AC World's Blog - Air Conditioner Blog

Reining in a Little-Known Energy Hog

In Summer 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued new efficiency standards that should significantly cut the energy use of a device that uses more power than homeowners might realize. The device in question: The trusty, reliable furnace fan, which assists in pushing both cooled and heated air throughout a house, but which also eats up [...]

Proper Disposal of Mercury-Containing Thermostats

Exposure to high levels of mercury can damage the brain, kidneys, lung, heart and immune system in people of all ages, says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The severity and nature of the effects depends, among other factors, on the chemical form of mercury as well as the amount involved and the length of [...]

Ways Your City Can Be Cooler Next Summer

With 2014 looking to possibly finish as the warmest year on record, weather-wise, thoughts inevitably turn to how to mitigate the heat come next year. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), there are four ways that cities can be cooler next summer. Here are brief descriptions of each: Plant Trees: The ACEEE’s report [...]

Can A/C Help to Defog My Windshield?

As the temperatures turn cooler in many areas of the country, people are spending more and more time in their cars on icy and snowy streets that, on warmer days, they might have navigated by walking or biking. Whether you store your car in a garage or park it on the street, you’re sure to encounter [...]

Powering A/C from Solar

With the growing popularity – and diminishing prices - of green energy solutions such as solar panels, it’s no surprise that more people have become interested in powering major household systems through solar technologies. But can Solar PV really provide enough power to run a heat pump, water heater or air conditioning system? Much depends on [...]

Whole House vs. Portable Humidifiers

Earlier this year, as the summer was winding down, we took a peek at maintaining whole house humidifiers, which typically get switched on around the same time that sprinkler systems get blown out, garden hoses are coiled away for the season and the lawnmower goes into storage for the next few months. While whole house humidifiers [...]

When to Scrap an Appliance

Taking good care of household appliances and systems is the best way to extend their usefulness. One DIYer we know made a point every year of taking apart a hassock fan he owned (after disconnecting it from the power source, of course), cleaning all of the parts, oiling and greasing areas that needed it—and then [...]

Are UV Lights Effective for AC Systems?

Ultraviolet lights have been in use since at least 1903, when Nils Finsen was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work with UV lights in treating victims of tuberculosis. Other uses for UV lights since have included serving as germicidal lamps in eating establishments, helping nail polish to cure more quickly, sterilizing water and, of course, [...]

Cleaning Mildew and Mold from AC Coils

When moisture arrives or increases in a closed-off space, mold and mildew are usually not far behind. The presence of moisture in most air conditioner coils makes for a nearly perfect environment for the growth of these toxins. Here are a few tips, courtesy of the San Francisco Chronicle’s Home Guides section, for cleaning your air [...]

Winterizing Tips to Fit Your Budget

As the seasons change and the cooler months loom, there are any number of suggestions for winterizing your home. Most are intended to save you energy and money; some are more long-term in nature, intended to avoid hugely expensive repairs down the line in exchange for a fraction of the maintenance costs now. When you’re trying [...]