Home Design Articles

Few situations result in more misery than having the air conditioning break down in the middle of a Phoenix summer heat wave. Forget the argument “but it’s DRY heat” to make it seem less unpleasant than humid heat. When it’s 100 degrees or more in the shade, it’s just plain hot! Getting a service technician to your home to repair or replace the air conditioning unit can take some time at the height of the season when the demand is so great and the surprise expense is never fun for the budget. To help avoid this unfortunate scenario, get your air conditioning system inspected and serviced in the Spring to make sure it’s in excellent working order before the hot summer hits.

Like any mechanical systems, your heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems need regular service and maintenance to keep them in peak performance. This not only keeps them working to keep your home comfortable but it also saves you money on ever-increasing energy bills. An air conditioner can lose a good five percent of its efficiency each year without proper maintenance. The condensing coils require cleaning, the fan motors need to be oiled, belts should be adjusted, and coolant level checked. When it isn’t working at its most efficient best both your comfort and your checkbook will suffer.

One of the best ways to ensure that your home’s heating and air conditioning units in Phoenix are always in excellent shape is to have a maintenance contract with a reputable, well-established company. They will be thoroughly inspected and serviced every Spring and Fall at a discounted price over non-contract services. Most companies also offer discounted repair services to their contract clients as well as preferred status for faster response if there is a problem. Even better is that it will take the worries off of your shoulders since the company will call you when it’s time for service to arrange for a convenient appointment. It’s an all around win for your home’s HVAC and for you.

Heating and cooling costs can be expensive in a home. In fact, heating and cooling make up about 56% of the energy costs in a typical home. Many people resign themselves to this fact and become complacent with their energy costs. But the fact is that there are many things that homeowners can do to cut energy usage and costs.

One of the most efficient ways to cut energy costs is replacing old heating and cooling units with newer energy efficient models. Old units can use exorbitant amounts of energy, while newer models have been designed to use as little energy as possible. When purchasing energy efficient models, check for any available rebates or government tax credits associated with the new model. You might also want to look into units that use alternate energy sources such as solar power. Another important part of saving energy costs is maintaining heating and air conditioning units. These units should be serviced at least once a year by a certified HVAC technician and filters should be replaced regularly by the homeowner. Clogged filters force these units to work harder and less efficiently. A thorough duct cleaning can also help to approve energy efficiency. Clogged or obstructed ducts add to your home’s energy inefficiency by making your heating and cooling units work harder to distribute air throughout the home. A good way to determine how your home is using energy is to hire an energy auditor to check your home and find out where you are losing energy.

Drafty doors and windows are another common cause of energy loss. Check the weather stripping around your entrance doors to make sure they are blocking airflow properly. If you’re living with outdated single-pane aluminum frame windows, you might want to consider replacing them with updated double or triple pane versions with vinyl, wood, or fiberglass frames. These are simple ways to cut energy costs drastically.

Nowadays it is becoming clear that a mobile air conditioner is becoming an increasingly popular way of  controlling the temperature in the room. These mobile units are currently available in variety of sizes, colors and designs. You can choose any single one as per your room interior design and can place it. You are not required to construct any kind of ducts or something like that before the installation of these air conditioners. This kind of mobile air conditioner unit can easily installed at your selected room without creating any alteration in the window or hole of your room.

A mobile air conditioner is a cheap alternative that will supply you with a good quality unit at a relatively low outlay saving you costs on installation. As compared to centrally air conditioned systems, these mobile units are very cheap and effective. Centrifugal fans are another advantage that is carried by these portable units. Due to these latest fans, the air which is blown out by these fans becomes cooler as compared to other normal fans. If you want to cool a certain place in your house then you can easily move it from one place to another and can get cooling at your selected place. You are not required to make any kind of specific arrangements before moving these portable units from one place to another.

In case of mobile air conditioner, the best way is to go for online shops which will ensure you that you are going to buy a genuine one. There are variety of online forums and communities available on internet which can guide you about your selected model. If you are having problem in your mobile cooling unit then you can also get solution of your problem from these online forums. Some online communities provide expert opinion to its respectable members so if you want to have an expert opinion then you can get that from those online communities.

One of the greatest benefits of modern technology is the ability to heat and cool our homes and buildings to comfortable temperatures.  But it takes a lot of energy to run a modern, comfortable home.  With so many things in your home being powered by gas and electricity, your energy bills can really start to skyrocket, especially during the hottest parts of the summer and the coldest parts of the winter.  That’s why it’s so important for homeowners to find ways to make their homes more energy efficient.  Not only will it help make energy bills more manageable, it’s a good way to do your part to help save the environment and maintain a beautiful Earth for future generations.  Here are some simple tips for saving energy in your home.

One of the most important factors in the energy efficiency in your home is your insulation.  An attic that is poorly insulated will have a high level of heat gain and loss.  So no matter how efficient your HVAC system is, its work will be in vain if your insulation isn’t up to the correct standards.  Your attic should have at least nine inches of insulation helping to regulate temperatures.  It’s also important to have proper ventilation in your attic.  If you suspect something isn’t right, call in an insulation expert to check out your attic.  Another great way to make sure your home is energy efficient is to take care of your heating and air conditioning systems.  Filters should be replaced regularly to avoid causing strain on your systems, which results in efficient functioning.  You should have a programmable thermostat that let’s you plan a heating and cooling schedule.  If your air conditioner unit is over 18 years old, it may be time to replace it with something more efficient.  Simple steps like this can make a huge difference.

Ductless air conditioning is a good option to help you cool your home, but it is by no means the only one.  There are dozens of methods of cooling a home in these modern times.  In order to find the system that works best for your home, you should consider your location, the general weather and climate of your area, and the types of air conditioning options that are readily available to you there.   Some of the most common air conditioning systems there are include ducted air conditioning, window A/Cs, portable air conditioners, and stand up air conditioning units.

Ducted air conditioning

This is by far the most common option there is in America.  Most houses use central cooling because the same ducts can be used to heat the home as well.  The problem is that with ducts leading to every room in the home it can be easy to waste cooling and heating in rooms that don’t need it as much.  Generally there are thermometers for several areas of the house with central cooling systems, but it is nearly impossible to isolate each room and switch off the cooling to others.  The advantage is a common duct for heating and cooling.  The disadvantage is a general waste of electricity used to cool rooms that don’t need cooling.

Window units

Window air conditioners are a good alternative to both ducted and ductless air conditioners.  They are cheaper than ductless split air conditioners and way more energy efficient than ducted central cooling systems.  The only problem is that they require a window to operate and you have to leave the window open.  This can be a security risk.  Also because they blow air fast without any real thermostat, if you put them near bunk beds for kids, your kids could develop a cough and cold pretty fast.  Additionally, window A/Cs are pretty noisy.  The pros are that they are cheap and you can isolate their usage.  The cons are that they are noisy, blow air without a thermostat, and they create a security risk with the open window.