The Clean Air Act Blog: Posts Tagged ‘AC Installation’

Size Does Matter: Trouble with an Incorrectly Sized AC

Monday, September 2nd, 2019

An incorrectly sized air conditioner could mean big trouble for you and your wallet in the near future. Like an incorrectly sized engine in the wrong car, you could find yourself with a failed air conditioner on the hottest day of the year and no idea how it happened. Homeowners like to think that all air conditioner problems are in the same category, that eventually you can get them fixed and your AC system will be like new.

Unfortunately, that’s not true. A filter issue or a thermostat miscalibration is one thing, but having your air conditioner be the wrong size for your house can shortly lead to the need for a new AC system. Imagine trying to get new tires on your car only to find out that you need to buy a whole new car because the whole thing is ruined.

It sucks right? Well, perhaps what we’re about to talk about could help you get solid AC repair in Gresham, OR for your incorrectly sized unit.

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Wait, Do Geothermal Systems Work in the Summer Too?

Monday, July 22nd, 2019

Just because the word thermal is right in the middle of the word “geothermal” doesn’t mean that all these systems do is heat. That’s right–in addition to keeping your home warm and toasty in the winter, a geothermal system is able to keep your home cool and comfortable in the summer. Like all heat pumps, geothermal systems come equipped with a reversing valve, which allows for home heating and cooling. But how is a geothermal system different?

Many homeowners don’t really understand how geothermal systems work, so below, we’ve explained it all to you (well at the very least, what it is you should know about your geothermal system). All you’ve got to do is keep reading to find out more. 

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Ready for a New AC? Why Not Consider a Heat Pump?

Monday, July 8th, 2019

If you are in the market for a new air conditioning system this year, why not consider a heat pump? These systems are extremely efficient, effective, and can provide year-round comfort with just the flip of a switch (oops, spoilers!) In fact, we can’t see many reasons why homeowners wouldn’t want this type of system in their homes!

Below, we have listed all of the benefits of making the switch to a heat pump (or at least as many as we could think of!) All you have to do is keep reading to find out more — and of course, remember to contact a professional for your AC installation in Portland, OR.

Okay, now where were we? Oh yeah, that’s right: heat pumps!

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Save Money With a Ductless Heat Pump

Monday, July 23rd, 2018

ductless-heat-pump-floor-unitHeat pumps are all the rage, lately. However, you may have heard that they’re one of the more expensive units upfront. This can be a big turn off for many people with a budget. In actuality, budget-minded people should be more enthusiastic about a ductless heat pump. Why?

They’re actually far more efficient than central air conditioners, capable of saving more money in the long-run. In this post, we’ll show you a few of those reasons.

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Why Correct Sizing Is So Important for Your AC Installation

Monday, April 20th, 2015

Whether you are installing a whole home air conditioner for the first time or replacing an outdated system, it is imperative that you correctly size your system to avoid future problems. Many people will tell you that all you need know for correct sizing is the square footage of your home in Portland, OR, but this is simply not true. There are a number of factors that need to be calculated in what is known as a heat load calculation. The air conditioning experts at Clean Air Act can make this calculation for you, help you choose an excellent system for your home and then install it. Just give us a call today and schedule an appointment.

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Duct Size and Central Air Conditioning

Monday, August 13th, 2012

Having proper duct size is vital to having a Portland air conditioning system that functions appropriately.  If the air ducts are too small not enough cooled air will reach the intended rooms, if the ducts are too large the air will not have enough force to make its way from the AC to the room vents.  As such there are some AC industry standards for duct sizing which should be followed by any Portland air conditioning professional.

Air Duct Sizing for Central AC Systems

While there are many misused rules of thumb in the AC industry, there are also some newer standards which have been put into place such as “Manual D” methods of design that have already begun to improve performance of AC systems in homes and offices.

There is a difference between what is needed for an AC system supply ducts and return ducts.  Supply ducts tend to need smaller ducts while return ducts will often need to be larger.

Proper air duct sizing greatly depends on the square footage of the building being cooled, the air conditioner capacity or BTUs, how many ducts will be utilized, where they are positioned, and how many vents there are.  Additionally, the entire system will need to be properly balanced so that the AC works efficiently.

Duct sizing is based on the air volume that will be produced and the velocity at which it will be flowing through the ducts.  Determining the proper combination of these factors with the AC that will be used is essential to having a duct system that works efficiently.  A good rule of thumb for proper air flow is to have anywhere from 600 to 900 feet per minute of air flow flowing through the ducts.  To reach this, the cubic feet per minute will be determined, which will then be compared with a standard friction rate of 0.1 inches of water per 100 feet.  This calculation will result in an appropriate duct size for either rectangular or round ducts based on the size of the building and how powerful the AC is.

Air ducts should be properly sized prior to being installed.   Call The Clean Air Act, Inc. today to learn more about AC installation!

 

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