What Is a Thermostatic Expansion Valve?

October 20, 2021

The thermal expansion valve, also known as TXV or TEV, is a common feature in most refrigeration or air conditioning systems, and it’s usually located just before the evaporator. The thermal static expansion valves work with precision to control the refrigerant’s flow rate into the evaporator chamber, which is essential in improving the efficiency of the evaporator while at the same time holding back the excel liquid refrigerant from flooding back to the compressor section. TXV has a design feature that allows it to create and maintain a separation between the high- and low-pressure sides of an air conditioning system. Usually, liquid refrigerant is at high pressure as it enters the TXV valve via the fluid line. Its pressure is significantly reduced by the TXV when it regulates the amount of refrigerant flowing into the evaporator. Main Components of the TXV The valve body The pin The sensing Bulb The spring The diaphragm The Working Principle of the TXV The thermostatic expansion valve is designed to precisely hold the liquid refrigerant under high pressure from entering the compressor and control the evaporator’s amount. The TXV reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, allowing it to boil at lower temperatures. Boiling is...

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How to Clean Your AC Filters in 5 Easy Steps

September 15, 2021

The filters in your HVAC system remove dirt, pollen, pet dander, and other small particles from the air as it is circulated throughout your home. The filters are designed with fibers that catch and trap these particles. Over time, the filters get full of particles and are less effective. You may notice more dust in your home, or you may suffer from symptoms similar to allergies. These are some of the signs that your AC filters need to be checked. How Do You Know When Your Filters Need to Be Cleaned? In addition to dust accumulation and physical symptoms, there are some other signs that it’s time to clean your AC filters. Less air flowing out of the vents Higher utility bills Costly repairs Unusual sounds from the AC unit indicating that it is worker harder than normal Uneven temperatures in your home Unit runs more often to maintain the same temperature setting Mold colonies in your bathroom, on window sills and walls, and on fabrics, rugs and carpeting What Types of AC Filters Can You Clean? There are two general types of AC filters that the professionals at service for homes in Burbank and surrounding areas of California: permanent...

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Avoid These Home Cooling Myths

August 3, 2021

You want your house to be cool, but you don’t want to have to pay more than you need to for your cooling bills. This can push you to do some things that will actually cause you to expend even more money on your cooling in an attempt to curb the amount of money spent. Knowing what is true and what is false when it comes to energy-saving advice can help you and your family save potentially hundreds or even thousands of dollars every summer in cooling costs. Watch out for these myths about saving on cooling costs. Air Conditioners Don’t Manufacture Coolness One of the first things that you should know about air conditioners is that they don’t manufacture cold air, and to better understand this point, you have to think about what heat and cold are. Heat is the presence of energy, and cold is the absence of heat and energy. So when you turn on an air conditioner, it will pull hot, humid air from your house and remove the heat and moisture from it. Then, the air conditioner will pump the air that now has less heat and moisture back into the room. This is useful...

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How to Reduce Air Conditioner Noise

July 19, 2021

An air conditioner is an excellent lifesaver during winter or summer. However, with time, either due to age or damage to the components, your AC might become noisy. Essentially, a noisy air conditioner causes more discomfort than comfort. When the noise levels get to the worst, you might start thinking about replacement or completely scrapping the whole unit. However, with simple tips and tricks, your air conditioner can keep your home comfortable while running more quietly. In this article, you will learn how you can quiet your air conditioner at virtually no cost. The types of air conditioners covered here include: Window air conditioner Indoor air conditioner Outdoor air conditioner Quieting a Window Air Conditioner Usually, if you are experiencing noise problems from a window air conditioner, the most probable cause is the gaps and spaces left unblocked around the unit. Essentially, these gaps introduce the noise from the outside environment, and then your air conditioner’s component transfers it to your indoor environment. To fix the problem, seal the spaces surrounding the unit that might allow the noise into your house. In essence, you will be blocking the noise produced by your air conditioner from entering your home or office....

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How To Prepare Air Conditioner for the Summer

June 9, 2021

The last thing you will ever want to deal with is a faulty AC on hot scorching days. When the AC sits idle during the cold months, it can accumulate dust and debris. Such contaminants can build up, making the unit run sluggishly, so it might not cool your house adequately. Even worse, the AC can recirculate pollen and dirt particles to your home, lowering the indoor air quality. The debris will strain the unit, and with time, it will break down, calling for emergency repairs. It’s, therefore, a good idea that you check your system for issues and fix them early enough. Here are various ways to prepare your AC for summer. 1. Clean or Replace the Air Filter The air filter traps contaminants like pet dander, pollen, mold spores, and dust particles. These contaminants can build up on the filters limiting airflow. You, therefore, need to clean or change the air filters after every three months. If you live with a heavily shedding pet or reside in highly dusty areas, change the filters monthly. Shut off the power to the AC, then find the air filter near the cold air return vent. For the reusable filter, start by...

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Why Does My Air Conditioner Smell?

May 24, 2021

Most residents in Burbank and the surrounding areas depend on an air conditioner to cool their homes over the summer. We all want to enjoy perfect temperatures and humidity, especially when it’s too hot inside the house. Air conditioners come in handy as they not only cool homes, they also help with indoor humidity. However, sometimes they can disappoint you. An air conditioner can experience a malfunction, causing it to operate differently than usual. Some people who have experienced such cases report a typical sign – a foul odor. So, have you ever wondered why your air conditioner smells so bad? What might be the cause of that, and how would you handle such an issue? There are many reasons why your air conditioner may be emitting a foul odor. Sometimes it might be an issue with the AC, while other times, it can arise from other sources within the house. Some of the triggers come from negligence, while others are part of why you should schedule frequent maintenance with . Reasons for a Smelly Air Conditioner Before we even touch on the possible reasons for a foul smell from your air conditioner, it is essential to note that the...

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Who Invented Air Conditioning?

April 6, 2021

When the air conditioner breaks down, everyone notices. But do you ever stop to think of the guy who invented it? The idea behind air conditioning systems came way back in 1840 from a doctor, John Gorrie, from Florida. According to Gorrie, cooling homes and places of work could keep people comfortable and prevent some diseases. His idea was to use ice blocks from frozen lakes to cool hospital rooms. This did not work and he went on to research refrigeration. Through refrigeration, he created a machine that made ice for cooling purposes. In 1851, he got a patent for the ice-making machine, but he never lived long enough to see the machine come to the marketplace. The Invention of the Modern Air Conditioning System John Gorrie laid the foundation for the modern air conditioner, but it is Willis Carrier who brought the air conditioner to life. Carrier worked as an engineer for Buffalo Forge Company in New York. During his work as an engineer, Carrier was given a task to deal with a humidity problem that affected a Brooklyn publishing company. His task was to ensure humidity did not damage the pages of magazines. He designed the “Apparatus to...

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How Do I Conserve Heat During the Winter?

March 8, 2021

Are you looking for techniques to reduce your heating bill? If yes, you are far from being the only one with such a predicament. According to HomeAdvisor, the average annual heating bill for Americans is $1,500. Although you cannot control oil prices, you can enhance your home’s energy efficiency by managing your usage. Thankfully, there are lots of low-cost energy conservation tips to prevent heat loss. Whether you are looking for small steps to make your home warmer or you would like to refurbish it all together, here is what you can do to make it energy efficient. 1. Lower the Thermostat Most people have gotten used to staying in warm homes over the years. That is why they end up spending too much money to keep their houses at unnecessarily high temperatures during winter. Consider setting the temperature to 68 degrees during the day and lowering it to 60 degrees at night. If you feel too cold, you can supplement with extra blankets. Switching off your heater when no one is at home over the weekend or during the day will help you save loads of cash. If you are forgetful, you can install a smart thermostat, and it...

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What Are The Different Types of Furnaces?

February 4, 2021

Even if you live in a region where temperatures don’t normally fall below the freezing point, having a furnace installed in your home is probably essential for your well-being and comfort. A properly functioning furnace is the safeguard that keeps you and your family warm on those cold winter days and ensures proper air circulation throughout your house. Although there are many different kinds of furnaces, their basic functioning is similar. Each device warms air by one means or another, and a fan sends it through a duct system to spread it through your residence. The heating mechanism is triggered by a thermostat that can be set to the desired temperature. When all the components are working in harmony, the result is a cozy home. Precisely how this result is achieved depends on the type of furnace that is in place. If you’re thinking of upgrading your current heating system or installing one in a new construction, it’s important to consider your range of options and the advantages of each. Furnaces are primarily categorized by the sort of fuel they use to produce heat. Electric Furnace Thanks to their compact nature and straightforward mode of operation, electric furnaces are highly...

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Air purifiers vs Dehumidifiers

January 21, 2021

When it comes to improving your Burbank home’s air quality, there’s far more involved than simply changing the temperature. The purity, relative humidity, and smell of the air are other qualities that you should be concerned about. That’s why devices such as air purifiers and dehumidifiers are so useful to help improve the quality of your home’s air. Of course, before you can put these devices into action, it’s important to understand what they do. That’s why the HVAC professionals at offer this guide covering the differences between air purifiers and dehumidifiers. What Is an Air Purifier? Typically, an air purifier refers to a device that cleans the air throughout your entire home. Some air purifiers are smaller so that they can be used in a single room. No matter how large an air purifier is, though, it typically has three stages to remove the maximum amount of contaminants. The first stage of an air purifier is a HEPA-type filter. These are physical filters that have tightly wound fibers that capture a large majority of contaminants. The second stage of an air purifier utilizes activated charcoal that has a static charge. Thanks to this static charge, any small contaminants that...

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