The economy is still working its way out of a bit of a recession, which means people are still being cautious with their spending. However, with the winter months approaching, it is important to ensure that your house is properly sealed so that minimal heat escapes from the house. Although it may seem like an added expense you may feel that is unnecessary, it is recommended that you get your house checked out.

On a positive note, in Alberta, home heating costs are predicted to remain the same this year as they did last year. According to 660News “Gas bills last winter averaged from about $80 a month in October to just over $200 last January.”

Most home owners have already set aside a budget that incorporates an increase in heating costs for the winter. This will now be “extra” money as the costs will likely not increase. Back to the above comment, if homeowners get their house checked to ensure minimal heat loss for the winter, then they could save even more money. Their gas bills may turn out to be even lower than they were last year.

In the sweltering heat of the summer, nothing is more disconcerting or disappointing than having your air conditioning unit go on the “fritz”. That’s why air conditioner maintenance is of the utmost importance. In fact, the maintenance of your air conditioner will increase the likelihood that your air conditioning unit will run without problems throughout the hottest months of the year, and that any repair that is needed will be accompanied by an affordable price tag. And perhaps most importantly, maintenance will help your unit to operate at peak efficiency so that you can stay cool and comfortable without spending too much on energy.

Many people are perplexed when it comes to home maintenance of their air conditioning units. The best schedule for maintaining your cooling system begins in the spring, long before the heat of the summer sets in. The following tips will help you to make sure that your system is up to par and ready for the mercury to rise.

• Outdoor condensing unit. When doing your spring maintenance for your air conditioning system, make certain that the outdoor condensing unit is not blocked by weeds, grass, or any type of lawn ornament. The unit must be able to draw air into it in order to cool the air and circulate it inside. If the process is hindered by anything, it will not pull sufficient air in, and it won’t operate efficiently. If you cover your condenser during the winter (which is, by the way, not necessary, as the unit is designed to be outside in the elements), be sure to uncover it each spring.
• Test your system. Early in the spring, turn your air conditioner on and allow it to operate for about an hour or so. If you detect any problems, it will still be early enough to get a HVAC technician out without a long wait. If you delay turning the system on until it is hot outside, you will end up waiting awhile in most areas for an overworked tech.
• Change your air filter. A dirty filter is a top culprit of energy inefficiency, and it can also cause your evaporator to “freeze up” or “ice over”. For those people who are destined to always forget to change the filter, consider buying a permanent filter that needs to be cleaned once each year. In general, your air conditioner filter should be changed monthly or more, especially during periods of heavy usage. If your filter is dirty, change it, even if you just changed it a couple of weeks ago. Be sure to also clean the grille that covers the fan unit inside your home.
• Set the thermostat. Be certain that you set your thermostat in the cooling mode and keep in mind that simply setting the temperature to below the room temperature will not cause the AC to kick on if it is not in cooling mode. Consider installing a programmable thermostat that will cool your home during specific periods of the day that you select, while allowing you to conserve energy when you are not at home. This can be a big money saver.
• Beware of your limitations. While cleaning or replacing the air conditioner filter and keeping up with air conditioner maintenance will help your unit to run more efficiently, be sure to know your limitations. If you come across a problem with your air conditioning unit that you cannot handle on your own, it is always best to consult a professional.

A central air conditioning system is of four types: single package, split system, mini split and multi split, and small duct high velocity units.

A single packaged air conditioning unit can be placed outdoors, on the roof or through a wall. The compressor, condenser and evaporator are all placed in one unit. It is relatively inexpensive to install. Cool air is circulated across all the rooms based on an up flow, down flow or horizontal system. Such units generally come with gas furnaces and heating coils. Single packaged air conditioners are generally not found in residences.

In a split system, some components are placed indoors and some outdoors. The compressor and condenser are placed outside while the evaporator is placed in a cabinet inside. Refrigerant lines connect indoor ducts to the refrigerants located in the outdoor cabinet. A split system is relatively cheap to install if the house has a furnace but does not have an air conditioner.

In mini split and multi split units, there are a number of indoor units. Multiple indoor coils are connected to a single outdoor unit. The indoor unit can be mounted on a ceiling, floor or wall. Ductwork is not required in such units, making them suitable new additions to residences. The indoor and outdoor units are slimmer compared to other split system central air conditioners.

A small duct high velocity air conditioner circulates cool air via plastic pipes to inlets and outlets, which distribute air throughout the living area. Such units do not require ductwork and can be retrofitted in residences using hydronic or electric baseboard heating.

Heat pumps are another type of air conditioners. These are reverse cycle air conditioners, which consist of an indoor evaporator and outdoor condenser unit. The evaporator and condenser switch roles to produce cool air and also generate heat. Heat pumps are better options compared to central air conditioners in homes that have electric, gas or oil furnaces. They also provide significant savings in costs of heating during winters. The savings can be in the range of 20 to 60% depending on the energy source – it’s higher in case of electricity and lower in case of gas.

Air conditioners are cooling systems fitted in homes, offices, private and public establishments. An air conditioner is a major 20^th century invention, introduced first as a luxury item, but one that has become a necessity in many countries across the world. Air conditioners provide relief from heat and humidity by keeping the indoor environment cool. They add to the utility bill, but people would rather pay up the bill than suffer in the uncomfortable heat, especially during the summer season.

Air conditioning systems can be broadly divided into three types: room air conditioners, central air conditioners and heat pumps. A room air conditioner is used for a single room or living area. Such a unit is fixed to the wall of a room or fitted to the window sill. It is also called a window air conditioner. Room air conditioners are ideal if only a few rooms in the house are required to be kept cool and others can do without such a cooling system. This type of air conditioner also doesn’t add too much to the utility bill, at least when compared to a centralized system. It is also relatively cheap to get a room air conditioner installed.

A centralized air conditioning system is ideal for cooling larger areas, such as offices, buildings, theatres, hotels and homes. If the entire living or working space needs to be kept cool at all times, a centralized air conditioner is the best option. Instead of fitting air conditioners in each room of the house or office, it is better to get a central system fixed. An advantage of such a system is that, being central it can be maintained easily. It also provides effective cooling and goes about its business quietly, without the low humming sound made by room air conditioners.

Purdue University researchers are developing a new heat pump design that promises better efficiency in very low temperatures and can be used effectively across a wider geographic range. If the end result of the project meets all projected expectations, then it could drastically cut down heating bills of people living in cold climates.

US Department of Energy is funding the project, with a grant of up to $1.3 million. It is hoped that a concept/prototype pump design will be ready after the research span of three years. Others working on the project with Purdue include Carrier Corp and Emerson Climate Technologies Inc. Emerson is involved with the research side, while Carrier has taken the responsibility of integrating the design into a complete heat pump system.

The research aims to make changes in heat pump operation for better performance in very low temperatures. Two cooling processes involved in heat pump compression are being studied by researchers. In one process, moderately large quantities of oil are being added to the compressor to absorb all the heat produced during compression. In the second process, a vapor and liquid mix refrigerant is being injected at different times during the compression process to facilitate cooling. The injection of oil and refrigerants is not possible in a traditional reciprocating compressor design. Researchers had to redesign the scroll compressor to allow the addition of these substances into the compressor chamber.

Eckhard Groll is a mechanical engineering professor working on the project. According to him, a design modification was necessary as the reciprocating compressor could not accept liquids. The new scroll compressor is unique – in this, the liquids can be easily pumped, something that was needed for the purpose of the study. He said that it is important to evaluate the level of efficiency of a system that can pump liquid as well as compress gas and a significant amount of computational modeling will be involved.

Groll added that heat pump efficiency can be maintained with this technology, even if temperatures outside drop to low levels. Others assisting on the project include assistant professor of civil engineering W.Travis. Horton. The new technology that will be developed at the end of the research will work by altering the existing vapor compression cycle used by typical refrigeration and air conditioning systems. There are four stages in the process: the refrigerant is compressed into a vapor which condenses to form a liquid. This is further expanded into a mixture of liquid and vapor and ultimately evaporated.

The process of injecting the refrigerant into the scroll compressor will be carefully controlled by a set of valves that are being developed as a part of the project. An ongoing research on the Ericsson cycle will be used for this purpose. Purdue University is researching something similar in a joint study with the California Energy Commission.

Doctoral students participating in the research are Ian Bell and Margaret Mathison. Their research papers will be presented at the 13^th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference.

If you are not aware of the seriousness of Legionnaire’s disease, then you will be shocked to know that more than 10,000 people across North America fall prey to this disease every year, which can even cause death in extreme cases.

Legionnaire’s is caused by bacteria Legionella that that are found in water reservoirs, and other moist and warm places including air-conditioning systems. But most people catch it from hot water systems, as the bacteria can be transferred to your body when you take a bath.

Legionella perish in water temperatures exceeding 131 degrees Fahrenheit, but you cannot have a hot water bath at such a temperature without getting scalded severely. The maximum temperature of water that the human body can bear is about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Besides, most hot water heaters are not designed to heat water to such extreme temperatures, which leaves you in a tricky situation.

You need not worry as there is a simple solution to the problem – using thermostatic mixing valves that blend hot water and cold water to a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit, thus protecting you from Legionnaire’s as well as eliminating risks of scalding. This way, you can enjoy a hot, relaxing bath without ever having to worry about Legionella. However, you would need expert assistance to install such a system.

The concept of Indoor Air Quality systems has become increasingly popular as they claim to provide a healthy and comfortable environment inside your home. High quality IAQ products are especially beneficial to those suffering from allergies and asthma. However, recent reports indicate that certain IAQ products can actually cause harm to you.

This is especially true in the case of some air purifiers that claim to clean the air, but do precious little, and in fact even lead to dangerous levels of ozone inside your home or office. Don’t forget that a large concentration of ozone can cause severe respiratory failure. And if you have plants in the room in which you have placed the purifier, then chances are that they will wilt after being exposed to the ozone.

Electrostatic filters are marketed heavily these days. But they can have a serious impact on air flow in the area where they are installed. They can lead to a serious pressure drop and cause air shortage at the end of a duct. These filters not only reduce the quality of the air and your comfort, they can also have a negative effect on your cooling or heating system.

That is why before you invest in an IAQ product, you should make sure that you understand how the product actually works. Don’t go by tall claims made by the manufacturer. Do some online research or take help from an expert so that you get all the benefits that you seek from the system.

Lock up before heading to bed – that’s the latest warning issued to residents in an area where a string of bold burglaries has been occurring.

A rash of break-ins in the Beltline prompted law enforcement officials to release a warning to Calgarians: lock up at lights out. After a total of eight break-and-enters in just a little over a week, police say Calgarians must be diligent in protecting their property by locking their doors.

Seven of the eight burglaries occurred at night, and astonishingly, in most instances, the residents were at home when the burglar crept in through an unlocked window or door. Makes you think about installing central air conditioning as opposed to having window units! The burglaries occurred in the areas of 17 and 18 Avenues and between 7 and 10 Street S.W.

The crafty crook sometimes utilized a ladder in order to gain access to higher-storey homes. Victims of this string of burglaries say that the bandit took items like wallets, purses, cash, cell phones, and computers.

A current police investigation is looking into whether or not the burglaries are indeed related.

The suspect in these crimes is described as a white male between the ages of 25 to 28 years old with curly black hair past his ears.

Police also suspect that a second man acts as a lookout for the burglar as he does his dirty work.

Anyone who may have information about these crimes is urged to contact police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online at www.ttttips.com.

No one likes to hear the weather forecast when it calls for bad weather and severe storms. Severe storms cause a sense of fearfulness and hopelessness in most of us, and we are left only with our prayers that the storm will pass without wreaking serious havoc and causing a lot of damage.

The impact of severe weather can be catastrophic, especially for those who do not the proper precautions beforehand. Preparing for severe storms means not only protecting the things that you own, but protecting the people that you love from harm as well.

The biggest danger with summer weather is thunderstorms that can generate deadly tornados, or, in milder storms, cause damage from hail, heavy rain, high winds, and lightning. In many areas of the country, severe storms are the rule rather than the exception. Knowledge is power when it comes to being ready for severe weather when it hits – and the following tips will help you to keep your home, family, and possessions secure no matter what the weather.

• Lightning. Lighting is one of the biggest dangers of severe weather and thunderstorms. And even though you may feel like you are protected from lightning as long as you are tucked inside your home, which is not always the case. People are injured every year during lightning strikes when they are talking on a wired telephone or taking a bath or shower. Electricity can be carried through the wires of your home and into any phone that is plugged into a wall, and lightning can also travel through your home’s plumbing system. Both can have deadly results. Prevention is the key here; stay out of the tub and off any corded phones during a thunderstorm.
• Electrical spikes caused by lightning during severe weather can also damage any electrical appliances, computers, and televisions that are not plugged into a surge protector. Surge protectors cost less than ten dollars and are easy to use – making them a wise investment. Consider a surge suppressor that works to cover the entire house.
• Flooding. Flooding during severe thunderstorms can also be dangerous and damaging, causing death and destruction for those who are ill-prepared. While there is little that can be done to prevent flooding, you can better prepare for the possibility by investing in a sump pump for the basement that will begin pumping water out to limit damage from flooding. If your home does become flooded, be sure to shut the power off to the home at the main switch. Many people die from electrocution when they fail to do this.
• Wind. High winds can be devastatingly deadly. Be sure to move to the basement of your home when high winds threaten, or if you don’t have a basement, go to the center of the home, preferably a bathroom or under a heavy piece of furniture. Stay away from windows that can shatter in high winds. Prepare the area outside of your home for high winds by tying down anything that might blow away, like trampolines or lawn furniture. And remember that it does not have to be a tornado to be deadly; some of the worst damage from thunderstorms comes by the way of “straight line winds” without any funnel action.

When the Storm Passes

After apparent perils have passed, there are still some issues of safety and comfort that you will need to be concerned with. If you have lost power, you will likely be wishing that you had the forethought to purchase a portable generator. If you live in an area of the country where there is frequent storm activity, a portable generator is a wise choice.

If you have lost power to your home during a storm, be sure to unplug all of your appliances that are not protected by a surge protector. This will protect them from damage when the power is turned back on.

Check that lightning, wind, or rising water has not caused damage to your utilities. Check in and around your home for fire.

Inspect your central air conditioning system to be certain that it has not become damaged from flying debris during the storm. If you suspect damage to the unit, it is best to have a qualified technician to check the system prior to turning it back on to avoid further damage.

Nothing is more frustrating than surprise repair bills, and the last thing that you want when the temperature is soaring is for your air conditioning system to break down. Even though all mechanical systems will be subject to require repairs occasionally, the truth of the matter is that many instances that require service can be prevented in the first place by having your system checked before the summer heat set in each year. The following money-traps represent that the top ten most common reasons for air conditioning service calls and how you can save big by avoiding them during spring maintenance of your unit.

Tripped Breaker

Ironically, many service calls where an individual complains that their air conditioning is not working takes just a flick of a switch to resolve – a tripped breaker. Be sure to reset your breaker before calling for service, and hopefully that will take care of the problem. If the breaker repeatedly kicks, however, you will want to find out what is causing it to trip. Sometimes it is a loose wire, a bad capacitor, or a bad breaker – and a repair person will need to make that determination.

Filter Needs Replacement

Many air conditioning units require a one-inch disposable filter that should be replaced once each month. Because the filter is “out of sight and out of mind”, it is very easy to forget this monthly maintenance task. Nonetheless, millions of service calls each year are due to restricted air flow that results from a dirty filter. Changing your filter once each month also improves the quality of your indoor air, makes your home feel more comfortable, and staves off frozen indoor coils that can end up costing you hundreds of dollars.

Leaks in Refrigerant

Your air conditioning system is what is known as a “sealed” system, and it should not leak refrigerant. A refrigerant leak can cause your air conditioner to operate less efficiently and your energy bills to soar. Leaks also cause the coils in the unit to freeze, your air conditioner to not cool properly, and the expensive compressor on the unit to become damaged. Refrigerants are greenhouse gases. Many times the problem is a simple one: a weakened connection between the refrigerant tubing and a fitting, or a bad Schrader valve.

Switch Turned Off

Many air conditioning repair men will scratch their heads and pat their wallets when called out to a home where the air conditioning unit won’t come on – only to find out that a safety or convenience switch has been inadvertently turned off. This switch is located at the indoor unit and looks much like a light switch. If your unit has this switch, be sure to check that it is flipped on before calling out the repair guy.

Problems with the Thermostat

Another frequent service call for air conditioning units that professionals see is simple thermostat problems. Oftentimes the switch that takes the air from heating to cooling may be in the incorrect position or may become broken, and when this happens, the air conditioner simply will not start up. The best thermostats are those that are digital, so if you must have one replaced, go for a high quality digital model.

Clogged Drain Lines

Air conditioners work by pulling moisture out of the air outside and lowering the temperature; this moisture is drained from the unit through your plumbing system. But like with any type of moisture, algae can grow in the drain lines. Clearing the drain during spring maintenance is essential.

Failed Contactor

The electromechanical switch in your unit known as a contactor may become damaged. This will be evident if you experience continuous running of your unit, despite the thermostat setting. The common pesky ant that ruins your outdoor picnics may be to blame; he is attracted to electricity and often becomes smashed between two contactors, keeping them from closing properly. Spring maintenance checks should include a check of your contactors for impending trouble.

Condenser Coil is Dirty

The condenser coil is also vital to the proper performance of your air conditioner. A dirt condenser coil can make the unit operate inefficiently and use more electricity while cooling at a less than optimal level. A spring maintenance schedule for your air conditioning unit should include a washing, cleaning, and combining of this coil.

Leaking Ducts

The job of your unit’s ducts is to deliver air to different areas of your home. If these ducts have a space leak, you’re actually paying to cool the outdoors. A check for leaking ducts should be performed once each spring, and any time that the air conditioner is mysteriously under-performing its capacity.

Simple maintenance to your air conditioning unit can go a long way towards keeping you cool and comfortable while keeping your energy bills more affordable.