Articles for April 2014

The Invention of the Modern Air Conditioner

Date: April 30, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

Willis Haviland CarrierIn 1902, Willis Haviland Carrier developed the first modern air conditioning system.

He was a young electrical engineer trying to solve a humidity problem at the Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographing and Publishing Company in Brooklyn, N.Y. In the warm summers, paper stock at the plant would sometimes absorb moisture which made it difficult to apply the layered inking techniques.

Carrier caused the air inside the building to blow across chilled pipes. The cooled air didn’t carry as much moisture as the warm air. The process reduced the humidity in the plant, which stabilized the moisture content of the paper. This experiment to reduce the humidity had the side benefit of lowering the air temperature, but turned out to be an important step in creating modern air conditioning system.

Carrier had become the father of cool!

Tips for Hiring a Heating and Cooling Contractor – Part 2

Date: April 23, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: 2 Replies

hvac contractorMore tips for choosing the best HVAC contractor for your home’s heating and cooling needs.

Expect a home evaluation:

  • The contractor should spend significant time inspecting your current system and home assessing your needs.
  • The heating and cooling system size is based on the size of your house, level of insulation, and windows.
  • An inspection of your duct system (if applicable) for air leaks and insulation and to measure airflow.

Get written, itemized estimates:

  • Compare cost, energy efficiency and warranties of at least 3 contractor’s bids.
  • A lowest price may not be the best deal if it’s not the most efficient (your energy costs will be higher).

Get it in ink:

  • Sign a written proposal with a contractor before work gets started.
  • The contract protects you by specifying project costs, model numbers, job schedule and warranty information.

Purchase ENERGY STAR products:

  • They meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA.
  • They offer significant long-term energy savings.
  • Contractors should be able to show you calculations of savings for ENERGY STAR heating and cooling equipment.

 

Tips for Hiring a Heating and Cooling Contractor – Part 1

Date: April 16, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

hvac contractorThe heating & cooling system is one of the most costly aspects of your home, so its important to devote some time to pick the right company. Here’s some tips to get you started.

Research:

  • Figure out what the license and insurance requirements for contractors are in your state.
  • Know the model of your current system and its maintenance history.
  • Make note of any uncomfortably hot or cold rooms.

Ask for referrals:

  • Ask friends, neighbors, and co-workers for contractor referrals.
  • Contact local trade organizations for names of members in your area.

Call references:

  • Ask contractors for customer references and call them.
  • How was the contractor’s installation or service performance?
  • Was the job was completed on time and within budget?

Look for special offers:

  • Check around for available rebates on energy-efficient ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment.

Houston February & March 2014 Weather Facts

Date: April 10, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

dog so over itFebruary 2014

Average high temperature: 65
Average low temperature: 47
Highest High: 81
Lowest Low: 31
Precipitation: 2.1 in

February 2014 had 15 days with lower than average high temperatures There were 18 days with below average low temps. Precipitation was 1.11 inches below normal. The record low for Houston in February was 14 degrees set in 1951.

March 2014

Average high temperature: 69
Average low temperature: 51
Highest High: 84
Lowest Low: 28
Precipitation: 2.54 in.

March 2014 had 18 days with below average high temperatures. There were 22 days with below average low temps. Precipitation was 0.66 inches below normal. The record high for March was 96 degrees in 1946.

What is a TON of cooling?

Date: April 8, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

ice blockIn the old days, cooling was done by saving big blocks of ice. When cooling machines were first used, their capacity was rated by the equivalent amount of ice that would melt in a day, which is where the term “ton” came from in sizing air conditioning.

Today, a ton of cooling is defined as delivering 12,000 BTU/hour of cooling. BTU is short for British Thermal Unit. The BTU is a unit of heating – or in this case, cooling – energy. A window air conditioner is usually less than one ton. A small home central air conditioner would be about two tons and a large one about five tons.