Air Conditioners
It is a known fact that air conditioners have been a part of every individual’s life for a long time now. There are several best AC brands in the market that offer advanced features in an easy way. Some of the Best Voltas Air Conditioners have gained a lot of attention because they offer a fine balance while producing an Air conditioner.
An energy-efficiency rating is a measure of how many Btu an hour are lost for every watt of power used by each air conditioner. This efficiency rating, known as the Energy Efficiency Ratio or EER, is for room air conditioners. It is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER, for central air conditioners. These ratings are displayed on an Energy Guide Label that must be prominently attached to new air conditioners. Many manufacturers of air conditioners participate in the voluntary EnergyStar(r), labeling program. (See Source List in this publication). Appliances labeled Energy Star have high SEER and EER ratings.
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New air conditioners that have higher SEERs or EERs generally come with higher prices. The higher initial cost of an efficient model will pay off many times over its lifetime. You may be able to get a price reduction from your utility company to purchase an efficient air conditioner. If you are a frequent user of an air conditioner or think you will, you should consider purchasing the most efficient one you can afford.
EER Room Air Conditioners
The range of room air conditioners is generally between 5,500 Btu an hour and 14,000 Btu an hour. According to national appliance standards, room conditioners that were installed after January 1, 1990 must have an EER greater than 8.0. If you live in a mild environment, choose a room conditioner with an EER at least 9.0. Choose an air conditioner with an EER of at least 9.0 if you live in a hot environment.
According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, room air conditioners’ average EER rose 47% between 1972 and 1991. You can cut down on your air conditioning energy costs by replacing an old 1970s room conditioner with an EER 5 with one of the newer models with an EER 10.
Central Air Conditioners–SEER
The SEER requirements for central air conditioners must meet minimum national standards of 9.7 and 10.0 for single-package units and split-systems. You don’t have to stick with the minimum standards. There are many units that can reach SEERs of nearly 17.
The SEERs of central AC conditioners were 4.5-8.0 before 1979. Your air conditioning costs will be cut in half by replacing a 1970s central air conditioner that had a SEER 6 with a 12 SEER unit.
Professional Service Air Conditioner
If your air conditioner requires more maintenance than what was described, you can hire a professional technician. An experienced technician can diagnose and repair any problems with your air conditioner system. Not all service technicians are skilled. Incompetent technicians will not perform a proper diagnosis. They will instead use minimal stop-gap procedures. Assure that the technician is competent:
Verify that you have the correct amount of refrigerant.
- Use a leak detector to test for refrigerant leaks.
- Instead of illegally releasing refrigerant to the atmosphere, capture it.
- Seal any duct leakage from central systems.
- Take the airflow through the evaporator coil.
- Verify that you have the correct sequence of electric control and ensure that both the heating and cooling systems cannot be operated simultaneously.
- If necessary, inspect the electric terminals and clean and tighten them.
- Oil motors and oil check belts to ensure tightness and wear;
- Verify the accuracy of your thermostat.
How to choose a contractor
The most difficult and important task of buying central air conditioning systems is choosing a contractor. Ask potential contractors for references from recent customers. Tell your contractor about your old central air conditioner if you’re replacing it. Ask the contractor to explain why the system failed. When a new system has been installed, it is the best time to correct existing problems.
The contractor you choose for your air conditioning system design should be:
- To size your air conditioner, use a written or computer program.
- A written contract detailing the main points of your system, including the cooling load calculations, should be provided.
- Provide a written warranty for equipment and workmanship.
- You can hold on to the final payment until your satisfaction with the new system.
- Don’t base your decision on price alone. You should give priority to the quality of the installation. Quality will determine how much energy you use, how comfortable you are, and how long it lasts.
Installation and placement of air conditioners
Your air conditioner will last for many years if it is properly installed or any major installation issues are fixed. Many air conditioners are incorrectly installed. Unfortunately, energy-efficient modern air conditioners can perform just as poorly as inefficient older models.
When installing central air conditioning systems, make sure your contractor follows these steps:
Provides enough indoor space to install, maintain, and repair the new system. Also, insert an access door into the furnace or duct for cleaning the evaporator coil.
Utilizes a duct-sizing method such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America Manual D.
You must ensure that there are sufficient supply registers to cool the air conditioner and enough return registers to transport warm house air to it.
Wherever possible, install ductwork in the conditioned space and not in the attic.
All ducts are sealed with duct mastic. Attic ducts are heavily insulated.
If possible, locate the condensing unit so that its noise does not disturb you or your neighbours at night.
If possible, place the condensing unit in a shaded area to reduce your air conditioning cost by 1% to 22%.
Verify that the air conditioner is installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
The thermostat should be located away from heat sources such as windows or supply registers.
If replacing an older split system that has failed, make sure the evaporator coil matches the condenser coil of the new unit. The efficiency of the air conditioner will not improve if it is still using the old evaporator coil. In fact, the old coil may cause the compressor to fail prematurely.
Try these things when installing a new room conditioner:
The air conditioner should be located in the middle of the room, near the window or on the wall.
You can reduce air leakage by fitting your room air conditioner snugly in its opening and sealing any gaps with a foam weatherstripping.
Your air conditioner system can be a money-saver and will help reduce environmental pollution. Make sure your system is working properly and keep it maintained. If you have to buy a new air conditioner for your home, make sure it is properly sized and installed.
Evaporative Coolers
An evaporative cooler, also known as a “swamp cooler”, is an entirely different type of air conditioner. It works well in hot and dry climates.
These units cool the outdoor air through evaporation and blow it into the building. This cooling effect is similar to when perspiration cools you on hot but not too humid days. To allow warm indoor air to escape, the windows of an evaporative coolant are partially opened. The cooled air replaces it.
Evaporative coolers are about half the cost of central air conditioners, and consume about one-quarter the energy. They require more maintenance than refrigerator air conditioners, and are not suitable for low humidity areas.
Use Your Air Conditioner
A home air conditioner can cool your air quickly. To save money, only turn the air conditioner on when you are not home. A programmable thermostat might be an option. You can set the time at which the air conditioner turns on and off, such as 30 minutes before your return from work. You can find more information about programmable thermostats at the Related Links section. Keep blinds and drapes closed during the day on windows facing east, south, or west. This will reduce the solar heat gain to your home.