Monday, July 8, 2013

Chilling Out: Tips for Air Conditioner Efficiency

The “dog days” of summer are upon us. Especially in the Western states where record-breaking triple digit temperatures and a long-term drought continue to make daily life very difficult for many Americans. During the last week of June, extreme heat warnings and health advisory alerts were posted in eight states. Temperatures reached 119 degrees in Phoenix and even Death Valley hit a new record of 127 degrees.


Fortunately, air conditioning is no longer a luxury item but a fairly standard component of most residential and commercial properties. Air conditioners range in variety from window models, wall models and portable air conditioners to central air conditioning, ductless air conditioners and split air conditioners.  It’s possible that you don’t even remember exactly what version you have in your home. As long as it works – you probably don’t think about it. Until it stops working – then you remember the genuine misery of a sweltering heat wave without air conditioning. 


Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Checklist

Here are five of the most common problems with air conditioners:

Refrigerant Leaks: Leaks can leave your system struggling to function and can be harmful to the environment. Don’t simply add more refrigerant. A trained technician should repair the leak and charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant.
Electric Control Failure: Compressor and fan controls can wear out, especially when the air conditioner cycles on and off frequently, as is common when a system is oversized. Corroded wires and terminals can also be a problem. Have a professional check the electrical connections and contacts.
Sensor Problems: To keep a room comfortable, window air conditioners have a thermostat sensor behind the control panel, which measures the temperature of air coming into the evaporative coil. If the sensor is knocked out of position, the air conditioner can cycle on and off too often or otherwise behave erratically. The sensor should be near the coil but not touching it.
Drainage Problems: When it's humid, make sure the condensate drain isn’t clogged and is draining properly. Window air conditioners may not drain properly if they aren't level.
Inadequate Maintenance: Dirty filters and air conditioning coils can cause the air conditioner to underperform. Also, overtaxing the unit can cause the compressor or fans to fail prematurely.


Cool Tips: How to Efficiently Get the Most Out of Your Home’s Air Conditioner

After the annual maintenance check-up, here are some tips on how to efficiently use your home’s air conditioner to its best advantage:

Energy Star: If you are replacing an old air conditioner, install an Energy Star rated model for superior energy efficiency.
Correct Size: Similar to using the right tool for the job, coordinate the size of the air conditioner to the scale of the room. You don’t want to overtax a small unit trying to cool a large room or waste money with a large air conditioner for a small space.
Install a Programmable Thermostat: A perfect solution for people with set schedules throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save on energy costs and keep you comfortable when you are at home. Understand your real comfort level and program accordingly.
Utilize Blinds, Drapes, Fans and Common Sense: In the morning when it starts to heat up, close the windows and window coverings on the South side of your home. Close the doors to rooms that you are not using. If it cools down at night, open the window instead of using the air conditioner. And yes – turn on a fan.
Summer Weatherizing: Weatherizing isn’t just about icicles, it’s also necessary for hot summer temperatures. Caulk around doors and windows to save on energy usage and stop air leakage. Replace worn door sweeps to keep cool air inside and hot air outside. Insulate areas around switches and outlets to prevent air leaks from traveling to attic or basement.

Summer Can Be a Good Time for an Energy Audit
                                
During the blistering heat of summer, the effectiveness of your air conditioner may become a concern. How are the comfort levels in your home compared to your energy costs? Summer can be the perfect time to consider an energy audit. This process will involve an on-site detailed evaluation of your home’s performance, to determine the specific causes of high energy bills and/or comfort issues. Again, many people associate an energy audit with winter weather when in fact it’s a summer time issue, too. 

2 comments:

  1. Due to the rise of equipment and energy costs, it has been extremely difficult for small businesses to keep their offices at comfortable temperatures especially during heatwaves. I've been exploring some other more affordable supplemental cooling options to help me keep the office cool without breaking the business budget. This troubleshooting checklist will definitely help me achieve these goals. I need to set up an energy audit as well. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Thank you so much for sharing this information. I enjoyed reading your blog and learned lots of tips

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