Month: September 2019

Ductless AC In Houston: Is It Good For Your Attic?

Posted by acman on September 16, 2019

Understanding Why Ductless Houston AC Are The Best Installation For Attics

Space is always at a premium, and this has led to the home remodeling fad of attic conversions. But most homeowners who undertake such conversions will attest that one of the challenges while doing this is the installation of air conditioning so that you can make full and maximum use of the added space.

While most attics, before their conversion, were just storage areas, they are now spaces that have become more significant as they can give you the extra space in your home that can then be used as any sort of room.

Changes in lifestyle, rising values in real estate, or costs of home improvement projects have quickly led to the transformation of attics becoming valuable commodities for any added space for the house that can add to its usable square footage.

If you are looking for a cooling solution to the attic that you have converted, then look at the possible options given here, that can enable you to make the best choice.

Room Air Conditioner

Room air conditioners are the most widely used equipment as they are self-contained units that are designed for the cooling of single rooms. Room ACs are either installed in windows or through openings created in walls.

Installation of a window air conditioner on standard-sized windows requires a bracket that can support the weight of the unit. Air conditioners that are installed through the wall will have a frame that is recessed into the created wall opening and will have a chassis sleeve that can also act to support the weight of the air conditioner.

It Is A Workable Option

Choosing a room air conditioner to cool an attic makes for an easy choice. It is easy to purchase, low cost, and its installation is simple, as you need nothing more than a window or any outlet in the wall where you can secure the unit after it has been placed.

Knowing a little bit about HVAC installation plus having a basic tool-set, can even allow you to do the job on your own. As an application, room ACs are the most suitable for any small spaces like your attic.

Is It The Best Choice?

Room ACs are designed for the cooling of single rooms, but they do have issues associated with them that limit the performance and efficiency of the system.

To start with, room air conditioners, traditionally, cannot handle the extreme heat that attics are normally prone to. This holds even if you have proper insulation and have used a unit of the correct size.

The ineffective cooling in the small and tight space of an attic is not just due to a system that has low performance, but can also be due to the characteristics of the attic itself. Structural challenges that are present in the attic conversion help to compound the problem.

Attics are spaces that are located just below the roof and do not have an original design that pays much attention to ventilation, and as a result, act like magnets for the build-up of heat. The attic, because of its position in the home also has to deal with the heat that rises inside the home, so this leads to it being hot at all times of the day. Temperatures inside attics are always more than that which is there outside.

Portable Air Conditioner

This type of air conditioner is again a single room cooling system that is portable as it is usually set on wheels. You can thus move it around on the floor to any location that you want.

These portable air conditioners work by using exhausts to remove the warm air and moisture inside the room being cooled. There are a window kit and drain hose that are parts of the unit and are used for the removal of moisture that develops as a result of air exhaustion. Condensate water that is collected form the moisture is collected in a removable container and can be emptied once it gets filled.

It Is A Workable Option

Portable air conditioners are costlier than average room air conditioners but are much cheaper than setting up a unit that uses ducted systems.

Setting up a portable air conditioner is quite easy. There is no mounting required or any complex installation procedures.

Portable ACs are meant for spot cooling and that is why they will work effectively in a small area like the attic. Spot cooling means that only a targeted space gets cooled directly, similar to the way an electric fan will work. The cool air is fully concentrated on the space that the portable AC faces.

Is This The Test Choice?

Portable ACs have a lot of flexibility but will be found lacking in what people mainly require in AC systems, and all the more in unique spaces like attics where there are many other inherent challenges.

The main drawbacks of portable ACs are due to their inability to ensure reliability and temperature support that is consistent. This is because these units have a low capacity for cooling.

A Ductless Mini-Split System Is A Better Option

Ductless mini-split systems are designed for heating and cooling single and multi-room spaces and make for the best option if you want a system that gives you the comfort of consistent temperature that will allow you to enjoy the space inside your renovated attic.

Ductless mini-split systems are compact units that have a compressor unit that is located outside, while you will have one or more air handlers installed inside. The configuration that you will need for your converted attic is a 1:1 mini-split unit, with one compressor and one air handler. The outdoor unit, the compressor, must be matched with the indoor air handler unit.

What Then Is Your Best Option?

This question is best answered if you understand that ductless mini-split systems were designed specifically as innovations to the traditional window or room air conditioners.

Your goal of air conditioning your converted attic is to provide a system that can work efficiently to cool your attic in spite of the unique challenges that the attic space presents. These challenges range from energy loss and the limitations like temperature fluctuations posed normally by ductwork.

Attics can be hot inside during summer and become too cold in winter. When you use the conventional cooling systems this can then become a problem. Use a mini-split system and you will have an HVAC system that can handle both extreme heat and low sub-zero temperatures.

Please feel free to give us a call or contact us today! Also, we invite you to visit our blog for more related articles.

Replacing A Houston AC Capacitor: How Much It Cost?

Posted by acman on September 10, 2019

Knowing The Cost Of Replacing An AC Capacitor In Houston

Capacitors are used for storing energy, they are small and cylindrical in shape. They are used to start a motor by sending a jolt, or multiple jolts that keep the motor running. Capacitors work alongside a compressor and blower motor as well as the outside fan in an air conditioning unit.

If the capacitor in your air conditioning system is weak it can have a negative impact on efficiency and economy resulting in increased energy bills. Not only will a bad capacitor result in poor performance it can also shorten the lifespan on an AC. This is why it’s important to regularly check your capacitor and replace when needed. This helps to reduce energy bills and extend the life of the air conditioning unit.

AC Man Houston | Local HVAC Company | Professional Repair & Maintenance The price of replacing your air conditioning capacitor depends largely on the brand and any special features. A ballpark figure can be anywhere between $120 up to $150 or more. As with many things, generic makes are generally cheaper. Some branded units may have a replacement tag of up to $400. This price includes the labor costs involved for part replacement, so if you are able to perform this task yourself correctly and safely you could save some of this cost.

The Cost Of Capacitor Parts

The part alone for many basic capacitors will cost between $35 and around $60, dependant upon the rarity of a specific model. Many standard models will not cost more than $40.

Turbo Capacitors & Dual Run Capacitors

The actual cost of a regular AC capacitor is less than that of a turbo capacitor, but it is usually much better to opt for the latter. Turbo capacitors can be used in most types of AC systems and are designed to cope with higher voltages which helps to protect AC units from fluctuations. Another bonus is that you can adjust the capacity of a turbo capacitor if necessary which helps to prolong the lifespan.

Geographical Location

Labor costs fluctuate from region to region, so this can have an impact on the replacement cost of a capacitor. In cities and other urban areas that have a higher cost of living you may have to pay more for a professional AC technician, although this shouldn’t make a huge difference.

Other AC Repairs

Failing to replace the capacitor in a good time can result in damage to other parts of the AC unit. Loose or burned out wires are a potential problem, and the fan motor may also be in need of attention. These additional repairs may have to be carried out whilst replacing the capacitor.

This is why it’s important to have your Air Conditioning capacitor regularly checked by a professional tradesman, and replaced as soon as is necessary. It will help with efficiency and cost-effectiveness if these additional potential problems are caught quickly enough.

Please feel free to give us a call or contact us today! Also, we invite you to visit our blog for more related articles.

Covering Your Houston AC After Summer: Is It Advisable?

Posted by acman on September 4, 2019

Understanding If You Need To Cover Your AC After Summer In Houston

Your heating and cooling system needs maintenance. This needs to be done during some key times yearly. Spring is one of the times your air conditioner needs maintenance. Your heating unit also needs maintenance in the fall. Apart from that maintenance schedule, there is always a concern as to whether the exterior part of an air conditioning unit should be covered as soon as its cold.

When Covering Your A/C Should Happen

Once summer is over, your air conditioner needs to be covered. Covering your air conditioner is not just because of winter. As we stated earlier, your unit has the ability to withstand snow and rain. However, it is not made to lock out seeds, nuts or leaves.

Consequently, there is a need for you to cover your unit. This should be done only during the fall. Moisture is collected when seeds or leaves enter into your air conditioner. They create a place for moisture collection that results in corrosion. Any built-in moisture drainage channel can be blocked when this occurs.

You only need to cover the top of your air conditioner as opposed to fully covering the whole unit. In case you decide on making your own cover, it is important to note that this cover needs to be less than 6 inches. Covering it completely will lead to problems. It results in moisture being trapped within the unit. This leads to rust and corrosion.

Reason You Do Not Need Covering For Your A/C

Keeping elements away is one of the reasons why people cover certain items within homes. For instance, lawn furniture and swimming pools are often covered. This more so happens where there is no storage shed or a garage. In case you are wondering whether or not to cover your outside unit, you should know that it doesn’t need a cover.

Some individuals are of the opinion that a cover can offer protection to air conditioner units against:

Dirt

The air conditioner works by sucking in air when it is switched on. This sucking of air also lets dirt in. No debris or dirt goes into the unit once it is switched off.

Ice, Snow, And Cold Weather
Endurance to severe winter weather conditions is what outdoor cooling units are built for. This does away with the need of placing a cover on your unit.

Moisture

The condenser coils of your air conditioner can be frozen by water or moisture. This can result in damage as time passes. Nonetheless, there’s no way for moisture to be completely locked out of the unit all the time. Moisture will eventually seep in from blowing wind or through the air’s humidity.

Mold can be created when you decide to cover your air conditioner. This mold is caused by the moisture that is trapped within the unit. You should not use a cover for this reason.

Rodents

Small animals won’t be kept away by opting for a cover. Covers actually achieve the opposite result. Animals will see your cover as their new winter home. They will leave colder places and settle in your cover. Do not forget that rodents and such small animals are infamous for their abilities to find ways into small spaces.

Summing Up

You should note that your air conditioner is made to withstand winter conditions. You, therefore, do not need to cover it for the reasons that you have. Covering your unit needs to happen only in the fall. Our installation of units makes sure that they work perfectly. Our units come with attractive covers ensuring that they run smoothly.

Call or contact us today for more information!