General

Keeping your dog happy and comfy is the best way to shower your pet with love. However, this can be quite challenging at times, especially during the heat of the summer months. In general, if it’s too hot for you, it probably is just as hot for your pet. This can lead your pet to becoming easily dehydrated if they’re in a humid environment on a hot day.

So your dog may need an air conditioner just as badly as you when the temps are high! Now if you are wondering, “Can dogs get a cold from an air conditioner?” — the answer is yes. Without using the perfect AC settings, your pet can indeed get sick. But what is the ideal temperature for your dog? This guide will help you figure it all out!

What is the optimum temp for dogs?

It largely depends on humidity levels. Paired with high temperatures, high humidity levels can exhaust your furry fellow. In this case, watch out for drooling, disorientation, panting, and unconsciousness, as these are all signs of dehydration. When your dog stays indoors, it’s paramount to make sure the temperature ranges at around 75oF, which is the suggested temperature. However, your dog’s coat of hair and size affect the well-tolerated temperature range.

Avoiding Hot Weather Dog Pneumonia

Dogs can suffer from pneumonia in both cold and hot weather. Pneumonia is a serious illness that may lead to the hospitalization of your dog for several days. On top of that, the aftermath never goes away. Sudden and dramatic temperature changes are a catalyst for dog pneumonia (i.e., a 20o drop or rise within 24 hours). This applies to both being outside all the time and entering an air conditioner room from a hot outside environment. So if it’s 90F outside and your house is set at 70F, ensure you take your pet out gradually (i.e. start with the shaded garage).

Leaving your dog at home with the AC on – Is it safe?

Things like smart AC controllers and smart thermostats enable you to monitor, control, and regulate the temperature of your home from wherever you might be. You can set your AC unit at a comfy temp range (between 75F-80F) and leave your pet in the room while you are away. There are no known risks involved in doing that.

AC Tune-ups for Dog Owners

Ensure you check on your air conditioning unit as dander and fur from your dog could get sucked into the cooling vents and cause trouble. Vacuuming and dusting your home often will help your AC unit from overload. Changing your AC filter every 3-4 months will also help boost the efficacy of your cooling system as it will help prevent it from working harder to maintain the airflow. The same applies to keeping your AC vents clean, using HEPA filters and using an air purifier. Finally, make sure your dog cannot reach the outdoor AC unit. More than often, dogs will urinate or chew on the cables, destroying the unit and increasing the chance of catching fire.

Hope these suggestions and tips help you ensure that your furry friend is pampered during hot temperatures while also keeping your AC unit in tip-top shape!

Before purchasing a portable air conditioner, you’ll want to be certain that running it doesn’t burn a hole in your wallet. That’s why it’s necessary to determine how much you will spend on your air conditioning equipment, which will be based on a number of factors.

Portable air conditioners are quite different from HVACs in many regards, and although they are more economical to run compared to HVACs, they can come at a hefty cost. The benefits provided by these portable air conditioners are not free, and there can be chains of other cost elements such as maintenance, repairs, and electricity charge. All these factors must be considered carefully before you can conclude on whether or not running a portable air conditioner is expensive.

Electricity charge estimation

Since the major determinant of the running cost of your portable air conditioner is electricity charge, it can actually tell us if running a portable air conditioner is expensive or not. Primarily, the basic term used in electricity charge is BTU which means British Thermal Unit, which is the measurement used for the cooling capacity of air conditioners.

The cooling capacity of most air conditioners are stated in tons. 1-ton is equivalent to 12,000 BTUs. That means a 36,000 BTU air conditioner has the cooling capacity of 3-tons.

To know the cost of BTUs, you will need to convert the BTUs to kilowatt-hours (kWh). Thus, 12,000 BTU portable air conditioner consumes approximately 3.5kWh, 24,000 BTUs consumes 7.33kWh, and 36,000 BTUs consumes 10.56kWh. With the above you can easily find out how many kilowatt-hours your portable air conditioner consumes per hour.

Furthermore, the average amount charged on electricity use is 11.88 cents per kWh. Note that power consumption is usually calculated on a per hour basis. Therefore, if your portable air conditioner consumes 3.5kWh, the electricity charge will be $0.41 for one hour. So for 8 hours per day the electricity charge will be $3.33, and for 30 days the electricity charge will be $100.

Size of space being cooled

If your reason for purchasing a portable air conditioner is to cool a large space, you might want to reconsider your purchase. Portable air conditioners are usually ideal for smaller spaces, since they can end up working overtime if the space is too large, which hikes up your electricity bill. A wall mounted or window AC unit might do that as well, however, they are usually a bit more efficient at cooling larger spaces, and will therefore not need to work as hard to cool the space. Before purchasing, always check the size of the space you want to cool and whether a portable air conditioner will be able to cool it efficiently and in a costly manner.

Conclusion

Following the simple steps above will give you a good estimate of how much you spend on the daily electricity cost of your portable air conditioner. When other cost elements like maintenance cost and repair or replacement cost are added to the electricity cost, then you can accurately determine the total running cost of your AC. 

You might have heard about freon and its effects not only on the ozone layer but on humans as well. Freon is present in most cooling units, which may make you worry and ask a series of questions, including, “Does my air conditioner use freon? Do all air conditioners use freon? What really is freon and what is its effect?” We’re here to tell you that your questions about freon and air conditioners are about to be answered.

What is freon?

Freon is a Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). CFC is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is used in refrigeration. The freon gas is also known as the R-22 gas, and its job is to absorb the heat from the outside air and release cold air for your comfort. The gas can be used in any cooling unit at home, in cars, and even in freezers.

The effects of freon

In 1974, a researcher from the University of California made a research on the dangers of using freon gas. Upon a series of researches it was discovered that the freon gas negatively affects the ozone layer. It was further revealed that it also releases another gas called HCF-23 into the air. This HFC-23 gas has been proven to be quite dangerous and adds to global warming. Although the use of freon gas is highly monitored, most of our old machines still use the gas.

In addition, the freon gas is responsible for freon poisoning, which happens when a person inhales too much air from an air conditioner made of freon gas. When this gas is inhaled in large quantities, it possesses the ability to cause critical consequences and even death. The signs associated with freon poisoning are vomiting, dizziness, unconsciousness, seizures, and tiredness.

Do all air conditioners have freon?

Many air conditioners produced before 2003 use freon as the gas that cools the hot air gotten from outside. However, most air conditioners produced after 2003 do not use freon gas due to the restrictions placed on it. Cooling equipment produced after 2003 use safer refrigerants for cooling, and since 2010 most air conditioners use Puron gas, also known as R-410A, which have been proven to do no harm to the ozone layer.

How to identify which refrigerant is used for my air conditioner

The refrigerant used for your air conditioner can be identified by checking the nameplate of the air conditioner. The nameplate containing this information is possibly on the outdoor unit. If you’re interested in a unit that does not use freon, then always check the label before purchasing.

Freon gas is necessary for your cooling equipment to function pretty well, however, you may not want to get entangled with the ethical or health problems associated with freon gas. If you’re not comfortable with having a machine in your home that uses it, or you feel you have inhaled too much of it, give yourself some peace of mind and update your air conditioning unit with one that was made after the year 2003.

The importance of having a portable, movable air conditioner in high temperatures cannot be overemphasized. While many people require air conditioners for long periods of time, others only need an air conditioner for a few months out of the year.

If the reason for desiring a portable air conditioner is temporary relief from heat and humidity, then renting one might be a good decision. This article will let you know how much to rent a portable air conditioner is.

Purchasing vs. renting

Before we dive into the cost of renting a portable air conditioner, it’s important to note that purchasing one may be a better option than renting if you’re hoping to cool a small space. You won’t need to worry about the installation since it comes with a manual that is easy to follow and understand. This is because the cost of renting a mini portable air conditioner is close to the cost of purchasing one. More so, rental businesses generally find it pretty difficult to rent units smaller than 1-ton. A mini portable air conditioner (7,000 – 12,000 BTUs) can be purchased for as low as $299.99 USD, although more added features have the potential to increase the price slightly.

On the other hand, if you are hoping to cool a large space temporarily, the option of renting would be the most preferred to purchasing, since it will apparently require huge BTUs and consequently lead to increased price. Rental businesses will be obliged to install and uninstall the system as well as provide maintenance services for the entire rental period.

You could also consider renting if you live in a rental apartment in order to avoid the pestering of house owners. The rental option is also advised if your budget is constricted, because having an air conditioner can be very expensive. But you don’t have to spend huge amounts buying one when you have an easier option of renting.  

The cost of renting a portable air conditioner

Portable air conditioners that are available for rent are between 1-ton and 400-tons. The air conditioners can be rented for as long as required ranging from days, weeks, months, and even years. The rental fee is averagely between $49.99 and $149.99 a month, excluding the amount for installation and delivery and depending on the ton needed. Several units as desired can be rented.

During the period of rental, you might want to maintain and protect the equipment in order to avoid extra charges from the rental companies. Faults developed should be reported immediately to the supplier rather than attempting to fix it by yourself or contacting a third party expert. An extra fee for maintenance might be charged if the rental period is long enough to necessitate maintenance.

Renting a portable air conditioner can be a very economical, comforting, and stress free decision to make. The rental companies are just a call away, give it a shot — you won’t regret you did! 

You’ve probably been told once or twice in your life that the air coming out of your air conditioner is not safe to inhale. This little piece of information could have left you terrified, since you can’t withstand the daily high temperature heat you come across anywhere you are. You practically can’t do without having the air conditioner in your car, home, or office switched off, especially during periods of heat and humidity.

And now you’re searching for answers — are air conditioners toxic? Could it be true that my air conditioner is toxic or I have just been successfully misinformed? We’re here to answer this question for you and to give you some peace of mind.

Are AC units toxic or not?

So then — are air conditioners toxic? It has been scientifically proven that air conditioners are not toxic if properly maintained. Air conditioners give comfort to billions of people during warm weather, so if ACs were mechanically toxic, they would have been banned a very long time ago by the government, experts, or health care providers. Moreover, the air being emitted by your air conditioner is air from the environment. Air conditioners do not manufacture air — they’re designed to take air from the surroundings and circulate it through a complicated system that will take away the heat in an enclosed space and provide cool air. So you can calm yourself and be relaxed, as air conditioners are safe to use.

When AC units go bad

As much as we are aware that air conditioners are not inherently harmful by design, keep in mind that poorly maintained or badly designed air conditioners can become polluted and are therefore capable of inflicting harm. That is to say, when your air conditioner is not properly and regularly maintained, the possibility of microorganisms and germs growing and hanging around the system is well above average, which makes the air being emitted by the air conditioner very harmful if inhaled.

According to Dr Mendell of The California Department of Public Health, contaminated air conditioning systems, apart from having the ability to make asthma-related problems more critical and to heighten allergies, can also cause what he calls “sick building syndrome” seen more in individuals above 70 years old. He added that the sick building syndrome is accompanied by difficulties in breathing, tiredness, headaches, skin irritation, and nasal congestion. Therefore, constantly maintaining your air conditioning system is highly recommended.

Why AC units are useful

Although we are focusing on air conditioners being toxic, we must also not fail to at least highlight some of the importance of having an air conditioner. Outdoor air pollution is common, particularly in cities and towns are filtered by air conditioners. No doubt these pollution elements being filtered by the AC is a good thing for people who live in these environments. In this way, air conditioning can be seen as a helpful device.

With the above information, we believe that questions concerning your air conditioner being toxic have been answered. All you need to do is to develop a strong maintenance policy with regards to your air conditioner and you won’t have to worry about your AC being harmful or toxic to your health.

So you have a portable air conditioner that you’ve enjoyed using during periods of high temperature, and you just can’t afford to live with the discomfort that comes with not having your AC function perfectly. Trust me — you are not alone in this! But then your fear becomes a reality as your air conditioner begins to malfunction. You take a closer look at it and discover that your AC is actually leaking. The leaks have made everywhere messy, wet, and somehow smelly, and you wonder what could be the cause. 

If you’re asking yourself, “Why is water coming out of my portable air conditioner?” we’re here to answer this question. There are a number of issues that could lead to water coming out of your portable air conditioner.

Full Bucket

This is a major cause of leaks in air conditioners. Most portable air conditioners have an in-built bucket, which gets filled up with water occasionally. When this happens you’re expected to drain the water off, and failure to do so will lead to leaks, making your room damp and messy.

Every portable air conditioner should have a float gauge, which will temporarily stop the activities of the AC when the bucket gets filled up to avoid leaks. That means that another potential reason for water leakage could be a faulty float gauge. 

Unsealed Drain Cap

Another cause of leaks could be that the rubber cap is not properly sealed. This is usually the case when the air conditioner is leaking water from the top. If this is the case, remove the drain cap and seal it back properly.

Dirty Air Filter

You might want to ask yourself when last you cleaned up the air filter in your AC, because a dirty air filter could cause a lot of internal faults including your air conditioner leaking water. Take care of your portable air conditioner by cleaning the air filter regularly and changing it when required.

Mechanical Faults

If you’ve tried all the suggestions above and your AC still overflows, it could be because of an internal fault like rusted holes, cracks in the system, or a system malfunction. Whichever case it could be, you will need to get the services of a professional HVAC technician or report the issue to your supplier.

Lack of Regular Maintenance

Undeniably most electrical appliances especially air conditioners require regular maintenance for maximum function. If you have not serviced your air conditioner in a long period of time, you might want to consider contacting an expert to help you service your system. Doing this regularly will help preserve your air conditioner for a longer period of time, and will pretty much prevent emergency repairs or replacement of the entire system.

Water coming out of your air conditioner is obviously a malfunction somewhere, and it could lead to discomfort and stress. Use the information above to assess the water leakage problem with your portable air conditioner, and contact an HVAC expert if necessary. 

A portable air conditioner is a valuable investment, especially if you do not have a suitable window in your home for an air conditioner. However, a leaking portable air conditioner is a sign that something is wrong with your unit.

It can be challenging to figure out the problem, especially if the weather is humid and you need it to work immediately. One can face many issues by using a faulty air conditioner, including paying unnecessarily high costs for energy consumption. That’s why you need to identify what the problem is as soon as possible to find a solution.

In this article, we are going to look at all the possible causes of your question: “Why is portable air conditioner leaking water?”. We’ll address water leakage and the necessary repair measures you should take to get your air conditioner working again.

Clogged drains

This is one of the major causes of water leaks on portable air conditioners. A clogged drain prevents the smooth flow of water through the drainage pipes. You must address the problem immediately to keep the water within the system. There are lots of different methods to unclog the drainage system.

First, clean the pipe that drains water into the reservoir, then blow into it to remove any blockage. Secondly, you can use a wire to remove anything blocking the drainage. To do this, insert a wire into the drainage pipes, then once you find some resistance, twist until you can freely move the wire back and forth. If neither of these two works to unclog the pipes, get an AC repair professional to figure out the issue.

Once you’ve successfully unclogged your drainage system, the next step is to prevent them from recurring. In most instances, water leaking can result from water stagnating in the drain instead of flowing to the condenser’s dispersion point because of clogs.

Add a tablespoon of bleach to the tray once the system is unclogged to completely prevent clogs. This will destroy any fungus or mold from growing.

Cracks

Another reason for water leaks may be cracks within the air conditioner. Portable air conditioning units can get cracks if they are mistakenly dropped while being moved or if they freeze up. Check the condenser and condensate pan for cracks. These two areas are susceptible to drastic fluctuations in temperature. Use a resin poly sealant to seal any cracks in your air conditioner.

Dirty Heat Coils and Filters

An air conditioner works best when there is no hindrance to airflow through it. If there’s dirt in the heat exchange coils or filters, the air conditioner will cool down. That means that the air will condense which causes water leakage. You can use a hose, showerhead, or spray bottle to clean off the dirt from the heat coils. You can add an antiseptic to the cleaning water to eliminate bacteria and mold. If you’re unsure how to go about this process, follow the user manual’s instructions.

Lack of refrigerant

If the filter and heat exchanger are clean, your portable air conditioner should produce ample airflow and the air should be cool. If the air conditioner still cannot cool the room and leaks water from the air vent, it probably does not have enough refrigerant.

If this is the case, you will need to hire a professional to solve the problem and restore it to good working conditions. A professional AC technician will locate the leak, repair it, and add more refrigerant to the system. Good luck!