Homeowner Tips & Helpful Information

Keeping Cool This Summer: Some Helpful Advice

 

Aside from typical solutions, such as installing a window-mounted air conditioner for cooling an unbearably hot room, there are several things you can do to help reduce your home's temperature this summer, including:

· Sheltering windows with awnings and shrubbery and keeping blinds closed on hot, sunny days to prevent the sun from increasing the interior temperature.

· Installing compact fluorescent lighting to produce less waste heat than incandescent/halogen lights.

· Keeping lights and computers turned off when possible.

· Cooking outdoors (i.e. use a barbecue) to avoid creating indoor heat.

· Hanging clothes outside to dry; clothes dryers generate a lot of indoor heat.

Are you considering installing a new central air conditioner.  What should you look for?
Look for the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) for the unit. A high SEER indicates a more energy-efficient air conditioner. New air conditioners sold in Canada have SEERs ranging from 13 to 21 or more, with 21 being the most energy efficient and 13 being the least.

Talk to your installer about what efficiency provides you with the greatest return on your investment.  Only units with a SEER rating of 14.5 or greater qualify for grants under the ecoENERGY/Ontario Home Energy Savings Program.

In this area of Canada, air conditioners typically have a lifespan of about 15 years, so it's important to ask your installer about basic and extended warranties on the unit.

What can you do to maintain your central air conditioner in good working condition?  Here are a few suggestions:

· Inspect and clean/replace the blower fan filter (usually located in the return air duct at the furnace) every two months or as recommended by the manufacturer.

· Vacuum or brush clean the outdoor coil to keep it clear of dirt, leaves, and grass clippings; the coil can be carefully cleaned with a garden hose after debris is vacuumed off.

· Both the blower fan and outdoor fan should be cleaned and lubricated where applicable, following the manufacturer's instructions.

· If there is a humidifier damper, make sure it is closed for the summer to reduce the unnecessary addition of moisture-laden air to the home.

If, after completing these suggestions, your air conditioner is performing poorly, we recommend you hire a qualified contractor to undertake a more thorough servicing, such as checking the refrigerant level or making electrical or mechanical checks and adjustments. As with all mechanical equipment, regular servicing by a qualified contractor in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications is recommended.