Carney All Seasons Blog: Archive for August, 2013

What is an Expansion Valve?

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

When discussing air conditioning systems, you may her the term “expansion valve” used from time to time. It plays a vital role in the process of cooling your air, but you may not be familiar with its particular function. In New Hope, PA, air conditioning systems are a serious concern, since Pennsylvania summers can be hard with all the heat and humidity. The more you understand about components like the expansion valve, the better your grasp on how air conditioning works.

At the heart of your air conditioning system is a closed loop system that circulates refrigerant. The expansion valve plays a key role in this loop. The refrigerant arrives at the value in a highly pressurized liquid state. The valve is connected to the system’s evaporator coils. When the refrigerant enters the coils, it evaporates, absorbing heat out of the nearby air in the process. A blower then pushes the cool air into the ductwork, where it travels throughout your home.

The valve regulates the amount of refrigerant that is let into the evaporator coils. As the liquid moves from a high pressure state to a low pressure state, it evaporates and absorbs the heat from the surrounding air. Only a precise amount of refrigerant will work properly, so the valve’s purpose is extremely important. And naturally, when the valve become clogged or damaged, it can wreak havoc with the AC unit’s ability to cool the air. If refrigerant can’t enter the coils, no cooling will take place. If it enters in the wrong proportions, it will cause problems with the pressure leading to too much or too little cooling, and possibly damage other components as well.

Repairing or replacing an expansion valve is the purveyance of trained professionals. They can ascertain the problem, effect a repair, or replace it with a new valve while ensuring that it fits in with the surrounding components the way it should. Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling can address problems air conditioning units in New Hope, PA and throughout eastern Pennsylvania. Call us today to set up an appointment.

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Does Air Conditioning Reduce Indoor Air Quality?

Monday, August 12th, 2013

The hot, muggy summers in Lansdale, PA make air conditioners an absolute necessity. What better way to avoid climbing temperatures than with a cool comfortable living space to come home to at the end of each day? Some homeowners may have concerns about their indoor air quality as well, and wonder if an air conditioning system will reduce the quality of their indoor air. The answer depends on how regularly the air conditioning unit is maintained.

Dust and dirt particles are a fact of life, and may build up in your air conditioning system over time.  The amount will increase if you have pets that carry dander, if your indoor carpeting goes a while between cleanings, and if you track in a lot of dust and dirt from the outside. To counteract this, air conditioning units come equipped with air filters which catch dust and other particles, preventing them from building up in the system itself.

Here’s where proper maintenance enters into the equation. If you change your air filters regularly, they won’t become clogged with particles, and the quality of your indoor air should remain high. In addition, a higher quality filter tends to do the job better than a cheap or flimsy filter. Similarly, regularly scheduled maintenance from a trained professional can keep your AC unit clean and free of dust. You can augment that with routine ductwork cleaning to keep debris from building up in your ducts. In both cases, an expert can also spot potential problems, such as cracks of fissures that may allow particles to enter the system, before they become overwhelming.

If, on the other hand, your air conditioning system doesn’t receive any significant upkeep, then the amount of dust in the system will probably lower your indoor air quality.  If you’re concerned about the quality of your air – especially if you have allergies or similar issues – the give Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling a call. We can set up a regular maintenance schedule, and handle air conditioning issues in Lansdale, PA and throughout the surrounding communities. With regular service, we can help ensure that your indoor air quality stays where it should be.

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