Category: Air Conditioning

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Basement Window Air Conditioning- What are the Options?

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

March 26, 2024Dennis Reed

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

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How to Reduce the Humidity in a Air Cooler?

March 18, 2024Dennis Reed

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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

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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?

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

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How to Reset Honeywell Thermostat – Touchscreen and Program

How to Reset Honeywell Thermostat

Most of us know the irritation of coming home to an extra hot or cold house only to find out that somebody has messed with the thermostat again.

Honeywell programmable touch screen thermostats ensure you are never “surprised” by the thermostat being changed again.

They also give you the advantage of being able to schedule when your heat and air comes on or stays off.

A great advantage for saving energy while you are at work or on vacation.

If you ever need a factory reset,
Resetting your Honeywell touch screen is a simple process.

But be warned “Factory reset” completely wiped all your previous setting including your WiFi password.

Honeywell Touchscreen Thermostat Reset Instructions

Menu- Preferences -Restore Defaults

Step 1. Press Menu -Located in the right hand top corner. Then use the up and down arrows to scroll down to “preferences”

Step 2. Press “Preferences”. Use the up and down arrows to scroll down to “Restore Factory Defaults”

Step 3. Press ” Restore Factory Defaults”
This will more than likely bring up a dialog box that ask you to confirm that you want to return all your settings to factory default.

Step 4. Press Yes.
You should see a message across the screen saying “Restoring factory default settings”
After about 10 seconds, the screen will go dark and the Honeywell logo will appear.

Step 5. As the thermostat resets a “please wait” message will appear on the screen.

Step 6. When you see a message asking you for your Wi-Fi details, your Honeywell touch screen thermostat has reset to factory and is ready to be freshly programmed.

Honeywell Programmable Thermostat Reset (non-touchscreen)

Step 1. Turn the thermostat off

Step 2. Look at your breaker box and flip the breaker that controls the thermostat to the off position.

Step 3. Remove the batteries

If you have the type of thermostat that has to be removed from the wall first to get the batteries out, remove the thermostat first

The easiest way to get it off the wall is to remove the batteries and hold the back plate against the wall through the battery compartment while you pull the front cover off with the other hand.

Step 4. Reinsert the batteries backwards so that the positive terminal on the battery is lined up with the negative terminal on the thermostat. Leave the batteries in for a few seconds, up to 7.

Step 5
Take the batteries back out and put them in the right way this time.
The display should come back on at this point.

The Honeywell thermostat is now freshly reset to factory.

How to Lower Humidity in a House?

What humidity level is uncomfortable?

As the old saying goes ” it’s not the heat, it’s the Humidity”

Most people have a hard time dealing with high humidity. The temperature can be somewhat mild but then humidity outside can make it feel extra hot. Andt at a certain time of the year, namely the late summer heading into fall, there are days when you can turn the air conditioner on and not even feel it because of the humidity in the air.

According to shorstmeyer.com, the humidity that most people start to feel uncomfortable is about 65% with the temperature at 90° outside.

Is 65 humidity high?

65% humidity is about the top of the scale before it becomes too miserable for most people. At 65%, according to the heat index, the temperature at 88 degrees feels more like 98°.

Is 70 percent humidity high?

70% humidity can make a 96° day feel like 126° outside. And at 70% humidity, dust mites and mold begin to be a real problem. For persons allergic to dust mites and mold spores 70% humidity can be more than hot, it can be a nightmare.

What causes high humidity in a house?

High humidity can begin in the house with the simplest everyday activities that you wouldn’t give too much of a thought to otherwise.

High humidity in the house can start from activities like:

1. Cooking – boiling water
2. Bathing – showering
3. Drying your clothes
4. Washing the dishes
5. Dirty AC filters
6. Setting the thermostat to “on” rather than Auto
7. Location-climate

Other reasons can include actual structure problems like:

1. Poor ventilation
2. Improper insulation
3. Weather stripping need replaced

How to lower humidity in house

1. Dehumidifier
2. Air Conditioning
3. Ventilation and exhaust fans
4. Heater
5. Dehumidifying plants
6. Fans
7. Shorter & Cooler showers
8. Change thermostat to “auto”
9. Crack the window
10. Charcoal dehumidifier
11. Rock Salt dehumidifier
12. Rice dehumidifier
13. Cat litter

1. Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers are mobile devices that work almost entirely the same way that a air conditioner does to remove humidity except that it expels heat into the room rather than cool air.

Dehumidifiers are great for areas like a damp basement or an areas where there has been leaking pipes and or water damage.

Dehumidifiers reduce the moisture by pulling air over refrigerated coils that cause the moisture in the air to condense.

The moisture is then captured into a tank or ran outside with a garden hose.

2. Air conditioning

Air conditioners and dehumidifiers are essentially the same machine only the air conditioners are used to cool the air and dehumidify the air as a byproduct.

Air conditioning is one of the easiest and most effective ways of reducing the humidity inside of the home provided it’s a refrigerated unit that condenses the humidity into the air and moves it outside.
Other types of air conditioners called “swamp coolers” or “evaporative air coolers” will increase the humidity because they are basically fans blowing over water.

3. Ventilation and exhaust

The main rooms in the house that have exhaust fans are the rooms the create the most humidity. The bathroom and the kitchen.
Showers and baths will steam up the house quicker than anything. It’s important to keep the exhaust fan running while you are taking a shower or bath to reduce humidity damage to your structure as well as mildew and mold production.

The kitchen is also a room that creates a lot of humidity from cooking and boiling water. It’s important to keep a lid on your pots and have the exhaust fan running to reduce the humidity produced by simply cooking.

4. Heater

Though most of the time people notice the level of humidity in the air is during the summer, winter also has its fair share of humidity buildup inside of the home.

You probably noticed water droplets and condensation building up on the Windows during the winter.

One of the easiest things to do during the winter to reduce the humidity is simply running the heater. Hot dry air coming from the heater will naturally dry out the moisture in the air.

5. Dehumidifying plants

Plants are natural dehumidifiers. And some prefer more humidity than others.
Some house plants that you can put in your home to help reduce the humidity in the house are:
a. English ivy
b. Boston fern
c. Peace lily
d. Reed palm

6. Fans

Using fans positioned around the house is also a natural way to reduce the humidity. Having fans operating is a simple way to dry the air out.

7. Shorter and cooler showers

A simple way to keep your bathroom from becoming a steamy Haze is to turn the temperature down on the water and not run it as long.
Another word if you don’t like the steamy feeling in the room don’t produce the steam in the first place.

8. Change AC thermostat to auto

There are many proponents for keeping your air conditioning thermostat on the on position because helps keep the air more evenly cooled when the AC cycles off.
But the other side of that argument is that the condensation never gets a chance to drip out before it evaporates and gets blown back into the house as humidity.
Keeping your thermostat on “auto” will help the dehumidifying function of the AC work much better and save you money in the long run.

9. Crack the windows

Sometimes the easiest way to reduce the humidity inside is to crack the window and open the door.
Of course if the humidity outside is 90%, this is not going to work.
But if the inside of the house feels extra muggy, opening the windows and letting the air exchange will help freshen up the room and keep the humidity down.

The next four suggestions falls under the “home remedies for absorbing moisture” heading. These are products that you probably have around the house already that you may not have known were excellent for absorbing moisture and reducing the humidity in the air.

10. Charcoal dehumidifier

Charcoal is a natural dehumidifier that can be a super easy DIY project.
According to Readers digest, charcoal briquettes can be placed in a coffee can with hose punched into the lid and placed in humid areas to absorb moisture.

Placing charcoal briquettes in bookshelves that have glass doors is a librarians trick for keeping musty odors and mowed from getting inside of old books

11. Rock salt dehumidifier

If you have ever owned a pink Himalayan salt lamp, you have noticed that it appears to leak water.
But in actuality it is not leaking water but pulling moisture out of the air onto itself and dripping off.
The same concept can be used with rock salt.
The rock salt humidifier can be easily built by taking an everyday planting pot and filling it with rock salt. The planter works good because as the salt draws moisture to itself and leaks it has a place to leak into instead of the floor.

12. Rice dehumidifier

You’ve probably heard that if you drop your phone into the toilet you can throw it in some rice afterwards. I’m not sure I’ve ever known anyone that that is work for. But rice can definitely soak up moisture from the air over a period of time.
After all, you can put a cup of rice in a pan and fill it with water and the rice will practically absorb every bit of the water.
This is the same concept as placing small containers of rice around a room to help with humidity.

13. Cat litter dehumidifier

Kitty litter is excellent at absorbing moisture. Not only can it be used for your cats, it will also draw a moisture from the air.
An easy DIY cat litter dehumidifier is to fill a tube sock with kitty litter and hang it in the closet or wherever you’re having an issue with moisture.

One application is to hang it from the rear view mirror in your car, which can help keep your windshield from condensation building up on the inside.

Recap

Humidity is the difference the temperature being mild outside and insufferably hot.
At 65 and 70% humidity, the temperature can feel 20° hotter.
And when the humidity is at those levels, household allergens like dust mites rise in population considerably.

But when you have high humidity in your house, there are many things you can do to reduce the humidity including some easy do-it-yourself dehumidifiers that can be made with products you already have around the house.

Braeburn Thermostat Programming Instructions

Braeburn systems is a company based in Montgomery Illinois. Their product line includes thermostats, humidistats, and zone dampers.
They have a full line of thermostats that include programmable, non-programmable, and smart Wi-Fi, including wireless and touch screen.

Braeburn programmable thermostats allow you to schedule when your heat and air are running. A feature that will save you money by turning your air off while you’re out of the house or sleeping.

Braeburn Thermostat Instructions

Set Up

1. Date/time

Locate the dates last time button on the keypad. Using the up and down arrows, change the hour, then the minutes, then the day of the week. Save each selection by tapping the day/time button afterwards.

2. Set the Fan

Scroll through the fan settings by pushing the “Fan” button repeatedly till you find the setting you want.

“Auto” runs the fan only when the unit is running.
The ” On” setting keeps the fan on continuously.
The ” Circ” setting runs the fan for 24 minutes and off for 24 minutes continually.
“Prog” is the setting that you program the thermostat to run the fan on.

Confused about which one to pick?
See this resource.

3. Set the differential

This is the setting that allows you to choose how much the temperature in the room changes before the air conditioner or heater comes back on.

To set it, hold the return button for 4 seconds. Pick what you want your differential to be by scrolling up or down. Some models have two and three different stage differentials that can be set using the same procedure as well.

Programming your thermostat

1. Enter the programming mode by pressing the” Prog” button.

2. Choose “Heat” or “Cool”.
Some models have a switch that you simply move into position, others require you to make your choice by pushing the “system” on the touch screen.

3. Day/time

On this step you can either choose to program one day at a time or a full week. Simply press the day/time button to choose one or the other.

4. Hours/ minutes

This is the hours and minutes of the day that you want the heat and air to run.
Hit the up and down arrows to scroll up or down to find your desired times.

5. Unoccupied

The “Unocc” mode is the program your thermostat for when the house will be unoccupied. To find this mode, simply press the “Prog” button.

6. Unoccupied mode is programmed the same way as the other settings. Use the up and down arrows till you find your desired days and times.

7. When you’re finished, press return to complete.

Congratulations you have finished programming your Braeburn thermostat!

Dehumidifier vs AC – Do Dehumidifiers Cool the Air?

A dehumidifier will help cool a room because it’s function is to lower the humidity in the room and excessive humidity can make it feel hotter than it actually is. But you should not expect the room to cool off while the unit is running because it expels heat into the room at the same time.

Dehumidifier vs AC

Dehumidifier

Primarily use for damp spaces like basements and flooding restoration
Mobile
Catches moisture in a container or is ran outside with a garden hose.
Expels heat in the same room it’s used in.
Heats the room.

Primarily used to cool the air down
Stationary
Moisture is piped outside.
Expels heat in the same room it’s used in.
Expels heat outside

Dehumidifiers and air conditioners both reduce the moisture in the air, and they both do so in exactly the same manner.Warm air is passed over the condenser coils which causes the water in the air to condense. Which then goes into a attached container or ran outside with a hose or pipe.

But there are some differences between the two.

Namely what they are used for.

Dehumidifiers are used for remediation in areas like a damp basement that does not have any windows or AC vents piped into it.

Because of the basements proximity to the ground, it is usually a moist place where mold growth takes root fairly easy.

Operating a dehumidifier in the basement will rob mold of the moisture it needs to feed and live.

Dehumidifiers, being mobile are also used to help with flood damage and restoration.

How the moisture is captured.

Dehumidifiers have a tank that the condensed moisture drains into. Most have a connector that you can run a garden hose too so that the water runs outside.

Air conditioners are all in one, and in the case of a central AC, the condensed moisture is piped outside. Window air conditioners typically have a hole in the bottom of the casing that drips the condensation outside behind the unit to.

Another difference is the way that heat is expelled from Humidifier.

Since dehumidifiers are mobile and are ran primarily in a single room at a time, the heat that is exhausted from it is released in the same room. Which is good to keep removing moisture but will also heat the room up.

Most people have walked behind a the back of an air conditioner and felt the heat coming off of it. That’s exactly the type of heat you get with a dehumidifier, only the heat is not being expelled outside.

So even though a dehumidifier will reduce the humidity, which in turn will cause the air to be drier and more comfortable after it is used,
So you shouldn’t expect the room to be cooler while the dehumidifier is running.

Air conditioning is stationary and located so that the heat generated is always exhausted outside.

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

Using a dehumidifier at the same time as the air conditioner can be redundant since both reduce the moisture in the air.
But there are times when running both machines can be an advantage.

When the humidity is excessive, you can put extra strain on the air conditioning, which can lead to extra high energy bill, more repairs, and lower the lifespan of the AC.

Running a separate dehumidifier can take the extra work off of the AC in this type of situation.

Also there are rooms in the house where the AC does not reach as well.

Trying to dry the basement with the air conditioner is not likely to do a very good job. It takes a separate device like a dehumidifier to dry the room out satisfactory.

But there are also times when running a dehumidifier with the air conditioning on will do more to make the room hot and muggy than it will to cool off the room and aid the air conditioner.

If you were to put a dehumidifier in the living room , it would basically be like taking a window air conditioner and sitting it on the table. Though it may be reducing the humidity, it is also pouring hot air out of the back.

So in that case, it would be counteractive to run the air conditioning and a humidifier at the same time.

Is it cheaper to run AC or dehumidifier?

It is cheaper to run a dehumidifier than to run the AC because an air conditioner cycles all the way on and all the way off repeatedly. (Unless it is an inverter AC) Dehumidifiers do not have the same type of cycling schedule nor do they turn completely off over and over.
Powering an AC completely on and off takes more energy than a dehumidifier.

Recap

Will a dehumidifier cool off a room?

A dehumidifier expels heat from the rear of the machine. Though it will reduce the humidity that can cause the temperature to seem hotter than what it is, the heat coming off of the dehumidifier will reheat the room.

If you run a dehumidifier for a while, then let the room air out, you will likely find that that room is more comfortable than it was before you ran the dehumidifier.

But as an air cooler, it is definitely better to use an air conditioner. Not only will the air conditioner cool the room, it will also dehumidify as it’s cooling.

Dehumidifiers are made more as a mobile unit to place in a room that doesn’t have access to air conditioning such as a basement. They are also intended to be used as remedial aids for situations like water damage and flood Restoration.

Also being mobile means that the condensation captured by the dehumidifier must either be caught in a tank or ran with a garden hose outside.

Air conditioners on the other hand, can do little in the area of remediation because they are stationary and not meant to move around.

AC Coil Cleaner

Set the Temperature to 72 Degrees?

True story. I was sitting with my wife recently, eating dinner at a restaurant and got into a conversation about the thermostat and what was the ideal temperature to put it on and she said 72 degrees, and she said it like I was the only one in the world that did not know that. Duh.

Who came up with 72 degrees? Why am I just now hearing this?

As it turns out that 72 degrees is a very popular belief about thermostats. It is widely believed that 72 degrees on the thermostat is setting that it is the most comfortable.

But when it comes to the heating and air system in your home, comfort, unfortunately, is not the only thing you have to consider.

Controlling the climate in your home is also the most expensive thing on your energy bill you have to think about.

Is it better to keep your thermostat at a constant temperature?

A thermostat is a contentious object in my house.

Another true story. This past cold season, I got home one day to a sweltering house only to find my teenage daughter running around in shorts and flip flops in the middle of winter. She has cranked the thermostat up because she got cold.

Really?

At that point, I told the kids if they are not allowed to touch the thermostat!

So keeping the thermostat at a constant temperature in my house is necessary to avoid fluctuations in temperature based on any one of my teenage kids whims.

But even though socially it might make sense,
cost-wise, leaving the thermostat set at the same temperature all the time just means wasted energy and a higher energy bill.

Turning the thermostat up or down ( depending on the season) when you go to bed will help save money and you don’t need the temperature to remain as cool or warm when you are asleep.

Another example is during the day when everyone is at work or school,
adjusting the thermostat either down in Winter or up in summer a few degrees will help you save money on your electric bill as well.

Another reason I don’t let no one touch the thermostat is that they go way overboard. They get a little cold and they turn it up five degrees, or they get a little hot and they turn it way down.

But the heat and AC will not work any faster because you turn it way up or down.

It will only cause the machine to keep running longer do you realize you made it too hot or cold.

A big waste of energy.

Why all 72 may be a popular temperature to keep the house it is also not really the best.

What is a reasonable temperature for the house in winter?

68 is the recommended temperature to set the thermostat on in winter. It is basically the temperature that takes the average of comfortability and cost.

For many people, 68 may be too cold. Regardless, there is no hard rule about it. And no significant change in the energy bill if you raise or lower it.

The ideal is that you keep it as low as you can and still feel comfortable so that you can keep your energy bill down.

What temperature to set the thermostat on in winter when away?

If you’re away for a normal 8-hour workday, setting the temperature on the thermostat to 62 is a great way to reduce your energy consumption and lower your energy bill.

If you’re going away on vacation you should not set your thermostat below 55 degrees.

Why? Frozen pipes. Anything lower puts you at risk of coming home from your vacation to cracked and leaking pipes.

What temperature is too cold for the house?

Once the cold weather hits, you can no longer worry just about your own comfort and the cost of your energy bill, you have to store considering what is too cold for your plumbing. Water freezing inside of your pipes is a problem that no one wants to have to deal with.

According to the Energy company, 55 degrees is the lowest you want to set your thermostat in winter to avoid cracked pipes and damage to the air handler.

is 72 a good temperature for air conditioning?

72 degrees is a comfortable temperature but one that will cause your energy bill to be higher.

78 degrees is the temperature that is recommended for your thermostat in the summer.

78 degrees is optimal to maintain comfort and a lower energy bill. But it is unlikely to be the temperature of choice.
But the point is to raise your thermostat to a point that it is comfortable enough and doesn’t kill your electricity bill.

The best temperature for sleeping in summer.

Turning your thermostat up at night and using a fan or open window can save you a significant amount over the summer on your energy bill.
By setting your thermostat to 78 or even 80° at night, you should see a markable difference.

Though obviously these rules are just guidelines and not everyone is going to have the same Climate or experience.

But if you’re interested in saving money on your electricity bill and remaining comfortable then hopefully you can get some use from these suggestions.

Why is My House so Humid with the AC On?

Why is my house so humid with the AC on? If the air conditioner is not reducing at least a little bit of humidity in the home, then you know there is an issue somewhere. And finding out what that issue is is hopefully not too difficult. Following is a few of the most common issues when the humidity is overtaking the AC.

AC is cooling but not removing humidity

One of the most common reasons that the air continues to feel humid when the AC is running is that the thermostat is s set on “on’ instead of “auto”.

1.AC fan mode

When the AC fan mode on the thermostat is on the “on” position, it continues to run after the compressor has shut down.

What does that have to do with the house feeling humid?

Because as a air conditioner is cooling the air it is also gathering the humidity from the air in the form of condensation on the refrigerant coils.

And then when the air conditioner cycles off, the moisture gathered on the condenser coils drains into a drip pan and either continues through a drain line outside or is pumped outside with a condensate pump.

But when the AC fan mode is set on the “on” position, the condensation that has gathered on the refrigerant coils doesn’t get a opportunity to drip off. Instead it is blown by the fan which is causing it to evaporate back into the ductwork.

Which means that even though it is gathering the moisture out of your air as the air conditioner is running, it is circulating it back around your house while the AC compressor has cycled off.

Try turning the AC to “auto mode” and seeing if the air starts to feel less humid.

Humidity goes up when the AC is on

2. Foam insulation

Another reason build a home can feel extra humid with the AC on is the type of insulation that is used in the Attic.

Foam insulation is notorious what causing the Attic to be extra humid.

Heat and moisture from the attic can
make its way into your duct system a few different ways.

3. Leaky ducts

If your ductwork has got any leaks, it can be pulling hot humid air from the attic into your ductwork and then into your home.

4. Kitchen fans

If the powered vents above your range are extra strong, they could be pulling air from the attic.

When the Attic is the source of the humidity that is circulating in your home , there’s a couple of things you can do to alleviate the problem.

1. Have your attic inspected make sure that it is sealed properly.
2. Have you heard ductwork checked for leaks.
3. Run a dehumidifier in the Attic.
4. Reroute the ductwork so that the Attic is air conditioned along with the rest of the house.

House feels damp with AC on

A.Heat rises

Sometimes you might find that the reason your house is feeling humid is the layout of the house itself.

If you have a two or three story house and the top floors feel extra humid compared to the bottom floor then your air handler is not equipped to handle the downstairs and upstairs equally.

You may find that you need to run a dehumidifier upstairs to help your air conditioner run easier and do a much better job at controlling the climate inside your house.

B. Room is muggy

Many times it’s not the whole house that feels muggy with the AC on. It could be relegated to just one or two rooms.

The most obvious solution is that the ductwork that specific room is leaking and mixing the humidity from the attic for crawl space with the air coming into the room.

5.Ductwork design

If the ductwork is not zoned correctly or if additional vents have been added to the zones, the rooms were they additional vents have been added may not get the same level of dehumidification that the AC provides to the rest of the house.

Some rooms like basements do not even have AC ducts ran to them. Proximity to the moist ground is usually the culprit for high humidity in the basement.

Running a dehumidifier is a great way to dry out the basement and make it useful and livable.

Recap

Does your house feel extra humid when the AC is on?

And air conditioner is made to dehumidify the air as it is cooling. One of the primary ways it cools the air is by reducing the moisture in the air.

So when your ear feels extra humid with the AC on, it is definitely not a natural cause.

What are the main reasons a house will feel muggy when the air conditioner is on is that the humidity that the AC is supposed to be reducing is being redistributed throughout the house.

This can happen when the AC fan mode is switch to the on position so that the fan is running continuously when the AC compressor has cycled off.

” AC auto mode” is the setting on the thermostat to use to ensure that the humidity gathered on the condenser coils drains rather than being evaporated and redistributed around the house.

Another culprit for humidity getting into the house with the AC on is leaky ducts. If your ductwork has leaks in it, then the humid air inside of the attic can leak inside of your home through your ductwork.

Another reason that the home feels muggy with the AC on could be the layout of the house. If for instance, the house is a two-story house, the top level may feel extra humid simply because heat rises.

A easy fix that will not only reduce the humidity on the second floor as well as aid the air conditioner is a dehumidifier.

Do it yourself AC Coil Cleaner

Difference Between Air Conditioner and Dehumidifier

What is the difference between a air conditioner and a dehumidifier?

The difference between an air conditioner and a dehumidifier is where the warm air and condensation that the unit is generating are dispelled.

Air conditioners dispel the heat and moisture outside of the house and a dehumidifier dispels the heat and moisture inside of the house. (Though most modern dehumidifiers have a port to drain the water with a garden hose to a sink or outside)

Mechanically they are very much the same. Both have a hot side and a cold side.

The difference is how they are used.

And the air conditioner is primarily used to cool down a room. So the hot side of the air conditioner is outside.

A dehumidifier is used to reduce the moisture in the air. Instead of dispersing the hot air outside of the room, it releases it back into the room.

Releasing the hot air back into the room helps the dehumidifier continue to draw out more humidity from the air.

Do dehumidifiers cool a room?

A dehumidifier is not made to cool a room. Though indirectly it will help the room feel more comfortable because of the reduction of humidity.

But remember the heat generated from the dehumidifier is being released back into the room as it is dehumidifying.

And though the heat may not be significant because of the lack of moisture in the air now that the dehumidifier is running, there is still going to be an increase in the temperature.

Do dehumidifiers help with heat?

Dehumidifiers do help with heat in directly because they reduce the moisture in the air that is perceived as heat.

But you should know that the room that the dehumidifier is being used in is not going to be cooler.

How much heat does a dehumidifier create?

Think about it this way. If you were to take a window air conditioner and sit in the middle of the room, one side of the air conditioner would be cool and the other side would be hot.

With a dehumidifier, you’re only getting the hot.

Dehumidifiers are meant to reduce the humidity in the home more as a way to reduce the effect of moisture on the structure of the house and as a preventative for mold growth then they are as a way manage the climate in the house.
The fact that a dehumidifier can make the room feel more comfortable is more like a happy side-effect.

Air conditioner as a dehumidifier

Does AC dehumidify?

An air conditioner also dehumidifies the air as it is operating. Part of the way it is able to cool the air is it is pulling moisture out of the air and draining it outside.

Air conditioning is infinitely better as a dehumidifier because it not only cools the house as it is dehumidifying, it disperses the hot air outside and drains the condensation in the outside as well.

Many central air conditioners come with a dry mode setting to be able to dehumidify a room without cooling it when the outdoor temperature is more muggy than hot.

Is dry mode more economical?

Dry mode consumes much less energy than cool mode on the AC because it runs the compressor at about half-speed.

Does a dehumidifier use a lot of electricity?

Dehumidifiers are known energy hogs.

If you look at it a breakdown aware most of your energy cost are going,
It is to the main appliances like the refrigerator and the HVAC that use compressors.
99% of dehumidifiers on the shelf run off of a compressor. So you can expect your electric bill to show a small increase when you run the dehumidifier.

is it cheaper to run an AC or dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier uses only about a tenth of the electricity that an air conditioner uses. An standard AC runs full on and then off as the temperature is reached.
And then restarts when the temperature rises above the temperature designated on the thermostat. This repeated cycle results in an enormous amount of energy consumed and a very high energy bill. See Inverter AC

A dehumidifier doesn’t cycle off and on like a AC which keeps the cost much lower than an AC.

But though the air conditioner is a dehumidifier, its primary use is to cool down the air so it doesn’t reduce the humidity in the air as much as a dedicated dehumidifier.

Also air conditioning is typically not ran to the basement or crawl spaces.

And those are two of the main spots you need a dehumidifier to reduce moisture.

Portable air conditioner as a dehumidifier?

If an air conditioner and a dehumidifier are mechanically the same, does that mean I can use a portable air conditioner as a dehumidifier?

It does sound great in theory, but a portable air conditioner does not drain condensation like a dehumidifier.

The condensation of a portable AC basically spits out through the rear show the unit and drips of a drainage hole.

Collecting the water so that it is not become part of the humidity problem that you’re trying to resolve is not easily solved.

Unfortunately when it comes to portable air conditioners and portable dehumidifiers, they are not interchangeable.

Though in many cases they are combined into one unit.

Recap

Dehumidifiers and air conditioners are very closely related and mechanically run nearly the same.

The main difference is or how they expel the heat and condensation that they generate.

The AC dispels the heat and condensation outside and a dehumidifier dispels the heat and condensation inside.

But how they are used and what they are used for is the real difference.

Air conditioning is used to cool off a room. De-humidification just happens to be part of that process.

Dehumidifiers are not made to cool off a room but to reduce moisture.

Though running an AC can help reduce the humidity in a room, a portable dehumidifier will do much more to reduce moisture and can go
into areas where there is no air conditioning like the moldy basement and crawl space.

Dehumidifiers also do not cool of a room directly and in fact will make a room temperature rise.

What is an Air Conditioner Inverter?

What is an Inverter AC?

A inverter AC is a air conditioner is an that is equipped with an inverted modulated compressor. An inverter changes the output of the compressor from direct to alternating current allowing for the AC to run at variable speeds continually, according to what is needed, rather than full power on or off.

Advantages of inverter AC

The advantages of inverter AC are many.

Among the top are the capacity of a inverter Air Conditioner to rapidly cool a room and keep the temperature steady and more evenly distributed.
Inverter AC continually monitors and regulates the temperature in the room.

Inverter AC uses a significantly less amount of energy than a standard AC
and does a much more efficient job.

And because the compressor never turns on and off on a inverter AC, the wear and tear is much less making breakdowns much lower than on a standard air conditioner.

But…

Disadvantages of an inverter air conditioner

The main disadvantage of a inverter air conditioner is the upfront cost.

The price is not only much higher for an inverter air conditioner, the cost of maintenance and repairs can also be very expensive.

Additionally, homes and buildings that use a inverter AC must be insulated very well for the savings better expected by switching to an Inverter will not be that noticeable.

Something to think about.

Pros and Cons of Inverter AC

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Inverter vs non inverter AC power consumption

The difference empower consumption between a inverter and a non inverter AC is pretty remarkable.

If you typically pay $100 a month to run a normal AC, you can expect to pay as little as $55 to $60 for inverter air conditioning.

And if your home is very well-insulated, you can expect to pay less.

What is dual inverter AC?

Dual inverter AC is the second generation of inverter AC.

And it is exactly what it sounds like. An AC with two inverters.

The advantage of adding a second inverter decreases the noise and vibration from a single inverter system.

It also exponentially decreases the amount of energy that is needed to cool down and regulate the temperature in a room.

Exciting and more exciting.

If dual was not enough, triple inverter AC’s have already begun to make there presence known.

Should you jump on the inverter AC bandwagon?

It really comes down to the amount of AC you need.
If you live in a area where the climate is very hot, then the extra cost up front is well worth it.

And the extra expense can be seen as a investment that will eventually pay you back and more.

But if you live in mild climate in the air conditioner only gets ran a few months of the year, then the Energy savings will not be nearly enough to justify the high price.

But stick around awhile and you will probably be seeing the price of inverter AC’s drop. After all, with the trend already moving into triple inverters, how can the single inverter AC possibly compete?

Recap

An AC Inverter changes the output of a ac compressor from direct current to alternating current.

That changes the compressor from “on/off” cycling to variable speed cycling.

What’s the difference? A lot.

An inverter AC uses much less energy because it never completely shuts down.
On the flip side , a standard AC consumes a huge amount of energy because of the operating method of fully powering on then fully powering off to maintain the temperature designated on the thermostat.
An inverter AC keeps the temperature the same and more evenly distributed. Because the compressor on a inverter air conditioner speeds up and slows down with the fluctuation of the temperature, the temperature never has a chance to change.
A standard AC powers off when the temperature is reached then powers on when the temperature exceeds the desired output.

The down side of inverter AC’s is the upfront cost. Though the back end savings may be well worth it according to your overall AC needs, the savings may not be worth it if you do not live in a climate that dictates the heavy use of an air conditioner.

The price of repairs is also accordingly higher.

And additionally you will need to ensure that your house is insulated very well to see the promised savings to your energy bill.

But that is today’s market. As inverter AC’s become more widely used and the market becomes more competitive, the price will come down.

Actually the future of air conditioning is looking pretty grand. As dual inverters and triple inverters become the norm, and air conditioning is integrated with air quality more as a standard,
Air conditioning should be much cheaper as well as being much healthier and efficient.

AC Unit Freezing Up In Summer

Irony. That may too kind of a word for it.
The hottest time of the year and the air conditioner is not working. Right when you need it the most. But the AC unit freezing up in summer is not unusual.

Why is the AC freezing up in hot weather?

The AC needs two things to make sure it’s able to cool down your house properly. Good airflow and the proper level of refrigerant.
When the days get hotter, the thermostat tends to get adjusted to a lower setting which makes the AC work harder.

Ice forming on AC coils?

Ice forming on the AC coils is a symptom of a unmaintained air conditioning unit that is working harder because of the temperature getting Hotter outside.

If you see ice forming on your air conditioner, it not only means that your air conditioner is not going to be able to do its job, they can also result and costly in repairs. So it is important not to let the problem linger.

What causes an AC unit to freeze up?

1. Dirty filters

Number one on the list. Dirty filters.
When you have any kind of issue with your air conditioner, the first thing to check is if the air filters have been neglected and need changed.

A Dirty or clogged filter restricts the amount of air that is able to flow across the AC coils. When there is not enough hot air moving across the coils, the refrigerant is so cold, the condensation on them freezes.
Keeping the air filters changed at least every 2 to 3 months is the easiest way to keep your unit working properly.

2.Vent registers

Other restrictions in the air flow can result from closing supply and return vents. If the AC is freezing up, making sure all the vent registers are open and not being covered will help the air flow also.

3. Low Refrigerant

A unit that is low on refrigerant will cause the AC coils to freeze over to.

If cleaning the filters and opening the vents does not get the air conditioner functioning again then it could be a refrigerant leak.

A technician can tell you whether or not you need freon in your system.
But remember did the air conditioner is not made to have to be recharged.
Recharging the refrigerant may help you get through the year but you will probably need to do it again every year to you get the leak fixed.

How to tell if AC is Frozen?

How can you tell if the air conditioning coils are frozen over?

1. The easiest thing is the turn off the air conditioner and let it run on “fan mode” for a while.
If you turn it on after a couple of hours and cool air comes out again. Bingo, you have discovered that your AC is Freezing.
2. Check and see if there’s any water coming out of the drain line. A properly functioning AC will have a continuous drip from the drain line. If it’s frozen, it won’t drip.
3. You can visibly see ice on the outside of the unit. Check the insulated pipes running out of the AC also. If the AC is Frozen, you’ll likely see ice formed there to.

AC Frozen – how long to defrost?

How long you have to let your AC defrost depends on the the amount of ice that has formed on your coils.
45 minutes is a good spot to try your AC and see if it’s cooling again.
In the meantime, make sure your filters are clean and your registers are open and not blocked or your AC will probably freeze over again pretty fast.
Especially if not all the ice has thawed.

How to unfreeze AC unit fast

1. Fan mode
Set the thermostat to Fan On mode.
Letting the AC run on Fan will blow warm air across the coils and help the ice and refrigerant thaw out faster.

2. Hair dryer

You can use a hair dryer to help it’s all out a little faster. You sure you completely turn off your unit at the breaker box first. If you need the ice gone quicker than letting it thaw out.
Using a hair dryer can help you fill it out a little faster. Be sure you don’t try to step it up to a torch or heat gun. You definitely don’t want to do any damage to your machine.

Can I pour hot water on frozen air conditioner?

3. Pouring hot or warm water over the ice coils outside is it perfectly good way to thaw out the coils faster.

But be sure to turn the AC off at the breaker box.
The water inside the garden hose is usually warmer in the summer to.
And gives you a good reason to clean and remove any debris from the outside of the unit while you’re at it.

AC unit freezing up at night

When your AC is freezing up at night, it is most likely the fact that the temperature is getting to cool at night to keep warm moving across the AC coils.
Even in Summer, the days can be miserably hot while the night air puts a chill in your bones.
Turning the thermostat up at night should help keep the air warm enough to keep your AC from freezing at night.

Remember the AC filter is the place to look first. If it is clogged, the air will not move across the coils fast enough regardless of whether it’s day or night, summer or fall.

Wrap up

what causes an evaporator coil to freeze?

The most common issue with the AC evaporator coils to freeze is poor air flow.
If the air filters have not been replaced recently, then that is more than likely the problem.
Another air restriction that can aid in the AC freezing over is closing the supply and return vents.
Make sure all the vents are open and that there’s nothing blocking them.

Low refrigerant is also a possibility when the AC is freezing over. Low refrigerant in an air conditioner is a sure indicator that you have a leak in the system.
Getting a licensed AC tech to find the leak, fix it, and recharge the unit is the best path to take.

Air Conditioner Leaking Water Inside

Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?

There’s not too many things more stressful then to see water leaking through your ceiling. And when it comes to the central heat and air unit in the Attic, it’s easy to imagine that it’s going to cost an arm and a leg to fix it.

But if you catch it fast enough there’s a good chance that you can get to it before it becomes a major issue.

And though it may sound daunting, there is only a few things that it could actually be causing the AC to leak inside of the house.

But first you need to turn the air conditioner off. Then you were going to need to resolve the issue as quickly as possible so you can avoid any more damage to your ceiling or walls.

Reasons your AC may be leaking

1. Dirty Air Filter

Dirty AC filters are the first thing you should look for in just about every instance when your air conditioning is not working right. For the AC to work efficiently, it has to have good airflow. When the air filters are clogged, that can’t happen.

Dirty air filters can also cause your air conditioning to leak inside of the house.
Why? Because when the warm air cannot flow easily across the cooling coils, it causes the condensation to freeze.

When the Frozen coils thaw out, because water to drip more heavily than normal.

You might be amazed by the amount of HVAC service calls that are solved by simply replacing AC filter.

What is a dirty furnace filter look like?

How often should the furnace filter be changed?

You should change your AC / Furnace Filter at least every 2-3 Months. A Free Flow of Air is the Lives Blood of your Heating and Air Unit. Keeping clean filters in your AC and Furnace unit is the easiest thing to do to keep your Unit working well for a very long time.

2. AC drain pan leaking

The AC drain pan is the part of the air conditioner that captures the condensate from the cooling coils.
From the drain pan, the water travels out of the house through the condensate drain line.

But if the drain pan is crack or rusted through, the water will simply leak out on to the other components of the air conditioning and eventually the floor beneath. Which is the ceiling in the room below the air conditioner.

Flex seal AC drip pan

If the damage to your AC drain pan is not too extensive, then there are ways to fix it without having to replace it.
Flex seal is the product known for its ability to create a water-tight seal.

Fixing your air conditioning drain pan could be as easy as spraying flex seal in it to patch it up.

Otherwise you’re looking at replacing it.

3. Clogged condensate drain line

All air conditioners create moisture as by product of pulling warm air across the cooling coils. That moisture turns to liquid and exits the house via a condensate drain line. If the drain line gets clogged, then the water will back up and eventually drip out to article floor. Which is the ceiling in the room below it.

Using a shop Wet/ Dry Vac to vacuum the line at exit outside is the easiest way to remove the obstruction.
Vacuuming is the easiest way to get it clear but it may not be the best solution on the long haul.
The best solution is to keep it clean and maintain so you do not have a problem with the drain getting clogged.

Clean AC drain line vinegar

The trick to this is actually very easy, with a funnel, pour about 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar into the drainage pipe at least once a year when the air conditioner is ready to fire up again.

4. Condensate pump leaking

Many drain lines rely on gravity to transport the condensate from the air conditioner outside of the house. But in some cases that is just not possible, for instance some HVAC sore in the basement which is below the main floor line.

In this type of situation a condensate pump is needed to pump the water from the AC outside.

If the condensate pump is not working or leaking , it is not going to be able to transport the moisture outside and the result will be water overfilling the drain pan and leaking inside your home.

5. Low refrigerant

Low refrigerant levels will make the cooling coils freeze over. When they fall out, generally leave a puddle around your unit. If you suspect it could be the refrigerant there are other signs you can look for.

Symptoms of low freon in central air conditioner

The filter is clean but the coils are still frosting up and freezing
The temperature is not reaching the assigned thermostat setting.
Warm air is coming from vents.

How much water should drain from my air conditioner?

The amount of water draining from your air conditioner could be up to 20 gallons a day in a super humid climate.
Or as low as 3 gallons in a dry climate.
In other words, the humidity in your area has a great deal do with how much condensation your AC is gathering.

The main point though is that it is draining. You should see a constant flow of water coming from your drain line.

If your air conditioner does not have a regular flow of water then you probably have a clogged drain line and you’ll need to address it immediately.

How much water should be in the AC drip pan?

The drip pan should not have standing water in it. If there is standing water in your AC drip pan, then you have a clogged drain line. a clogged drain line will eventually lead to water leaking inside of your house.

Air conditioner drain pan keeps filling up?

If your air conditioner drain pan keeps filling up, you have a clogged drain line.
The drain pan is connected to the condensate drainage line. Any water that drips into the AC drain pan should immediately exit through the drain line.
If your drain pan keeps filling up, you need to vacuum out any obstruction and maintenance the drain line so that it does not obstruct the moisture exiting the AC.