, usually located in the basement. The cooled air is then delivered to the various rooms of the house via air ducts. Ductless systems make ductwork unnecessary.

Advantages

Each type of system has its advantages. Central air conditioning is the best choice for homes that have ductwork already in place, since that will make for the easiest installation. Also, many people like the idea of having one unit to cool the whole house instead of having to control the indoor units separately, as with ductless systems. However, central AC can be zoned if you like.

Ductless systems are generally more efficient to operate, since there is less opportunity for cooled air to be lost in the ducts. They are usually the best option for smaller homes or any homes that don’t have existing ductwork.

No matter which type of system you choose, your home will be cool and comfortable. It is largely a matter of what type of system works better for your particular situation, so there is no right or wrong solution. Call Cool It today if you have any questions about Springfield air conditioning installation!

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Ridley Park Air Conditioning Tip: Benefits of Ductless AC

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

Ductless air conditioners, sometimes also called ductless mini split systems, are a multi-room or whole house cooling solution that doesn’t require ductwork. This makes them a good option for smaller or older homes where there is no ductwork, but are there any other benefits of ductless AC in Ridley Park?

Turns out that there are– at least five of them, in fact:

1.       Easy to Install

Because of the time and effort it usually takes to install ducts, a ductless air conditioning system can be installed much more quickly than a traditional central air system. A ductless system can usually be installed in less than a day, whereas putting in a new central air system from scratch can take up to a week. That means six fewer days of having a crew working in your house while you sweat out the blazing summer heat.

2.       Easy to Use

The individual indoor satellite units of a ductless system can be controlled independently, often by remote control. That means you can adjust the temperature in one room without affecting the rest of the house, and often you can do it without even getting up.

3.       Cheap to Operate

Ductless AC systems draw less power than traditional central air conditioning, which makes them generally a more cost effective solution. Plus, since you can control individual units (see #2), it doesn’t cost nearly as much to cool just one room.

4.       Quiet Operation

The equipment involved in ductless AC systems is very quiet, often generating nothing more than a low hum.

5.       Small Footprint

Ductless air conditioners take up very little space, which makes them unobtrusive when in use and easy to store when they are not.

When looking for a home cooling solution, consider the benefits of a ductless AC system before making your decision. You may see that it is a better option for you than traditional central air conditioning in Ridley Park. Call Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning today if you are interest in having a ductless AC system installed!

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