How long will a system last? Unfortunately, there will come a time when it is better to replace than repair your HVAC system. Choosing a geothermal heat pump A geothermal heat pump uses the natural heat found in the Earth to heat and cool your home. Start your new furnace search A new furnace purchase can be easy if you start off on the right foot. Read our furnace buying guide. Choose a heat pump Electric heating and cooling are both features of a heat pump. Find out if this HVAC system is right for your home. Find the right contractor The contractor search is just as important as finding the right equipment. how to choose the right contractor. Take care with online HVAC Buying HVAC from an unauthorized online source can be like playing with fire. why this isn't the best route.You might be a renter, want to wheel your air conditioner around between rooms, or just simply don't have the cash for a fixed option. In any of these and more scenarios, a portable air conditioner is an option to consider, but because of their inefficiency it might be wise to know what you're in for if you get one.

Looking for the best portable air conditioner? We review models from Arlec, Convair, DeLonghi and more in our . Firstly, 'portable' in our language is slightly different to a manufacturer's idea of portable! While you can install these units without modification to the building, you wouldn't want to lug one from room to room the way you do with a fan. They're heavy, not always easy to manoeuvre and require installation via a window kit. Portable air conditioners work basically the same way as built-in air conditioning: sucking in warm and humid air, cooling and dehumidifying it and blowing it back into the room. Single-duct models, with a duct connected to a window to vent heat from the room, can be very effective at cooling most of the room, but they draw the air from the room (in order to cool it) and vent some of it outside. Venting the hot air outside through the duct results in a net air pressure reduction, so more warm air is drawn into the room from the rest of the house.

The portable air conditioner thus faces a continual struggle to cool the room. Portable units are also noisier indoors than most split-systems (which have the advantage of having the noisiest component, the compressor, situated outside). So while they are convenient and often comparatively cheaper than split-systems, single-duct portables are not as effective or efficient. The heat extracted from the air is vented through an air duct that you install in an open window. The unit also condenses water from the air while cooling, collecting this in a tank or draining it away via a tube. Dryer air feels more comfortable and enhances the cooling effect. A venting kit is included so you can seal the gap around the duct to stop the cool air escaping. As of late 2014, there's no Australian standard for portable air conditioners. There are technical hurdles in devising a suitable test method to measure their performance and efficiency. For that reason, portable air conditioners are still not subject to Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and don't carry star rating labels.

However, a draft standard has been produced for public discussion; once it is approved, MEPS can be expected to follow in the not too distant future. Encouragingly, we have found some models with improved energy efficiency in recent tests. Our portable air conditioner reviews identify the best-performing models. Manufacturers don't recommend using an extension cord with your portable air conditioner. how much does a new ac unit cost for a carTypically, the manuals advise against it, and claim that doing so will void your warranty. best ac unit brand 2014Portable air cons are relatively power hungry, and your extension cord may not be able to cope, posing an overheating or fire risk. how does the outside ac unit workConsider the placement of the portable air conditioner in relation to the power socket.

Some cords may be too short for your setup. These are handy in much the same way that a television remote is handy (because we're lazy!), but with the added benefit of information on room temperature. You can also usually set automatic modes and timers to make life simple. Cool, heat (for reverse-cycle models), dry (dehumidify), automatic or fan only. Automatic or "smart" mode means they can be set for a target temperature and will switch to cooling mode (or heating for reverse-cycle models) as required. These are useful to program the unit to turn on/off at certain times, for instance to cool the place down before you get home from work. Sleep timers are useful at night as they switch the unit off after a set period rather than running all night, and usually have automatic temperature adjustment. This adjusts the temperature to a comfortable level for sleeping in,so the air conditioner doesn't work as hard (and also more quietly) when you're sleeping. Most have manually adjustable louvres, though a few have only fixed louvres.

Other models have automatically oscillating louvres, which enable the cool air to be directed more widely rather than just in a fixed direction. These come with filler panels to close the gap in an open window and direct hot air outside using an exhaust hose. These units can be quite loud and distracting to run, especially if they are on full blast. In our most recent test they range in price from $300 to $1200. Indoor Air Quality Systems As you may expect, there are many manufacturers of heating and air conditioning equipment. Albemarle Heating & Air is your Charlottesville area authorized dealer for some of the leading manufacturers in the industry. Over the years, we agreed to represent these companies, after thoroughly investigating their quality, reliability and dependability. We are proud to represent companies that include Trane, Lennox, Sanyo, Mitsubishi and Buderus Boilers. In addition to servicing equipment that we sell, we will service all of your heating and air conditioning equipment, regardless of the brand.

We can also establish a service agreement for your system, regardless of brand. Our service department is staffed by qualified technicians with a focus on total customer comfort. The mark of a reliable home comfort systemThe Good Housekeeping Seal is issued by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, product evaluation test laboratory of Good Housekeeping magazine. All Seal-bearing products are backed by the magazine's two-year limited warranty for replacement or refund if defective. No other magazine in the world offers this kind of service to its readers. Lennox® furnaces are some of the most efficient and quietest heating systems you can buy*. They’re engineered for perfect warmth and savings. Explore programmable thermostats, digital thermostats, temperature control systems, and other comfort controls from Lennox, the leader in home air conditioning. Exacting precision makes Lennox® air conditioners among the quietest and most energy-efficient units you can buy.