| p>Efficient air conditioning is the result of | | | | - Choose and install the right room air conditioner: |
| year-round efforts, from pre-season maintenance | | | | The best and most efficient room air conditioning |
| of your system to smart improvements inside | | | | comes from a unit that's perfectly sized to the |
| and outside of your home. Take time now to | | | | space and properly installed. Energy Star once |
| consider the following air conditioning efficiency | | | | again comes to the rescue with a collection of |
| checklist so that your family is comfortable and | | | | qualified room air conditioners that use 10 percent |
| your utility bills are manageable through the | | | | less energy than conventional models and can be |
| warmest days of the year. | | | | selected with help from Energy Star's room AC |
| Air Conditioning Equipment | | | | sizing guidelines. For added energy efficiency, install |
| Schedule an annual air conditioning system tune-up: | | | | your unit on the shadiest side of the house and |
| Annual maintenance of your air conditioning | | | | select a model with easy-to-clean filters and |
| equipment is a must for efficient, effective cooling | | | | controls such as a digital readout for the |
| during warm weather, and also contributes to the | | | | thermostat setting and a built-in timer. |
| longevity of the components. As soon as outdoor | | | | Around the house |
| temperatures reach 60 degrees, you're good to | | | | Here are several ways to reduce your home's air |
| book your HVAC contractor for a pre-season call | | | | conditioning needs that will cut cooling costs and |
| including such checks and adjustments as cleaning | | | | improve your comfort. |
| the evaporator and condenser air conditioning | | | | - Upgrade insulation: Keep that precious cool air |
| coils, addressing refrigerant levels and cleaning and | | | | indoors by adding insulation throughout your home. |
| adjusting blower components. | | | | Some of the leakiest, most under-insulated homes |
| - Shade the air conditioning compressor: Ample | | | | are located in southern climes where winters tend |
| shade for your systems outdoor compressor will | | | | to be mild, so bulking up insulation before high heat |
| help it to work more efficiently. Just make sure | | | | arrives is an absolute must. |
| that there's plenty of space around the | | | | - Keep storm windows closed: The same air that |
| compressor for proper air intake and output, | | | | leaks in during cold weather leaks in during |
| keeping shrubs and other plantings a one-foot | | | | summer and drives up cooling costs, so keep |
| distance away from all sides of the unit. | | | | storm windows closed in rooms with window air |
| - Up to 20 percent of the cool air your system | | | | conditioning units for extra cooling comfort and |
| generates can leak out through poorly sealed and | | | | efficiency. |
| insulated ductwork, so take time now to eliminate | | | | - Pull the shades: Keep rooms cool by closing |
| those escape routes. Use duct sealant (mastic) or | | | | shades and blinds during sun-filled hours of the |
| metal-backed tape (never duct tape, as it doesn't | | | | day. |
| have the required staying power) to seal all | | | | - Spin out coolness: If you have ceiling fans in |
| seams and connections, and then follow with an | | | | your home, get them spinning in the right direction |
| insulation wrap. | | | | for cooling efficiency by setting their reversible |
| - Install a programmable thermostat: Programming | | | | motors for counterclockwise motion that pulls cold |
| air conditioning according to your | | | | air up. |
| away-from-home schedules yields significant | | | | - Landscape for shade: Strategically planted shade |
| savings while keeping you and your family | | | | trees not only ad interest to your landscaping but |
| comfortable during at-home hours. | | | | also keep your home cool during the summer |
| - Change HVAC filters regularly: Check and | | | | months, trimming your air conditioning expenses |
| change filters once a month or more during AC | | | | by as much as 25 percent. |
| season. A dirty filter makes your system work | | | | - Work at night: Keep your home cooling efforts |
| harder by slowing down air flow, and also wastes | | | | efficient by limiting use of heat-generating |
| energy and threatens components with dirt and | | | | appliances like clothes dryers and dishwashers to |
| dust buildup. | | | | evening hours. |
| - Know when to upgrade: If your air conditioner is | | | | Improving your home's air conditioning and cooling |
| over 10 years old, it may be due for replacement | | | | system efficiency can be achieved through a |
| with an Energy Star qualified model. As you shop, | | | | combination of common sense maintenance tips |
| remember that new equipment needs to be | | | | as well as by reducing the heat that gets into |
| compatible with the rest of your HVAC suite in | | | | your home. Follow these steps and you'll improve |
| order to be efficient, and other components may | | | | your air conditioning efficiency, reduce cooling |
| also require replacement if they're of a certain | | | | costs and improve your comfort all year long. |
| age. | | | | |