Many older homes were built pre-central heat and air. This is a luxury that many of us have to enjoy and when moving into an older we find that this luxury is also a necessity. We tend to lose tolerance for heat as we grow older and those old window air conditioning units just look tacky. However, the whole idea of having to add ducts to a home can sound difficult and expensive, but it is easier than you might think.

Central heat and air uses a primary heating appliance such as a furnace that is often located in an area such as a small closet, basement or garage. These systems deliver heat throughout the house through pumped warm air through a system of air ducts or by sending hot water or steam through pipes to room radiators. In newer homes, the system is usually built in with the home. The duct system may be set up with an air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace. There are also two types of systems including a forced air system and a gravity system. Gravity systems, however, do not provide air conditioning and can only provide heat. If your system includes an air conditioner, then the system is a forced-air system.

Air conditioners and heat pumps are forced air systems that share ductwork. The air conditioner runs on electricity and removes heat from air through refrigeration. The heat pump is capable of providing both heating and cooling. In the winter, the heat pump extracts the heat from outside air and delivers it into the home. In the summer it does the opposite. It extracts the cool air and pumps it into the home. These systems tend to be very economical and use only one duct system.

Many central air conditioners are split systems with a condenser outside and the fan and coil unit mounted in the attic. This means that the ducts will originate in the attics. The challenge here is if the home is two stories. It can be difficult to get the supply and return ducts to the first floor. The second floor will generally have ducts that run through the attic floor, while the first floor will need to have ducts run through closets. This takes up less space than some may think and the mess can be minimal. The contractor will need to cut holes in the first and second floor ceilings and some second floor closets will need to be used for running ducts.

This work will be well worth it in the long run when your home is kept cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If you have an older home, especially one with two stories, it can be difficult to spend anytime upstairs during the summer. The upstairs rooms will hold a large amount of heat and will definitely benefit from central heat and air. In the winter it is often difficult to keep first floors warm because the heat rises. Central heat will make your first floor rooms much more comfortable.

Chris Brown is a regular contributor to Home Remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling [http://www.sparklingtoilets.com] and Kitchen Remodeling [http://www.kitchen-remodeling-center.net/] websites. Chris also takes pride in many of his own do-it-yourself projects around his own home.

Author: Christopher Brown
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Whether you are installing a completely new central heat and air system or upgrading the existing one, it can be tempting to deal with the cheapest contractor you can find. In these difficult economic times we are all trying to find ways to cut corners and reduce costs. But using the cheapest HVAC contractor may actually spell the start of huge bills and repair costs.

A HVAC system, while not hugely complicated, does need to be serviced, installed and maintained by someone that not only knows what they are doing but cares about you the client. So many things can go wrong with heat pumps or air conditioning units. If the ducts are not cleaned properly the quality of air in your home will be adversely affected and this could impact on the health of your family. Not noticing repairs that need to be made, or noticing but just not bothering to complete them could lead to the complete breakdown of your system.

Instead of trying to cut corners by employing cowboys, talk to professional central heat and air companies. They will review your needs and the existing system and discuss the ways in which you could cut your bills. They will know whether you are likely to qualify for tax incentives to upgrade to more efficient better energy rated systems. They will discuss ideas with you on how to reduce your costs for example instead of heating water all day long, using a timer to turn it on when you are most likely to need it.

The contractors who value their clients will do their utmost to help where possible. This means that they will stay informed on developments in the industry and take the extra time required to really assess what you need to achieve and how best to get that result. Don’t settle for less. The professionals are not that much more expensive than the cowboys. In fact you will often find they are just as cost effective but do not carry the same risks as dealing with amateurs do.

Want to find out more about central heat and air? Join us at http://www.heating-and-air-conditioning-contractors.com/central-heat-and-air-systems

Author: Chris Hartpence
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Most of us have become accustomed to the comfort provided by our vehicles’ heating and air conditioning system. During the cold months, warm air keeps the chill at bay. During the warmer months, the A/C produces cool air to make the driving experience more comfortable.

Like most auto parts and systems, the heater and air conditioner work without our thinking about them. Unfortunately, they do suffer wear and tear. They can break down for a variety of reasons, and fail to perform their respective jobs.

The technology used to design your vehicle’s heater and A/C has evolved over the last several decades. But problems can still occur. In this article, you’ll discover how the various components work together to ensure your drive is as comfortable as possible. We’ll then take a look at a few issues you may experience down the road.

The Job Of The Compressor

Attached to the side of your car’s engine is a component called the compressor. It is a pump that is responsible for compressing refrigerant (e.g. R-134a, Freon, etc.) and sending it to another component called the condenser (described below). In order to fulfill this responsibility, the compressor intakes low-pressure gas from a part called the evaporator. The compressor pressurizes the gas – heating it in the process – before sending it through the system.

The Condenser And Expansion Valve

Your A/C system’s condenser appears similar to your cooling system’s radiator. Moreover, it works in a similar manner. Once the high-temperature, pressurized gas from the compressor reaches the condenser, it undergoes a process through which heat is removed from it. During this process, the refrigerant gas is turned into pressurized liquid before it leaves the condenser on its way to the expansion valve.

The expansion valve regulates the amount of refrigerant that reaches the evaporator (described below). When you modify the temperature control in your vehicle’s cabin, you are adjusting the setting of this component. The higher the temperature setting, the less refrigerant that is allowed to pass through to the evaporator.

Evaporator

Your air conditioner’s evaporator has a few responsibilities. First, it is tasked with removing heat from within the cabin of your car. Second, it removes moisture from the air that leaves it and passes through the vents.

By the time the liquid refrigerant arrives from the expansion valve, much of its pressure has dissipated. It enters the evaporator where it is dehumidified prior to its release. The refrigerant then leaves the evaporator and travels back to the compressor to start its journey over. Meanwhile, cold air is blown through your car’s vents with a blower motor.

Potential Problems That Can Develop

The most common problems drivers experience with their car’s heating and air conditioner system include a lack of cold air, intermittent cooling performance, and noise and odor. Lack of cold air is usually due to a lack of refrigerant. This implies there is a leak from the seals or hoses somewhere in the A/C system. Finding such leaks is best left to a trained mechanic who has the necessary equipment.

Intermittent cooling is often attributable to an obstruction caused by moisture. Finding the obstruction, similar to locating a refrigerant leak, can be challenging unless you have access to the proper diagnostic equipment. The problem may also be triggered by an electrical failure that prevents the compressor clutch from engaging. If the clutch fails to engage, the compressor will not work.

If you hear your car’s A/C system making excess noise, have a mechanic check the compressor. There’s a high likelihood the component is about to fail, and will need to be replaced. If you smell a musty odor coming from the vents, mold has likely grown on the evaporator. This occurs because moisture collects on the evaporator’s surface (recall that the component dehumidifies the liquid refrigerant). Don’t ignore the odor. Have the mold cleared out.

The heating and air conditioning system of your vehicle should operate without incident for years. When problems occur, however, the repairs are best left to a mechanic.

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Author: Lawrence Reaves
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you are looking to install a heating or air conditioning system or perhaps both, you will need a professional heating and air conditioning contractor. How do you go about finding the best one? Thankfully there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from people who are less than professional.

You need to make sure that the company and individual you are dealing with is properly bonded and insured. Never let a contractor from any trade onto your property without first confirming this as if he was to have an accident and be injured or worse you could find yourself being sued.

If you have not been given a personal recommendation to the company be sure to ask for referrals from their existing clients. In particular you will want to speak to clients who have had similar jobs to yours done. There is really no point in you speaking to someone who had a heat pump installed if you only want air conditioning done. Another option you have is to check the company out with the Better Business Bureau. Professional companies will be happy to give you the details of satisfied customers and will understand why you are asking these questions.

Always ask for a fully itemized quote which should include everything relevant to the job in question. You want to know the costs of all the parts as well as the labor and the time line the job is expected to be completed within. It is not always a good idea to engage a company on price alone. You need to feel comfortable around their staff as after all they will be in your home for a certain period of time. You should feel as if you matter to their business rather than just being another order in the book. If you feel that they can’t be bothered spending time answering your questions, then it doesn’t matter if they are the cheapest. You will probably not be happy with the job they do. Your instinct should play a part in the decision making process.

Want to find out more about central heat and air? Join us at http://www.heating-and-air-conditioning-contractors.com/central-heat-and-air-systems

Author: Chris Hartpence
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you search around the Internet regarding tips to maximize the life of your central heating and air conditioning systems and improve the overall air quality within your home, most sites will echo the recommendation that you should have your ductwork cleaned every 3-4 years. All of the reasons that they site for needing to clean your ducts are valid, but the most dominant of the reasons is that the ducts are a breeding ground for dust mites and mold. The frequency of every 3-4 years is also dependent upon the efficiency of the air filters used on your system and the amount of humidity that flows through the system.

Rather than use the 3-4 year rule, you can perform this very simple check to see if you ducts are contaminated. This check should be done annually between seasons when the system is not running. Remove a register from the vent outlet and inspect the inside surface of the register. If all that you see is a thin layer of dust that rinses off easily, then your ducts are in relatively good shape. However, if you have a blackish coating that requires some scrubbing to get the inside surface of the register clean, then you are most likely dealing with mold and you can be sure that the surface of your ducts are coated with the same throughout. So, what do you do if your ducts are contaminated? There are a number of well established companies out there that specialize in cleaning your ducts, but our recommendation is to have them replaced and here is why.

- Even the best cleaning system in the world will leave some behind to again multiply and spread throughout your system.
- Mold and other contaminants that accumulate in your ductwork will make the usually pliable surface of the ducts brittle which can cause cracking and subsequently leaks in your system.
- Duct cleaning equipment can potentially puncture your ducts thus causing leaks in your system.

By replacing your ducts, you will get the following benefits that you will not get by cleaning them:

- Your ducts will be 100% contaminant-free guaranteed.
- Improved duct material with better insulation can be used to improve the overall efficiency of your system.
- New duct seals will be installed. Failed duct seals are a primary cause of system inefficiency over time for installations that have never had their ducts replaced.

If you have never had your ducts checked, cleaned, or replaced, then we highly recommend that you perform the simple checks outlined above. In particular, if you are living in a home over 20-years old that still has the original ductwork, then you will be impressed with the new materials available that will not only provide you with a cleaner living environment, but will also improve the efficiency of your system.

Tom Southern is a long time home air conditioning professional and hosts his own blog at homeairconditionersguide.com.

Author: Tom Southern
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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When the outside temperature becomes too hot for most people, they flock indoors where the air is comfort controlled and regulated by an air conditioner. Air conditioning units can be large or small, central or window-based. Air conditioner units that sit outside the home are most common in newer homes and help to cool the entire house.

Air conditioners, or Central Air, use a refrigerant (usually Freon gas) to provide the cooling. They are complex machines that require highly skilled air conditioning contractors or technicians to install and maintain. However, there are some steps you can take to prolong the life of your air conditioning unit.
In order for your air conditioner to work properly, you must make sure the airflow is unrestricted. Make sure there is no debris near the fan portion of the outdoor unit. Also check for ice build up near the pump, as this can be a sign of low Freon or a damaged compressor. Running your air conditioning unit with low Freon levels or with a damaged compressor or pump can cause even more damage. Make sure you call an experienced HVAC contractor to inspect your air conditioner and repair any problems.

Put simply, the air conditioner works like this: A compressor takes the cool Freon gas and squeezes it down until it becomes a hot gas under high pressure. The hot gas runs through the air conditioner unit and a set of coils to condense further into a liquid. As the Freon liquid evaporates into gas, it becomes cold. The cold gas absorbs heat and is pumped throughout the home, and the home is cooled to the desired temperature.
Your air conditioning unit will work best when your home has been properly insulated. In order to keep the cool air inside your home for longer, you should have correct insulation, energy-efficient doors and windows, and proper ventilation. Homes that sit in direct sunlight may have a tougher time regulating the temperature inside, but a well-maintained air conditioning unit can get the job done.

Modern units have been manufactured with efficiency in mind. A lot of energy can be spent on running older air conditioner units, and in the long run, you’re better off purchasing a new, energy efficient model. These modern systems can save hundreds of dollars per year on energy bills because they have been engineered to cool your home without consuming a large amount of electricity. When these units are properly maintained and inspected by a professional air conditioning contractor, their lifespan increases and they continue to operate at maximum efficiency.

Talk to a professional HVAC contractor to find out what size air conditioning unit you need for your home. You’ll want to make sure you find one that can put out enough cool air effortlessly. One that is too large will constantly be turning on and shutting off, while one that is too small will be running all the time just to keep up with the demand for cool air. An air conditioning professional will be able to determine the size unit you need for you home and your family’s comfort.

Mr. Abernathy is a marketing agent of Associated Heating. The HVAC contractor provides heating and air conditioning throughout Lane County OR. For more information on their HVAC Service in Eugene OR please visit their website.

Author: Bill Abernathy
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you’re looking at buying a new heating and air conditioning system for your home, you need to find ways to save money. If you’re like most consumers, you want to buy a high quality, high efficiency system that will help you pay less to keep your home comfortable over the next several years. Saving money and getting the best in HVAC systems may seem contradictory, but you actually can do both, especially right now!

Look for Special Deals

You can get systems like these on special deals from some companies, and you should always be on the lookout for specials on heating and cooling systems if you’re looking to replace yours anytime in the next year or two. These specials can really save you a ton of cash.

Get the Right Size

Buying the right size furnace or air conditioner is vital to saving money on your heating and cooling bills and on the actual equipment. Getting a bigger size isn’t always a better idea, as it can leave you with not only a more expensive system but also more expensive bills, since furnaces and air conditioners that are too large for the area they’re heating are generally much less efficient than furnaces and air conditioners of the right size.

Apply for the Tax Credit

This is probably your biggest and best way to save on heating and cooling between now and the end of 2010. You can actually get a tax credit from the government when you buy new, energy-efficient appliances like furnaces and central air conditioners. Basically, this means that if you buy the right sort of HVAC equipment over the next year or so, you will be able to save a whole lot of money.

In order to get the credit, though, you have to buy the right kind of system. The kind you have to buy, though, is just the kind of energy efficient HVAC system that will keep your heating and cooling bills as low as possible. The system that you’ll need to get will have to be at least 90% efficient, but this extra efficiency will save you money both now and later.

When you buy your new furnace or air conditioner – air source heat pumps and hot water boilers count, too – simply save both your receipt and the manufacturer’s certification for the appliance. Then, when you do your taxes – or have someone else do them – at the end of the year, you can take that receipt in and apply for the tax credit.

This credit, though, doesn’t work like a tax deduction, which only takes away a certain percentage of your taxable income. Instead, it’s basically like the government writes you a check; if you owe them money, they simply take the amount of the check away from the payment you owe, and if they owe you money, they’ll put that check in with the rest of your tax rebate.

You can get a rebate for 30% of the cost of your new heating and air conditioning appliances up to $15,000. The only time this doesn’t hold true is if you’re putting in super efficient appliances that don’t need fossil fuels or natural gas to run. Geo-thermal heat pumps, for instance, have no dollar amount limit, and the government will write you a check for 30% of the cost, no matter what it is.

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Author: Alen Khaykin
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you are looking for a contractor to do your heating or air conditioning job, what are the things that you should be looking for? It is easy to get caught up with a company’s splashy ads or their slick sales talk. But do they have people doing the hands on work that are trained properly and can get the job of making your home comfortable done right?

The installation of any heating or air conditioning system is not a job that just anyone can do. Often many HVAC companies make the mistake of hiring inexperienced people to install systems that they have no idea how they work or are designed to work. The company needs bodies to get the work done, so they go out and hire anyone who is willing to work for them. They then try to teach them the craft on the job. This lack of training will show up often years later after your warranty is up and you can do nothing about the faulty workmanship.

If you are getting quotes for work to be done in your home do not decide who will do your work simply by price. That is probably the worst criteria to use to award a job to a company. The company that will do the best job for you usually will not be the lowest bidder. They will have experienced people that they will have to pay a higher wage. The best job usually will require higher quality materials to do the job. This also will make the job cost more.

When you get your quotes try to compare materials that each one is using. Get detailed descriptions of the miscellaneous materials that will be used. Anyone can give you good quality appliances and then mess the job up with using bad materials to hookup the great appliance. Check on the experience of the people that will be installing your equipment.

Every time an installer does a job they will learn something more. A good installer will put that experience to good use and will learn better ways to install the equipment with every installation. Check references of installations that have been done by the crew that will be installing your job. If you are refused references then stop right there.

Getting your heating or air conditioning job installed correctly will take some time but it will be worth the extra effort. You may even end up with a different brand of equipment then you originally thought you would want. Just remember that the brand of equipment is not nearly as important as the quality of the workmanship that goes into the installation. It will be the installer that makes your job a great one that will perform trouble free for many years.

Floyd Kolb has worked in the Mechanical/Hvac industry for over 20 years, gaining a wealth of knowledge to share. Just as with air conditioning systems you can have either good or bad companies to guide you with network or internet marketing. I have tried many things that don’t work. I also have found a few companies that have products that I feel I can recommend. You can see those by checking out my website. I am continuing to evaluate other companies and will add more when I am confident in their ability to perform for people. I am now part of a top internet marketing team of mentors that has a passion for helping others achieve their goals, dreams and aspirations. You can learn more about this company by going to http://bttwme.com.

Author: D. Floyd Kolb
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Dealing with the heat in Atlanta can be very difficult. Summers are spent trying to keep cool by opening the windows and sipping tea or lemonade in the shade of a nice big tree or anywhere else that provides relief. Keeping cool may be hard to accomplish for those that reside in Atlanta, but is most troublesome for anyone who has an antebellum home.

No specific style of house can be called an Antebellum home. Instead these residences represent a time period in our history. Antebellum style houses were built approximately thirty years before the civil war era and are considered major historical sights in southern cities such as Atlanta. Many different styles are considered Antebellum with three of the biggest being Greek Revival, Classic Revival, and Federal. These homes are normally two stories high with tall columns and a box shape. Some other common characteristics are tall ceilings, a central hallway, and a grand staircase.

Porches were made very deep to provide shade and to take advantage of any cool breeze during the hot, humid summers in Atlanta and other southern towns. Windows were larger so more of a breeze could enter during the summer months as well. These homes are known for their historical value and have been used as models for all other styles of homes.

Why is it so difficult to keep cool for someone that owns one of these beautiful homes? Many owners of these residencies spend a lot of time restoring them to their original state as a way of preserving history. At the same time, they want to make them more comfortable to live in. Most have intricate carpentry detail inside and out and were not designed for central heat and air systems. Because of this, proper planning and design is required when installing a new system. It is important to do proper research and know what you want when hiring an Atlanta heating and air conditioning service. Even though they may have experience with antebellum homes, the desired result and overall installation will be smoother with your input and knowledge of the home itself.

What should you look for in an Atlanta heating and air conditioning service? Hire a company who has qualified HVAC contractors that are familiar with these types of residences and are local to the area. They should be reliable, experienced, and have knowledge of these types of homes. Look for a company that has a quick emergency response time and is available every day of the week. This will make installation and service more convenient. They should deal with all major brands such as Lennox and Carrier but should be able to work on other systems as well. Finally, make sure they have experience in design for the utmost efficiency during installation.

If you are looking for the best HVAC technicians in Atlanta, then look no further than the qualified folks over at Bardi Heating and Air. They are located in Norcross, GA and have been serving the greater Atlanta area’s residential and commercial HVAC needs for decades. Check out http://www.Bardi.com or give them a call at 770-263-9300.

Author: Brian Figlioli
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Having a central heating and air system is one of the best assets to have in your home. It is generally a small investment to make, and it will increase the value of your home much more than what you will spend. Everyone wants to feel and be comfortable in their own home, so having central heating and air is essential to living comfortably. There are many benefits of having a/c in your home other than being able to cool off in the summer, or warm up in the winter.

Having a/c in your home will lengthen the life of your home tenfold. Keeping a constant temperature in your home will also allow for healthier air to breathe. During hot weather from the summer, without a/c your house can easily start to have mold grow from any dampness. This will cause the air that you breathe to be toxic, and very unhealthy for your lungs. Having a constant regulated temperature in your house will also increase the life of your walls and the paint on your walls.

There is just no reason to not have a central heating and air system installed in your home. It is very affordable, and will immediately increase the value of your home. It would also be a very attractive option to have in your house if you are looking to sell. People look to their home for comfort and somewhere they can relax and be comfortable, so what better way to make your home comfortable by having central heating and air?

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Author: Paul A Buchanan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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