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Ask the Expert
at
Horizon Air Conditioning of Arizona, Inc
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Is central air conditioning better than window units?
This depends largely on individual circumstances - for
example, how large is the area to be air conditioned, how large is the family,
what temperatures are required, how well the house is insulated, where the
house is located, etc. Central systems require duct work from the outdoor unit
to indoor vents; window units take up valuable window space. Window units are
designed for single room usage. Central air conditioning can do the entire
home.
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Should I augment my central air conditioning system with other
air conditioners or ceiling fans?
If you need to use other air conditioners with a central
air conditioning system, your central system is probably undersized. Ceiling
fans are a good idea to use with the central air conditioning to help
circulate air that tends to stagnate at the top of rooms, especially those
with high ceilings.
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What should I do in advance to make sure that my air
conditioning system will work efficiently this summer?
The main thing is to have a "Spring Service" between
late March and the end of May, before the hottest temperatures of Summer come
in. Also, check your filters on a monthly basis, and change or clean washable
filters as often as needed. In addition, keep the outdoor unit clear of weeds
or other debris. Horizon Air Conditioning of Arizona, Inc., recommends that
you do not plant flowers, etc., within 18" of the outdoor unit. The outdoor
unit needs to breath to work efficiently.
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Should I replace both my outdoor condensing unit (which
includes the compressor) and the indoor coil on my central air conditioning
system at the same time?
In most instances, yes. Matching a new condensing unit with a new coil is the
most reliable way to be certain you are going to get the rated efficiency of the
new equipment.
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If I buy a new system, what is the best kind of
thermostat?
If you want flexibility to program your temperature
changes, a programmable digital thermostat will probably be best. Whether you
want to program your temperatures for different times of day or not, a digital
thermostat is more accurate than a mercury-bulb thermostat. The model carried
by Horizon Air Conditioning of Arizona, Inc. is sleek in design and very easy to use.
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What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is like a conventional air conditioner
except it also can provide heat in the Winter. In the Summer, the heat
pump collects heat from the house and expels it outside. In the winter, the
heat pump extracts heat from outside air and circulates it inside the home. A
heat pump uses less energy to supply the same heat compared to an electric
furnace with a resistance heating element. For Bullhead City air conditioning,
a heat pump is the most reliable source of heating and cooling.
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What is the difference between a split system and
package air conditioner or heat pump?
A split system has one of its heat exchangers (including the compressor)
located outdoors and the other (the indoor coil) located indoors. A package
unit has both exchangers located in the same unit, typically outdoors.
Horizon
Air Conditioning of Arizona, Inc., can advise you which type would better suit
your needs.
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Should I install a heat pump instead of a regular
air conditioner if I have a gas heating system?
A heat pump can be a worthwhile consideration no matter what type of heating
system is used in a home. A heat pump with gas supplementary heat (split heat
pump system) is the most economical system and offers excellent performance
and comfort. The experts at Horizon Air Conditioning of Arizona, Inc., can
offer the advice you need to make the best comfort decision to suit your
needs.
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How often should I change the air filter in my
system?
Horizon Air Conditioning of Arizona, Inc., recommends you check your filter at
least once a month. Disposable filters should be replaced as often as needed,
and washable filters should be cleaned as often as needed. Bullhead City air
conditioning, Fort Mohave air conditioning and Mohave Valley air conditioning
systems tend to get very dirty from our sandy area.
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Is there anything dangerous about the refrigerant in
my central air conditioning or heat pump system?
The refrigerant (R-22) in residential central air conditioning and heat pump
systems is nontoxic, nonflammable, odorless, and sealed within the system.
Under normal conditions, R-22 is harmless. However, like any other substance,
it can be abused. Some people have died from deliberately inhaling or
"sniffing" pure gas. Inhaling such concentrated refrigerant vapor can cause
cardiac irregularities and cardiac arrest -- a fatal heart attack.
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In hot weather, should I turn my thermostat up when
I leave for work in the morning?
If your house is going to be empty for more than about 4 hours, it's a good
idea to turn your thermostat up to about 82 degrees or so instead of the 78
usually recommended. Keep the house closed to minimize heat build-up. When you
come home, don't set the thermostat any lower than the temperature you
actually want. Your air conditioning system won't cool any faster and
might easily waste money by cooling your home more than needed.
In addition, each degree you increase the setting on your thermostat can
decrease the cost of operating your air conditioning system by as much as 3%.
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How does a heat pump work?
In Summer, an air-to-air pump operates as a standard, electrically driven air
conditioner, collecting heat from the air in your home and expelling it
outside.
In Winter, the process is reversed so that the heat pump collects from outdoor
air to warm the air inside your home. The heat pump can do this because heat
exists in all air down to absolute zero (-460 Fahrenheit). Even cold winter
air contains heat.
How well does the heat pump save energy? It's the heating cycle that accounts
for the significant energy savings that are produced by air to an indoor
circulation system.
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What is a Package Heat Pump?
This is a system that has all components, both heating and cooling, completely
contained in one unit. The system is set outside the home.
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What is a Split System Heat Pump?
This is a heat pump system with components located both inside and outside the
home. Generally, the cooling portion is outside while the heating portion
(furnace or air handler) is located inside the building. This is the most common type of heat
pump installed in a home.
Bullhead City Air Conditioning, Fort Mohave
Air Conditioning,
Mohave Valley Air Conditioning, Golden Shores Air Conditioning
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