Tips for Air Filters

Do you know how heavy your air conditioner works with a dirty air filter?

Do you know the harm caused by the dirty air filters?

Do you know how often the air filters should be replaced?

If you have got the three answers, there is no need to read more, just remember to clean or to replace your air filters routinely.

First, let’s have a look at what usage of the air filter. Air filter, literally, is to filter the air from the dust and some other small materials. 

From Wiki, a particulate air filter is a device composed of fibrous materials which removes solid particulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from the air. A chemical air filter consists of an absorbent or catalyst for the removal of airborne molecular contaminants such as volatile organic compounds or ozone. Air filters are used in applications where air quality is important, notably in building ventilation systems and in engines.

Air Filter

Simply speaking, air filter is the tool to clear the air from dust when the air conditioner works.

If the air filter is clogged with dust, the air conditioner will take heavier work to reach the same heating or cooling efficiency. This causes great energy waste. Meanwhile, as the continuous heavy work, the air conditioner is very easy to stop working and break itself. In this case, you will spend much to repair or even to purchase a new one. It costs so much. So, keep your air filter clean and efficient. 

Usually, the air filter should be cleaned every one or two months, or replace every one to three months. Especially in summer and winter, the air conditioner works in long time.  

What is SEER?

What is SEER?

Yesterday, I just explained some information about HSPF.

Today, I will introduce another parameter, SEER, to you. This “SEER” may puzzle many people, too. 

First, let’s see what Wiki explains SEER.

“The efficiency of air conditioners is often rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) which is defined by the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute in its standard ARI 210/240, Performance Rating of Unitary Air-Conditioning and Air-Source Heat Pump Equipment.”

More confused, right?

To be simple, SEER just shows how efficient the heat pump or air conditioner is.

The higher SEER is, the more efficient the heat pump is, the less electricity it uses, but the more expensive it is. The least SEER is 10.

However, it doesn’t mean that the higher, the better. One important factor is the area in which you want to use the heat pump or air conditioner. If you use a high-SEER heat pump in a small room, it will cause energy waste, although with high efficiency.

  

SEER VS Cooling Cost Saving

Just choose the most suitable, not the best.

What is HSPF?

Many people are very confused with the parameter “HSPF” when purchasing the heat pumps. Me too. After some research, I got some basic information.

HSPF is the short name of Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, a little complicated, right?

To be simple, the higher HSPF is, the better the heat pump is, or the more energy efficient. HSPF is just one parameter to check how the heat pump works.

The minimum HSPF allowed for a residential heat pump is 6.8.

Usually, the HSPF above 8.0 is OK, which can be considered high efficiency.

Therefore, what you know at least is to choose the heat pump with the HSPF more than 8.0 when purchasing online or in the local store. 

The higher, the better.

The Forth Day: Portable Air Conditioners

Is your air conditioner able to move from here to there?

Maybe no.

Here is the introduction of portable air conditioners. 

Portable air conditioners are very convenient. Moreover, there are several models of portable ACs, like drip or no drip, single exhaust or dual exhaust, and multi-functional portable air conditioners.

Different models have their own strengths.

No drip model works without excess water but costs more while drip model runs with some water produced. The water needs to be emitted every 24 hours. However, drip model is cheaper.

Dual exhaust portable air conditioner operates more efficient than single exhaust model. Of course, the dual exhaust model is more expensive.

You could take a general consideration on the usage, the convenience, the price and the area you want to cool.

From my point of view, portable air conditioners are more suitable to cool or heat small places. But that doesn’t mean they could not cool large areas.

The Third Day: Ductless air conditioning

As to Ductless air conditioning, there are two main components, an outdoor unit containing compressor and condenser, and an indoor air-handling unit, which contains evaporator and blower. Usually ductless air conditioning is flexibility for its small size, which can heat or cool individual rooms. The mini-split systems are much easier to install than other conditioning systems. Ductless means that there is no duct, so no energy lost during the duct.

Ductless air conditioning works silently for you could move the noisiest part far from your room, which is very convenient.

Compared to window air conditioning, ductless air conditioning is more efficient and less noise with no duct.

It’s really a good choice for its excellent features: easy installation and maintenance, efficient and quiet operation, simple operation and attractive design. All those features make ductless air conditioning popular in the market.