• Avoid Problems with HVAC
• Improving Indoor Air Quality
• Decrease Your Energy Bill While Cooling Your Home
• Energy & Cost Efficient Changes to Your HVAC
• Purchasing An Energy Efficient HVAC System
• Air Conditioning – Definition and History
• How Air Conditioners Work
• HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and AC
• Alen Corporation - History and Products
• Air Fresheners Don't Freshen
• Make Your Home Safe with Better Ventilation
• FEMA Trailer Residents Fighting Mold
• Humid Areas at High Risk for Mold
• Relieve Stress By Removing Clutter
• Toxicity in Office Affects Indoor Air Quality
• Using Candles Safely
• Wet Weather Breeds Mold

Decreasing Your Energy Bill While Cooling Your Home This Summer

Cooling a home is one of the biggest energy expenses of any homeowner, accounting approximately 13% of a typical energy bill. Since electricity rates vary during the year, choosing an energy efficient air conditioner can save you money when rates are at their highest. Also, choosing a smaller, more efficient room air conditioner can actually cool areas faster than a central air conditioner system and gives you more flexibility in cooling your home.

A smaller room air conditioner, or portable air conditioner, can help keep smaller areas comfortable but they can also aid the health of the elderly and very young. Heart and respiratory conditions in the elderly and the fragility of children make them especially susceptible to falling ill during changes in climate. Heat can be especially harmful to these sensitive demographics and hundreds of people die every year from overheating. Furthermore, otherwise healthy individuals may be at risk if they are on a prescription medication that makes them sensitive to heat.

Installation of an air conditioner can also help improve the air quality in your home. Urban areas fall victim to smog on hot summer days and air conditioners can help cool the air, filter particles, and decrease humidity that might otherwise lead to mold and mildew.

Before investing in a new air conditioner, consider your options with your existing home. Open windows or doors and increase the existing ventilation inside your home. Use fans to move air in and around your home and remove existing heat sources, or minimize use of heating appliances.

Once you do decide to invest in an energy efficient air conditioner, you need to know how to read the product label in order to determine which model best fits your need.

EER – The Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) refers to the general operating costs compared to similar air conditioner models. The EER number is found in the yellow EnergyGuide label on the front or side of the box. In general, the higher the number, the more efficient the product. All air conditioner units in the US are required to have EER ratings of 8.0 or higher as of 1990.

Btu/hour – British thermal units (Btu) per hour refer to the amount of energy used per hour. This measurement is meant to give consumers a better idea of the capacity of the air conditioner. Higher Btu/hour ratings are not always better since larger units can actually use more energy by increasing their cycles to cool a smaller room. Consider choosing an air conditioner that is appropriately sized to your desired room.

Energy Star – Energy Star stickers can be found on everything from appliances to computers and let you know that these particular models use at least 10% less energy than comparable models. In order for small, portable air conditioners to qualify for an Energy Star rating, they need to have an EER rating of at least 10.7.

Energy efficient air conditioner models are designed to save you energy through automation. Programmable thermostats should be set to optimum temperatures only for the times when you are expected to be home. By increasing the temperature of your home during the day while you are away, you can save approximately 3% or more on your energy bill. If you set the controls to engage the air conditioner prior to your arrival home, you'll still find your house at the optimal temperature when you walk in the door.

Maintaining your air conditioner is also important and filters should be changed regularly. Some filters can be cleaned while others need to be replaced. Air conditioner filters are designed to improve your indoor air quality by removing airborne particles while air cycles through the air conditioner unit.

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