Ductless VS Window Unit

As the summer heat is turned up, keeping the home cool is becoming a concern once again for Oklahomans. One concern for those living in apartments or smaller homes that don't allow for room for the ductwork needed for a central air conditioner come the decision of which type of air conditioner to install; a window unit or a ductless air conditioner. While a window unit air conditioner is fairly inexpensive as far as AC's go and more simple to install, it comes with a whole range of other potential problems because of its location being installed in a window. A ductless air conditioner does have many advantages, such as being reliable and efficient, they are typically more costly to install and have a higher initial price tag. For more of an overview of the pros and cons of each air conditioning system, check out this article from About.com. In order to get an expert opinion as well as someone to take care of all your heating and air conditioning needs, look no further than the professionals at A Best Air. 

Air Conditioning Gone Bad

Here at A Best Air, we are happy to take care of all of your home's heating and cooling concerns; from central air units, window air conditioner units, furnaces, and beyond. However, we do suggest that you leave major installations and repairs to the professionals to save you time, money, and ensure the safety of your family. With that being said, here are some people who probably will not take our advice and have taken it upon themselves to install window air conditioning units in their cars. Not only are these not safe, but they are grossly inefficient in comparison to a car's built-in air conditioning unit. Please do not try this at home. For more of these examples, log onto Chicago Now's featured page on this do-it-yourself phenomena. For professional quality HVAC service, consult the experts at A Best Air and make it a cool summer.  

Ductless Air Conditioning

A style of air conditioning that has grown very popular in many other countries where there is a need for air conditioning, but no existing duct work, ductless air conditioning is a very capable solution to this problem. Where window unit air conditioners once reigned supreme, more people are not only desiring a more efficient air conditioner for their smaller home or apartment, but they also want their windows back! A ductless air conditioner is a slimmer unit that is typically installed just above a window or elsewhere in a room with a connection an air conditioner installed on the exterior of the room. They're very popular for their ease of use with a remote control system and their aesthetics that don't detract from the design of the room. The units also can be used to heat spaces; making them great for needing to retrofit heating and air conditioning to an older house or apartment. For more information on ductless air conditioners, check out these frequently asked questions from Thermospace.com. For information on air conditioner maintenance, repair, and installation, trust the experts at A Best Air.

Too Hot To Handle: The History of Air Conditioning

As the summer months come upon us, sometimes we take for granted that with the simple flip of a switch, we are able to fill our homes with frigid air to the point of making us actually shiver; even on the hottest of summer days. Rarely do we even dare think about what our ancestors had to deal with before the days of air conditioning. From the very first fans invented over 3,000 years ago in China to Romans using cooled water aqueducts and even importing snow from the mountains on the backs of donkeys to keep cool in the summer time, staying cool has always been an obstacle of man to overcome. It wasn't till Willis Carrier's invention of a device to reduce humidity for printing factories in the early 1900s did we have an semblance of the modern day air conditioner. The device was later updated into what is now the modern day air conditioner, but even then, only the wealthiest of individuals could afford their cool air. As some of the only air conditioners were installed in movie theaters, the tradition of going to the movies to beat the heat of a midsummer's day was started and continues on to now. The next time you turn on that air conditioner to enjoy a burst of cool air, think about what people had to go through in the summer time just to keep cool. For more info on the history of the air conditioning, check out this article from Slate. To make sure you have an escape from those hot and humid days, check in with the experts at A Best Air to keep to your HVAC system running smoothly all summer long.

Running Lean For Saving Green: How To Get Your HVAC System Running Smoothly and Cheaply

One of the largest draws on the electric bill of a home, office, apartment, or any other structure is the HVAC system. Using power to keep the facility cool or warm and the air fresh is a tall order for many systems and this requires large quantities of energy. If you think your energy bill is a little out of wack from the level of performance you've been experiencing with your HVAC system, there are some ways to tell if your heater or air conditioner is running at its optimum capabilities. Often, dust and debris can cause an air conditioner or heating system to have to work that much harder due to stress on the components. Other times, components in the system can be subject to wear, which cause the unit to not cool or heat as efficiently as they once did. If the unit is leaking water, making noise, or if you're experiencing energy bills not on par with your usage of the device, all these can be symptoms of a unit in need of inspection by a certified HVAC professional. For questions about your unit or to schedule an appointment with an HVAC expert, visit the website of A Best Air. For more telltale signs of an inefficient HVAC system, check out these symptoms to see if a visit from the professionals can increase the efficiency of your unit.

Simple Maintenance: How To Clean Your Air Filter

For many maintenance duties, it is recommended that you have a certified HVAC specialist work on your air conditioner or heating system; but cleaning your air filter is an essential snap that you can do during the commercial break of your favorite television program. Your air filter is the device that keeps dust, lint, and dirt from getting trapped in your cooling system. If the filter is not cleaned out on a regular basis, the consequences can result in inefficient heating and cooling systems, dirty air, or even fire. Typically, the air filter is made easily accessible and doesn't require much more than a screw driver to open up the grate to remove. After being removed, follow the cleaning instructions assigned to that style filter. For many filters, simply running the filter through some running water can remove most dust and debris. For others, other techniques may be required. If the filter is cleaned with water, let it dry before reinstalling it. For more information, study the instructions on this post from HowToCleanStuff.net and consult the instructions for your specific unit. If it seems like a bigger job than you can handle, have a handy person clean your filter. To make sure your HVAC unit is running at its fullest, most efficient capacity, consult the experts at A-Best Air.

Nest Thermostat: The More it Learns, the More You Save

These days, home automation has become a great tool for energy efficiency. With the Nest Learning Thermostat, this thermostat takes that concept one step further as it learns your thermostat adjustment habits and then makes the changes according to when you normally do. The Nest thermostat allows timers to be set for certain temperatures, temperatures to be set via mobile device, and a very user-friendly interface that allows users to make changes to any climate adjustment schedule. With Leaf modes for economic-friendly temperature settings as well as Away modes that detect when the home is empty, Nest's system is an ideal tool for those who want to conserve energy. For more information about Nest Learning Thermostats, check out this review from SmartHome. For installation, consult the HVAC experts at A Best Air.