Efficient & Cost Effective Summer Cooling
Many of us would like to keep our summer cooling costs down; however, helping to improve the efficiency of your air conditioner system also can save you money in the future. Your AC does not have to work as hard and puts less pressure on the system – meaning your AC system will last longer and operate more efficiently. Reducing the heat in your home is the next in importance, requiring less AC use. Both efficiency and heat reduction not only saves you money but also improves your comfort throughout the summer months.
Home Updates
This section covers updates that are the mostly costly things you can do; however, they will save you lots of money and help your AC system run at its most efficient operating level.
Your AC System – First, know when to replace your AC. If it’s more than 10 years old or there’s some problems with it, it may not be as efficient as it could be, requiring more power than necessary to run it or putting too much pressure on the system elements. You may wish to check out an Energy Star qualified model. Have a professional heating and cooling specialist check your system and advise what would be needed for a replacement. Generally, with older ACs, there are other components of your heating/cooling setup that will need to be replaced, as well; since older elements may not fit with the newer AC system.
AC Ducts – Many people forget about their ductwork. Ducts should be cleaned inside, at least, once a year, getting rid of dust and other obstructions to efficient cooling. It helps your heating in the winter, as well.
If the ductwork is in poor condition, have a professional either replace it or seal and insulate it properly. A good duct system can reduce your cooling energy use by 10-15 percent, and your AC will not have to work as hard to cool your home.
Home Insulation – Most homes today are built to government codes; however, the insulation requirements may not be enough to seal all of the leaks of heat coming into your home. Older built homes may not even meet current regulations. Typically, warmer states recommend an R-value of R-38 (the higher the R-value, the less leakage you will have). Areas that may need attention are your attic, ceilings, floors, interior and exterior walls, and crawlspaces – do not forget the air space between your living area and attic. You also may wish to consider using rigid foam board in cathedral ceilings and on exterior walls for higher density protection.
Windows – This can be another form of insulation for your home. Consider replacing your single-pane windows with double panes, using argon filling and high performance glass. Another option is to use double-glazed glass replacements in your current window frames. At least, consider these options for windows facing the west and south, where you get the most sun.
Landscaping – Though we generally do not recommend covering windows with landscaping, since such can provide cover for burglars, this can be a lower cost than replacing windows. Consider planting natural landscaping that can shade your windows, especially on the west and south sides of your home – a possible 25 percent savings on energy needs.
Exterior Finishes – Whenever you need to replace your home’s roof, use light colored materials. Also, check into Energy Star reflective roof products to further eliminate heat leakage into your home. If re-siding or painting the home’s exterior, again use light colored materials. Exterior finish work can save you 10 to 15 percent on your cooling demands by reflecting the heat away from the home.
Appliances – If any of your major appliances are not Energy Star approved, consider replacing them. These older appliances give off a lot more heat than the newer ones.
Most of these suggestions are costly. If you cannot do what is needed all at one time, plan to do so many updates each year until you have done what is needed.
It’s the Little Things
If the above ideas are just too costly or you are planning to sell your home and want to put as little as possible into cooling it for the summer, then the suggestions in this section may help. They are not as costly but very good at helping to lower your use or improve the efficiency of your AC system.
Annual Checkup – Just like our bodies, your AC/heating system needs an annual checkup by a heating/cooling professional, which can improve your energy use by 20 percent. It is a maintenance and tune-up that ensures nothing dangerous is going on with the system; plus, it adds to the longevity of both systems. Have them check out both the heating and cooling systems and their elements at the same time – why pay to have them come to your home twice each year?
Climate Control – Install a programmable thermostat, if you do not already have one. It allows you to determine the temperature in your home at different times of the day, savings energy costs yet keeping your home comfortable when you are there.
Compressor – The AC compressor should be in an amply shaded area. Though you need plenty of space around the outdoor unit for proper air input and output, you can plant shrubs, small trees and other landscaping at least one foot from the unit. If you are just putting in a new system, consider placing the compressor on the north side of the home, especially if it is now located on the west or south side.
Filters – Just because you no longer need to use your furnace does not mean you can stop changing the furnace filters. The air blower on your furnace is still being used to distribute the cool air from your AC. So, change these filters at least monthly during summer months.
Air Circulation – Air circulation on the interior of your home is just as important as attic ventilation. Stagnant air puts pressure on your AC. Installing a large ceiling fan on your top floor may effectively cool your entire home. Rooms that seem to get especially warm in the summer months also should have ceiling fans, which create low-level streams of air within the rooms. Whether ceiling fan, floor fan or a combination of both, fans do not change the room temperature. They are, however, effective in moving around the already cooled air from your AC, making it “feel” cooler, faster.
Window Coverings – Anything covering your windows, such as shades or curtains, should be white to reflect the heat back to the outside. It helps to install awnings over west and south side windows, as well as using reflective film or curtains. Also, insulated curtains work well to keep out the heat.
Light Bulbs – One of the most effective methods of lowering the heat level in your home is by replacing all of your light bulbs with the newer iridescent ones. With older bulbs, you can barely put your hand near a bulb that has been on for just 15 minutes; yet, you can touch an iridescent bulb that has been on for hours.
“Free” Is Always Great!
Last, of course, are the small but important things you can do that won’t cost you a dime.
AC Use – First and most important, just because you are a bit warm, do not automatically turn on the AC. Use the ceiling and floor fans – and only in the rooms where you actually are. Sometimes, that is all you need. Second, turn up the thermostat for the AC when no one is home. Pre-program your thermostat to keep you comfortable when home but not so cool when you are not.
House Openings – Keep all windows and doors closed when running the AC. Double check children’s room and rooms where family members spend a lot of time to ensure these AC wasters are closed and locked tight – locking makes a tighter seal.
Low-Use Rooms – Shut off the registers for these rooms, pushing the cool air to those rooms that are used the most. If you have many such rooms, do not close off too many; otherwise, it puts too much pressure on your AC system.
Humidity – Use your cooling/heating systems’ humidity control. This is especially useful in Florida, where our humidity is quite high in the summer months. You also can lower the humidity in your home by using hot-water appliances in the evening, such as doing laundry or running the dishwasher. You also can air dry your dishes, rather than using the heat drying cycle on the dishwasher; use cold water to wash your clothes versus warm or hot; wash only full loads of laundry and dishes; and take short showers while running the exhaust fan instead of baths.
Window Coverings – During the day, keep your windows coverings closed on the west and south sides of your home, where the most heat enters. Be sure to open them at night when the outside air is cool.
Small Appliances – Lastly, unplug small appliances when not in use. They emit more heat than you might think, especially all of your computer equipment. If plugged into surge protection, turn off the surge protector after your computer and all peripherals, including the backup battery, have shut down. Other heat producers to be concerned about are: the pump and heater for an indoor spa, indoor pool pump, the waterbed heater (consider turning it off for the summer and putting winter blankets between you and the very cold waterbed); use your microwave and toaster-oven rather than the stove top and/or oven (some newer toaster-ovens are large enough to bake a pizza); vacuum at night; and turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Enjoy the summer months ahead – but enjoy them in comfort; and call South Florida Home Inspection Associates
for all your home inspection needs!
Sydney Smidt
South Florida Home Inspection Associates
P.O. Box 1716
Hobe Sound, Fl 33475
561-818-5593
