My outside air conditioning unit needs a Karen Silkwood shower June 25, 2008   Subscribe Help me de-gunk my outside air conditioner.To control rising utility bills, many homeowners only use their air conditioners on the absolute hottest days. When outdoor temperatures are manageable, they simply leave their windows open. This strategy works, but it has certain drawbacks. Open windows expose you to toxic air pollution. Worse still, they also invite intruders (i.e. criminals, insects, and vermin). Another strategy is to install a more energy-efficient AC system that consumes less overall power. However, such upgrades can be expensive. And on milder days, you must manually power off your unit. Otherwise, you’ll waste money cooling a home that doesn’t need cooling. SmartVent uses a completely different approach – one that provides climate-controlled comfort without high energy bills or air pollution. SmartVent is a special climate control solution that measures both outside and internal temperatures to intelligently regulate your home’s interior:

This approach offers several major benefits, including: Most AC systems run nonstop, regardless of the temperature outside. But SmartVent automatically senses external temperatures and only allows your AC unit to run when absolutely necessary. At all other times, SmartVent regulates your home using natural, filtered air. You’re no longer paying to cool a home that doesn’t need cooling. Every year, smog kills an estimated 3.3 million people worldwide. cost of 10 ton ac unitBut pollution doesn’t have to be lethal to do harm. 7 ton ac unit costAccording to the American College of Allergists, roughly 50% of illnesses are either caused or exacerbated by indoor pollution.ac unit preventive maintenance SmartVent completely removes the need to keep your windows open during cooler days of the year.

Because of its powerful filter, you can breathe outdoor air without exposing your lungs to harmful particulates. As a result, you benefit from a healthier living environment – even on the smoggiest days. SmartVent provides you with enhanced security. No longer do you have to open your windows to let in cool air. Keep your home and family safer by keeping unwanted visitors out. SmartVent runs silently in the background throughout the day. This is a much quieter way to cool your home than leaving the windows open. It’s also quieter than letting your AC run all the time. SmartVent is a cheaper and greener way to cool your home. But 2 of the biggest selling points of this technology are setup cost and maintenance: To learn more about SmartVent, download this free brochure or contact us today for a consultation.Diagnosing Your Drain Line Made Easy Wondering why your outdoor air conditioning units continually drip? Many homeowners may respond in alarmed to the sight.

In reality, however, this drip is a sign of proper function, so don’t worry just yet. The real problem is when you don’t see any flow at all. AC units involve complex physics, but there are only a few things you need to know. When gases like air are cooled, they lose the ability to hold liquids. The water contained in the gas drops out, or condenses. Instead of holding this liquid, your AC unit simply lets it escape through the pipe you’ve been pondering. Of course, the liquid dripping from your AC isn’t only water. It also contains whatever kinds of debris, dirt and dust made its way inside your unit. This commonly manifests as brown or blackish streaks and stains near the outlet. In some cases, however, you’ll also observe greenish spots. These discolorations are usually a sign of algae, microscopic lifeforms that thrive in wet environments. Although many algae are harmless, the fact that enough moisture has built up in your system to allow their proliferation could also mean you have other creatures to worry about.

If the water exiting the AC smells sour or musty, you may have a mold infestation that could lead to reduced air quality or health problems. What About When There’s No Drip? Dirty, stained or smelly condensate drips often indicate that your AC unit is overdue for a thorough cleaning. If you let things go unresolved for too long, however, the buildup can become so large that the condensate drip line becomes totally blocked. Then the water might back up so much that it impedes the regular operation of your system and prevents you from enjoying the cool air you crave. This could also lead to system failure, and you may need to replace your entire unit. With some outdoor AC units, homeowners can perform simple maintenance to clean their drain lines. This may involve shutting down the AC system and thermostat from the breaker or flushing out the line using a hose. Other solutions recommend the use of wet/dry vacuums to suck or blow clogs out. The type of maintenance you’ll need depends on how your system is set up, and it’s important to perform the correct cleaning techniques.