Gold Coast Air Conditioners

Archive for April, 2010

Routine Duct Cleaning Can Greatly Imporve Indoor Air Quality

The primary source of indoor air pollution is a dirty air duct work system. The cold air return system will pull airborne contaminants into the heating cooling system, causing then to be spread throughout the house. Over time, these contaminants build up inside the ductwork, creating an ideal breeding ground for mold, bacteria, fungi and other microbes.

This is especially true if (like most homeowners) you have a central air conditioning system. The cool, damp air produced by the evaporator, is disbursed throughout your air ductwork. While this creates a comfortable climate in your home, mold spores also thrive in those conditions.

Filtration is not Enough

Dirt and debris drawn into the air ducts also pass through pleated filters and infiltrate into HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) equipment, undermining the performance and energy efficiency of these systems. That can lead to higher repair and maintenance costs, and shorter service life in the long run.

The Environmental Protection Agency Says:

According to the EPA, a build-up of only 0.42? of dirt on a heating or cooling coil can decrease efficiency by 21%.

HVAC manufacturers all recommend an annual furnace cleaning, tune-up and inspection of your furnace. When you factor in what the EPA says and what each manufacturer suggests, you might want to consider having your furnace and air ducts cleaned annually. Call today to get on the Duct Cleaning Philly Schedule!

Philadelphia Duct Cleaning Provides More Than Just Duct Cleaning...

• Duct Cleaning $189
• Furnace Cleaning $49
• Dryer Vent Cleaning $65
• Chimney Cleaning $99
• A/C Cleaning $49

We know all too well that your furnace and a/c system is largely disregarded until it's not working properly. Routine maintenance and cleaning are very important and it is our hope that you are made aware of that. By waiting until your furnace breaks down or your heating cooling system is no longer able to push air through your ducts, you could end up spending hundreds of dollars to correct the problem. Call Philly Duct Cleaning today at 215-825-8529, or visit us on the web to get on the schedule. Take care of your home's heating system today, enjoy clean air coming through your air ducts and avoid expensive repairs down the road.

Why not use the power of the sun to provide you with a domestic hot water heating system?  Building a diy solar water heating system is easy and cheap – some people manage to do it for less than 100 dollars.  Buying a ready made solar hot water heater will cost upwards of 1,000 dollars so building your own solar water heater will save you several hundred dollars, paying for itself in just a few months.  And think of the savings every month after that!

Solar water heating works anywhere in the world – even in the middle of winter!  It is possible that solar heat might not provide all your hot water (it often does), but it will definitely save you a large chunk of your utility bill.  Expect to save at least one third.  These systems are simple, effective and very eco-friendly.  Making a solar water heater is easily a weekend project, provided you plan it properly beforehandand assemble all the necessary parts.

The system consists of a simple glazed solar collector box containing water tubes that, in turn, are connected to the hot and cold water pipes of your existing hot water tank.  A drain valve is usually fitted in case you need to isolate the solar water heater for any reason, such as leaving the house empty in winter.  Doing this work is very easy, and you do not have to be any kind of expert.  Position the collector box so that it faces the mid-day sun, mounting it on the roof if you wish, or attached to a wall, but ideally close to your hot water tank to minimize heat losses through the pipes.  You will be able to get all the materials needed at your local hardware store, although you will probably find you already have some of them in your shed.

Making and fitting such a system will not interfere with or harm your existing hot water installation.  In fact, by reducing the operating demands on your existing system, the solar hot water heater will help extend the life of your boiler or immersion heater and also save on utility and maintenance costs.  Remember also that solar heating is free energy that reduces our use of non-renewable fuels and lowers the carbon footprint, so there is an green bonus for installing a solar hot water system as well.

You can use it for other things as well.  Solar hot water systems can be used for heating swimming pools by providing a gentle, all-year-round source of free heating.  Are you thinking about underfloor heating, or do you already have such a central heating system?  This typically operates on a constant supply of warm (as opposed to hot) water with a low flow rate. Diy solar water heating is a great way to warm your home for free.

There is something very satisfying about making a simple device that saves you money, gives you free hot water on demand and helps save the planet at the same time.

But, as always, there are pitfalls for the inexperienced when trying to make and fit a solar water heater.  It makes a lot of sense to get expert guidance and advice at the planning stage and before you start to build.  The cost will be very small, and you will get full assurance that you are doing the job properly and safely. We have  more information about this on our specialized website.

In conclusion, we know from experience that making and fitting a solar water heating system will give you immense satisfaction, a lot of fun and really significant savings, so why not give it a try?

The search for alternative methods of producing electricity has spawned numerous opportunities in the energy fields. The growth of solar power industries has seen a rapid surge in the recent past, as more residential and commercial users are seeking ways of saving money and reducing reliance on generation equipment using fossil fuels. Many point to the alleged threat of global warming as the need to find a more efficient means of producing electricity.

There are different aspects of solar power industries at work devising cheaper and more efficient means of using the sun's power. Smaller, more efficient silicon chips used in the solar panels, as well as more efficient longer-lasting batteries, all are seeking better designs to make producing electricity more efficient and environmentally friendly.

The core of the battle for cheap power has always been the low cost availability of fossil fuels to fire power generating equipment. As the sun's thermal characteristics are explored, solar power industries are finding that, by focusing the sun's rays on one spot, they can heat water to a boil, providing steam for generation equipment.

Just about every schoolboy with a magnifying glass has learned this lesson at an early age, and as the search for cleaner power continues, that knowledge is being put into play.

Nano Technology Leads Solar Cell Development

It is has been noted by researchers that if a solar panel could be spread out on the deserts in the United States, enough electricity could be generated to power the country. However impractical this may seem, the solar power industries are looking into nano technology and have recently developed a spray-on solar panel that provide electricity for small scale use, for now, but are looking for large-scale applications in the future.

The solar power industries have stated this compound that, if sprayed on an electric automobile, could keep the batteries in the car constantly charged. The applications, which are both promising and exciting, are still in their infancy and under development. These polymer films imbedded with nano particles in place of the silicon wafers used in the current solar panels are more efficient, but their life expectancy is still under study.

As environmentalists continue to study the effects of fossil fuel use on the Earth's atmosphere, and non-renewable resources continue to take a beating for price and availability, those involved in the solar power industries will continue to seek new ways to turn the Earth's sunlight, and ultraviolet light, into usable electric power.

more and more people start to use solar power for their house, bathrooms,toilet and kitchen. it's save and clean.

Delonghi is a trusted brand when it comes to choices for space heaters. It's no surprise since the company has become know for making some of the most sought after space heaters. You have two options available from the Delonghi space heater range, namely mica panel and oil filled heaters.

Delonghi Space Heater: Oil-Filled Radiator

Delonghi space heaters are known for their quiet operation. The oil-filled radiator type Delonghi space heater works quietly.

While it generally takes a while to heat up, it does provide steady heating to the room. Its thermal tunnels are designed to produce maximum heat flow but it is also designed to produce minimum surface temperature. Since the unit does not get hot on the surface, it is a safe heater to have in the house, especially if you have children.

This Delonghi space heater also features adjustable thermostat, so it can be set to heat the room at comfortable levels. In addition you also have a timer that can be set in occordance with your preferences. For cost- and energy-efficient operation, you can put it on the anti-freeze setting. Delonghi space heaters are made with a durable metal which is also rust resistant ensuring you will make use of the heater for a number of years.

Delonghi Space Heater: Mica Panel Radiator

Should you choose not to go the oil-filled route yu can always invest in the mica panel option that can also be wall mounted. It is also equipped with handles and dual wheeled feet for portability. Much like the oil-filled Delonghi heater, the mica heats up quickly and works quietly. This space heater from Delonghi also features a room temperature setting, and it automatically shuts off before the unit overheats.

With their useful and convenient features, Delonghi space heaters are at the forefront of the space heater market.

If you want to ensure that your property is as efficient as possible in terms of its energy use then you will need to comprehend the basic principles behind heat transfer engineering as worked on by Pratt Whitney. For most of us the cost of heating our home makes up the greatest part of our annual utility bills. Without adequate insulation then the associated cost can be very high. As the world is still struggling to come out of recession we should do as much as we can to ensure we are not wasting energy and unnecessarily paying a high electricity bill.

Even at a young age we are taught that heat moves from a hot surface to a cold one. We can see this everyday in our lives. For example, if you have a chair next to an electric heater then it is going to heat up faster than a chair further across the room. The basic principle is referred to as radiation.

If the heat transfers through an object then the process at work is known as conduction. A good example is when we place an iron poker in an open fire; the heat transfers through the metal to the handle. This is an essential principle to understand when we come to insulate our properties. Without choosing the right material you'll find that heat is lost more rapidly through the structure of the building.

Another form of heat transfer is what is referred to as convection. This occurs when the heat is dissipated by water or air. We imagine a convection current as an actual moving body. The world's climate system is driven by convection currents. If you have an electrical fan heater than this will also use the same principle. In a negative way a draughty room loses heat energy through convection.

So, the basic ways in which heat is transferred are now clear. But how can we use this knowledge to improve the energy efficiency of our homes? Well, to start with it is important to realize that heat transfer engineering also needs to involve ensuring that our properties do not get too hot in the summer months. The right type of insulation will lessen your requirement for an AC unit in the summer and a heating system in the winter; the flow of heat inwards and out needs to be controlled.

When it comes to purchasing any insulation product, check out the rating that is in its product description. This should be termed an "R" rating. The larger the figure the better the material will be at prohibiting the flow of heat energy.

You should always be aware that heat is not just lost through the ceiling. Windows, doors, walls, in fact any physical structure can be changed to minimize the heat flow. Always consider the complete building rather than individual rooms.

It is no use designing a plan to keep your home warm in the winter months but then not consider how to cool the property during hot summer days. The technology from Pratt Whitney involved with convection heat transfer has rapidly advanced over the last decade as greater emphasis is placed on energy efficient homes. Apart from the cost benefits there is also the factor that less energy use and wastage will cause less damage to the environment.