If you have been shopping for something to cool off your special and private comfort zone, you will have noticed that price issue is not the major determining factor for air con sales. While any air conditioner is going to be moderately expensive, not all of the low cost or all of the very high cost air conditioners are cost effective over the long run.Name brand air conditioners were the deal sometime ago until lately when smaller brands caught up because of new patent laws and leaks.Low cost or very cheap air conditioning prices tend to be found on the discount or store type brands, some which have very low energy efficiency ratings. Is it true that the lower the energy efficiency rating, the less effective the unit is in producing cold air with regards to how much power is required? If that is so, then you will be paying higher energy bills. Even a very low cost air conditioning unit with a low energy rating will quickly result in much higher monthly power or electricity bills, easily costing you hundreds of additional dollars over the summer months. So, in the case of low cost, air conditioning prices are only telling a small amount of the total story.

Very expensive air conditioning prices are typically associated with the top of the line, highly energy efficient units. Where you live on the planet can also dictate the choices you make in airconditioners but I also think it is about what unit you can afford. If, however, you live in a moderate climate where you only use the system for a month or two over the summer, it may take several years of use before you make up the difference in the price of saving on the energy bill. In this case it is important to do some additional calculation about your energy saving and the air conditioning prices to see if the installation will actually save you money. Keep in mind that new innovations in energy efficiency, “green products” and even alternative sources of energy and therefore what is a highly efficient and energy saving system today may be outdated in just a few short years.

Another consideration with regards to air conditioning prices is the type of model you are buying. Window units are often the least expensive, however they are usually only effective in smaller spaces. Portable units can be moved from room to room and may allow you to purchase one or two units and move them throughout the house as needed. You will have to know if wall mounted units will be sufficient or serve your purposes because they do require some installation and are permanent fixtures of a room or space. Conventional systems are the most expensive, but they do provide air conditioning throughout the entire physical structure, as long as there is a heating vent in the area. If you dont want to be bothered about user and domestic considerations, then you need to get some homework done on price and quality considerations. Going cheap may not be your best bet.

Tags: insulating, hvac, Heating

Tags: hvac, insulating, Heating

Energy Star is a primary measurement for efficient energy consumption and they offer several tips for smart energy consumption. You should make sure that home is insulated properly. Air leaks lead to heating and cooling of outside air as well as inside air which is undesirable. You will have to go around your house and check your doorjambs, attic and window frames etc for possible air leaks. 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. They include foam strips, caulking and sealant material 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 not be tangled or crushed, but lay flat. Kinks can cause stress, which will cause fractures and thereby leaks. Duct tape, despite its name, is not necessarily the perfect insulation answer for ductwork. 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. When you go to purchase a new system, dont be dismayed if the unit looks much smaller in size 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. Your current system should be cycling on and off a t the designated 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!

Tags: Heating, , Cooling

Tags: Cooling, , Heating