Most homeowners in Portland, OR are accustomed to centralized air conditioning: using a single unit to generate cool air which is then pushed into a series of ducts with a fan. But you may be surprised to learn that other types of air conditioners exist, most prominently ductless air conditioning systems, which use multiple units spaced throughout your home to heat each room or section individually. They can cost a little more to install, but you may find that a ductless system works better for your home than a centralized system, as well as carrying a number of other tangible advantages. Here are 3 benefits of a ductless air conditioning system that you should consider:
The Clean Air Act Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning’
How Does Air Conditioning Work?
Monday, May 11th, 2015Air conditioning is one of the most important comforts of modern life, and here in Portland, OR, it’s essential to handling the high humidity and periodic heat waves that accompany our summers. But despite its prominence in our lives, comparatively few people know how air conditioners do their jobs. Specifics vary by make and model of air conditioner, but the essentials remain unchanged. The more you know about your system, the more readily you can respond when the time comes for maintenance or repair. How does air conditioning work? We’ve provided a quick primer below.
3 Factors to Consider with a New Air Conditioning Installation
Monday, April 27th, 2015A good air conditioner is a staple of your home, and while routine maintenance can make yours last a long time, sooner or later every AC unit needs to be replaced. Here in Portland, OR, spring makes an excellent time to replace an older or faulty air conditioner before the summer months bring heat and humidity with them. Because it represents a significant investment in your home, however, the decision to replace your air conditioner should come only after careful planning and consideration. Here are 3 factors to consider with a new air conditioning installation.
What Are My Options for Air Conditioning Installation?
Monday, April 6th, 2015It’s still cool in our part of the world, but it won’t be long before it’s time to switch the thermostat from heating to cooling. If you are in need of a new air conditioner for the coming summer season, whether for a brand new installation or to replace an aging one, you’ll want to take some time to consider your available choices. There are a number of options for homeowners when it comes to air conditioning, and taking some time to review them with a trained professional helps ensure that you’ll purchase and install an air conditioning system that will fit your needs and the needs of your home for a long time. The experts at Clean Air Act can help you every step of the way, so call us today and schedule an appointment.
AC Options
Here are the air conditioning choices available from Clean Air Act:
- Traditional split systems – this type of whole home air conditioning has an outdoor unit that contains the compressor, condenser and condenser fan, and an indoor unit that contains the evaporator and air handler. Ductwork is necessary to deliver the air.
- Heat pumps – heat pumps can heat and cool your home and do so by transferring heat from one location to another, using refrigerant to facilitate this process. Heat pumps do not use any fossil fuels, just a small amount of electricity, and they can be ducted or ductless systems.
- Ductless air conditioning – ductless air conditioners can be AC-only or be part of a heat pump system and provide ductless heating and cooling. Ductless air conditioners have an outdoor unit very similar to that of a traditional split system AC, but use independent indoor blowers to deliver the cool (or warm) air.
- Geothermal cooling – geothermal systems utilize heat pumps, so they offer both heating and cooling. When it comes to cooling, the heat pump of the geothermal system absorbs the heat inside your home and transfers it to the system’s ground loop, where it is released into the surrounding soil. In the winter, the ground loop absorbs the surrounding heat, transfers it to the heat pump where it is concentrated, and then the heat is dispersed throughout your home.
Not sure which system will fit best with your home in Portland, OR? Call us today and schedule an appointment!
Air Conditioning Repair: Why Change the Air Filter?
Friday, September 26th, 2014The air filter in your air conditioner helps significantly reduce the amount of dirt and dust that enters your system. When dirt and dust build up inside your air conditioning it can cause a number of problems; this is why it’s important to have a clean, effective air filter in your system during operation. When the air filter becomes dirty and/or clogged, it can cause problems, which is why the air filter needs to be changed regularly. If you need assistance with your air filter, call Clean Air Act and schedule AC service in Portland, OR with one of our specialists.
Problems Caused by Dirty Air Filters
Dirty air filters are easy enough to change, but because they aren’t visible, they can be easy to forget about. However, the effects a dirty or clogged air filter can have on your air conditioner aren’t so easily forgettable. Typical problems that can develop from keeping a dirty air filter in your air conditioner can include:
- Restricted air flow
- Decreased indoor air quality
- More dust and dirt build-up throughout your system
Restricted Air Flow
There are several problems that can develop from restricted air flow. First, you may see a significant decrease in the amount of cool air being delivered into your home. This is because the volume of air has been reduced. Second, restricted air flow can cause problems with the heat release/cooling process in your air conditioner; this can result in warm air blowing into your home, or the development of ice on the evaporator coils. Third, restricted air flow forces your system to work harder. This can lead to overheating, malfunction, breakdown and premature aging.
Decreased Indoor Air Quality
When the air filter in your air conditioner becomes clogged, it can no longer trap the particles it needs to. As such, particles like dirt and dust will bypass the air filter and enter directly into your system. Once in the system, these particles become part of the air flow and are delivered directly into your living spaces.
Excess Dust and Dirt Build-Up
Seguing from above, loose particles will also go elsewhere in your system: the ductwork, both sets of coils and anywhere else it can settle. Significant buildup in your ductwork can add to air flow restriction and decreased indoor air quality, and dirt and dust on the coils acts as an insulator, and can further compromise the heat release/cooling process.
It is recommended that your air filter be changed every 3 months. If you have questions about your air filter, call Clean Air Act today and schedule an appointment today.
The Purpose of Refrigerant in Air Conditioning Systems
Monday, June 9th, 2014How do air conditioners cool down a house? The process can be described succinctly this way: Refrigerant moves between two sets of coils in the system, one indoors and one outdoors. Along the indoor coil, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoors, cooling the air. The refrigerant then moves to the outdoor coil and releases the heat. The process then repeats.
There is an enormous amount of detail missing from that description, but it also begs the question: “What is refrigerant?” We’ll address this important question. It will help you understand a number of the repairs that ACs can require during their lifetime.
Whatever trouble you may have with your air conditioning in Beaverton, OR, you can call Clean Air Act any time of the day or night for experienced and effective repairs.
What Refrigerant Is and What It Does
Refrigerant is the generic name for the chemical blend that cycles through an air conditioner, changing from a liquid to a gas as it absorbs and releases heat. Sometimes referred to by the trademarked name Freon, refrigerant has come in a variety of types (“blends”) during its history, starting originally as toxic and combustible chemicals. Today’s blends are safe and have no ozone-depleting effect.
Refrigerant can shift easily between liquid and gas states, which makes it ideal for ACs since it doesn’t take significant amounts of energy to cause the phase shift. Refrigerant starts inside the compressor, where the reduction of volume turns it into a high pressure gas about 150°F. It moves to the outdoor condenser coil, where the warm air (which is still cooler than the refrigerant) moves across it and causes condensation, which releases heat from the refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant then heads toward the indoor coil, and is now lowered to about 100°F. The gas moves through an expansion device, dropping its temperature and pressure and changing it to a liquid about 20°F.
The cold refrigerant now passes through the evaporator coil, and the warmer indoor air blowing across the coil goes through evaporation, warming the refrigerant and lowering the indoor temperature. The refrigerant, now approximately 50°F, returns to the compressor to restart the cycle.
At no point in this process is refrigerant lost: it remains at a set level, known as its “charge,” at all times. Refrigerant will only lose its charge through leaking, which is a major repair need; a lowered charge will not only endanger cooling power, but the change in pressure in the system can cause damage to the compressor.
Take good care of your air conditioning in Beaverton, OR this summer with maintenance and repairs from Clean Air Act. If you are having problems from a loss of refrigerant, we can seal up the leaks and recharge it to its proper level.
How Your Thermostat Affects Your Air Conditioning
Friday, May 23rd, 2014Your air conditioner is a big system, but it is all triggered by one small component: your thermostat. Today’s thermostats have gotten very tech-savvy, but unless your thermostat tells the system to turn on, it won’t – which is why, when your thermostat has problems, it affects the whole system. That is also why as soon as you notice issues with your thermostat you should contact the thermostat experts at Clean Air Act Inc.
Thermostats aren’t the most complicated piece of your air conditioner, but they can cause discomfort and problems when they aren’t working the way they should. Eliminating the possibility that your thermostat could be causing you problems with your air conditioning in Portland can help your Clean Air Act technician pinpoint problems more succinctly. Here is a list of issues we’ve come across in our 14 years of working on air conditioners:
- Air conditioner not starting
- Air conditioner not stopping
- Short cycling
- Program resets on its own (for programmable thermostats)
- Room temperature does not match setting on thermostat (could be warmer or colder)
- Generalized problems with display (no back light, no screen appearing, etc.)
Effects of a Malfunctioning Thermostat
When your thermostat malfunctions, it can have a few effects, depending on what is malfunctioning. Obviously if your air conditioner won’t start or stop, it’s pretty clear what the problems are. But what happens when the thermostat creates some of the other problems listed above?
- Short cycling – not only can it become uncomfortable in your home: short cycling can cause premature wear-and-tear, potential breakdown and a jump in your utility bill.
- Program resetting – the programmable feature on your thermostat helps control how when your system runs. If the program keeps resetting, you can lose the benefit of energy efficiency that comes with programming your air conditioner. This may cause a jump up in your energy bill.
- Varying room temperatures – uneven cooling can be uncomfortable, and if your thermostat is in a part of your home that is warmer, it can trigger the thermostat to keep the system running more than it should.
- Display problems – not seeing your thermostat settings is irritating and potentially costly. After all, if you can’t see what temperature is set, you can’t set your thermostat to be effective.
Get It Fixed
Most problems with thermostats are relatively minor and do not require tremendous work – but letting them go may cause bigger problems down the road. Since your air conditioner uses electricity to run, we strongly recommend having your Clean Air Act specialist take a look at any problems you may experience with your thermostat.
Have questions about the thermostat for your Portland air conditioning? Schedule an appointment with the experts at Clean Air Act today!
3 Issues with Your Air Conditioner Fan Speed
Friday, May 16th, 2014There are 2 fans in your air conditioning system: one in the condenser unit and another in the air handler. Both fans have an equal part in cooling your home. If you begin to notice a change in your fan’s speed – it seems too fast or slow – there are 3 key areas to have your Portland air conditioning technician from Clean Air Act inspect on your AC system:
Motor Issues
Each fan has its own motor. Like any other motor, the fan motor has its own wiring, etc., that powers it. If something in the motor has broken down, such as an electrical connection, has bad wiring or some other operating issue, the fan won’t turn.
Fan Belts
Fan belts can become stretched, cracked and break during normal wear-and-tear. This can result in a slow-turning fan or one that isn’t turning at all. The belt itself cannot be fixed, but it can be easily replaced by your Clean Air Act technician.
Malfunctioning Run Capacitor
Run capacitors create the rotating magnetic field in your system’s condenser fan. A capacitor that is malfunctioning or failing can cause the fan’s motor to slow down and/or overheat. In most cases like this, the run capacitor needs to be replaced.
Ways to Help Maintain Your Air Conditioner’s Fans
Every part of your air conditioner is going to experience wear-and-tear, but there are things that can be done to extend the life of the fans in your system.
First, putting your fan on the correct setting on your thermostat is important. Most fans come with 3 settings: on, off and auto. When running your air conditioning system, it can be confusing to know which setting is better, the on or auto switch. The auto switch sets the fans to run in accordance with your thermostat; they’ll go on when your system automatically turns on. The on switch means that the fans will run continuously, and not according to the thermostat. By leaving your fan switch to on, you may run the risk of premature wearing.
Second, fans in your air conditioner will get dirty. With regular bi-annual maintenance, they will get cleaned and inspected, helping to ensure that they are running optimally.
If you think you may have an issue with the fans in your air conditioner, call Clean Air Act and schedule an appointment to have one of our technicians take a look at your system. You can count on us to help you enjoy quality air conditioning in Portland.
How Leaking Refrigerant Affects Your Air Conditioner
Wednesday, May 7th, 2014An air conditioner cools down your house by removing heat from the inside through the evaporator coil. That heat then moves to the outside cabinet where it is released. But what is actually carrying this heat from one place to another? It’s the vital part of an air conditioner that often goes under the trademarked name “Freon,” but which is generally known as refrigerant. Without this blend of chemical moving through the coils and lines of an air conditioner, there can be no cooling power.
The secret of refrigerant is that it shifts easily between liquid and gas state: during the evaporation stage, it absorbs heat; during the condensation stage it releases heat. But it never dissipates during this process, so its “charge”—its level—never drops from the optimal amount inside an air conditioner.
Unless there’s a leak in the system and that leads to trouble that requires professionals to fix the problem.
For the necessary repairs you need to keep your air conditioning system working, call on Clean Air Act and our 24-hour emergency air conditioning service in Oregon City, OR.
What Goes Wrong When Refrigerant Leaks
Because an air conditioning system is designed for a specific refrigerant charge, when the charge drops the AC will start to work ineffectively. Less refrigerant means an impaired heat exchange cycle: the refrigerant can no longer absorb as much heat from the outside, and you will start to notice warmer air coming from the vents.
The decay will start to speed up, not matter how slowly the refrigerant leaks out of the system. Once the evaporator coil encounters trouble absorbing heat, it will not cool down the remaining refrigerant enough, and the moisture along the coil will start to freeze. As more moisture freezes, it further blocks heat absorption along the coil. Ice will continue to develop across the coil until a full block of ice completely halts all heat exchange.
Before that point, however, the compressor might fail. Without a sufficient amount of refrigerant to cool it down, the compressor will start to overheat. If the compressor burns out, it will have to be replaced, and this is one of the most expensive repairs an air conditioner can incur. In many cases, it is more cost-effective to replace the whole air conditioning system instead of just the compressor.
Watch For the Warning Signs
Fortunately, leaking refrigerant does provide a few warnings to tell you what is happening. The first is an odd hissing noise from the cabinet as the high-pressure refrigerant escapes. The second is a drop in cooling that doesn’t seem to come from a mechanical error inside the AC. The third is the first indication of frost across the indoor coil. If you notice any of these symptoms, call for repairs. Technicians will locate and seal the leak, and then recharge the refrigerant.
Call Clean Air Act whenever you need fast and effective repairs for your air conditioning system in Oregon City, OR. We maintain the highest standards of quality for the benefit and comfort of our customers.
Common Air Conditioning Problems in the Spring
Wednesday, April 30th, 2014The mild spring weather in Portland, OR means that most homeowners won’t need to run their air conditioners often. Not until the summer arrives will ACs switch into regular operation to keep homes cool.
Air conditioners can still run into problems during spring operation. You need to pay special attention to your AC during the few days when you have it on. It’s important to discover malfunctions and have them repaired before summer arrives. The hot weather is the worst time to have a serious problem with your AC, and scheduling emergency repairs is more difficult because of the seasonal work crunch for HVAC technicians.
Here are a few common spring air conditioning troubles to watch for. Call Clean Air Act for air conditioning service that will make spring pleasant and summer free from worry. You can reach us 24 hours a day for emergency air conditioning service in Portland, OR.
Constantly Tripped Circuit Breakers
When you turn your AC on after a long winter hiatus, it might begin to trip circuit breakers. If this happens repeatedly, you need to call repair technicians to look into the behavior: it could mean loose or frayed wires, dying capacitors, or broken relays. Most of these are simple fixes for AC professionals, but make sure you have them repaired fast, because electrical trouble can eventually cause damage to the whole system.
Low Refrigerant Charge
The refrigerant in your air conditioner will not become “used up” during standard operation. But its charge (level) can drop if leaks occur along the refrigerant lines, the coils, or in the compressor. This could develop during the winter due to spots of corrosion along the lines, and the leaks are often difficult to notice at first. If you hear hissing from the air conditioner’s cabinets, notice frost on the indoor coil, or feel a significant plunge in cooling power, call for help right away. The leaks must be sealed and the refrigerant recharged before serious damage happens to the compressor.
Clogged Condensate Drain
Spring can bring with it unwanted algae growth, and this can pose a problem in your air conditioner where excess water drains out. The moisture from the evaporator coil drips down into a shallow condensate pan, and a pump then removes the water down a drain and into the wastewater system. Algal growth in the drain can block it, causing the pan to overflow and water damage to enter your home. Repairs will remove the pan, disconnect the drain, clean it, and then put the unit back together.
In addition to calling professionals for any necessary repairs this spring, make sure to schedule regular maintenance for your air conditioning. A regular inspection and tune-up will find any repairs you may have missed, and also keep future repairs from happening because of too much wear and tear. For maintenance or repairs on your air conditioning system in Portland, OR, get in touch with Clean Air Act.