HowToDoThings.com Heating, Cooling, & Ventilation

How To Choose and Install a Heat Pump

Staff468 — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 16:56:00 -0500

Technological advancements are constantly underway, but the promising advancement of the heat pump as an efficient household heating and cooling appliance has impressed many people lately, and for good reason. A heat pump takes heat from one place and moves that heat to another place where it is deposited. Due in part to rising governmental standards, heat pumps are now far more efficient than ever before - by some estimates, up to 100% more efficient - which means that now is a better time than ever before to buy a heat pump. If you're a good candidate for the use of a heat pump, then the money you save from spending on other heat sources will quickly outweigh the cost of a heat pump. So how do you choose and install a heat pump to ensure that it works best for you?

Choosing Heat Pumps

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How To Replace an Air Conditioning Filter

Staff468 — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 11:58:00 -0600

Replacing your air conditioning filter regularly will not only improve the efficiency of your air conditioner but may even prolong its life. When you do not replace your air conditioning filter, dirt, dust and grime block the flow of air, forcing it to bypass the filter and carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil. Because the coil is the part of your air conditioner that absorbs heat, you want to keep the coil clean to keep it functioning smoothly and to prevent your compressor and fans from failing. Fortunately, replacing your air conditioning filter is not as intimidating as it sounds if you follow these tips below:

Location. Your air conditioning filter will be located somewhere along the duct that returns air from the house and to the air conditioner. Filters are often located in the air conditioner itself or in ceilings, walls or furnaces.

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How To Choose a Portable Air Conditioner

Staff468 — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 11:09:00 -0600

A portable air conditioner is exactly what it sounds like - a freestanding air conditioner that doesn't stay in the wall or window but can be moved throughout the home or office. Because portable air conditioners are not part of a central system, you can more easily direct the cool air exactly where you want it; in fact, portable air conditioners are frequently used to supplement central air conditioning. One of the most common uses of portable air conditioners is to cool computer server rooms. Here are some tips on how to choose a portable air conditioner.

What is a BTU? We're going to discuss BTUs now but don't tense up-it's really quite a simple concept. A BTU (or British Thermal Unit) is the amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of one pound off water by one degree Fahrenheit. Air conditioners have BTU ratings-the higher the BTU, the faster the air conditioner can cool a room.

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