Archive for June, 2013

What You Need to Know about Air Conditioning and Humidity

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” This is a common phrase that most of have heard (or said) during the summer. It seems that despite the best efforts of our air conditioners, we may still find that the humidity and heat are unstoppable during the dog days of summer. Even homes that have excellent air conditioners with high performance values may be frustrated by stuffy and uncomfortable levels of humidity in the home. While your AC does dehumidify the air, this does not often impact the relative humidity of the entire home enough. In today’s post, we’d like to examine the relation between air conditioning and humidity in more detail. Call the Portland, OR air conditioning technicians at Clean Air Act today for cooling services throughout the Portland, CA area.

As part of the cooling cycle process, your AC dehumidifies the air. The indoor evaporator circulates a cool, liquid refrigerant through its coils. As the warm indoor air blows through the coils, it causes the refrigerant inside to evaporate. In turn, this cooling process partially dehumidifies the air, which leaves condensed water on the coils that drips into the condensate drain pan. But this process only dehumidifies as part of the cooling process as a whole, and high humidity levels outside will still entail high humidity inside the home, too.

When this dehumidification process is not enough, you should consider installing a whole-house dehumidifier. While portable units can be good in a pinch, to be truly comfortable and to be able to control the level of humidity in your home, you need a device that integrates directly within your existing HVAC system. High humidity can lead to stuffy air, mold growth inside your ductwork, condensation on the walls and floors, and even damp carpeting.

If you’re looking for a way to improve your comfort, you need to make sure that your air conditioner is in great working shape, and that you’re taking all the necessary steps towards excellent indoor air quality. Call Clean Air Act today for excellent air conditioning services throughout the Portland, CA area.

Benefits of Preventive Air Conditioning Maintenance

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

Are you ready for the hottest time of the year? Are you concerned about the longevity of your AC? One of the best ways to make sure that your AC is ready to perform no matter how hot it gets outside is by enrolling preventive air conditioning maintenance. During these annual visits, a Beaverton air conditioning technician will make sure that your system is well adjusted and cleaned so that it performs well and efficiently. Considering the cost of energy these days, maintenance remains cost-effective in light of its potential energy savings. At Clean Air Act, we recognize the value that you place on your AC, so give us a call today for excellent air conditioning services in Beaverton, OR.

When it comes to keeping your home in good shape, prevention is key. While some homeowners think that once installed their air conditioners will simply operate autonomously, regular maintenance is necessary, and may even be required to fulfill the terms of your manufacturer’s warranty. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits:

  • Cleanliness. Dirt, dust, and debris all cause premature replacement. There’s no substitute for the professional cleaning that comes with AC maintenance. Over time, your coils and other parts of your system will accumulate debris that can interrupt the thermal absorption and dissipation processes, as well as airflow.
  • Early detection. Most problems with your air conditioning do not come out of nowhere. They start as small issues, whose neglect leads to major problems and premature replacements. During maintenance, a professional Beaverton air conditioning technician will look over your entire system, looking for problems and signs of future problems. This can help you avoid costly repairs and cooling disruptions later on.
  • Adjustment. Over time, your AC may develop issues with its voltage or its refrigerant level. During maintenance, both of these areas are checked so that you can remain confident in your AC.

Preventive air conditioning maintenance can help you make your home a cleaner, more energy efficient, and more comfortable place to live. It’s also one of the most cost-effective services. Call Clean Air Act today for excellent air conditioning services in Beaverton.

The Benefits of Professional Duct Cleaning

Thursday, June 13th, 2013

The ductwork in your home is a huge part of your air conditioning system because it is responsible for delivering all of the cooled air throughout your home. That’s why making sure that your ducts are clean is so important. The Clean Air Act is proud to offer complete duct cleaning services in Portland, OR for all different kinds of ducts. Check out a few of the important benefits to getting regular maintenance for your home’s ductwork.

Why Get Professional Duct Cleaning in Portland, OR

Most homeowners don’t give their ducts much thought throughout the year. However, as your AC or heating system operates, it will deposit many different kinds of contaminants in your ductwork. Things like pet dander, dust, pollen, bacteria and other pollutants can start o build up in your ductwork. Unless you get your ducts cleaned, those contaminants will just continue to circulate through your home’s air supply. Getting regular duct cleaning in Portland, OR is a great way to potentially make a positive impact in your home’s air quality.

Another reason that you should think about getting duct cleaning is that it could be able to increase the efficiency of your home’s air conditioning system as well. As air moves through your ducts, any contaminants or blockages will hinder the flow of the air. This means that your AC system has to work harder to push the air through which reduces its efficiency.  By keeping your ductwork clean with regular duct cleaning you might be able to reduce the amount of restrictions that your air has to move past inside of your ducts.

When you need any kind of duct cleaned, make sure that you call the Portland, OR duct cleaning technicians at The Clean Air Act. We are dedicated to your complete satisfaction and to the quality of work that we do.

Improve Indoor Air Quality While Maintaining AC Efficiency

Monday, June 10th, 2013

At Clean Air Act, our Portland, OR air conditioning technicians understand just how important the effective operation of your air conditioning system is to your comfort. However, we also know that comfortable temperatures alone are not enough to ensure that your home is as comfortable as possible. In addition to an efficient, reliable performance from your air conditioner, you must also be able to maintain great indoor air quality throughout the cooling season. Many homeowners are not aware of how the process of cooling their home can impact the indoor air quality therein. Here are a few tips from our Portland, OR air conditioning technicians.

A common mistake that a lot of people make during the cooling season is trying to make their homes as airtight as possible. This stems from a desire to get the most efficient performance possible from their air conditioning system. While it is obviously important to prevent heat from working its way into your home, sealing up your house too tightly can result in a negative impact on your indoor air quality. Air can become stale without proper ventilation. By giving your air conditioner a rest when the temperature cools off at night, you can enjoy great comfort while also allowing your house to breathe. Open up some windows and let fresh air in, being sure to close them again before the heat of the day really picks up.

Because an air conditioning system also dehumidifies air in your home, it is also possible for your air to become too dry. This can cause a number of problems, from very dry, sore throats and sinuses to chipping paint and peeling wallpaper. If dry air is making your home less comfortable, contact a professional Portland, OR air conditioning technician immediately. You may need to incorporate a humidifier into your HVAC system in order to balance humidity levels.

If you have any further questions about how your air conditioning habits may impact your indoor air quality, call Clean Air Act. We have the answers you need to enjoy increased air quality. Call now to learn more. Don’t sacrifice air quality for comfortable temperatures this cooling season.