In increasingly warm summer months it is important to know the warning signs of a crippled or failing AC air handler unit. There are four major areas you will want to maintain and watch in order to prevent potentially costly repair on a failing or disabled air handler unit.

 

The fan unit which controls air circulation throughout the house should blow with ease and without noise. If there is a stutter or failure in the fan to blow or if there are abnormal noises , the fan will need to be replaced.

 

Second, air handlers should be free and clear of water leaks and pooling water beneath the unit. The harder the unit has to work, the more condensation can accumulate in the lines. An excess of condensation and moisture can cause line-blocking algae to form and overflow the line drain pan. Any line blockage which causes an overflow of the drain pan is referred to as a condensate leak and will need to be addressed.

 

Third, one of the easiest and best ways to maintain an air handler unit is to be cognizant of the filter status. Filters protect the blower fan which and air output can be doubled simply by replacing the filter.

 

Finally, seasonal AC maintanence will prevent contaminated blower compartments which reduce indoor air quality.

 

AC Air Handler Unit Trouble Signs

According to some climate change skeptics, human activity only contributes to a fraction of the global carbon emissions, which is one of the greenhouse gases.

 

They cite studies showing that man-made carbon emissions are only about 3% of he total, with the rest caused by natural sources such as volcanic eruptions. There’s no denying that volcanoes and other natural events play a big part in determining the Earth’s climate, but the small percentage of man-made carbon emissions is tipping nature’s balance and leading to the climate change problems we are now witnessing.

 

While the earth has a response to volcanic eruptions and other natural events, man-made activity adds a new dimension to the mix and worsens the impact of natural occurrences.

Carbon Explosions: Man vs. Volcano

With more consumers seeking out environmentally friendly or “green” products, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a new version of its Green Guides to help marketers feel confident that their claims concerning the environmental benefits of their products are factual.

 

The Green Guides, which are FTC’s effort to eliminate misleading environmental claims, provide information on: general principles that apply to all environmental marketing claims; how consumers are likely to interpret particular claims and how marketers can substantiate these claims; and, how marketers can qualify their claims to avoid deceiving consumers.

 

The FTC has always maintained that environmental claims must be supported by scientific evidence, but a major change in the new Green Guides is that they actually spell out the data standards that a business must meet in order to support claims that its produce offers environmental benefits.

 

Green Building: The FTCs Revised Green Guides and What They Mean for Marketers

With summer so close, many people are wondering if their air conditioning systems are in working order. After all, the worst situation would be to realize your Air Conditioner doesn’t work and it’s 90 degrees outside.

 

Now is the time to test it. If you find the AC not working, there are several different things you can do to try and diagnose the problem and fix it on your own, before you call a professional to come out.

 

First off, make sure there are clean air filters in place; dirty filters can easily cause thermostat problems. Many AC problems are caused by simple things that you can easily handle with the right tools and instructions. Common problems with thermostats are caused by bad batteries or dirt inside the thermostat, loose wires and open connections.

 

AC Not Working? Check Your Thermostat!

It won’t be long before homeowners across the county will be switching on their air conditioners and anticipating that refreshingly cool blast of air on a hot or muggy day. In some cases, however, the air conditioner may not be up to the task, and you can anticipate impending problems by being aware of a few signs that your system may be on its last legs.

 

One sure sign of impending problems is weakling or lower than normal airflow even after you replace the filter.

 

Another bad sign is excessive noise, which could signal fan belt problems.

 

Last but not least, if your unit is simply not cooling as quickly as it once did, it should be checked out by a qualified technician to determine if it’s low on coolant or has some other issue.

 

As is the case with most things mechanical, with air conditioners, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

 

Three Signs That Your AC Unit May Break Down

Democratic Governor Jay Inslee of Washington has signed legislation that will provide a way to study and then implement the best ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state and elsewhere. Governor Inslee, who identified climate change is one of his key issues, supported the bill during debate, and its enactment into law was praised by environmental groups.

 

Under the new law, an independent consultant will study efforts to reduce carbon emissions, while a newly created group of legislators and other leaders will use the consultant’s evaluation to recommend ways to reduce pollution that is associated with climate change.

 

The group will focus on strategies that will provide the greatest environmental benefit for the money spent. A law passed in 2008 calls for Washington to return to 1990 emissions levels by 2020, and the new law is expected to help the state reach those goals.

 

Washington state climate change bill signed into law

In today’s economy, retailers and their service contractors face a tough challenge. They must find ways to spend their energy dollars wisely while keeping the store customers happy. It’s not an easy talk, but fortunately there are seven strategies that retailers and contractors can use to stretch the energy budget and keep the all-important retail customer coming back.

 

The strategies include: designing for energy efficiency in the first place; upgrading for increased energy efficiency as equipment ages and becomes inefficient; using an energy management sytem to identify energy savings opportunities; use energy savings strategies such as load shedding; measure usage regularly to look for potential improvements; know the supply side by being smart with energy purchase decisions and checking bills; and sustain the effort on a long-term basis.

 

By using these seven strategies, retailers and their contractors can reduce energy usage and save money, without losing customers.

 

7 Key Energy Management Strategies for Stores