Choosing the Best Central Air System for Your Home
Mar 8th, 2009 | By Rick | Category: Energy ConservationEvery year when the temperatures start to rise air conditioner companies get busy as families discover their air conditioning system is not cooling the house down like it did the summer before Those families find themselves in a very difficult predicament, especially if they have never experienced shopping for a reliable company or a good air conditioning unit.
First thing they need to do is learn all they can about what is available. As of this writing a 14 SEER or above is considered best. That number stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher the rating the lower the cost of running it.
But that isn’t the only thing they need to know. The cooling capacity, which is measured in tons, is another important element in deciding which system to go with.
A good rule of thumb is one ton for every 1,000 square feet in a well-insulated house or one ton for every 400 square feet in a poorly insulated house. It’s also necessary to take into account the amount of sunlight hitting the house (trees will help reduce the electric bill), the number of windows facing east and west, and the total area of the exterior walls.
Since it is cheaper to run a smaller air conditioner, having a house that is well insulated, shaded by trees, and that has few or no windows facing east or west will save a family a lot of money. It is also better to have a unit that is a little undersized for the home. Texas A&M University found that undersized units are more efficient and are better at removing moisture than oversized systems.
To spend less on electricity and still be comfortable, here are the things to consider:
1. purchase a unit that is a little undersized for the house
2. one ton for 1,000 square feet in a well-insulated house
3. one ton per 400 square feet in a poorly insulated house
4. plant shade trees on the south and west sides of the house
5. put in double pane windows
6. install a fan in the attic to blow the hot air out
7. get a unit that is rated 14 or more SEER
Yet another thing to consider is the need for a really good filter in the furnace where the air intake is. A dirty system will be unreliable and break down much faster. When investigating which air conditioning company to go with, ask them what filter systems they offer. The better the filter, the cleaner the central air system will remain and the longer it will last.
Finally, if someone in the family requires comfortable temperatures for their health, get a window unit that can act as a back-up for when the central air breaks down. It is a low-cost safety net that can make a big difference if the air conditioner should break down during a heat wave.
Of Further Interest ...
11 Ways to Lower Your Summer Electric Bills
Now that summer is here, electric bills are skyrocketing with the heat. Air conditioners are coming on by the millions in an effort to cool down. Add that to the electrical appliances, televisions and other electronics that consume power and your electric bill soars. Here are some tips to reduce those costs. 1. Closing your curtains and blinds on the sunny side of your house will help keep it cooler when temperatures are high. You can also apply window film to your windows. This will cut radi...
Organic Garden Tools
Every gardener needs a standard complement of tools like rakes, shovels, mattocks, trowels, etc. But as an organic gardener you will find there are some specialized tools on the market that, wielded correctly, can make your gardening chores more like gardening pleasures. Compared to conventional gardening, going organic will bring you more responsibilities like effectively creating, managing and utilizing compost and effective water management. Some of the tools for organic gardening have ...
Hybrid Cars, The Next Generation…
The hybrid car, so much has been said about it. Not until now has there been a complete shift and focus on the hybrid's emergence. With gas prices at an all time high, the economic pressure to save dollars is now forcing Americans to look at alternative money saving measures. More and more people are opting for carpooling and the use of the public transportation system rather than driving their personal vehicles to and from work. Families are consolidating trips for everyday household errands...
Growing A Butterfly Garden
What is butterfly gardening? Simply put butterfly gardening is the art of growing flowers and plants that will attract these colorful and magnificent creatures to our own gardens. A properly planned butterfly garden offers great joy to visitors of the garden by attracting these lovely flitting creatures for our amusement and delight. It also ensures a safe habitat for the butterflies. Deciding upon how to design your butterfly garden is just a matter of personal preference on your part. In re...
5 Simple and Easy Ways to Organic Gardening
So you want to go organic! Organic gardening does not just mean no chemicals, fungicides, insecticides, or herbicides, it means creating a natural balance in our gardens. Organic gardening starts with soil and that means recycling; recycling plants, weeds, flowers, vegetables, kitchen waste, newspapers and anything else that will break down into compost. Compost is the heart of organic gardening. What goes into the soil comes out as beautiful vegetables, flowers, shrubs and trees. Building an...
