by admin | Jan 7, 2015 | General Information
When you have an air con system in your home or office, you get to enjoy the cool and dry air. Many people take that comfortable air for granted and never think about how the air gets cooled to a perfect temperature, until those parts stop working. There are several key components in an air conditioning system. In many cases it is less expensive to replace components instead of replacing the entire unit. However, there are certain key components which are very expensive and it is not worth to replace them when it becomes defective. There are also some key components that are non-replaceable at all.
If you do need to replace parts on your air conditioning unit, you should first look into your warranty to see what is covered and for how much longer. There are a few parts that are quite expensive and if they need to be replaced, it is usually best to get a new system. The first is the condenser coil. This piece is vital to the workings of the air conditioning unit and it cannot be replaced, so you would need a new unit instead. In many cases, condenser coil is covered under warranty for the first year only.
In fact, when you are purchased an air con system, normally the manufacturer will cover warranty for all the parts for the first year of purchase. However, in subsequent years, warranty is only covered for the compressor which is one of the most expensive components in the air con system. Therefore, you should try to make use of the warranty if your compressor breaks down. In Singapore, most manufactures provide a warranty period for the compressor for as long as 5 years.
Another expensive component is the evaporator coil which can cost over $600. This part is another necessity as it cools the liquid that turns to vapor as it mixes with hot air. The moisture goes down a drain and the cool air circulates through the building. While the part is expensive, the cost to install the part is expensive also, since it is tricky to get to and replace. Unless you can do it yourself, the cost to replace is about the same as having a new fan coil installed. In Singapore, although this part is replaceable, most vendor don’t sell the evaporator coil as a standalone, you need to buy the whole fan coil.
In summary, amongst all the key components of an air con system, both the condenser coil and expansion valve are non-replaceable. The rest of the key components, including the compressor, evaporator coil, condenser fan, evaporator fan, refrigerant pipe, control wire are replaceable. However, although the evaporator coil is a replaceable item, it is as good as non-replaceable because in Singapore most vendors do not sell the evaporator coil alone. Therefore, if your evaporator coil is defective, most likely you will choose to buy a new or second hand fan coil to replace your old fan coil.
by admin | Jan 7, 2015 | General Information
When you have an air conditioning unit, one of the effective ways to control it is with a remote control. There are plenty of different brands of remote controls, but they all have generally the same features. The key to using the remote effectively is to understand how to use the different functions so you can get the most out your air conditioning system without using more energy than you should. Below are some brands of universal remote controls and their special features:
LG – The electronics giant makes a simple remote control for air conditioning units. This remote is easy to use because it only has six buttons. One is for power. The other five control the unit with a set of up and down keys for the temperature, a button for fan speed, and buttons for timer and mode. This model does not come with a screen at all.
Estone – This manufacturer makes universal remotes that work with many different air conditioning models. This brand makes remotes that are more complex than the LG model. It has several buttons that offer controls for low power consumption. It allows users to set their ac units from a long distance and the LCD panel makes it easy to see what you are setting.
AnyCommand – This is another brand that makes universal remotes. Their product is black and the remote looks like a telephone keypad with ten numbers. It does not have an LCD panel like the Estone model, but it has enough buttons that are clearly labeled to make programming accessible even to those who believe they have problems with technology.
BBQBuy – This little remote does come with a screen and the buttons are labeled with pictures and words. You should be able to easily program your air conditioning unit. The remote also comes with a built-in flashlight for emergency situations. This remote works with nearly every type of air conditioning unit and it will find the unit itself.
KT-N828 – This remote works with nearly every air conditioning unit, too. This remote has the largest LCD screen of any other model. It has just a few buttons on the top, but it has a slide feature that reveals a second layer of buttons underneath. This model comes with its own set of batteries, so it should work right out of the box.
 aircon remote control |
 new and secondhand remote control |
by admin | Jan 7, 2015 | General Information
When shopping for an air conditioning unit, you need to realize that the unit will not last for your entire life. The average lifespan of any air conditioning unit will vary based on how much usage it gets as well as how much maintenance you give the unit. If you take good care of your air conditioning unit, you can expect to get 10 to 12 years out of it.
Good Products Need to Be Care For Properly
New air conditioning units are high quality. Manufacturers not only make a good product, but they also provide long-term warranties that last for up to 5 years. In most cases, when an air conditioning unit fails, it is usually not the unit itself, but the fuses or circuit breakers. Air conditioner compressors can also stop when the temperature gets excessively hot. It is helpful to know where all of these things are in your home before the installation technicians leave your home.
Do What You Can to Keep the Unit Running
You are the one person who can make your air conditioning system last a long time. The best way to extend the lifespan of your unit is to use it properly. This starts with keeping the doors and windows closed when you have the air conditioner running. When you have constant hot air coming in the house with open windows and doors, you force your air conditioning system to work harder than it needs to work.
Check for Proper Installation
There are other problems that can occur based on the way the air conditioner was installed and how it is maintained. If the ducts are leaky, then the airflow will be lower than what it should be, which makes the unit work harder. The refrigerant needs to be properly charged to the manufacturer’s settings and if this is not done correctly, the unit works less efficiently than it should and it will reduce the lifespan.
Take Care of the Filter
Regular cleaning of the air filter will also keep the unit running smoothly. You should know whether the filter needs to be replaced or if it is one of the models that can be washed and reused. A clogged filter can make the unit work overtime and reduce efficiency by 10 percent or more. It is helpful to have the installation technician show you where the filter is.
Get Regular Maintenance
Your air conditioning unit should be maintained quarterly or biannually, depending on usage. The best way to keep the unit running smoothly is to have a licensed technician check the refrigerant and look for leaks.
by admin | Jan 7, 2015 | General Information
7 important air conditioning terms that you should know before sourcing and talking to an aircon vendor
When you want to buy a new air conditioning system or add a new air conditioning unit to your home, it is better to make a purchase with some knowledge. While many air conditioning sales representatives are good people, there are always some people who will take advantage of homeowners who do not know what they are doing. Here are seven important terms to know before you meet with an air conditioner representative:
- Air filter – While this might not seem like an important term to know, you should be sure to find a unit has one that is easy to change. The filter will keep allergens and other particles from your home, so it is important to know where these go and where to get the replacements. A clean filter makes the air conditioning unit more efficient.
- Air handler – This is the term that includes the evaporator coil and the blower motor and how they work together to move air through your home.
- Coils – The refrigerant from the compressor move through the coils. These are in the evaporator and the condenser so they move the heat out of the home. That heat then moves through the refrigerant and is cooled before it enters the ducts in your home.
- Condenser and compressor. – These are important because they remove the heat from your home. The compressor moves the refrigerant through the unit and the fan of the condenser moves blows out the heat.
- Cooling load – The cooling load of your unit is measured by a technical manual called Manual J. It takes many factors into consideration, including the location of the windows, the way the windows and doors are sealed, the insulation levels, and the size of the home itself. You need to have an air conditioning unit that is the right size for your home.
- SEER – This is an acronym for seasonal energy efficiency ratio which shows the air conditioning unit’s efficiency related to electricity usage during the warmest days. Some air conditioning reps will use a shorter version of this term “EER” which is short for energy efficiency rating. With the Energy Star rating used in the United States and recognized in Singapore, the minimum SEER number is 13 and air conditioning units can receive certification if they are rated at 14 or higher. As manufacturers continue to develop technologies that increase the efficiency, the best units are earning numbers in the 20s.
- Tons – Your air conditioning unit is measured by BTUs (British Thermal Units). These are put into tons, where 12,000 BTUs equals one ton. If your home has a large cooling load, it will need more tons to cool it.
These are not the only terms related to air conditioning, but they are seven of the most important terms. When it comes to having any work done on your home, having some technical knowledge does give you some advantage so the representatives and contractors are less likely to take advantage of you.
by admin | Jan 7, 2015 | General Information
In the heat of Singapore, air conditioning can make a big difference in the quality of your day. Understanding how does aircon work is key to helping you choose someone to install and repair an air conditioning unit. The air conditioner works to change the air quality by affecting the humidity and the temperature of the air. In simplified terms, air conditioning will move the heat in your home outside so the air conditioning unit can put cool air inside of your home.
Components to a Successful System
When you have an air conditioning system installed in your home, you need to have a system of ductwork in the walls of your home. The ductwork will move the cool air through your home and bring the warm air out of your home. Some people have what it called a split system.
The compressor on the split system has a compressor that is outside of the home and it changes the gas to a liquid which is then pushed into an evaporator coil on the inside of the house.
The evaporator has a set of metal fins that change the air as the indoor heating unit fan blows the air across those fins. The refrigerant goes from gas to liquid is then changed into a vapor so it can clear the heat out of the air. The heat is sent out of the house and the cool air is blown around the house. This entire process is called phase conversion.
Type of Air Conditioning Units for Homes
Along with the split system, there are other types of air conditioning options. One is the window air conditioner unit. This unit fits into a window opening, so the components for are much smaller than those used in a split system. In this type of unit the warm air exits the backside of the unit. There is a condenser coil that cools the air as a fan blows it into the house to circulate the cool air.
The central air conditioners are the ones that share the home heating system controls and thermostat and the unit that changes the hot air into cool air sits outside of the home in a weather-resistant enclosure. It is best to put any air conditioning unit out of direct sunlight because it will make the system work harder than it has to and will increase energy costs.
Chilled Water System for Large Buildings
There is another option for air conditioning units: the chilled water system. This option is different from the others because it is installed in the back of a building or on the roof. It works by cooling water to about 7 degrees Celsius and then it is pumped through the building into air handlers. The chilled pipes are quite efficient if they are insulated well.
No matter what type of air con system you have in your home, it will continue to work until the air is the temperature that you set on the thermostat.
