Alternative summer air conditioning solutions.
You may have been there before – it’s summer, temperatures are soaring and you don’t have air conditioning. It could be because you are waiting for a new one to be installed, or you may not have hopped on the air conditioning bandwagon yet.
Luckily, there are some things you can do to stay cool during this time. Now keep in mind, these are only temporary solutions. Nothing is going to be able to keep you cool like a good central air conditioner (or heat pump).
Spend some time outdoors doing water-centered activities. With Memorial Day just last weekend, the pools should all be open. Spend some time outdoors cooling off doing water-centric activities. Visit the pool, have a water balloon fight, break out the water guns…just make sure you stay safe by hydrating and wearing sunblock.
Buy a portable air conditioner or window unit. These can be great for those hotter than usual rooms – like a South-facing bedroom or living room. While these can be great for spot cooling, they can really be a money suck if you try to cool your entire home with them. It’s still a better idea to invest in a central air system if you want whole-home cooling.
Turn on the ceiling fans or have one installed. Ceiling fans are great at mixing the air in your home and providing a cooler breeze on a warm day. This can be a less-expensive investment in home comfort that can really have big returns.
Take your cooking outdoors or use a crockpot. You may not realize just how hot your oven and stove can make your home. After all, gas stoves used to be the go-to heating method. Never underestimate the comfort (and culinary) benefits of breaking out the slow cooker or firing up the grill.
“DIY” air conditioning solutions. No, not maintenance. But, you can put together a temporary air conditioner using a cooler, a fan, some ice and a pipe. Doing a simple Google search can lead you to several different designs. Again, these are generally temporary, spot-cooling type solutions that aren’t going to be able to cool your entire home like a central air conditioner.
The best way to get whole-home comfort is with a central air conditioner or heat pump. However, these are great temporary solutions. Make sure you schedule a consultation with your local heating and cooling specialist for a long-term solution.
What are some other things you do to keep cool during the summer?
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Summer activities for the kids (that don’t involve a smartphone).
School’s out, the weather is getting warmer, and it’s time to start thinking about all of those fun summer activities! Are you determined to keep the kids away from the TV for a good chunk of time this year? Here are some of the activities we would recommend that are both outdoors and fun! And that’s just to name a few. What are some of your favorite activities to do with the kids when school is finally out for the summer?Like this post? Share it!
Is it time for a new air conditioner? Here are our air conditioner red flags.
As we head into peak cooling season, it’s important that you keep an eye on the performance of your air conditioner. Your air conditioner may be working, but is it working to the best of its ability? And, if you are experiencing below-than-desired performance, is it time to find a replacement?
Here are some red flags you should keep in mind that could indicate that it’s time to find a replacement.
Higher utility bills. During the summer, cooling bills are going to go up – there’s no getting around that. BUT, if it seems lie there has been a significant increase year-over-year (and it’s not due to milder weather) there could be an internal problem with your system. At this point, you should call a contractor.
Louder system. Your air conditioner does make noise while operating, even the quietest units make SOME noise. But, if you’re hearing abnormal banging, clanging or it seems like the unit is louder in general, there could be something wrong with the internal workings of your air conditioner. If there is not an obvious resolution to the problem, turn off the system and call a contractor.
System is on but not blowing cool air. Although this can be a sign of many less problematic issues (like a clogged furnace filter or duct damage). You want to make sure that you immediately turn off your system to avoid further damage. If you’ve checked most of the obvious, external issues and they don’t seem to be the problem – make sure you turn to a professional.
System is constantly running. A system that is constantly running can be a sign that it is too small, the thermostat isn’t working properly, or a host of other issues. If your air conditioner won’t shut off on its own, make sure you turn it off manually (to avoid further damage) and call a contractor.
If you notice any of these red flags (particularly is your unit is reaching the 12-year mark) it may be time to retire the old unit and start looking into something newer. Start the search for a new system by turning to your local heating and air conditioning contractor.
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One thing you should never, ever do for your air conditioner.
With the summer cooling season fast approaching, it’s important that you make sure that your air conditioner is in the best shape possible. I’m sure, being this far into May, your air conditioner has already had to kick on in order to keep your home cool. Is it working to its potential?
The worst thing to find out in the middle of summer is that your air conditioner isn’t working properly…
Which is why spring preventative maintenance is SO important. Wait times during the summer peak season can be long – contractors are swamped with emergency maintenance calls and you may find yourself without the air conditioner for a few days to a few weeks.
But, that doesn’t mean that it is time to break out the toolbox and attempt to troubleshoot your system yourself. In fact, DIY air conditioner maintenance, repairs and service are the WORST thing you can do for your system. Cooling equipment is some of your most expensive, complicated appliances in your home. They require complete training and education to fully understand and troubleshoot.
Only a qualified professional should take a look at a malfunctioning air conditioner. When you embark on DIY maintenance it can result in further damage, improper solutions and shortened system lifespan. Heck, you may even end up spending more time and money trying to correct a DIY mistake than you would have spent hiring a professional.
If your air conditioner is not working, make sure you always call a professional HVAC contractor.
What else do you want to now about your air conditioner during the summer? Is your system ready to take on the heat?
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Why air conditioner size really does matter.
We throw advice around a lot about buying heating and air conditioning equipment. It’s all critical for overall system satisfaction and home comfort year round. But, the things to keep in mind don’t stop when you find a contractor and settle on the type of system you want. You want to make sure that the unit installed in your home has been properly sized.
A proper load calculation is critical for performance. We even go to the lengths of saying that closing air vents and doors aren’t good because it messes up the calculated load for your unit. Here are some problems that can arise from an improperly sized air conditioner…
Systems that are too big cool too quickly. This means that your unit never has the chance to properly dehumidify your home. This can make your home feel hotter, and lead to mold and mildew buildup. Plus, short cycling is bad for your system in general. Constant on/off cycles can lead to hair-raising utility bills.
Systems that are too small will run all the time and never properly cool your home. As you can imagine, this can make your utility bills skyrocket without ever achieving the home comfort you expect from your system. The long-term consequences are severe. A system that is constantly running will get worn down more quickly and will most likely have a shorter life than its properly sized counterpart.
Bad practices that can lead to an improperly sized system include getting a quote on the back of a business card or over the phone, hiring a contractor who doesn’t perform a Manual J load calculation and having a contractor who only looks at the size of your current system. At the very minimum, the contractor you hire must perform a Manual J load calculation to make sure your system is the correct size.
Always make sure you hire a quality heating and air conditioning contractor to get the job done right, the first time.
What are your other new system questions?
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Four things you should never do with your air conditioner
Your air conditioner is one of your most important (and expensive) appliances in your home. It’s hard to imagine life without these in our cars, offices, homes…you name it! With that said, it is important that we do all we can to make sure our air conditioners last a long time and perform efficiently. Of course there are things you should do, but what SHOULDN’T you do?
Here are four things you should never do if you want your air conditioner to keep running smoothly and efficiently.
- Never plant within two feet of your condenser. Blocked airflow is horrible for your air conditioner’s efficiency. Always allow proper clearance between your condenser and your plants.
- Never use registers, vents or doors for room-by-room temperature control. Your air conditioner is sized to cool a certain square footage. If you want room-by-room control, consider a zoning system.
- Never power wash your air conditioner. Although there are ways you can clean your air conditioner, a power washer should never be one of them. These can cause damage to your coil and result in a system breakdown. Schedule a condenser cleaning appointment with your local HVAC guy.
- Never attempt to diagnose problems with your air conditioner yourself. Air conditioners are never suitable for DIY solutions, NEVER. Always call a contractor.
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Where you place your air conditioner matters.
You may be tempted to stick your air conditioner or heat pump condenser in the most inconspicuous place without really thinking about the operational drawbacks of certain locations. However, you may want to take some time to consider where you have your air conditioner installed for longterm performance and system life.
Air conditioners and heat pumps pull air in so that they can cool your home. When the air outside is hotter, it means your air conditioner has to work harder to get your home to the set temperature. Often, on extremely hot days, it is harder to lower the temperature of the air being delivered to your home, which can lead to longer run times. In the long run, this can lead to higher bills and potentially more repairs.
So, what can you do about this? Well, ideally an air conditioner should be placed in a spot that…
a) Does not see as much direct sunlight.
b) Is on a cooler side of your house.
Where is this exactly? Well, it is generally the north side of the home.
Of course, it may not be economical to simply move your air conditioner if you aren’t in the replacement market. But, there are still things you can do to make your air conditioner’s job as easy as possible. Make sure that you maintain proper airflow – aim grass clippings away from the condenser and schedule a clean and check appointment during the spring.
Simply shading your air conditioner won’t always work to curb the effects of hot outdoor air because of how much air your unit has to pull in. But, if you plant several trees (keeping proper clearance in mind) it can work to cool the air around your air conditioner and mitigate some of the effects of high summer temperatures.
Is this something you already knew? Make sure you contact your local heating and air conditioning contractor for all of your heating and cooling installation questions.
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The Dos and Don’ts of Central Cooling
Do you have an air conditioner or heat pump in your home? Chances are, you do! And, if you do, you know that they are a long-term investment that are crucial for home comfort, but can have implications on your monthly finances – particularly during the summer. And, as we move closer to summer, it’s more important than ever to make sure you (and your system) are ready to tackle the heat as efficiently and effectively as possible.
There are actually a lot of things to keep in mind when it comes to the central cooling system in your home. Here are a few that should be at the forefront.
Do leave your thermostat at a consistent temperature. Don’t constantly change temperature settings. It’s actually more cost-effective to run your air conditioner or heat pump longer at lower operating levels than to go through frequent on/off cycles. That’s why when you go to buy a new system, it is always a good idea to look at your two-stage or modulating system options.
Do use blinds and curtains to help regulate the temperatures of rooms in your home. Don’t leave windows open all the time. Open windows, particularly during the spring, can have a negative effect on your indoor air quality. That’s because pollutants, allergens, dust and more are able to enter your home unfiltered and settle on your surfaces. An alternative easy-fix is to invest in quality curtains and blinds. Open them when it feels colder in a room or close them if it is getting too toasty.
Do change your furnace filter. Don’t forget until it starts causing problems! Not only can a dirty filter lower indoor air quality, but it can make your air conditioner’s job harder. A harder working system is less efficient and can suffer from repairs more frequently than a system that doesn’t have to work as hard to distribute air.
Do have your system cleaned by a local professional. Don’t take a power washer and start cleaning it yourself. A dirty system is an inefficient system. But, that doesn’t mean that you should drag out the heavy machinery and clean it yourself. With a power washer, you could end up damaging important parts of your system. You could actually end up spending more money replacing components than you would have hiring a professional.
Do use zoning equipment to control the temperature of specific rooms in your home. Don’t use registers. Your central cooling equipment is sized to cool specific square footage. When you open and close vents, this can mess that up and cause damage to your unit. Instead, you should invest in a zoning system. A zoning system divides your home into rooms or groups of rooms for customized home comfort.
Do have you central cooling system maintained regularly. Don’t just wait for a problem to arise. If you have an air conditioner or heat pump, you should be scheduling preventative maintenance with a local HVAC contractor in the spring before the summer cooling season. That’s because you want to discover any minor issues before they can cause big problems during the peak season – when contractors are busier and wait-times are longer.
For additional central cooling tips, you can always contact your local heating and air conditioning specialist.
What are some of the things you do to lower utility bill expenses during the summer?
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It’s National Home Improvement month! Consider adding these things to your list.
Did you know that May is National Home Improvement month? It’s a great time of year to roll up the sleeves and knock some of those things off your to-do list. The weather is mild, the flowers are blooming and summer is right around the corner. Here are some things you should consider either doing (or scheduling) during the month of May. Of course, not everything is going to have a DIY solution. For those things, turn to your local contractor. And that’s only the beginning. There are many other projects you can do around the house that can add to overall hominess and (in some cases) add value. One of the most important things on that list is to schedule maintenance with your local HVAC contractor before the summer arrives. Don’t forget! What are some of the home improvement projects you’re taking on this spring/summer? We want to know.Like this post? Share it!
Your HVAC Spring Cleaning Checklist
It’s time to dust off the grime from winter and get ready for summer! We all know that during the spring it is a good idea to do some heavy-duty cleaning, but how does this impact your HVAC system and indoor air quality. here are the things you should do around your house to prepare your HVAC equipment for summer.
Dust and mop. This is a chore that you should do more often, but it is very important during the spring (especially if you have been keeping the windows open a bit more often than usual). Dust, dirt and allergens can accumulate on your surfaces when you keep windows and doors open. You don’t want them laying around unfiltered ready to be released into your indoor air if they are disturbed.
Clean windows. Cleaning your windows and letting in some sunshine during the spring can actually make it feel warmer during those cooler spring days. Besides, a dirty window isn’t a pleasant sight. You don’t want a layer of dirt and grime acting as drapes for your windows, EW!
Change furnace filter. A dirty filter is an ineffective filter. It’s always a good idea to change your filter, at a minimum, once before the heating season (fall) and again at the start of the cooling season (spring). Just make sure you briefly turn off your equipment before you change your filters and/or hire a professional if it is in a tough-to-access place.
Get system cleaned by a professional. You want your cooling system entering the summer in fighting condition. That’s why it is a good idea to have your system cleaned by a professional to maximize airflow and performance.
Duct cleaning. There are a lot of gross things that can be lurking in your ductwork. Call a duct cleaning professional to get those ducts shiny so you’re not breathing in anything that’s been trapped in your ductowork. And, as an added bonus, a duct cleaning appointment can alert you to other problems your home may be having that you may not have been previously aware of – like mold.
Clear clutter around your home. Clutter around your house can accumulate dust and other substances that can aggravate allergies and lower indoor air quality. Having more things around = having more places for unpleasant things to hide. Just remember, if you are cleaning an area that hasn’t been touched in years, it can be a good idea to wear a mask.
Remove plants or weeds that could be encroaching on your air conditioner. Again, you want to maximize airflow around your air conditioner (or heat pump) to prepare for the summer cooling season. Weeds or other plants could be slowly creeping up on your system and violating that 2-foot clearance we’ve talked about previously.
Also, don’t forget to schedule preventative maintenance with your local heating and air conditioning contractor.
What else do you have on your spring cleaning checklist?