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HVAC & Refrigeration Resource Tips

How Much Electricity Does an Air Conditioner Use

How Much Electricity Does an Air Conditioner Use If you are trying to find ways to reduce your energy bill or considering replacing your air conditioning unit, you may be wondering how much electricity an air conditioner uses. Many factors affect how much electricity an air conditioner uses, and understanding those factors can help you calculate your energy usage and adjust as necessary. At Accutemp, we can ensure you are using an energy-efficient model appropriate for your home.  What Affects the Cost and Electricity Usage of Air Conditioning? The many factors that affect your air conditioner’s electricity usage vary, which therefore causes costs to differ as well. Some of these factors include: your unit’s specifications the time of year the size of your home  indoor temperature settings  your maintenance routine How Much Electricity Does an Air Conditioner Use? Your electric usage will depend not only on the above factors but also on the type of air conditioner you use and what settings you use.  Central Air Conditioner? Central air conditioners that run on the cool setting will average between 3000 and 3500 watts per hour during the warmer months. In warm regions like Phoenix, you can expect your central AC…read more →

2023 DOE HVAC Efficiency Standards

2023 DOE HVAC Efficiency Standards At AccuTemp Refrigeration, we understand the importance of energy-efficient appliances. We have put together this post to inform you about the new 2023 DOE HVAC Efficiency Standards. As you may know, the Department of Energy (DOE) sets energy consumption standards for modern appliances, including HVAC systems. The DOE updates these standards every six years, and the 2023 standards are now in effect. These new standards will result in more energy-efficient HVAC systems that will help you save money on your energy bills while reducing your carbon footprint. The DOE estimates that these standards will save American households over $9 billion on their energy bills and reduce carbon emissions by more than 110 million metric tons over 30 years. Whether you’re in the market for a new HVAC system or want to upgrade your current one, we can help. With an energy-efficient HVAC system that meets the 2023 DOE standards, you can save money on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying reliable heating and cooling all year round. New Energy Conservation Standards for 2023 Starting in January 2023, new HVAC energy efficiency standards will be implemented that set the minimum efficiency of…read more →

10 Air Conditioning Problems You Should Know About

Seasonal changes and intense weather can harm your air conditioning system. From time to time, it is important to be aware of the common problems your AC may face and their solutions. Delaying maintenance or servicing can result in further damage, leading to costly repairs or replacement. You would never want your air conditioner to fail in the middle of a heatwave, right? With some knowledge and understanding, you can avoid costly repairs and keep your air conditioning unit running smoothly all year. That is why we have compiled a list of the ten most common AC problems, their solutions, and how to spot them. Keep reading for some tips for preventive maintenance.  Air Conditioner Not Turning On Your air conditioner not turning on can arise from a variety of issues, ranging from electrical failure to blockage. First, check the power source and circuit breakers if your AC unit is not turning on. The problem could be with the condensing unit or thermostat if everything seems to be running as it should. Air Conditioner Not Blowing Cold Air If your air conditioner is running but not producing cold air, it could indicate low refrigerant levels or a clogged evaporator coil….read more →

10 Signs You Need to Repair Your Home Heating System

During the coldest parts of winter, the last thing you want to deal with is a broken heating system in your home. Before your system mysteriously breaks down and leaves you in the cold, here are some early signs that you need to repair your home heating system.   It Hasn’t Been Serviced in Over a Year Regular maintenance of your heating system may feel like a chore, but it is important for keeping your system running efficiently. Having your system serviced can actually save you money in the long run by keeping it clean and spotting potential issues before they become costly repairs.   You Have a Higher Energy Bill One of the first signs that you need to service your home heating system is seeing a spike in your energy bill. If an increase in your energy bill is higher than an increase in electricity rates can account for, this is a sign that your heating system is using more energy than normal to heat your home. Excessive energy use means that your heating system is no longer working efficiently and may need to be serviced to save money.   It Frequently Turns On and Off If your…read more →

Wine Cooler Not Working? 5 Reasons Why How to Fix It

Wine Fridge Not Cooling Whether you collect rare wines or you just like drinking it, the best way to store your collection is to keep the bottles in a wine cooler. This is especially true in the Phoenix area, where temperatures can reach triple digits. A wine cooler keeps wines at the perfect temperature and humidity levels so they can be enjoyed for years to come. It can be detrimental to your wine if you are experiencing wine cooler temperature problems. There could be numerous reasons why your fridge is not working, and it is important to take care of it as soon as possible. Common Problems With Wine Coolers The first thing to understand about wine cooler problems is that there are two different types of wine coolers. One type uses a thermoelectric system to control the temperature. The other type uses a compressor system. Knowing which system you have will help determine the problem. If you do not know which type you have, contact Accutemp, and someone will help you right away. Thermoelectric Wine Cooler Problems 1. Improper Room Temperature When you have thermoelectric wine cooler problems, the room temperature may be the issue. This type of cooler…read more →

Ins and Outs of a Garage Air Conditioner

When the temperature outside becomes unbearable, it quickly becomes too hot to work inside your garage. That’s where garage air conditioning comes in. While most homes aren’t built with them, installing one is easier than you might think. Different Types of Garage AC Units There are several garage AC units, each with its benefits and drawbacks. Your choice will depend on your personal preferences and how your home is set up. Ductless Mini-Split The ductless mini-split is one of the most popular garage AC units, and for a good reason. They combine all the benefits of regular heating and AC units that you might find in your home in a small package. Ductless mini-split systems can be operated via a thermostat, and some newer models even allow you to control them using your smartphone. One of the drawbacks of ductless mini-split systems is their price. They are more expensive than other garage AC unit options and must always be installed by a trained HVAC technician. They also require space outside for the unit to be installed and a hole to be drilled in the wall to connect it to the inside of your garage. Window Unit If you have a…read more →

Knowing When to Change Your Air Filters in Your HVAC

Deciding How Often To Change Air Filters For HVAC System Air filters are an essential part of your HVAC system. Regularly replacing them ensures that you have clean air to breathe in your home and that your HVAC system stays in tip-top shape. When to Change Your Air Filters: General Recommendations The answer to how often you should change your air filters isn’t clear-cut. Instead, it depends on several factors, including the type of filter you have. Cheaper fiberglass filters will need to be replaced every 30 days and are generally not recommended, as they don’t do a great job filtering. Pleated filters can have a wide range of time before they need to be replaced, up to 6 months for higher-end ones. The amount of time recommended between replacements may also depend on the size of the filter and the location you live in. It is generally recommended to replace pleated air filters every 90 days. If you wait longer than this, the efficiency of your filter will decrease as it becomes clogged with dirt, dust, and allergens from the air.  When Someone in the Home Has Asthma or Allergies People who have allergies and asthma are more sensitive…read more →

4 Types of HVAC Filters

Air filters are everywhere; your home, car, work, and even at businesses you visit. Air filters have one job: removing the impurities and allergens in the air. Using the correct air filters may significantly impact your home’s indoor air quality. Our AccuTemp Refrigeration and Air Conditioning team in Phoenix, Arizona, has put together this article to discuss the different HVAC filter types. HEPA FILTER High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters shield the user from the most harmful contaminants in the air. These filters capture 99.97% of all airborne particles, even particles as tiny as 0.3 microns. In addition, the MERV rating of HEPA filters ranges from 17 to 20. If you have a household heating and cooling system, you may not be able to use this type of HVAC filter. If you want to use HEPA filters in your house, an HVAC professional will need to make some adjustments. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) ratings for HEPA filters are the highest in the industry. As a precaution, HEPA filters should only be used in places where air quality is a concern, such as hospitals and other medical facilities. You should never use a higher MERV rating than the one advised…read more →

Winter Heating Tips for Arizona Home

Properly heating your home in the winter is essential, wherever you live. Even in Phoenix and Maricopa County, where temperatures are hardly as cold as in other parts of the country, energy efficiency is paramount. Read on to discover some helpful tips to ensure you are maximizing your energy efficiency as much as possible in the coming winter months. How To Prepare For Winter in Arizona Winter in Maricopa County and the valley may not be as severe as in Montana or Michigan, but it still marks a significant change. Brutally hot, dry summer weather gives way to nights that can sometimes become quite cool. For this reason, enjoying the cold weather in Phoenix is not as simple as letting it roll in. In fact, there are a number of steps that are vital to take to make sure your home is well-prepared for winter months — and that your average electric bill in Phoenix, AZ, does not excessively balloon when the temperature dips. Prepare Your Heating System Preparing your heating system for winter is one of the most important steps to take towards energy efficiency. A few simple steps can make a world of difference in terms of smoothly…read more →

Noticing a weird smell when you turn on your heater? Signs of Heater Maintenance or Repair

Heater Maintenance or Repair and the Signs to Watch Heater Maintenance. Our blog post on what to do if your heater smells like burning, or gives off strange smells, will walk you through: What the different odors your heater gives off may indicate Other warning signs that your heater needs maintenance Why getting regular maintenance can prevent larger issues We’ve all had that moment where we turn on our heater, and something just seems off. Our nose picks up a weird smell in the house, and it’s hard to tell from where exactly it is coming. At best, these strange odors may just be something obnoxious you have to deal with. At worst, though, it could be a troubling sign that something has gone awry with your heater. Knowing what these strange smells indicate can help you know what exactly has gone wrong with your heater. It can also help your professional HVAC maintenance team know where to look when assessing the problem and working to resolve it. Heater Maintenance: Weird Smells You Might Notice When Turning on Your Heater As temperatures begin to drop and Phoenix residents turn on their heater for the first time in a couple of…read more →