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Can you close doors and vents to rooms you don’t want air conditioned?

When your air conditioner is installed it is designed to cool every room your home. When you close doors and shut down vents, you could be unbalancing the system, causing it to run less efficiently. Closing off rooms and vents you don’t want cooled can also increase the air pressure in your ductwork which will make any leaks you may already have worse. It is better to cool your entire home.

Does an air conditioner reduce humidity in my home?

Yes, your air conditioning unit removes moisture from the air inside your home, dehumidifying it, allowing you to feel cooler sooner.

Does it cost more to heat or cool a home?

Generally speaking, it costs more to cool a home than it does to heat a home. This applies to both an air conditioner and a heat pump that is being used to cool the home during the warmer months.

How do air conditioners work?

Air conditioners perform two functions: they remove heat from the air and they remove humidity from the air. The less humid the air, the more we are able to sense cooler air. Warm indoor air is drawn through the filter and then passed over a coil that is very cold. This simultaneously chills and dries the air.

If you keep a door shut to a room where a window is often open, does this affect the efficiency of your air conditioning system?

Heat travels from hot to cold. If you have a room in your home that is heating by having windows open to hot air outside, you are putting additional strain on your air conditioner. All the heat from that room will move from that room to cooler sections of your home, increasing the temperature of the rooms you want cooled. It is better to cool your entire house at the same time.

Is it less expensive to just get a larger air conditioning unit than my home needs?

A bigger air conditioning unit is not always the better choice. A system that is too large for your needs will turn on and off more often and will end up costing you more than a system sized appropriately for your needs. Air conditioning units use the most energy when they begin to run. The longer they run, the more efficient they are. Make sure you insist on a properly sized system for your home.

What is a dual-cooling system?

Some people have both an evaporative cooler and an air conditioner for their homes. This system does not give you as much cost savings as you might thing. Evaporative cooling relies on moistening the air in your home, and allowing the evaporative process to cool you. What happens, however, is that it also increases the humidity of your home, getting into your furniture, draperies, and carpet. When the temperature finally reaches a level that you get no relief from your evaporative cooler, you will switch on your air conditioner. While it does take out humidity, it does so at a very slow rate. Because of this, you will have to cool your house more, turning the thermostat down until all the excess humidity has been removed from the house. This will increase your energy bills tremendously.

What is the difference between SEER and tons?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficienty Ratings and is a measurement of efficiency. Tons tells you about size, the actual amount of air that is moved. To determine the size of air conditioner you may need you can use the estimate that you need about 500 sq. ft. per ton of cooling.

What is the most efficient way to use an air conditioner when you’re gone during the day, raising the temperature to 85 or turning it off until you come home?

If you are not home during the hottest part of the day and you don’t have any animals to worry about, it is much more efficient to simply turn off your air conditioner while you are gone for the day. It will take a while for it too cool your home to a comfortable level when you initially return home. However, it is not that much less efficient to have your air conditioning set at 85 degrees during the day. This, too, will allow you to cool your home more quickly when you return home. They are both relatively efficient. It just depends on your needs and how long you can tolerate being hot until your unit chills the air inside your home.

What is the normal cycle for an air conditioner?

This will depend on your air conditioner’s size and efficiency, how well your unit is working and how much you are trying to cool the air. Most typical cycles are ten minutes on, then ten minutes off, it is often more efficient to have a longer running cycle. To see if your unit is performing properly, your air conditioning contractor will test the air temperature in the return grill where your filter goes and another thermometer in a grill where cold air is being dispensed. If there is not a 20 degree difference between the two readings you may have a problem with your refrigerant or with your air flow.

What maintenance do air conditioners require?

Air conditioners works best with a bit of annual maintenance. Be sure to schedule your maintenance service call early in the season when your contractor is not too busy. Your contractor will remove any leaves and debris from inside the unit. All dust and dirt will be removed from the fins, and bent fins will be straightened for maximum efficiency. A good check is to make sure your unit is still level. Newly constructed homes have a tendency to settle in the first few years, and a unit that is not level can be badly damaged and not run properly. A check for refrigerant will be made, and refrigerant added if needed.

What refrigerant should my unit be using?

Freon R12 has been used for years as a refrigerant, and many say it will be around for a long time. What we don’t know is how much it will cost as it becomes more and more scarce. It is better to use a system that uses a new refrigerant like Puron. It has the added benefit in that it is more environmentally friendly.

Which is better, a less expensive model or a higher efficiency one?

If you need to replace an old inefficient air conditioning unit, it is better to look for a high efficiency one. You will pay a little more for this unit, but it could save you up to 50% on your cooling costs. This is money you will recoup over the years. However, it is not ALWAYS the most beneficial choice. Talk with your contractor and get the unit that will be the best fit for you, your needs, and your climate.

Why do air conditioners need filters?

The idea behind a filter is to keep dirt and debris from flowing through your ductwork. Disposable filters work just fine. Be sure to check them every two weeks during peak usage. Clogged filters will cause your system to run inefficiently and increase your energy bills.

Will shading my air conditioners outside make them more efficient?

No, studies have shown that you will gain little benefit from shading your air conditioning units.