Making Life Easier for Your Air Conditioner
Air conditioners are expensive to operate. They
are usually the most energy-intensive appliance in a home and as
electricity prices escalate, the amount of money required to operate
them can be staggering.
This is one reason why so many homeowners are committed to operating
their units appropriately and to purchasing air conditioners that
boast the best power efficiency numbers.
That’s a great idea, too. Any time you can reduce your energy
footprint you are making financial and environmental progress. Some
of the best ways to decrease AC-related energy use, however, have
absolutely nothing to do with the unit itself.
That’s because the best way to tax your air conditioner less is to
create an environment that doesn’t require as much cooling. If you
can make life easier for your AC, you’ll reap the advantages with
greater system longevity and lower monthly bills.
How can you do that? There are some fairly easy ways. First, be
certain that your home is properly insulated. A well-insulated home
will retain cool air more effectively than one that hasn’t been
treated properly. The need for insulation is often particularly
pronounced in attic spaces, which are some of the worst offenders in
terms of driving up interior temperatures.
Second, look for ways to deflect heat away from your home. Heavy
drapes over windows, for instance, can keep a room cooler, making it
easier for your air conditioner to finish the job. Exterior trees
are another example. By shading the home, they deflect a great deal
of heat.
Third, consider the use of radiant barriers. Radiant barriers are
basically sheets of aluminum foil with a paper backing. When used in
attics and other “hot” areas, they can deflect a great deal of heat,
reducing the load on your AC.
Finally, consider your roof. Much of the heat that enters your home
is originally absorbed by the roof. Traditional roofing materials
tend to be dark, making them “heat magnets”. Although you may be
able to find lighter-colored, more reflective roofing materials, a
better bet might be to apply a reflective coating to your existing
roof. This can make a significant dent in your interior temperature.
By combining strategies like these, you can reduce the interior
temperature of your home. That’s going to make it easier for your AC
to reach your preferred thermostat setting. That means you’ll be
using less power and saving more money while enjoying a comfortable
home.
Efficient air conditioning extends beyond the unit itself. It also
involves the surrounding context of the home. If you can take action
to reduce interior temperatures, you’ll extend the life of your AC
and you’ll save on energy costs in the process. Considering how
inexpensive many of the strategies for reducing home heat are, it
makes perfect sense to pursue them in earnest.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters,
portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop on line at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
a great selection online at the lowest prices anywhere. We can also be
found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube