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Easy Ways To Make Your Home Air Conditioning Energy Efficient

Posted: July 19th, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: Home Improvement Articles | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

  

Creature comforts such as a well-maintained environment are commonplace throughout most of the world. With temperatures fluctuating greatly at every latitude, you wish to have your home arctic cool in the summer and warm and cozy in the winter. To enjoy optimum operating efficiency of the system, you need to make sure that all the affairs and subjects are in place.

Energy Star is a primary measurement for efficient energy consumption and they offer several tips for smart energy consumption. Make sure your home is insulated properly. When you have air leaks you end up heating or cooling the outside air, as well as the inside. Going around the house to check air leaks through window frames, door jambs, attics etc. is an activity which will have to be performed. It is suggested that you should have enough insulation in the attic that major heat or cold is not leaking in. The exterior envelope and shell should be impenetrable. Run your hand along the edges of your window and door seals when checking for your leaks. There are various options to the seal leaks that your house might be suffering. Including caulking and sealant material including foam strips, these are available at any hardware store.

Duct problems can be alleviated by making sure they are air tight, properly sized for your system as well as keeping them clear of debris. Hiring a contractor with the correct equipment is the best way to do this. Ducts should always be laid flat, tangling or crushing is a strict no-no. Kinks can cause stress, which will cause fractures and thereby leaks. Duct tape, though the name suggests, but it might not serve the your perfect insulation needs. Insulation specifically for ductwork is the best, and you should search for something with a six or higher R rating. Have your hvac contractor perform a combustion safety test before they leave so you can be assured there will be no backdraft of gasses or oils.

Its advisable to go for new heat pumps or airconditioning systems if the existing systems are over twelve years old. With the advancement of technology, there will always be something better in the future to cool or heat your home than something that is older. Don’t be alarmed if the new unit that you go to buy looks much smaller than the earlier one you had. Much like computer chips getting smaller so has the technology for heat pumps and air conditioners shrunk in comparison to their grandparents. The current system that you own should be cycling on and off on its own at the specified time on your thermostat. Lubricated parts will have the system running smoothly. Clean your air conditioner coils for proper function and retain your coolant levels.

When trying to keep your home arctic cool in the summer and warm and cozy in the winter, purchase and maintain the system right for your home. Furnaces will run on gas or electric while boilers usually run on gas or oil. Baseboard heaters and radiant floor systems circulate the heat throughout the home and your budget will be the largest determining factor between the two. Central air conditioners have a higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) than in days past. Heat pumps are used largely in moderate climates and calibrate between outdoor and indoor temperatures to do the cooling and heating. Programmable thermostats are an excellent item to purchase as they can keep the temperatures set at a constant energy saving level. With all of these points in place, you should be able to enjoy your indoor home for years to come!

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