Articles Written By: cdoelle

House Cooling Tips for Summer

House Cooling Tips for SummerHere are some house cooling tips you need for this summer. These tips will help you in keeping the temperatures in your house low even in the hottest days of summer.

  1. Deal with the heat coming through your windows.

Heat can come in to your house through your windows. The best way to not allow to heat to enter your house through the windows is to install window films. You can also try putting a shade near your windows so less heat will enter through them.

  1. Strategic opening of your windows.

Summers have high outdoor temperature and if you don’t that hot temperature to get in your house then you better shut your windows during hot summer days. Open your windows only during cool nights so cool air can get in.

  1. Don’t use your cooling system immediately.

Most people immediately turn on their air conditioners as soon as they feel warm and sweaty. But don’t do this; use a fan first if the temperature is not that high. This will help in moving around the cool air inside your house. This is not only a house cooling tip but a good money saving tip as well.

  1. Your thermostat should be at 77°F.

Most people lower down their thermostats to 72°F during summers. But you really don’t have to do this. You can keep your thermostats at exactly 77°F and you will still feel comfortable even in the hottest summer days. Not to mention that this is also a good money saving tip.

  1. Cool one room that’s in use.

By doing so, you’ll be able to cool one area properly instead of cooling the entire house. You don’t need to cool a room or an area of your house that is not in use. Also, make sure that no cool air will escape out of the room. Seal every gaps or holes that you can find in the room so no cool air will sneak out.

  1. Keep your house insulated.

Insulating your house is not only meant for giving you warmth during winter but they can also keep you cool during summer. Insulating your house will prevent heat transfer around your house.

  1. Go out when it’s cold in the evening.

It’s good to feel the cool air of a cool evening during summer. Why don’t you try hanging outside during cool evening and spend some quality time there. You can spend time with your family while you are having barbecue in your backyard. It’s nice to cook outside instead of having to cook in a hot kitchen.

  1. Always take care of your cooling system.

You need to give your cooling system proper maintenance so they can do their work during summers. Check its filters regularly and replace them with a new if necessary.

So these are the house cooling tips that you should follow so you can still feel comfortable during a hot, sunny day. These are very simple steps and you should be able to do these things on your own!

 

Air Conditioner Efficiency Check

Air Conditioner Efficiency CheckIt’s only natural to rely on your air conditioners on a hot summer day for a cool breeze of air.  It feels relaxing to have an air conditioning unit giving you cool temperatures on the hottest of days during summer.  But what if your air conditioner is not functioning efficiently? It’s always important to do an air conditioner efficiency check especially during summers to make sure that it is functioning efficiently and properly. But how do you perform an efficiency check?

Below are some tips to help you check the efficiency of your AC unit and to make sure that you get the most out of it.

Checking the Filter

Dirty filters can also cause your AC units to run inefficiently especially if they are clogged. It’s always suggested to replace your AC filters at least once in every 3 months to make sure that your unit will run smoothly and efficiently. Dirty and clogged filters can lead to wasted energy which also means wasted money.

Check Areas for Extra Sources of Heat

An AC unit will not be able to do its job properly especially if there are extra sources of heat inside your house. If there are any areas or part of your house that receives extra heat like your windows because of excessive sunlight, your unit will have to work more just to make that area cool.

Checking the House Insulation

Even though your AC unit is new, it doesn’t mean that it’s running efficiently. If your house is not properly insulated, your unit will have a hard time making your living areas cool and comfortable. Poor insulation can result to air leakage. You don’t really want to pay more money for your energy bills every month even though you’re not getting the most out of your AC unit. Be sure to check the insulation of your home if you want your AC to run efficiently.

Measuring the Air Temperature Differential

When the temperature outside goes high, you have to set your thermostat for a temperature that’s lower than your room temperature. Just let the device to run until it reaches the set temperature. After that, place a refrigerator thermometer inside of your AC air duct. Wait for at least 10 minutes and record the temperature reading. Find your AC unit’s return air duct and place a thermometer inside it to also get the temperature inside there. Next, get the difference between the first temperature reading and the second. If the result is less than 14 degrees, it means that your unit is already low on refrigerant which causes it to run inefficiently. Call a professional repairman to help solve this issue.

AC Features to Look For

AC Features to Look ForIf you have decided to get an AC unit this summer to help protect you and your family from high room temperatures and just stay comfortable, you may want to know the features to find from your unit. In that case, here are some of the AC features that you’ll want from your unit.

Quiet Operation

You don’t want to be disturbed by a noisy AC unit especially at night. Pick a unit that operates quietly. You can choose from packaged and mini-split systems for quiet AC. Mini-split systems are quieter and more unobtrusive. But packaged AC units are now equipped with more features to make their operation quieter than before.

Advanced Controls

You must pick an AC unit that’s complete with advanced control features like zone control. Zone control is one of the popular features of mini-systems that is controlled by a single internal air handler to save energy and to help lower your energy bills.

Variable Speed Systems

Packaged systems now come with variable speed blowers. These variable speed blowers can work on a lower spend whenever you want especially if the demand on the system is low. You can also make it operate at full speed when the demand is high. The low speed operation will help you save energy which means you can also save on your utility bills.

Size

The size of an AC unit is the most important feature that you need to consider. You may think that bigger AC units are better because you think that they can cool your entire home. But picking a unit that’s too small will also not be able to cool your home entirely especially if the temperature goes high. When deciding the size of your unit, it’s best if you with 1 ton of equipment for every 550 square feet of living area.

These are the AC features that you may want to look for your unit. Be sure to find these AC features from your chosen unit or system so you can save money and help reduce your energy consumption at home. Determine the AC features that you need for you and for your home so you can select a purchase completely reliable air conditioning unit for your home.

Testing the Air Quality in your Home

Testing the Air Quality in your HomeThere are a lot of factors that may cause the air quality in your home to change. This is why you must always check the air quality in your home if you want to guarantee the safety and health of your family. The higher the amount of indoor contaminants is the higher will be your family exposed to health dangers. Air pollutants in your home can come from harmful gases in the air. Harmful gases like radon and carbon monoxide are also very dangerous. Here are some ways on how you can test the air quality in your home. Air pollutants can also come from mold growths. Mold and mildew can grow in any place. They may from grow from your furniture, wet carpets, inside your heating and cooling systems and other building materials.

For Carbon Monoxide

This is a dangerous, odorless, and colorless gas that’s usually produced from the combustion of fuel in some of your household devices like stoves, water heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces. Carbon monoxide can easily get into your lungs and affects the transportation of oxygen in your body. Prolonged exposure can result to death which is why you need to install a carbon monoxide detector to detect the presence of carbon monoxide in your home. This device works just like a smoke detector, it will sound as an alarm once the carbon monoxide level rises.

For Radon

Radon is pretty much the same with carbon monoxide except that this gas rises naturally from the ground and enters your home through cracks in your floor, walls and drainage systems. Radon is believed to be as the major cause of lung cancer. To detect radon in your home, you can get a radon detection kit.

For Biological Pollutants

Examples of biological pollutants include the likes of viruses, bacteria, mold, mildew, and pollen. Mold and mildew grows in areas with a damp condition because of high humidity. They often occur when there’s a water pipe leak or in areas that are in constant condensation. Checking and inspecting your home thoroughly is the best way to detect biological pollutants in your home. When biological pollutants are found, you must clean the area all throughout with the use of a compatible cleaning solution.

Air Conditioner Installation

Air Conditioner InstallationIf you feel like your home is getting uncomfortable because of the high temperature during summer, then it’s the right time for you to consider an air conditioner installation. Or if you have an existing AC unit that has been going for more than 10 years and is now showing some signs of inevitable breakdown, then you should replace it with a new one.

When it comes to purchasing a new air conditioner, taking some time before buying one and doing some research can make a huge difference on how you’ll become satisfied with your unit. When you talk about air conditioner installation, the best time for it is during summers when the temperature is usually hot. When you feel like the temperature is already beyond the average, an AC unit will help you feel comfortable again. The safety of you and your family should be your priority and an AC unit will be able to provide you the necessary cool temperature during hot summers. However, it is during summers when most AC units are costly. AC manufacturers take advantage of the demand of the AC unit during summers that’s why they increase the prices of their units. You will have to pay more slightly during summers when you buy a new AC unit. But if you want to get an AC unit for a lower price, you may want to purchase one before summer begins. This way you’ll be able to avoid the summer rush and higher prices. In addition, you also need to choose a high efficiency air conditioner if you want to save on your energy bills. And if you already happen to have an existing unit, you have to let a technician see it so you can see if it’s still performing with high efficiency. You must never underestimate the importance of air conditioner installation. You may think that it’s not one of the most necessary appliances in your home, but you actually need it. Summers are hotter now than ever before due to global warming effects, and the only reliable option to provide a cool temperature for your home is from an air conditioner.

Take some time to research about the energy-efficient AC units so you can save on your energy bills later on. AC units are known to consume a lot of energy so it’s best if you can pick an efficient one for your home.