If you get your air-conditioning system a tune-up before the weather gets any warmer, keeping your cool this year may be simpler. All it takes is a few basic actions to ensure your air-conditioning system is prepared to appropriately cool your home.
Here are some ideas from the U.S. Department of Energy and experts:
• • Keeping the cool air within is simply as essential as keeping the warm air outside the house. Caulking, weather stripping, and including additional attic insulation will help keep one’s cool air inside during the summer.
• • Make sure the air is flowing appropriately through the vents. Examine the ductwork for holes or loose joints, and work with an expert to repair them. Here is a company you might try in Southern California:
• • Add insulation around air-conditioning ducts, when they are located in unconditioned spaces, such as attics, crawl garages and areas; do the same for entire home fans where they open to the outside or attic.
• • Homeowners should inspect the SEER (seasonal energy performance ratio) rating of their air-conditioning system. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the unit is and the lower your energy bills will be. Upgrading to a higher SEER rating can save homeowners numerous dollars a year on their energy bills.
If the air-conditioning system needs to be replaced, homeowners must understand the U.S. Department of Energy legislation that requires all new, central air-conditioning systems manufactured after January 23, 2006, to have a SEER of at least 13.
Customers may want to consider an energy-efficient design, such as the Coleman Echelon™ ™ 15+ SEER a/c unit. New models are Energy Star ® qualified, use eco-friendly refrigerant and have high-efficiency scroll compressors that improve dependability and add to the very peaceful operation of the units.