Blue Dot Services Of Maryland

The Fundamentals of How Air Conditioning Works

While modern air conditioning systems date back to over a century ago, recent technological advances have resulted in the availability of many highly-capable central air systems with increased efficiency. While your HVAC contractor has a great idea of how these systems work, you may not. Take a look at the information below to learn how air conditioners cool the air inside your home and keep it comfortable.

• Air Conditioner Components: Your air conditioner has both an internal and external unit. Located inside the home, the internal unit houses an evaporator coil and blower motor. Ductwork helps transfer air to and from the blower motor and throughout the home. The exterior unit houses a compressor and condenser coil, as well as a large fan to help dissipate heat. A pump helps to transfer refrigerant, which is a chemical that continually evaporates and condenses, between the interior and exterior units of your air conditioner.
• Refrigerant Evaporation: Evaporation is the key point in the operation of your air conditioning system. As liquid changes to a gaseous state through evaporation, heat is absorbed from the surrounding environment. Inside the evaporator coil of your air conditioner, refrigerant is transformed from a liquid to a gaseous state, drawing heat from the air in your home. The blower motor then pushes the cooled air through your home's air ducts.
• Refrigerant Compression: The gaseous refrigerant is then transferred to the exterior unit, which houses the condenser and compression coil. The refrigerant is condensed back into a liquid state, releasing its absorbed heat into the outside air. Metal fins and a fan help transfer heat from the condenser coil. After this, the liquid refrigerant is pumped back into your home to evaporate and begin the process once more.

If you would like to learn more about the process of air conditioning or schedule a service appointment for your air conditioner, contact Blue Dot Services of Maryland at (410) 698-6465. We specialize in air conditioner repair and HVAC services. Call us or visit our website for additional information today.

Tips for a Cool and Energy-Efficient Home

Summer is on its way, and this can mean high energy use for many homeowners. With these energy tips, you can learn how to reduce your usage while keeping your home comfortable.

This video provides several ideas to help you stay cool and efficient at home, such as using your ceiling fan while setting your thermostat to a higher temperature. Doing laundry and machine-washing dishes generates heat, so try to do these activities in the evening. The clip also discusses the importance of having your air conditioner inspected annually. For more great tips like these, check out this video.

If you would like assistance becoming more energy efficient, contact Blue Dot Services of Maryland. We can inspect and maintain your air conditioner to ensure that it is running efficiently. Call us at (410) 698-6465 to learn more.

The Qualities to Look for in a New Air Conditioner

If you’ve been thinking of upgrading or replacing your old air conditioning system, there is a lot to consider. There are a seemingly endless number of products from a vast number of manufacturers, with one suited for nearly every situation. But with so many air conditioners to choose from, how do you know you’re getting the one that’s right for your home?

Here are few of the most important qualities you should look for when purchasing a new air conditioner:

• Appropriately Sized – Typically, a professional HVAC contractor will size your equipment to meet the specific needs of your home. An appropriately sized air conditioner is critical—too small and the system will struggle, too large and the system will cycle on and off too frequently. In both cases, your system will be far less efficient than it should be. Factored into the equation is the number of windows in your home, how well it is insulated, and its size.

• Energy Efficient – Once a professional HVAC contractor has worked out what capacity you need, look for an air conditioner that is Energy Star qualified. Energy Star qualified air conditioners meet the strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and are approximately 14% more efficient than standard models. Choosing an energy efficient system will help you save money on utility bills while protecting the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• Airflow – Ideally, you want your air conditioner to have a wide range of airflow settings. The air conditioner’s fan circulates the cool or hot air around your home, and a high maximum airflow will help distribute the air in a room more quickly. The faster you can cool down your home, the less time your air conditioner will need to run, and the more money you will save on monthly energy bills. 

When it’s time for a new AC system, make sure to give Blue Dot Services of Maryland a call at (410) 698-6465. You can count on Blue Dot for personalized attention, a convenient sales appointment, outstanding customer service, and a guarantee on all parts and labor. Contact us online or call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professional HVAC contractors.

Tips for Increasing Your Home's Heating and Cooling Efficiency

Did you know that as much as half of a home's energy cost is from heating and cooling? Efficiently heating and cooling your home will leave you with more money in the bank to spend and cleaner air to breathe. 

Change Your Air Filters Regularly

Cleaning or changing your air filters helps to improve air flow so that your heating and cooling unit does not have to work as hard, and thus saves you energy. Cleaning or changing your filter also prevents dirt and dust from building up in the unit. Excessive buildup of debris in the HVAC unit can lead to expensive furnace repair and AC repair.

Tune-up Heating and Cooling Equipment Annually

A qualified HVAC contractor or heating contractor will be able to detect inefficiencies in heating and cooling units before you can. When you get your HVAC all tuned up, they’ll be running as cleanly and efficiently as possible.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

Programming time and temperature settings on heating and cooling equipment allows them to run at an efficient temperature and shut down when no one is home. When used properly, a programmable thermostat can save you as much as $180 per year in heating and cooling costs.

Seal Your Heating Ducts

Air leaks in your heating ducts can be big energy wasters. If air is escaping through your ducts, then your rooms will heat slower, causing your system to work harder. If you have problems with uneven

heating in your home, then the problem may be in your air ducts. Sealing your heating ducts can increase energy efficiency by 20% or more.

Need an HVAC contractor to install more energy efficient home heating and cooling? Try Blue Dot Services of Maryland.  We offer furnace repair, expert HVAC contractors, AC repair, and more. Call (410) 698-6465 to request an estimate or visit the estimate request page on our website.

If You Want To Learn More About Improving Home Cooling Efficiency Before Summer Hits, Take A Look At These Great Resources

Your air conditioner will benefit greatly from extra attention before the cooling season arrives. Learn some tips, tricks, and upgrades that will keep you cool this summer by checking out these links:

• An annual inspection and tune-up of your air conditioner can prevent major problems down the road. Read this page from EnergySavers.gov to find out about some common problems with your air conditioner.

• A programmable thermostat will help you control your home’s temperature in an efficient way even when you’re not at home. Check out these tips on how to program these types of thermostats on EnergyStar.gov.

• Get your air conditioner and your whole house ready for summer by learning some simple tricks. Read this article from the Salisbury Post get the scoop on summer-proofing your home.

• The thermostats in your home play a huge role in the amount of energy consumed every day. Learn what the most efficient thermostat settings are for summer from LiveStrong.com.

• Check out these tips on how to improve your air conditioner’s efficiency from AOL.com.

Prevent costly repairs and air conditioner breakdowns this summer with Blue Dot Services of Maryland’s 21-point A/C inspection. Call us today at (410) 698-6465 for more information.