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Created & Maintained by |
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Last updated 07/22/08 |
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Summer Tips
How To Be More Comfortable and Save Money During Hot
& Humid Summer Months
How does an air conditioning system actually work to cool the air in my home? A: An air conditioning system consists of 2 parts: an outdoor unit (where liquid refrigerant is contained) and an indoor coil (where the refrigerant is pumped into). As the air moves across the air conditioning coil (usually located on top of the furnace), the refrigerant removes the heat from the air as well as the moisture by condensing it on the cold surface of the coil. In this way, an air conditioner not only cools but also dehumidifies the air. Virtually any system can have air conditioning hooked up to it provided that it is a forced air system. In cases where there is not forced air heating or a duct system, we can use "ductless" air conditioning systems to cool an entire home or small business. For more information on traditional or "ductless" air conditioning systems please visit our Air Conditioning Product Information page. Return to top What is a S.E.E.R. (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating and what does it mean to you? A: S.E.E.R. stands for Seasonal Energy ,Efficiency Ratio, the standard measurement of air conditioning efficiency established by the U.S. Department of Energy. What does this mean to you? Higher S.E.E.R. ratings translate into greater energy efficiency which means lower summer cooling bills. The most important thing to remember is the higher the S.E.E.R. rating, the more money you save. Why a higher efficiency rating (SEER) saves energy: If your current air conditioner or heat pump is more than 10 years old, it could be operating at lower than 8.00 S.E.E.R. Compare the estimated annual bill of an 8.00 S.E.E.R. system to that of a higher S.E.E.R., such as a 12.00 or 13.00. For instance, if the annual cooling bill of an 8.00 S.E.E.R. system in a particular area is $1,000, it would cost only $615 for a 13.00 S.E.E.R. system to operate at the same capacity in the same area. This is an annual savings of 38%. Now that makes sense, doesn’t it? Return to top Have your Air Conditioning system tuned-up for the season, so that you are running at peak efficiency. Operating at peak efficiency will save money because the system doesn't have to work as hard to do it's job. Return to top Replace your furnace or air handler filters on a regular basis. Lack of regular filter changes and maintenance is the Number 1 cause of system breakdowns and costly repair bills. Return to top If you disconnected the power to your central air conditioning system in the winter, wait 24-hours after turning power back on to the system to run it. Your compressor needs that time to warm-up. Return to top Keep the thermostat constant. Continuously adjusting the thermostat can be very inefficient. You can, however, raise the thermostat 2-3 degrees during the day while you're away to save money. For every degree you raise the setting, you can expect to cut energy consumption by up to 3-5%. Return to top Flip the fan switch on your thermostat into the "fan on" mode when cooling the house. This process will ensure that air is always being stirred to prevent hot and cold pockets from forming. Return to top Set air vents on the second floor to receive approximately 75 percent of the conditioned air. This will help even out the temperatures from the first to the second floor of the home. Return to top Keep the shades and curtains drawn to reduce the radiant heat of the sun. Keep the shades and curtains drawn to reduce the radiant heat of the sun. Return to top Install awnings or plant trees that will shade southern facing windows. This keeps the hottest rays of the sun from shining directly into the house. Install awnings or plant trees that will shade southern facing windows. This keeps the hottest rays of the sun from shining directly into the house. Return to top Replace older windows with more efficient low-E glass. These windows help to reduce the effect of the suns warming rays. Also, keep storm windows closed. The above 3 tips will reduce the heat load gain on your home which means your air conditioner doesn't have to work as hard to keep the home at a comfortable temperature. This saves money and extends the life of the system. Return to top Install an attic fan to help ventilate some of the hot air out of the attic. Attics can reach temperatures of 140 - 150 degrees and this build of warm air can make the upstairs of a home warmer than it needs to be. This makes the air conditioner work harder to do it's job. It costs you more to cool your home and the life of the system can be decreased. Return to top Run a dehumidifier in the basement if the basement is humid. A damp basement can add moisture to the whole house. With the humidity levels as high as they are around here on their own, you don't need that! A dehumidifier in the basement will help to reduce the humidity levels in the home, making it more comfortable throughout in the hot summer months. Return to top I have trouble getting even amounts of heat/cooling to certain parts of my house. How can I get more heat/cooling to the upstairs/downstairs of my home? Adjust the louvers inside the registers on the wall or floor in the room where too much heat/cooling is present so that the registers are partially closed. For example, to get more cooling upstairs during hot summer months, partially or fully close the registers downstairs to force more airflow to the upstairs registers. Return to top Clear or cut back shrubs and bushes from the outdoor unit. The sides of the unit require at least 12-18 inches of clearance for proper performance. Return to top Keep fallen leaves, grass clippings, foliage and other dirt and debris away from your outdoor unit. And keep the a/c coils clean, following manufacturers' instructions. Keep fallen leaves, grass clippings, foliage and other dirt and debris away from your outdoor unit. And keep the a/c coils clean, following manufacturers' instructions. Return to top Don't block vents or ducts inside the house to assure air flow in the home. Don't block vents or ducts inside the house to assure air flow in the home. Return to top Caulk and install weather stripping around windows and doors (especially the attic) to close air gaps. Caulk and install weather stripping around windows and doors (especially the attic) to close air gaps. Return to top Avoid using the oven during the day. Run the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer in the evening, when electricity rates may be lower and heat from those appliances won't increase a/c demands. Avoid using the oven during the day. Run the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer in the evening, when electricity rates may be lower and heat from those appliances won't increase a/c demands. Return to top Turn off lamps, TV and other appliances when not in use. Turn off lamps, TV and other appliances when not in use. Return to top Consider use of a programmable thermostat to automatically increase or decrease temperatures during day and night to suit a family's lifestyle and reduce energy cost. Consider use of a programmable thermostat to automatically increase or decrease temperatures during day and night to suit a family's lifestyle and reduce energy cost. Return to top Use shades, blinds or curtains to keep sunlight out of the house. Use shades, blinds or curtains to keep sunlight out of the house. Return to top Keep windows and doors closed when the a/c is on. Keep windows and doors closed when the a/c is on. Return to top |
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