Great Ways to Get the Most out of Your Air Conditioner:
Get a Seasonal HVAC System Check-Up, Change the Return Air Filter
© 2010 by Mary Mattoon all rights reserved; content may not be copied, rewritten, or republished without written permission.
An air conditioner is an essential appliance to have during the hot summery months,but as an owner you need to be aware of the different ways to cut down on the utility costs without sacrificing the level of coolness in your home.
Likewise, there are many steps that you can take to ensure that throughout the summer months your HVAC system works at top form and energy efficiency without being compromised.
All about Periodic Air Conditioner Service
When it comes to central air conditioning, swamp coolers, or even window units, be a keen owner and remember when you need to have it serviced or cleaned.
Always perform an annual check-up and servicing to ensure that the air conditioner parts are working perfectly instead of waiting for them to break down and require total replacement.
The best time to schedule an annual inspection is early in the spring, before the HVAC service technicians get swamped. A good way to remember it is to pencil it in on your calender on the same weekend you start working your garden.
A more regular method of maintaining it is by cleaning or replacing the return air filter regularly to ensure it is not being blocked by any dirt or pollutants.
Most manufacturers recommend filter replacement on a monthly basis. Don't buy the cheapest ones, but also don't buy the most expensive unless someone in the family suffers from air-borne allergy problems.
Proper Air Conditioner Sizing is key
To increase the chances of less service, its critical to get a unit that is proportional to the size of the room or home thats going to be cooled.
Dont get a super big unit or a really small unit because doing so will just overwork it. Therefore, you wont reach maximum energy efficiency.
When shopping for a unit, always try to get one that has a SEER rating of 14 or higher for package systems or 15 or higher for split systems. This will tell you that the unit adheres to energy efficiency provisions and qualifies for an energy tax credit. Also, be sure to look for the Energy Star label.
Save the Environment, Go Solar
Did you know that you can use solar heat energy for your air conditioning? There are many ways to go about this, but basically it is all about capturing the suns energy with solar panels or photovoltaic arrays.
Sometimes the available solar heat energy cooling system will depend on the kind of building you are in. There are units that are only for commercial buildings or new buildings, so look at your options before you totally commit to this.
Conventional solar arrays are quite primitive compared to emerging alternative energy technologies. For example, the buzz is now all about thin film solar panels. Solar film panel is much cheaper to manufacture, and since its pliable, it can wrap many kinds of structures.
A Little Help to Maximize Homes Energy Efficiency
And of course, there are things you can do to give your air conditioner that much-needed boost. Things like drawing the drapes or planting more landscaping shrubbery around your home will do a lot to lessen the heat, and thereby allow the air HVAC system to do its job better.
Being aware of the location of your air conditioners outside components, such as the condenser, will also help, as you should definitely try to keep it in a shaded area outside your home.
These simple but doable tips will definitely let you make the most out of your air conditioner. Got tips of your own? Why not add them to the comment box below to benefit our other readers?
Mary Mattoon writes for the home air conditioning blog, her personal hobby blog focused on tips to consume less energy using home air conditioning systems.