The Clean Air Act Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Beavercreek’

Does Your AC Need a Boost for Dehumidifying?

Monday, July 15th, 2024

Your air conditioner dehumidifies the air as a part of the cooling process. It does this because air with high humidity often feels warmer than it really is. By dehumidifying the air even just a little bit, your home can feel cooler without having to lower the thermostat temperature.

But sometimes your air conditioner doesn’t have quite enough power to balance humidity completely for your home. You may need to invest in a separate dehumidifier in Beavercreek, OR. Keep reading to learn more about the signs that your air conditioner needs some help dehumidifying the air in your home. 

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Why Dehumidifiers Can Be Great for Winters

Monday, January 15th, 2024

If you’re looking for ways to improve your indoor air quality, you may want to consider a dehumidifier. While some humidity in the air is beneficial, too much is just too much. A dehumidifier can benefit your heater, your home, and your family all at the same time.

If you have been thinking about installing a dehumidifier in Beavercreek, OR, now is a great time to invest in one of these unique home systems. You can also keep reading to learn more about how a dehumidifier works and why they are so beneficial during the winter season.

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Some of Your Options for More Energy-Efficient Heating

Monday, November 6th, 2023

If you’re thinking about installing a new heating system in your home, you have a variety of options. Even if your current heater worked great for its entire lifespan, there may still be a better option on the market. Since heaters can last for anywhere between 15 and 30 years, there is a good chance that technology has changed a lot since you last had a heater installed.

When you need service for heating in Beavercreek, OR, our team is here to help. Keep reading to learn more about the types of heaters that we install. 

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How Your Heating Can Suffer This Season With Dirty Ductwork

Monday, September 25th, 2023

Experts recommend that you have your home’s ductwork cleaned about every three to five years. Skipping out on the service can allow dust particles to build up in your network of ducts, ultimately having a negative impact on your heater and indoor air quality. You might not think that a little dust is a big deal, but it really is.

If you haven’t had your ductwork cleaned within the last five years—or ever—it’s time to schedule a heating duct cleaning in Beavercreek, OR. Give us a call to schedule your appointment today. You can also keep reading to learn more about how dirty ducts can have a negative impact on your heater this winter.

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How Having Your AC Maintained Benefitted You This Summer

Monday, August 28th, 2023

If you invested in air conditioning maintenance last year, you may be wondering what you got out of it. After all, your air conditioner probably worked great without any hiccups. Do you really need to invest in AC maintenance if nothing is wrong?

Scheduling AC maintenance in Beavercreek, OR consistently every single year is the best way to take care of your unit. If you haven’t scheduled your service yet for this year, give us a call today. You can also keep reading to learn more about the benefits you experienced this summer from investing in AC maintenance for all of the previous years.

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Portable Vs. Whole-House Dehumidifiers

Monday, June 25th, 2018

portable-dehumidifierA dehumidifier is an excellent supplement to your air conditioning in Beavercreek, OR. But when it comes down to it, many people ask the same question:

“Can’t I just get a portable dehumidifier instead of a whole-house one?”

Instead of trying to convince you one way or the other, we’ve listed several qualities of dehumidifiers and compared how each model performs.

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3 Common Furnace Repairs

Monday, January 12th, 2015

Since furnaces are the most common kind of heating system in the country, they also happen to have the most common heating problems. This isn’t to say that furnaces experience a greater incidence of problems, simply that furnace problems are the most common by virtue of the systems’ popularity. With that popularity in mind, let’s take a look at 3 common furnace repairs.

Faulty Thermocouple

Though more modern furnaces have begun using electric intermittent ignition systems, the traditional gas-powered pilot light is still in widespread use. A gas-powered pilot light is controlled by a part called a “thermocouple,” which regulates when to feed gas to the flame. When the pilot flame is lit, the thermocouple produces an electrical current that opens the gas valve and feeds the flame. When the pilot light goes out, the thermocouple’s electrical current stops and the gas valve closes as a safety measure. A faulty thermocouple is one that has lost the ability to keep the gas valve open, smothering the flame for want of fuel. The usual fix for this is to replace the thermocouple completely.

Short-Cycling

Short-cycling is the name for when your furnace won’t stop turning itself on and off over and over again. It is caused by the furnace’s interaction with a part called the “limit switch.” The limit switch is there to make sure the furnace doesn’t overheat and damage itself. When it detects an internal furnace temperature that is too high, it shuts down the furnace as a safety measure. This doesn’t solve the source of the overheating problem, though, and as soon as the furnace starts up again it will repeat the same cycle. A professional will need to isolate the cause of the overheating problem to solve the short-cycling.

Duct Leaks

Duct leaks are an especially insidious problem, because they are almost impossible for a homeowner to detect but can cause thousands of dollars of wasted energy. Almost 30% of an average furnace’s heat is lost to leaks in the ducts, according to the US Department of Energy. The only way to solve this is to have a professional examine and seal the home’s ductwork.

If you’re having furnace problems, call Clean Air Act. We provide furnace repair throughout Beavercreek.

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How Compressor Problems Affect Your Whole Air Conditioner

Friday, July 18th, 2014

The outside unit of your air conditioner houses some very important components of your system. Your air conditioner cools your home by absorbing the heat from inside and releasing it outside. The compressor and the condenser coil in the outside unit of your AC are vital for releasing the heat outdoors. If the compressor runs into problems it can seriously affect your entire AC system, and you may need air conditioning repair immediately.

The compressor is a vital component of your air conditioning system. During the evaporation stage of the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant becomes a low pressure gas and absorbs heat from the air in your home. As the refrigerant moves to your outside unit, the compressor changes this low-pressure gas into a high pressure gas, so it can move into the condenser, release heat, and cycle back through the system again.

If your compressor isn’t working properly, your air conditioner may lose some cooling power or your system may have trouble starting up. If your compressor fails entirely, however, you will get no cooling power at all, and you may need major repairs or replacement.

There are many signs your compressor may be struggling. If you hear grinding noises in your outdoor unit, it may mean that something has interfered with the compressor or the compressor motor, such as a buildup of dirt, or that these parts need lubrication. However, grinding can also be a sign of wear and tear that indicates a need for replacement. Another sign that your compressor needs repair is hard starting.

You can prevent premature failure of your compressor with regular maintenance by an AC technician. Regular maintenance can help prevent compressor issues because a technician will lubricate the motor and clean parts that can cause your compressor to become worn. If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, for example, your compressor may become damaged as it is designed to handle a certain refrigerant charge.

Compressor problems can be serious, but an AC technician may be able to repair the problem if found early. For air conditioning repair service in Beavercreek, OR, call Clean Air Act today

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Troubles with the Motors in Your Air Conditioning System

Thursday, June 19th, 2014

Depending on your type of air conditioner, you will have at least one fan as part of your system. Each fan plays an important role, and if there is a malfunction or breakdown with the fan’s motor, your whole system can be affected. Motors are complex, so it is best to use a qualified technician from Clean Air Act, Inc. for your air conditioning repairs in Beavercreek, OR.

Why Use a Specialist?

The motors in your air conditioner need to operate at a certain capacity in order to do their job correctly. The motors have small, intricate parts, including a system of wires that make the motor run. In addition, the motor, like other parts of your air conditioner, is tied into your home’s electricity, so unless you have the training to both repair your motor and work with electricity, it’s better to use a trained professional for your fan motor repair.

What Can Go Wrong With The Motors?

Three separate motors can leave a lot of room for malfunction. Let’s start with the fan motors.

Fan Motors

The fans’ jobs in your air conditioner are to move air (air flow) and help with the heat release and cooling process in your system. When one of these fans malfunctions, it can affect the whole system.

Typical problems with fan motors include:

  • Wiring and other electrical issues
  • Burnout from stress
  • Breakage of the small components within the motor itself

Many times the fan motors can be repaired, but there is the possibility that the motor may need full replacement.

Compressor Motor

The compressor’s job is to take the cool refrigerant gas that enters from the evaporator and turn it into a hot, high-pressure gas that moves to the condenser. This is how your AC releases its heat.

Common problems that can occur with a compressor motor are:

  • Problems with pressurization due to issues within the compressor or from the intake valve
  • Electrical problems
  • Breakdown due to overheating
  • Issues with the run capacitor

The compressor is a complex component, and because it works under pressure, it is not a part that should be handled or repaired by an untrained person.

Motors Not Running? Give Us a Call

The best way to stay on top of potential motor repairs is to have bi-annual maintenance conducted on your air conditioning system. During regular maintenance appointments, your AC is thoroughly inspected and cleaned, including the components and wiring. If you suspect something may be off with one of your air conditioner’s motors, don’t ignore it – it could become a bigger issue than it has to be. Call Clean Air Act today and schedule air conditioning repair service in Beavercreek, OR.

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What AFUE Means and How It Affects You

Tuesday, November 5th, 2013

If you’re in the market for a new heating system or are taking a new interest in your current one, you’ll run across a slew of confusing acronyms. There’s one in particular you will see more than others: AFUE. On the cabinet of a gas-powered furnace you might read: “AFUE rating = 92%” What does this mean? Is it important to know?

We’ll explain AFUE in this post. To answer the second question first, yes, it’s important for you to know what AFUE stands for and what it means. This rating is key to understanding how energy-efficient a heater is and what you might expect to see on your heating bills.

For more information, as well as quality heating installation service in Beavercreek, OR, turn to Clean Air Act.

“Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency”

AFUE is an acronym for “annual fuel utilization efficiency.” It’s a thermal efficiency rating that ranks how much heating power a heater returns from the fuel it uses, expressed as a percentage. (Air conditioners have a similar rating, SEER—seasonal energy efficiency rating—which is expressed as a ratio instead of a percentage.) It isn’t a “true” thermal efficiency rating, since it determines the heater’s efficiency over a long term instead of during steady-state, peak performance. It’s a number for consumers, not engineers.

An AFUE rating indicates the amount of heating power—measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units)—a heating system returns for every 100 BTUs of power it consumes. For example, if an oil boiler burned 100 units of oil and provided 80 units of heat, it would have an AFUE rating of 80%. The higher the percentage, the more completely the heater converts its fuel source into heat.

Why this is important

If you want to conserve energy and save money on your heating bill, a heater’s AFUE rating is one of the main aspects to consider.

Modern heaters score high AFUE ratings. The Department of Energy requires that all furnaces sold in the US must have an AFUE of at least 78%—and furnaces score higher than that. A top-of-the-line gas furnace can reach an AFUE rating of 96%. Boilers also are required to have high AFUE ratings, and most score above 85%. (Boilers in general are more efficient than furnaces.) To help you grasp these efficiency levels, consider that the AFUE of burning conventional firewood is a mere 45% to 55%.

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However, you shouldn’t simply pick the heating system with the highest AFUE rating. Aside from its increased cost, a heater with a high AFUE may not do the best job for your home, no matter its efficiency, if your house has less effective insulation or other specific requirements that make it harder to heat. This is why you should rely on professional advice and installation when it comes to heating your home. Contact Clean Air Act for assistance on making this important choice: AFUE is important, but it isn’t everything when it comes to heating in Beavercreek, OR.

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