Staying Cool
With Tips from South Campus Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Special thanks to Andy Rhinefort, instructor of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration.
Regular AC Tune-Ups
It is recommended to have your system checked at the beginning of the cooling (spring) and heating (fall) season.
The most common air-conditioning problems found are run capacitor failure and loss of refrigerant. These two problems account for two-thirds of most non-cooling or poor-cooling calls. Beware of companies that solicit your home. Unfortunately, they are often out to lure you in with a cheap service price only to tell you to replace the system or make expensive repairs that are often unnecessary.
Filter Replacement
Filters should be checked and replaced monthly during the warmest and coldest months when the system is operating most often. If you have minimal pets, kids and overall traffic indoors, it may be possible to decrease the frequency of replacement. Pleated filters help to maintain higher airflow while catching more airborne contaminants.
Close your drapes and blinds to prevent sunlight from coming in. Turn off lights and refrain from using cooking equipment that produces heat, like cooktops and ovens. Microwave usage is a good alternative.
Programmable Thermostats
New technology allows for remote control of your home's comfort via smartphones, tablets and computers. By using a programmable thermostat, you can be sure that your home, work or community building is at a comfortable temperature by the time it is being used and that it is conserving energy and not cooling when it isn’t needed during nights, holidays and weekends.
Money-Saving Equipment
Install a higher-efficiency system, but be mindful of the return on your investment. If you are not going to live in the home for several years, it is likely not a good investment to spend more money on the system. Typically, a unit with a SEER rating around 14 to 16 is a good choice. SEER is like MPG for a car, the higher the number, the more efficient the unit is. There are online HVAC energy saving calculators that can help determine the ROI for equipment.
Outdoor Unit Care
The area around the outdoor unit should be kept clear of bushes and shrubbery so airflow through the unit is not restricted. As long as bushes are kept back at least one foot from the unit's sides and at least six feet above the fan's discharge, the unit should work properly.
Make sure attic insulation is adequate and if replacing a roof, make sure to install a radiant barrier and sufficient attic ventilation.
Saving Money While Away
It always saves energy to shut units down completely, but if you are out all day with the air conditioning off, it takes a lot of work for a central system to bring a hot house down to the desired temperature upon your return. Comfort is important though, so try adjusting the temperature up seven to 10 degrees while you're away.
Investing in a programmable thermostat can help save money and energy while you are away. Many thermostats have intelligence that knows how far to let the space temperature change before it may be difficult to recover.
During the winter months it is important to keep your home warmed enough to avoid freezing pipes; however in warmer climates and seasons, it is safe to turn your cooling units off completely.