Category: Air Conditioning

Basement Window Air Conditioning- What are the Options?

March 26, 2024Dennis Reed

Solutions for Basement window air conditioning Basement air conditioning options include portable AC units, window AC units, and ductless mini-split...

From Snow to Sleet: How Do You Protect an Air Conditioner in Winter Weather?

March 26, 2024Dennis Reed

Air conditioning units are a significant investment, and it’s important to take steps to protect them during the winter months...

Air Purifier vs. Air Cooler: Understanding the Differences for Your Indoor Comfort

March 21, 2024Dennis Reed

Deciphering Air Purifiers vs. Air Coolers: Essential Functions Unveiled Air purifiers and air coolers serve distinct functions in enhancing indoor...

How to Reduce the Humidity in a Air Cooler?

March 18, 2024Dennis Reed

Can you reduce humidity in an air cooler? Evaporative air coolers have the advantage of being cheaper to run than...

Why Air Conditioning Makes Me Cough and What To Do About It

Why Air Conditioning Can Makes You Cough and What To Do About It

March 15, 2024Dennis Reed

Why Does Air Conditioning Makes You Cough? Air conditioning can cause coughing by drying out indoor air, which irritates the...

should you run a dehumidifier and air conditioner at the same time

Should You Run a Dehumidifier and a Air Conditioner at the Same Time?

March 12, 2024Dennis Reed

If you’re a homeowner, you are well aware of the difference a rainy spring in the summer season can make...

Does Air Conditioning Use Water? Understanding How Your AC Unit Works

March 10, 2024Dennis Reed

Do Air Conditioners Use Water? Air conditioners primarily use refrigerants to cool and dehumidify indoor air. During this process, condensation...

Cooling Off Smartly: Should You Give Your AC a Break This Summer?

March 9, 2024Dennis Reed

Should You Give Your AC a Break? Giving your AC a break by adjusting the thermostat up a few degrees...

Should AC Drip Water Outside? Here’s Why It’s a Good Thing

March 6, 2024Dennis Reed

Should AC Drip Water Outside? Yes indeed, it’s common for an air conditioner to release water outside, and it’s a...

The Disadvantages and Side Effects of an Air Cooler

Using an air cooler can be a great alternative to refrigerated air conditioning.

For one it does not use nearly the amount of electricity a refrigerator air conditioner does. And it does not require a way to exhaust the heat.

Which can be a huge advantage when you have spatial constraints like say a personal office space or even the garage and most people’s houses.

And if you live in a dry region, evaporative air coolers do an excellent job of keeping the air cool and comfortable.

But air coolers do have their disadvantages.

Some of the disadvantages and side effects you can expect from using a air cooler include:

Are not as cool as traditional air conditioning
Cannot be set to a specific temperature
Don’t work well and humid regions or circumstances
Can be a source of excess humidity
Require routine draining and cleaning
High and low settings are fan speeds
Noisy
Can be a source of asthma triggers and allergens
Only work well and ventilated areas
Attract mosquitoes

first…

How does an evaporative air cooler work?

Evaporative coolers work by drawing warm air through water soaked pads and blowing it out the other side.

When the air comes out the other side of the pads it is cooler in the same way that air blowing over a lake or body of water is cooler.

The mix of warm air and cool air cause evaporation to happen as a result.

1.Do not work in humid regions or circumstances

Evaporative coolers transform dry warm air into cool air by adding humidity to the dry air.

An evaporative cooler is essentially a large fan that blows air through a water soaked pad.

Since the air is dry, the moisture from the pad cools off the air and the indoor environment.

But if the air is already humid, adding more humidity to it will not cool it off.

But instead will cause the air to be more humid.

2.Can cause excessive humidity

Excessive humidity can make the outdoor temperature feel much warmer than it actually is.

When the humidity outdoors is already humid and you attempt to cool the air by using an evaporative air cooler, the result is not cooler air, but extra indoor humidity.

Excessive humidity not only feels warmer, it makes a room feel swampy and comes with some undesirable side effects like frizzy hair.

So you can see that using an evaporative cooler in a humid region can actually make the air feel warmer.

3.Do not cool as well as traditional air conditioners

There was a time not so long ago that evaporative cooling was the primary way people cool off their homes and businesses.

These days, refrigerated air conditioning by way of central heat and air or window and portable air conditioners have become the norm.

The truth is, evaporative air cooling does not provide indoor comfort of using a refrigerated air conditioning system.

The traditional AC is much cooler and can be controlled. Which leads to the next point.

4.You cannot set an evaporative cooler to a specific temperature.

Most of us are familiar with turning the thermostat up or down to control how warm or how cool we want it inside of the house.

If we walk into a room and the temperature is too hot, we simply turn the thermostat down and wait a little bit, in the AC adjust to revive the temperature that we dialed in.

That is a luxury you do not get with an evaporative cooler.

Just like you cannot control the specific temperature with a fan, evaporative cooling has no way of dialing in a specific temperature either.

5.Settings on evaporative cooler are fan settings

The high and low settings on an evaporative cooler control of the fan only.

6.Require a routine draining and cleaning

Air coolers require quite a bit more maintenance than a conventional AC.

Where conditional ACs require you to change a filter once a month or so, evaporative air conditioners require you to drain and change the water fairly often.

This is because standing water can be a source of airborne bacteria, mold spores, and other allergens.

Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal especially in people with weakened immune systems.

Legionnaires disease is caused by inhaling airborne bacteria that has grown on water.

Its origin has been traced back to industries and businesses that had left their rooftop evaporative coolers full of water where it stagnated and became full of bacteria.

7.Attract mosquitoes

Another point related to the importance of keeping the water in an air cooler drained when it is not in use is the fact that mosquitoes hover around stagnant water.

Mosquitoes can also carry disease.

8.Not good for asthmatics

Humid air is thick and can be harder to breathe. Asthmatics can find breathing humid hair air difficult.

Humid air is also known for being a source of nutrition for dust mites and mold spores. These allergens thrive in conditions of high humidity.

Both are asthma and allergy triggers.

9.Noisy

Since evaporative coolers are essentially large fans, the noise level for them are relevant to what setting you have the fan on.

A fan on high speed is noisy.

Some coolers are louder than others and if you have your cooler on the roof then the sound of the fan is not an issue.

But if you’re using a portable evaporative cooler in your room, then the noise level can come into play.

10.Require ventilation

Air coolers work best when you can open up the windows on the other side of the house for air flow.

When you use an air cooler in a room with no ventilation, the air can become muggy and not provide the level of cool air that is needed.

Recap
Air coolers are a great alternative for cooling the air.

Refrigerator air conditioners require that you exhaust the heat coming from the unit outdoors.

Sometimes you just do not have an access point to be able to do so.

In situations where you need cool air but cannot facilitate a hose, the evaporative cooling is a great alternative to look into.

But they do have their issues.

Evaporative coolers have a lot of disadvantages and side effects that you need to know about before you dive into purchasing one.

Namely they do not work in humid conditions, and they do require the extra maintenance of draining and keeping the water clean.

They also do not have the luxury of being able to set them to a specific temperature.

And for people who are sensitive to allergens, air coolers can raise the humidity inside of the home to an unsafe level that can make the air uncomfortable to breathe and be a source of allergy and asthma triggers.

Air Cooler vs. Air Con – The Sticky Difference

In the Midwest where I live, the heat has been soaring this year. We are all the way into September and the midday sun does not seem to want to let go of its power to make everyone miserable.

And what’s worse , the humidity has been extra high and thick. Which means the air conditioning is struggling and the mosquitoes are rampant.

I can tell you this , in this environment, evaporative cooling is useless. More about that later.

I long for the early days of spring when the air cooler made a difference.

But living through this season has given me a unique or at least a “fresh” viewpoint on air coolers and air conditioning. More like a “sticky” viewpoint.

Air Cooler vs. Air Con

Air conditioning – Refrigerated air.
Air Cooler- Evaporated Water cooled

An air cooler usually refers to evaporative cooling. An air con or air conditioning typically refers to refrigerated air conditioning.

Evaporative cooling uses water to cool the air. Air conditioning uses a refrigerant.

The difference between an air conditioner and an air cooler,

comes down primarily to the humidity.

An air conditioner reduces the humidity whereas an air cooler increases the humidity.

It’s because of the method by which each cools off the temperature of a room.

An air conditioner uses a refrigerant to bring down the temperature while at the same time condensing and removing the humidity in the air.

This works great because humidity, when it is excessive, can make the temperature seem hotter than it actually is.

By reducing the humidity along with cooling off the air with a refrigerant, air conditioners are capable of bringing down the temperature of a room very efficiently.

Which translates to a more comfortable environment.

An air cooler on the other hand uses water to basically brush the air and cool it off as it is blowing past the water.

The ideal is more like a breeze that is blowing off of the ocean. The actuality is a fan that blows water-cooled air.

This method has a built-in problem.

What if the air is already humid?

Will not the air cooler just add more humidity to the air and eventually make the air more uncomfortable?

The answer is yes.

One of the main ways air coolers are referred to is as “swamp coolers”.

That’s because though evaporative air coolers can work great when the air outside is dry, combining them with air that is already humid can make the room feel swampy.

Which is another way of saying muggy or sticky.

This is why I said in the beginning that evaporative cooling is useless in the climate that I’m living in right now.

Trying to cool down the air that is already wet doesn’t accomplish anything. The only thing it accomplishes is making the air feel more uncomfortable.

The truth is that running a fan alone is more effective than using a air cooler when the humidity is too high.

But not all climates are humid and this has been an extra humid season.

Just be prepared for your evaporative air cooler to be less effective when the humidity rises.

Another disadvantage to evaporative air coolers is they require a source of water.

You will either have to hook it straight up to a water faucet or fill the basin up with water on a regular basis.

And also machines that require water have to be kept very clean and maintained often to avoid bacteria and mold from growing in them.

What that means practically, is that the water will have to be emptied anytime that the machine is not in use.
That is to avoid any chance of standing water that can easily become a source of bacteria and a breeding ground for mosquitoes

But air coolers do have their advantages
One advantage over a refrigerated air conditioner that air coolers possess is that they do not require any way to be exhausted.

Which makes them more of a portable option then an “air conditioner”, even what they call a portable air conditioner.

Because even though a portable air conditioner may be more “portable” than say a window air conditioner or a central heat and air unit, it still has to have a way to exhaust the heat outside.

Which means an exhaust hose that attaches to a window.

Portable Air “coolers” are actually portable and are not confined to having to have a window nearby to the exhaust from.

An air cooler is the only option for vent-less air conditioning in a room that has no windows.

Most home garages do not have Windows which makes exhausting refrigerator air conditioning a challenge to.

So portable evaporative cooling is a good option for cooling off a garage.

Recap

What’s the difference between an air “cooler” and an “air conditioning”?

Air cooler refers to evaporative cooling that uses water to cool down fan blown air.Air conditioning refers to air that is conditioned with refrigerant and is condensed to reduce the humidity in a room.

Refrigerator air conditioning is more efficient and can be dialed in much easier. But it’s design requires a way to exhaust heat. Which means you either having a separate compressor outside or a window to place the air conditioner or exhaust it from.

Evaporative air cooling is not nearly as efficient and cooling down a room to a specific temperature is not an option.

Air coolers also must be maintained regularly to avoid bacteria and mold growth.

But they do have one main advantage over refrigerated air conditioning, which is that they do not require a window nearby to vent any heat.

Which makes an air “cooler” truly portable compared to a portable air “conditioner “that requires a window nearby to vent and exhaust the heat created in the air conditioning process.

Remember:

Air cooler – evaporative cooling
Air conditioning – refrigerated air.

How Does A Ventless Air Conditioner Work?

While so many air conditioning systems are available, people find ventless air conditioners more reliable.

This portable, user-friendly, and economical appliance controls the indoor humidity with simple operation methods.
But what about the internal working process in the first place?

How Does A Ventless Air Conditioner Work?
A Ventless Air conditioner decreases the temperature by increasing the humidity in the air. It circulates the hot indoor air and cools it down using an evaporator coil within the machine.

In short, the machine will cool the existing air instead of pulling air from the outdoors.
But there’s more to it! Let’s discuss how ventless ACs circulate the cool air, and how you can get the most out of it.

What Actually is a Ventless Air Conditioner?

A Ventless air conditioner is also known as a portable swamp cooler, evaporative air conditioner, or vent-free AC.

From the name itself, it refers to that unit that doesn’t require any vent through the window to function properly. In the HVAC world, there are no similar things as a ventless air conditioner.

This technology provides a powerful cooling system without any vent. There is no exhaust hose inside these appliances. Because in Ventless Air Conditioner there is no heat exchange or refrigeration process available like Traditional Air Conditioner.

Therefore, no hot air is produced inside the appliance. That is why it doesn’t need any exhaust hose to hang on the window.

How Does A Ventless AC Work?

Before knowing How Does A Ventless Air Conditioner Work, you have to understand what evaporation is.

Because Ventless Air Conditioner works by following this simple science.

In general terms, evaporation is an important part of the water cycle. In this process liquid material like water converts into gas with the help of thermal or electrical energy.

As we know that ventless air conditioners work through the principle of evaporation, let’s discuss its methodology.The basic methodology of vent-free AC is, it uses a heat pump to bring water from water storage. The cooling pads absorb the pump’s water.

When the fan is flowing, it draws the hot air from the outside by the water-soaked pads.
As air goes through the pads, where the temperature is absorbed by the process of evaporation which cools the air.

Here the mechanism of supplying cold air is, the warm water moves through a honeycomb corrugated filter and collides with a hydrone wet filter.

With the help of a honeycomb filter, the exchange of air and water has finished. And finally, a fan supplies the cold air into the surface.

Do Ventless Air Conditioners Work?
The working mechanism of a portable air conditioner or swamp coolers is similar to a Traditional Evaporative Cooler.
For that reason, many people think Ventless Air Conditioners are a scam.
The point here to be realized is, Ventless AC does not reduce the overall temperature of a room the same way a traditional air conditioner does. Rather it cools the air by evaporation and humidifying the air.

Here is no rocket science to understand whether Ventless AC is a scam or not. Because Ventless Air Conditioner cools the air by pooling a simple natural process of evaporation with an advanced air moving system.

In this method, fresh air comes from outside and is drawn into the cooler by moistened pads. And then, the air is filtered by saturated evaporation and finally humid air circulated by the blower.
A portable Ventless AC can produce 80% relative humidity on average.

Why You Should Go With Ventless Air Conditioner

There are a number of reasons that make Ventless Air conditioners different from similar kinds of air conditioning systems like ductless systems.
While people go with Ductless AC systems, ventless window air conditioners provide enormous facilities. Before getting an air conditioning system, you should know which factor makes a huge difference.

Which factor makes ventless more worthy than Ductless AC or mini-split systems?
Facility of Portability
Ventless AC is generally a portable air conditioner indoor unit. It doesn’t need any outdoor unit to attach.
Therefore, you can transfer it from one palace to another place easily. There is no cooling system installation or maintenance needed in these indoor units.
Like other types of HVAC systems, it doesn’t need to be installed in a fixed place. Just plug in the appliance, add water and go!
Energy Efficient
Where other HVAC systems need two units to install and require much energy to operate, ventless AC comes as an energy efficiency facility.
Ventless Air conditioners run constantly and consume only 90 to 160 watts per hour.

On the other hand, ductless or single split air conditioner systems consume 500 watts of energy on average per hour.
Also, an evaporative cooler or ventless AC doesn’t emit any harmful gasses and uses no refrigerant like other central air conditioning systems.
Inexpensive
A portable air conditioner is significantly more affordable than a split system or central HVAC system.
It does not demand any extra installation charge. With this simple device, you can cover 350 square feet of area to cool.
No other HVAC system is more money-efficient than a single portable air conditioner.

Who Needs Ventless Air Conditioners More?

Ventless Air Conditioners come in different sizes and all have individual applications. They are designed in small and large sizes to cover different types of areas.
As they cover indoor areas, you should know who needs it the most before getting one.
As discussed earlier, Ventless-AC uses evaporative cooling and its function depends on relative humidity.
So, if you live in an area where the relative humidity level is too high, this kind of appliance does not suit your needs.

Ventless Portable AC is best for low humidity areas and high-temperature countries or regions such as the United States, Australia, Mexico, Chile, Saudi Arabia. Sometimes, Ventless AC may be used outdoors since outdoor air will not raise relative humidity like a room.

Conclusion
No one wants to go with complex things when they find a simple way instead of it. A ventless air conditioner is one such kind of thing among other HVAC systems.
Its working mechanism, versatile use make it popular day by day in low humidity regions, humid climates, and dry climates. Because keeping the relative humidity maximum level is essential to lead a healthy life.

We hope, by going through How Does a Ventless Air Conditioner Work, now you know its overall mechanism. This knowledge will help you to have a portable air conditioner system that certainly fulfills your needs.
Thanks for reading this article with patience.

Posted on August 30, 2021September 14, 2023Categories Air Conditioning, All Posts

Portable Swamp Cooler – My Recent Experience in Colorado

My family took our summer vacation in the mountains of Colorado this year.

It’s not the first time we’ve made this trip during the summer but I can say it was definitely the hottest Colorado trip I’ve ever taken.

My normal experience with Colorado weather is that it is super dry and the peak temperature is usually around 85°.

This year we found ourselves walking around in 95° weather with 30 and 40% humidity.

Miserable to say the least.

If you haven’t been to Colorado Springs or any of the other touristy towns in Colorado,

One thing they all have in common is there is a great number of small shops and stores selling souvenirs, candy, and just about everything else you can think of, scattered all along the area.

As we were walking through some of these stores, there was one thing that I noticed quite a lot.

Most of these little shops were using portable swamp coolers to help cool the inside temperature.

But the problem was, the humidity outside was so high that you could barely feel anything coming out of these units.

There was one store that had a couple air movers that were doing much more to help combat the heat than the portable evaporative cooler they had setting at the door.

And there were a few shops that were using refrigerated window air conditioning and you could tell a big difference when you walk into those stores.

But seeing how the weather in Colorado is typically very dry, portable swamp coolers seem to be the AC unit of choice.

One portable swamp cooler I saw was so filthy that there was no way water was going to soak the pads enough to cool off the air.

So I’m not saying that the units were all maintained perfectly.

And most of these shops could have been getting a lot better result from the swamp coolers if they were putting ice in the cooler water periodically throughout the day.

But after going through a summer of excessive heat and humidity like this,

I’d imagine that a great deal of those vendors are going to be looking to switch over to window air conditioners by next summer.

Portable swamp cooler- yay or nay

Swamp coolers can do an excellent job in the right circumstances.

The problem is that this has probably been one of the most humid Summers I can remember ever going through.

And remembering back to last year, it rained so little that you could barely keep the grass wet. Definitely one of the dryer seasons I remember.

So going the portable swamp cooler route is a hit or miss.

My opinion is that if you’re grappling with whether you are going to purchase a portable swamp cooler or go with a portable refrigerated air unit or window AC,

My experience is, you will be much happier with a refrigerated AC unit.

Like I mentioned before, the shops on our Colorado trip that had Window ACs built into the wall were much cooler.

And one of the main reasons I believe that was the case is that refrigerated window ACs work as dehumidifiers as they cool the air.

In fact most Window ACs you can buy these days, have a dry mode setting to operate the unit in dehumidifier mode only.

And if the temperature itself is not all that high, bringing the humidity down with a dehumidifier or the dry mode on a window AC is going to help quite a bit.

And even make the need for an air conditioner obsolete.

Of course, if you have no way of exhausting the heat from a window air conditioner or portable AC, then a portable swamp cooler is going to be better than nothing at all.

And if you live in an area where dry weather is the norm and you’re certain that the summer heat is not going to be tainted by excessive humidity then you’re probably going to be happy with a portable swamp cooler.

Humid air is not necessarily hot air and like I mentioned a few paragraphs back, there was one shop that we visited in Colorado that was getting particularly good results using air movers. Which is basically a high velocity fan.

A fan, although maybe not on the level of a dehumidifier, can do an awful lot to help dry out the air in a specific room.

And when the humidity is so high that 80° feels like 100°, a high strength fan can go a long way towards drying out the air and bringing out the overall comfortability in a room.

But again if you are grappling on which way to turn while shopping for a way to cool off your room or shop, a refrigerator air unit is going to be a much more efficient way of cooling down the temperature in a room and also have the capacity to lower the humidity when it’s the moisture in the air that’s making things so uncomfortable.

Recap

If you’re thinking about purchasing a new unit to help cool down the air in your room or garage, there are several different options you may look into.

The above article spoke about how on a recent trip to the Colorado mountains, I noticed that most of the souvenir shops that I visited had portable swamp coolers.

But since this has been a particularly humid season, the swamp coolers we’re not doing much of a job cooling the air.

But the couple of shops that I went into were using window air conditioners we’re much cooler.

And one of the shops I visited was getting a good result out of using high velocity air movers.

The winner bar none was the window air conditioning that was installed through the wall.

Not only was it able to cool down the room better during an insufferable humid day, it also had the capacity to reduce the humidity through the dry mode function.

Portable swamp coolers have their place as long as you realize that they are not going to do much good when the weather is muggy.

At that point, you’d get better use out of a high-speed fan or an air mover.

Posted on August 3, 2021January 19, 2023Categories Air Conditioning, All Posts

How to Clean a Window AC Unit – Without Removing It

How to Clean a Window AC unit
Cleaning a window AC unit can be easy or not so easy depending on how long it’s been since you cleaned it.
And if you your AC unit is not cooling like it should or if it’s doing something stupid like spitting water at you, then you know it’s time to give it a good once over.
Some things can be easily cleaned without having to mess with taking it apart or removing it from the window.
Some other things may not be quite as simple. Like I said, it depends primarily on how long it’s been since it’s been cleaned. Unless it’s located in an area that is just predisposed to getting dust all over and inside your window AC.
Cleaning supplies
A few items that will make the job much easier if you have them on hand is a vacuum with good suction. A handheld would be much easier to work with if you have it and a “can of air” which is usually called electronic duster. A good scrub brush is also going to be handy. For pros, an air compressor with a nozzle is going to speed things way up.

Let’s get cracking.
1. Unplug it
No use messing around with an electronic device while it’s plugged in.
We’re just trying to clean it, not diagnosing a problem that requires power.
2. How to remove front cover of window air conditioner
The first thing to clean is the filter and to do that you’ll have to remove the front cover of the air conditioner.
There are more than one brand of window air conditioner and there are a multitude of different styles of removing the front cover also.
On most window air conditioners, you will simply have a pull tab located on the top or the side that allows you to pull the front cover down and off.
But there are other window ACs like the GE for example that have a filter that just pulls out from the side and do not provide easy access to the grill.
On window AC that doesn’t have easy access, it will require you to take a couple of screws out and pull the entire plastic casing off of the front.
If you have a manual window AC with knobs to dial in the temperature, you’ll have to take the knobs off first to be able to get the plastic casing off.
Cleaning the filter is a very simple process that usually can be done with the vacuum cleaner or a brush. You can even wash it under the faucet in the sink. Only be careful to let it dry completely so you don’t have any chance of mold growing in the AC by putting a wet filter back into it.

2. Clean the grime off of the grill and fins.

How to clean air conditioner fins
Once you have the cover off and the grill is exposed, take a soft brush and brush any grime and dirt off of the fins.
A soft brush because you do not want to bend the fins.
If the finns are already bent, you can purchase what’s called a fin comb that will straighten them back out.
This step can easily be done with a vacuum cleaner or a can of compressed air. If you have a portable compressor, you will be able to blow any grime and debris on the fins off that much easier.
3. Clean the cover
Before you put the cover back on, use the opportunity to clean the dust and debris out of all the nooks and crannies located on the cover. Believe it or not, even if it doesn’t look like it, dust can keep your air conditioner from blowing at the rate it is meant to. (This is a big deal with fans too. You would probably be surprised how well your tower fan would blow by just doing some simple brushing maintenance on it.)

4. Clean the rear of the AC.

Can you hose down a window air conditioner?
If the AC is still in your window, you can actually hose down the back side of the window AC with a hose. The only caveat is that you do not use a high pressure attachment that could bend the fins or damage any component inside of the AC.
After all this part of the AC is meant to be in the elements and can take a beating from a rainstorm or snow. Hosing it down is an easy way of getting dirt and debris off of the outside of the air conditioner.
Make sure you keep the water on the outside of the unit and not spray in such a way that it goes inside the house.
If you are not in an area where you can clean your window conditioner with a hose, a vacuum cleaner will do just fine, and or an air compressor will do even that much better.
And remember if your air conditioner is not that dirty, a can of electronic duster that you use on a computer keyboard will do the trick just fine. It’s a lot easier using a can of electronic duster than it is to drag out a water hose for a vacuum and an air compressor if you don’t have to.
5. Clean the drain hole
If your air conditioner is spitting water at you, there is a good chance that your drain hole is clogged up.
The condensation coming off of your cooling coils when the air conditioner is running is designed to drip out of that little drain hole.
If the drain hole is stopped up then the water will just keep on rising till it starts coming out of the vents and spritzing your house.
If the drain hole is already clean and it is still spitting water at you or not draining, then you should tilt the air conditioner slightly so that the water drains out of the hole instead of building up. You may have to put a shim or something on one side of the air conditioner to keep it tilted slightly for the water to drain off.
The drain hole on a window AC is typically just a small hole around 3/8″ big located either on the side or towards the rear of the AC.
While you have the hose out, spraying out the drain hole should be pretty easy.
If you don’t have a hose, try blowing the drain hole out. If there is something really jammed in the drain hole, try taking a small pointed object like a small screwdriver and poking it through the hole being careful not to poke too hard as to puncture anything on the other side of the hole.
Never add a second drain hole to a window AC using a drill unless you have the whole AC taken apart so that you can see exactly where to drill without puncturing any part of the AC compressor. ( How do I know that? Let’s just say that I’m glad I didn’t spend more than a couple of hundred bucks on that AC.)

How to prevent mold in the window AC?
You can prevent mold in a window AC by ensuring that the drain hole is clear and that the condensation is draining off properly.
If the air conditioner is not draining and water is able to fill up inside of the window AC, then the chances of having mold inside of your AC go up considerably.
The second thing you should do to prevent mold in your window AC is to wipe it down regularly, and vacuum the dirt out.
Mold cannot grow without having the basic ingredients of moisture, food (like dirt) and dark.
Keeping your drain hole cleaned out, the AC tilted so that the water drains out easily, and wiped and vacuumed of dust, will eliminate two of the main ingredients of mold right there.
If you already have mold in your window AC, you should be prepared to take the window air conditioner out of the window and disassemble it so that you can spray the inside thoroughly with either Lysol or vinegar.
It’s not the end of the world or your air conditioner but mold sickness is a real thing and you should take it seriously.
The casing of a window air conditioner is generally held on by some very plain in view screws that can be taken out. The whole cover will come off easily after that. That will give you access to be able to spray a mold deterrent like Lysol or vinegar into any nook and cranny you can locate inside the AC.

There’s nothing like having an air conditioner during the hot summer months.
The problem is that they tend to get dirty and need regular maintenance.

Taking the time to spruce up your AC unit is going to help eliminate mold and mildew that builds up inside the unit and stops it working properly.

It’s worth opening up your unit once a year and cleaning it out once a year, even if it’s still running smooth.
The filter should be checked once a month and cleaned whenever it looks dirty as well.

Here are the 12 steps of cleaning a window air conditioning unit.

What you Need

2 soft cloths

A hand-held spray bottle

Fin comb

Bucket

Vacuum

Rubber gloves

Soft-bristle brush

Goggles

Coil cleaner – which can be found at any hardware store

The 12-Step Process

Start out by disconnecting the AC unit from all power sources
You need to unplug every single power cord being fed into the unit. If the window unit is wired directly to the home then you want to either turn off the master circuit breaker or disconnect the unit from the fuses. The manufacturer’s instructions will tell you how to discharge the capacitor. This capacitor is a device that holds the extra charge needed to kick-start the motor in your AC. Removing it is an essential step in ensuring there is no charge left in the device before cleaning it.

Clean off the outside cover of the unit. Wipe it down using a wet cloth. Get rid of all the grime and dust that you can to ensure that it doesn’t fall down into the unit when the cover is opened. That just creates more work for you later. It’ll be much harder to get off then too.

Now you can take the front cover off. Some of them are designed to be removed easily using just your hands. For others, you might need to remove some plastic screws or hooks. Place down these screws or clamps in a safe place while working. That way you can avoid losing them. Be warned that some units will also have metal grills that need to be removed. Their edges can be sharp, so take care when removing them!

You need to clean the reusable filter in your unit, assuming that it has one. Take the filter out of the AC unit and put it in a bucket filled halfway with warm and soapy water. If you don’t have one to hand then your sink or bathtub would do fine. Get rid of dirt and other buildup by swishing the filter around. If it’s really dirty then you might need to use a soft brush to clear it all off. Put the filter off to the side so that it can dry out before you put it back into the unit. Having a wet filter in the unit just attracts more mold and dirt, which is not what you want when you’re trying to keep it clean!

Make sure that you change the disposable filter in your unit regularly. Once again, that is assuming that it has one. The US Department of Energy recommend changing filters once a month during the warm season.

Vacuum out the inside of the unit. A vacuum extension can help you reach the bottom of the unit, as well as the sides of the unit, the back of the front cover, and – if you have one – the metal grill. A moist rag can help here if there’s too much dirt for a vacuum to handle by itself.

Put the unit back together. Be sure to let the unit dry out completely before you put it back together. Plug the window unit back into the power source and switch it on. Clean off any debris that might blow up after it has been powered on again.

Be sure to keep your unit stored in a cool, dry place when the time comes to put it away. Cover it up with a sheet of plastic and leave it in a dry place as this will prevent the spread of mildew and mold.

If you want to take your cleaning to the next level, there are some extra steps you can take before putting the unit back together.
These are optional steps and should be performed delicately.
These steps are for cleaning the fan blades and coils, which are very delicate and are easy to bend and break by accident. The motor housing can also be very sensitive and should be avoided at all times when cleaning an AC unit.

Now it’s time to clean coils in your AC. Make sure you use rubber gloves and protective goggle for this. Add the coil cleaning solution to the water bottle and spray the coils lightly. Take care to spray only the coils. Leave them for around 15 minutes before pouring some warm water onto the coils. Ensure that the coil cleaner has been completely removed from the coil. Be careful to avoid getting electrical parts near the coils wet. Consider putting a dry rag down on the electrical parts to prevent water damage.

Clean the fan blades of the unit using a soft, clean cloth to remove dirt from the fan blades. Be sure to wipe gently so as to avoid bending and damaging the blades. AC units can be pretty loud as they are, and bent blades only makes them louder!

Finally, you can use the fin comb to repair dents in the fins of the coils. Now you can put the AC unit back together and go back to enjoying cool air whenever you need it.

Posted on July 8, 2021January 19, 2023Categories Air Conditioning, All Posts

AC making noise? 13 Noisy AC Problems Explained

Is your AC making noise?
Or does it make a loud noise when starting up or shutting down?
Most of the time it’s pretty easy to tell when the air conditioner is making a noise that you are not familiar with. Most of the time.
The air conditioner turning on and air compressor buzzing, pretty much just fade into the background.
So when you hear your AC making unfamiliar noise, it can be disconcerting and that’s the time to act. A little sound or a little problem can turn into a big problem fast when neglected.
Here is a short list of different noises your AC can make.

1. AC making rattling noise
When your AC is making a rattling noise outside, the easiest thing to do is inspect the outside of the unit. It could be as simple as one of the side panels has loosened and it’s rattling back and forth while the AC is running.
Debris like Sticks on the outside of the unit can get stuck and rattle when the compressor is on also. Be sure to clean the outside of the machine well.
However, if the rattling is coming from inside of the AC unit and sounds more like a mechanical issue, it could be the fan blower motor.

2. AC making whistling noise
A whistling noise coming from your AC is more than likely a blockage somewhere that is causing air to be forced through.
Things you can check:
Clogged or dirty filters
Something blocking or covering up a vent
Register vents that have been closed

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3. AC making clicking noise

A clicking sound in the air conditioner is likely pointing you to something obstructing the fan blade or a fan blade that has gotten bent and is out of balance.
Clicking or crackling can also indicate a door or side panel that is not tightened down fully and is knocking back and forth.

If your AC is making a clicking or crackling noise and it’s not easily identifiable by inspecting the outside of the unit, just like any suspicious sound
In your air conditioner, it’s worth having it inspected.

4. AC making humming noise
A humming noise coming from the AC is usually very common. The sound from the compressor running is usually described as a humming noise.
But a motor that is seized can also make a loud humming noise. If your air conditioner is not coming on and you hear a loud humming noise, then your compressor has a serious issue and you need to call a tech right away.

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5. AC making gurgling noise
A gurgling noise coming from your air conditioner is going to be related to liquid somehow.
Condensate pump
A condensate pump is used to pump the water in the drain pan outside.If the condensate pump is leaking, it can make a gurgling sound.
Clogged drain pipe
A gurgling sound can come from an obstructed drain pipe. If you have a clogged drain pipe or a leaky condensate pump, the next progression is water leaking inside. It needs to be fixed right away.
Refrigerant levels.
If the refrigerant lines have air in them, the sound could be described as a gurgling noise. Though common, it is not natural and should be inspected.

6. AC making hissing noise
A hissing noise coming from the AC means there is a leak somewhere.
Just like a tire that has a nail in it, and hisses as the air is escaping through that small hole,
When the AC is hissing, there is either air or refrigerant gas escaping somewhere.
As you can guess, this is an issue you want to have inspected as quickly as you can.
Not only will you have diminished results with your air conditioner until you do, you do not want to risk anything being wrong with your compressor. A very expensive fix.

7. AC unit making beeping noise
A beeping noise coming from your AC is typically an alert letting you know that it is either time to replace something or switch to a different setting.
Some alerts include:
Scheduled Filter replacement
Excess condensation
Low thermostat batteries
8. Air conditioner making pulsating noise
An air conditioner making a pulsating noise is usually just the ebb and flow of the compressor cycling. If the pulsating sound is a constant, it could be that the compressor is poorly insulated which makes it easier to hear.
If the AC is making a pulsating noise that is not typical, it could possibly mean something has come loose and is vibrating extra loud.

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9. Air conditioner surging sound
An air conditioner making a surging or pulsating sound is generally the amplified sound of the compressor cycling on and off.
If one of the components of your AC unit is against the frame of the house, the sound of the compressor could throughout the house. Even the compressor that is not insulated could be amplified by the vent system.
10. AC vibration noise
A Vibrating noise in the AC could indicate a lack of airflow caused by the extra force it takes to pull the air through the system.
You could also mean that something like a side panel has worked itself loose and is making a vibrating noise.
Cleaning the filters and giving the AC a good overall cleaning will typically remove these small vibrating noises.
But if the vibration is new and very noticeable, it could indicate something worse.
Having a Tech inspect your unit is a worthwhile investment to keep your AC running well.

11. AC unit buzzing every few minutes
An AC unit that buzzes off and on every few minutes is an indicator that you have a problem.
Balance
An easy place to start is to check out AC housing itself and make sure that it is not out of balance.
Frozen over
Another easy reason is that the AC is frozen over. Which generally means a clogged air filter.
Screw loose
A buzzing sound every few minutes in your AC could also mean that something has worked itself loose and is vibrating every few minutes.
Compressor
Worst case scenario, there is something malfunctioning inside of your compressor. The compressor is easily the most expensive part to replace on your AC so having it inspected as soon as possible is suggested.
12. Air conditioner squealing noise
When the air conditioner has a squealing noise the most likely culprit is a fan belt. The belt that connects the fan blower to the motor may have gotten out of line or maybe ready to break.
The squealing or squeaking noise coming from a fan belt is an indicator do you have it checked or changed.
You can still run the AC with the squealing noise, but when the belt breaks, there won’t be any cool air till you get it fixed.
13. AC making loud noise inside the unit.
If your AC is making a loud noise inside the unit, it is more than probable that something has broken or come completely loose.
Even if your AC is only making a loud noise when it is starting, something has gotten out of balance or broken.
It’s impossible to tell what has broken till you get inside and inspect it.
Nevertheless, you should have it looked at immediately.

Posted on May 21, 2021June 25, 2021Categories Air Conditioning, All Posts

Should a Window Air Conditioner Be Tilted? 11- AC Queries

Should a Window Air Conditioner be Tilted?

Not all window air conditioners are designed to be tilted backwards to drain the condensation from them. On many newer units you will find the drain hole located to the left side centered rather than positioned to drip out the rear.

The best policy is to check the user manual to find out for sure if you have a window air conditioner that requires tilting or not.

If your window AC requires tilting per the manual it should be tilted slightly backwards 3 to 5° to provide a runoff for the condensation that is created while the AC is running.

If the window AC is not tilted, the water will eventually puddle up and fling back into the room.

Worse, if the unit is tilted the wrong way, the water created by the condensation will flow back into your room and potentially ruin your window sill, drywall, wallpaper, and floor or carpet.

You can keep any damage that water from your window AC could cause at Bay by simply tilting your air conditioner slightly backwards so that the water runs through the drain hole outside of the house.

Window AC Not Dripping Water

If you have a window AC not dripping water, the problem is most likely a clogged drain hole.
Since the outside of the air conditioner is exposed to the elements, it is not a surprise that debris can get into the casing of your window air conditioner and clog your drain hole up.
Sediment forming from the minerals in the condensation can also build up to the point that you eventually have a stopped up drain hole.
1You should be able to access the drainage hole from the bottom of the window AC and use a screwdriver to press into the hole and clear it out as a temporary fix.
I say temporary because you are more than likely not be able to clean it out too well from the bottom.
2.Window AC units are meant to be able to withstand rain so with that in mind, using the power washer on your garden hose to spray out the inside of the AC from the rear is also a method you can use to clean out the debris from the inside of the air conditioner.
3.If neither one of those fixes work, then you’ll probably need to resign yourself to pulling the window AC out of the window and taking it apart so that you can access the area that is clogged up from the inside.

Will Rain Damage a Window Air Conditioner?

Window air conditioners are built to withstand the elements, including rain. A typical rainstorm will not damage a window AC. But of the air conditioner is exposed to a hurricane type rain situation where the rain is blowing sideways, then the electronics of the window AC will have more of a chance of getting wet.
If that’s the case, then the best policy is to let it thoroughly dry before turning it on.
Normal rainfall should not have an effect whatsoever on your window AC unit.

Do Window AC’s Have Filters?

A window AC has a washable filter located directly on the face of the inside portion of the air conditioner.
It can be easily accessed usually by pulling open front panel. In some window air conditioners, the filter is inserted into a slot. Pull tabs are usually put into place to be able to pull out the filter easily in order to clean it.
Window Air Conditioner Not Blowing Hard

When your window air conditioner is not blowing hard, the first place to look for a solution is the filter. If the filter gets too dirty, you will have limited air flow.
Limited air flow will also lead to the coils freezing over, decreasing your airflow even further.
Make sure that any grills on either the sides or the rear is completely free and not up against something or else have something draped over them like clothing for instance.
Check the rear grill to make sure that it is not covered in gunk. If so, wash it with some hot water and soap.W

Can a Window Air Conditioner Cool an Entire House?

Window Air conditioners are not made to cool off an entire house. A large 10,000 BTU window AC is good about 350 to 400 square feet. Which is only about half of a very small house.
Running 2 to 3 smaller AC window units will provide better coverage than trying to get the same coverage out of one big large BTU AC.
Do Window Air Conditioners Pull Air From Outside?

Window air conditioners work by pulling room air through the front grill that is located behind the vent.
But many window AC’s have a damper lever that when opened allows a small amount of outside air to come in to a room through the air conditioner as a means of letting in some fresh air.
The ideal is that sometimes since the window is being taken up by the air conditioner that there is no way to let any fresh air inside. That’s why that vent exist at all.
But the conditioned cold air coming from the window AC there’s not originate outdoors. It is the room air being circulated through the air conditioner.

Do Window Air Conditioners Need Freon?

Window air conditioners come pre-loaded with refrigerant for freon and or a closed system. The freon or refrigerant in a window AC that has never experienced any damage should never run out.
Adding refrigerant or freon to a window air conditioner is not a normal part of maintenance and if it does deplete, then you know you have a leak.
Can Window Air Conditioners Be Recharged?

If you find that your window air conditioner has completely leaked the refrigerant out and is no longer getting cool whatsoever than it is possible to buy a kit to refill the refrigerant.
But the probability of the refrigerant leaking back out is pretty high since the AC unit is meant to be a closed system that does not require refilling at any time.
In other words, the only reason you would need to add refrigerant to your window AC is if you have a leak caused probably by some sort of damageW

Does a Window Air Conditioner Dehumidify?

Window air conditioners like all refrigerated air conditioners dehumidify as they cool the temperature. And many come with a dry mode that allows you to use your window AC as a dehumidifier without having to use the AC function.
The reason is, refrigerated air conditioners pull warm air across cooling coils that cause the moisture to separate from the air. The moisture called condensation is then routed outside through a drainage hole.
Can Window Air Conditioners Cause Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

No. Window air conditioners cannot cause carbon monoxide poisoning because Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas found in fumes. that are produced by burning fuel.
Window air conditioners do not burn any fuel whatsoever and cannot cause carbon monoxide poisoning for that reason.

Posted on May 10, 2021August 27, 2021Categories Air Conditioning, All Posts

Thermostat flashing “Cool On”-Honeywell Troubleshooting

1. Honeywell Thermostat flashing cool on
The “Cool on” message on a Honeywell thermostat is also known as “delay mode”. It often flashes in the form of a blinking snowflake or as the word “wait’ as well.
It’s a courtesy message to let you know that the AC will delay in coming on for approximately 5 minutes in order to protect your unit from short cycling which can cause damage.
Honeywell thermostat says waiting for equipment
The waiting for equipment message on a Honeywell thermostat is to let you know that there will be a short delay before the AC powers on to prevent short cycling.
Honeywell thermostat says temporary
Whenever your Honeywell thermostat says temporary or temporary hold, it means that the temperature has been temporarily adjusted until the next scheduled change.
The “permanent hold” message indicates that the temperature is set at its permanent scheduled setting.
Honeywell thermostat says recovery
Recovery is a thermostat mode that indicates your air conditioner has turned back on after it has shut down because of a scheduled “off” period. The recovery mode message is nothing to worry about, it is simply a courtesy to let you know your AC has restarted in order to begin reaching the next scheduled temperature.

Honeywell thermostat says aux heat on
The Aux heat message on a Honeywell thermostat is to let you know that auxiliary heat has turned on in addition to your compressor as a supplement to get your temperature up.
It is a feature put in place to help your heat maintain temperature when the outdoor temperature is extra cold.
Honeywell thermostat “Return” blinking
The word “Return” flashing on a Honeywell thermostat simply means that the thermostat is returning to the preset schedule that it has been programmed for.
Honeywell thermostat says low battery with new batteries
According to Honeywell, if you are still getting a low battery message or the word Lol appears on screen even after you have replaced the batteries,
Then take the batteries out and replace them in the opposite , completely backwards position.
Leave the batteries in the thermostat backwards for about 30 seconds.
Take them back out and put them in the right way.
The message should be gone.
If that doesn’t work, there’s responsibility that the batteries are not good. Retry with new batteries.
Honeywell thermostat says ” leave”
Leave is the message on the Honeywell thermostat is the setting that you put your thermostat on when you are going to be away.
In other words, you’re going to be leaving for a while so you leave your thermostat on a lower or higher number based on the season so that it is not running at full capacity the entire time you’re gone.
Or it could be that it’s just sick of your face.

Honeywell thermostat blinking heat on
Heat on is the message on a Honeywell thermostat that is letting you know that there will be about a 5-minute delay before the heat comes on after the thermostat has been set.
The reason for this is to protect the equipment from short cycling and doing damage to the compressor.
This is the same message that appears when the AC comes on, except when the AC comes on the message will read “Cool on” or show a symbol of a snowflake.
Either way, there is nothing to worry about. It is simply a courtesy to let you know that there is a small delay between setting your thermostat and it coming on.
Honeywell thermostat is blank with no display
If your Honeywell thermostat is blank, the most likely issue is that the batteries have died. If you’re thermostat does not have batteries, then you have probably thrown a breaker.
Simple fix. Check the breaker first. If it is not tripped, then switch out the batteries.

Honeywell thermostat reading wrong temperature.
The temperature sensor on a Honeywell thermostat is the most likely culprit win the thermostat is reading the wrong temperature.
Dust inside of the thermostat can accumulate on the sensor and cause it to gauge the temperature accurately. Popping the thermostat open and blowing out the dust with a can of keyboard air may solve the problem.
Another issue that can cause a Honeywell thermostat to read the wrong temperature is that it is not level.
Check to see if the thermostat has been knocked out of place and is sitting crooked.
If it is, simply level it back out and the thermostat should be reading the right temperature again.
3. Another scenario that can cause your Honeywell thermostat to read the wrong temperature is its placement inside of your home. If it is not centered correctly inside of the area then it will not read the whole room accurately and could be affected by hot or cold spots in the room.
Honeywell thermostat not turning on
A Honeywell thermostat not turning on is usually a case of not getting power. If the batteries are completely dead, the thermostat will not turn on.
Also if the breaker is tripped, the thermostat will not be able to get power either.
A blank display, buttons not working, thermostat just not coming on, are all indicators that you need to check the battery or check and see if the breaker is tripped.
If the display is on but the thermostat is still not adjusting the temperature, then more than likely you have a dirty or malfunctioning sensor. Taking the thermostat apart and blowing out the dust can clear the sensor off and get the thermostat to working again. Or else replacing the thermostat is a little easier job than disassembling one.

Posted on May 6, 2021January 19, 2023Categories Household Helps, Air Conditioning, All Posts

Can You Leave a Window Air Conditioner on 24/7?

It’s that time again. The heat and the humidity have shown their ugly face once more.
You hate to do it, but it’s almost too unbearable to go without the AC. But how much is too much?
Does a window air conditioner have a limit for the amount of summertime abuse it can take?
How long can you leave a window air conditioner running? 24/7?
Technically you can leave a window air conditioner running all day and all night if you want and it will not hurt the AC or cause it to overheat in any way.
But you may want to remember that a large Window AC can use up to 1400 watts. Which will cause a substantial rise on your energy bill.
Window air conditioners cool extremely fast so if your bot going to be in a room for awhile, the best money is on switching it off when your out.
How long do window air conditioners last?
There is no reason that a window air conditioner will not last you 10 to 15 years as long as it is maintained properly. Even running it 24/7 all Summer long.
But even though it will not do any damage to the window AC itself, running a window AC 24/7 will reflect substantially on your energy bill.

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How many watts does the window AC use?
You can expect a 10,000 BTU window AC to use 830 watts. Which translates to about $120 a day if you were to run it for 12 hours a day in Texas. And Texas is by no means the most expensive state.
That’s a pretty shocking estimate. Even a window air conditioner that consumes 450 Watts would run you around \$65 for a 12 hour day. Still pretty shocking.
Most window air conditioners are made to cool down a room very quickly so unless the room that it is being used in is occupied 24/7, there is really no need to keep a window AC unit running non stop.
Granted, there are times that you want the AC running for a little while before you get home from work or school or if it’s too hot to sleep and you want to keep the AC on till you get to sleep. But you don’t need it on all night

Welcome to the modern world.
Window air conditioners now come Wi-Fi enabled.
Smart window ACs come with their own app that you can use to schedule when your AC is on, or turn the AC on or off from a remote location. You can also change the settings to increase or decrease the temperature.
This is a big advantage when you are shopping for a new window AC.
What are the benefits of Wi-Fi smart window air conditioners?
1. Energy savings
The ability to schedule your AC to run only according to your daily schedule means using your AC less and having more control over the amount of energy that is used. The smart app will also give you a detailed read of your usage to allow you to schedule even smarter.
2. Convenience
Smart window air conditioners control the temperature and only give or take as much as you need by monitoring and controlling the unit according to your indoor climate.
The app gives you complete voice command to switch your AC modes with ease also.
3. Maintenance and Notifications
Through the use of the smart app, you can keep track of every part of your air conditioner. This includes being notified when it’s time to change your filter or if any individual component goes out. It will also let you know if your AC is not draining properly.

Smart thermostats have been a thing for quite a while now and offer the luxury of being able to schedule your heat and air so that you use less energy.

Now you can get the same control with a window air conditioner.

Yeah sounds great. But I’m not really in the market for a new window AC. The one I got works perfectly fine. After all, these things last for 10 plus years if you treat them right, right?

If you already have a window AC that you’re perfectly content with and it’s not in the market for a new one, yet you would love to have the smart features that you can find on the newest window air conditioners,

The easy solution is a smart plug.

The truth is if you have a hub like Alexa, you can turn any device that you plug in to an outlet into a smart device with scheduling capabilities and remote operation.

Though there are obviously some features you’re not going to get with a smart plug over a fully integrated Wi-Fi smart window AC,

The capacity to schedule the plug so that it only comes on during the times that you have indicated is a big part of the equation that will take you a long way even if it doesn’t give you regular updates an alert you when you need to clean your filter.

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Summary
Even though running a window air conditioner all day and all night will not hurt the air conditioner or cause it the overheat, it will have a big impact on your energy bill.
Window air conditioners use a lot of Watts. Which will add up to a hefty Energy bill if not kept in check.
That’s why even though it’s fine to run a window AC 24/7, it is not suggested.
Scheduling your AC to run only when you need it is the best way to keep your energy bill in check.
But it is not the easiest thing to do, since there are times when you want the AC to run but you do not have access to be able to turn it on.
The newest kid on the block, the Wi-Fi smart window air conditioner has all the answers when it comes to being able to schedule your AC to come on and turn off when you want it to and also the ability to turn on and off by the use of built-in sensors.
A smart app gives you the ability to schedule your window AC, monitor the temperature, control it remotely, and even notifies you when you need to clean out the filter.
But if you are not in the market for a new window AC but you still want the capabilities of scheduling it, smart plugs can give you access and the ability to control when anything that is plugged into them is on or off.
A smart plug maybe the cheap way out, but sometimes expensive is just expensive.

Posted on May 4, 2021September 12, 2021Categories Air Conditioning, All Posts

Evaporative Cooler – Benefits and Drawbacks of Water Cooling

Evaporative coolers go by several different names.

They are also called air coolers, swamp coolers, desert coolers, personal coolers, and ventless air conditioners.

What is an Evaporative Air Cooler?

An evaporative cooler is a type of air conditioner that uses water to absorb heat and a fan to blow the water cooled air into a room. It does not generate any heat that needs to be exhausted like that on a standard AC unit.

What is Evaporative Cooling?
Evaporative cooling is a method of cooling down the air in a room by blowing air with a fan through a water soaked pad.
The air is made cooler because of the capacity of the water to absorb the heat and bring down the temperature of the air.
Evaporative cooling is basically a simulation of air blowing over a body of water similar to the natural process of air cooling off as it blows over a lake or an ocean. Only done mechanically in your home.
There are more components to an evaporative cooler obviously, but that is the basic premise.

How does an Evaporative Cooler work?

An evaporative cooler works through a simple relationship between a fan motor, a pump, and a rigid pad media too soak with water.

Through a 3 -step process, an evaporative cooler works by:

Pumping water through the use of a water pump onto a rigid pad media to soak the pads through with water.

Blowing a fan through the water soaked pad media into a room

Air is pulled through the room by opening a window on the opposite side of the house or room.

The combination of a fan moving air through a water soaked pad reduces the temperature of the air around 20%

Who can Benefit from an Evaporative Cooler?

1.Rooms with No Windows

Anyone who needs an air conditioner but does not have a way to exhaust the heat generated by the standard window AC or portable AC through a window.

Personal or portable evaporative coolers can be an excellent alternative to window air conditioners or portable air conditioners because they do not need a way to exhaust the heat from them.

Conventional Air conditioners use a refrigeration method that absorbs heat and expels it either through the rear of the air conditioner or with a hose that has to be ducted out of a window.

Portable evaporative coolers do not require any type of heat exhaust, which means they do not have to be near a window. Which makes them actually portable compared to a portable AC that needs a window to exhaust the heat from.

2. Garages

Garages in most cases or not outfitted with the ductwork necessary for the HVAC (central heat and air) to cool off the garage.
A portable evaporative swamp cooler is a great choice to cool down a garage. Not only can you put it anywhere you want in the garage, there is usually outdoor access to a faucet nearby.

3.Apartments

If you’re living in an apartment that doesn’t have adequate cooling throughout the whole apartment or one that does not allow you to use a window for a air conditioner,

A portable air cooler can be used as a way to cool down the apartment or as a supplement in the areas of the apartment that do not get cool.

4.Office Spaces

Mini air coolers have become very popular as a desktop solution to keep your personal space cool while you work at your desk.

5. Environmentally Conscious Persons

Unlike refrigerated ACS that can emit dangerous chemicals into the air because of the refrigerant that is used to absorb the heat,

Air coolers do not require anything besides a water hookup and a fan motor. There is nothing potentially dangerous or any chemicals that can be released from an air cooler.

6. Energy Saving

Unlike refrigerated air conditioning that can account for up to 5% tire Energy bill, swamp coolers require very little energy and you can expect your bill to be in the range of running a fan.

Disadvantages of an Air Cooler

1. Limited Cooling

Evaporative coolers are limited and how much and how accurate they can cool a room.
The settings on a swamp cooler are limited to high, med, and low to control the fan speed and a switch to turn the water pump on.

There isn’t a thermostat to dial in a set temperature that you want the room to cool off to.

2. Do Not Work Well in Humid Climates.

Air coolers require dry air in order to get the best use out of them. Once the humidity reaches above 20 percent outside, it is just as effective to run a fan alone than to use a swamp cooler.

At that point, using a swamp cooler is only adding humidity upon humidity which will make the room feel sticky and “swampy”. Thus the name “swamp cooler”.

Unfortunately there are regions that are humid all year long and can’t really benefit from an evaporative cooler at all.

3. Don’t Cool Enough.

There was a time when swamp coolers ruled the world. People were used to warmer temperatures consistently. But now since Central heating and Air has come to the forefront, people are used to cooler temperatures coming from their air conditioner. And for a lot of people, evaporative cooling is just not cool enough anymore.

4. Maintenance

Though not as much of an issue with large desert coolers that are designed to have the water ran directly to the machine,

When it comes to portable air coolers, they have to be filled with water in order to operate. That typically means carrying a bucket of water to the machine or running a garden hose from a faucet to the machine.

Water pad media must be kept fresh also in order to hold water.

5. Bacteria

Evaporative coolers have the potential of standing water built into the design.

Since air coolers require water as part of the cooling process, they must be emptied anytime they are not in use to avoid the growth of bacteria.

Legionnaires disease is a deadly disease that has been traced back to bacteria growing in standing water primarily in commercial swamp coolers that had not been maintenance.

Standing water is also a nesting place for mosquitoes.

5. Water Consumption

Though a great deal was made out of savings of you electricity by using a evaporative cooler of a refrigerated unit, little is mentioned about the amount of water that is used in an evaporative cooler.

For a portable air cooler, the amount of water used does is work mentioning. But for outdoor desert coolers, you will basically be using the same amount of water as you would to water the yard everyday.

6. Noisy

Noise is always going to be an issue with evaporative cooling. The combination of a fan and a water pump create double the noise of just a fan. The water has its own sound compared to slurping or washing. Noisy nonetheless.

Summary

There was a time when evaporative cooling was the main form of air conditioning. It was much more common for someone to have a swamp cooler hanging out their window than to have the luxury of refrigerated central heat and air.
Though there are still certain areas that rely heavily on evaporative coolers, refrigerated air has become much more prevalent.
But does that mean that there is no place for evaporative cooling?
Not at all. There are many circumstances were air coolers make more sense than refrigerated coolers.
For instance there are many people who need a way to cool down a room or area who do not have access to any type of window to exhaust the heat of a standard refrigerated air unit.
This makes evaporative coolers a much more convenient way of cooling off multiple tops of rooms including garages, shops, apartments, etc.
The fact that air coolers are much cheaper to run and do not have any negative effect on the environment by the emissions of any type of chemicals is also a big plus and a central reason why some people choose evaporative cooling over refrigerated air.
But there are a drawbacks to air coolers too.
For one you can’t use an air cooler when the humidity is too high. But not only leaves out a huge amount of people who live in regions that are extra humid, it also excludes getting a very good result out of a evaporative cooler in the hot humid months of Summer when you need an AC the most.
Another drawback evaporative coolers have is the potential of standing water. Anytime and air cooler is not in use, it requires emptying the water so that there is no risk of developing mold and bacteria in the machine.
Legionnaires disease is a serious condition that can be traced back to origin, coming from commercial rooftop air coolers there were never maintenance and water allowed to stand and facilitate bacteria.
Stagnant water also invites mosquitoes to lay eggs in the water and become another issue that is absolutely not welcomed especially when you’re already dealing with humidity.

Posted on April 29, 2021January 19, 2023Categories Air Conditioning, All Posts

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