| Whether you already have an
air conditioning system or are currently shopping for one, there
are some basic things everyone should know about the different
types of air conditioning units and what is best for your home.
Central Air Conditioners
- An air conditioner does not only cool air.
It can heat it, clean it, and dehumidify it as well.
- The indoor coil on your air conditioner
unit can get very dirty very easily. A dirty indoor coil is
most often the cause of an inefficient central air conditioning
system. Check the indoor and outdoor coils often and clean
them if they appear dirty.
- If your duct system
is not insulated or has leaks, you could be paying hundreds
of dollars extra a year for heating and cooling costs. Get
an air conditioning contractor to inspect your ducts to determine
if they need to be insulated and/or sealed.
Room Air Conditioners
- When purchasing a room air conditioning
unit, make sure to buy the correct size for the room you want
to cool. It may be surprising, but an air conditioner that
is too large will not cool the room more efficiently and will
end up costing you more money.
- Make sure the window air conditioner is
installed correctly. It should be level so the mechanisms
will work properly and there should be no gaps between the
unit and the window where air can escape.
- Try to install the
unit in a north or east facing window, and in the shade if
possible. Sunlight can reduce the efficiency of your room
air conditioner by quite a bit.
Heat Pumps
- Heat Pumps are very energy-efficient devices
because they move heat instead of generating it.
- There are ground-source, air-source, and
water-source heat pumps. Each can be efficient but you must
consider your climate before determining which type of heat
pump will be the most cost-effective for your particular home.
- High winds can cause problems with the outdoor
units of heat pumps, so they must be protected from high winds
with some sort of barricade.
- The outdoor unit of a heat pump can be noisy.
Put it somewhere so as not to be bothersome to yourself and
others living or working around you. A noise-absorbing base
can also help reduce the noise.
All heating and cooling systems need regular
maintenance to ensure their efficiency. Keep them clean by checking
filters and coils. Get your air conditioning system checked by
a professional once a year to keep repair costs down. |
