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Posts with tag air-conditioning

Ceiling fans run counter-clockwise for maximum chill power

Small ceiling fan-light fixture in silver with black wooden fan blades attached to a white tongue-in-groove wooden ceiling
Aaahh. The cool breeze of the ceiling fan is absolute heaven here in Tallahassee, Florida, where the summers are swelteringly hot and humid. In fact, this fair town -- Florida's capital -- was just voted 3rd sweatiest city in the country. A dubious distinction if ever there was one....

Anyway, when it's this hot, ceiling fans really help cool you down. Plus they help save you money: the more you rely on your fans, the less electrical juice you'll need running the a/c. Anyway, to get the best from your fans, make sure they are set to rotate counter-clockwise in summer.

Most ceiling fan-light fixture combos can be easily adjusted by flicking a small switch on the electrical housing somewhere on the unit. For example, the switch on one of my ceiling fans is clearly visible in the above photo.

Want more ceiling fan advice? Check out Dan's post on how to silence a noisy fan. For tons of helpful info on choosing and installing ceiling fans, click over to Kelly's post, 'Install a ceiling fan now!' or this one from Bill: 'Ceiling fans: how cool are they?'

[via Lifehacker.]
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Cool off with a home-made air conditioner

Antique fan
Summer's here and the mercury is rising. That means air conditioning, and if you're like me, you've got that central A/C unit humming along and sucking up the dollars. But some areas in my home don't have A/C. My shop is a good example. OK, it was meant to be a two-car garage, but what a waste of space that would have been.

That's why I was pleasantly surprised to stumble across this site that shows how to construct a home- made air conditioner. The one featured here uses a small table-top fan, but I can envision one that uses a big box fan instead. More bang for your buck.

To build one of your own, here's what you'll need:
  • A fan
  • Ice chest
  • Copper tubing
  • Aquarium pump
  • Ice

This set-up is actually quite similar to what I rigged up a few years ago when I used to brew beer. The wort had to be chilled quickly when emptying the brew kettle. Maybe I could rig it up to do both things at the same time. Hmmm...
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Spring thermostat maintenance

A Honeywell Thermostat
As you fire up your central air conditioner, is the temperature really what it says? If it's not, you could be spending extra bucks on your electricity bills. The good news is that you can take care of it yourself without calling a service person. And if you know it's not right, follow these steps before buying a new one:

  1. Turn off the power to the heater and A/C.
  2. Remove the cover.
  3. Obviously, change any batteries.
  4. Clean the bimetal coil with a soft, clean brush. On a round thermostat, you might have to turn the dial for complete access.
  5. Remove the body from the base on a round model. There are usually screws involved.
  6. Clean the switch contacts with a piece of bond paper.
  7. Replace the body on a round model.
  8. Adjust the anticipator. Start by finding and noting the amp setting; it may be in your manual, on the furnace service panel or on the boiler's transformer. Look at the anticipator setting on the scale. If it's off, adjust it with your fingernail; or you nail-biters (you know who you are), use the point on a pen.
    NOTE: On an air heating distribution system set it to the amp setting. On a water heating distribution system set it to (amp setting X 1.4). I have no idea why.
  9. Replace the cover.
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Heating and cooling units recalled due to fire hazard

recall sign for diylifeThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Goodman Manufacturing Co L.P., has announced a voluntary recall of about 1,000 Package gas-electric heating and cooling units. The serial plates on the units contain inaccurate information which could result in consumers using undersized installation wiring, posing a fire hazard.

The recalled single package gas-electric heating and cooling units were manufactured in the United States and sold by heating and cooling equipment dealers nationwide from December 2007 through February 2008. Please check the CPSC press release for model and serial numbers involved in the recall.

Goodman is directly contacting consumers who have purchased the units to arrange free replacement of the serial plates and a free inspection of the installation wiring. Consumers may contact Goodman at (800) 394-8084 or visit their website at www.goodmanmfg.com.
recalled goodman heating and cooling unit
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