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.

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.

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 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.

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.

A ceiling fan normally enhances the temperature of the surroundings as it is. It cannot make any changes in the temperature or humidity but can only circulate the air present as it is. Nevertheless, a ceiling fan becomes the luxury for people who cannot afford air conditioning unit, as it is much cheaper than an air conditioning unit. However, the economical growth of an individual and priorities of men is opting for more and more people go for the air conditioning unit, as they do not want to compromise on their luxury and comfort.

More than comfort and luxury, it is slowly changing into a necessity with the increase in temperature and the ductless air conditioning unit is becoming more a need than a showpiece. Researchers have been taking place in this field of air conditioning unit and the recent invention of the ductless air conditioning unit has created a revolutionary change with its most appreciated feature of ‘no noise’ indoor.

Not only the convenience of the ductless unit being used as a cooler or heater, there are some health factors too that has been taken care of; like-it goes more easy on people with asthma and dust allergies. Of course, as long as you clean the air conditioning unit, you can avoid the typical disease called ‘Legionnaires’ that is caused by the air conditioning unit.

Although professional installation may always be required when it comes to installing a split air conditioner, the amount of money spent on professional fees is dramatically lowered. Unlike central air conditioners, no ductwork is necessary to have your split air conditioner mounted. All it takes is to install both components—the outdoor condenser and compressor units and the indoor air handlers—appropriately to have your air conditioner up and running.

Another great advantage that a split air conditioner offers is that a single compressor and condenser unit is enough to cover up to four air handlers at the same time. This means being able to control the temperature in each room separately where an air handler is installed. Central air conditioning systems, in contrast, usually only have a single thermostat control, which means wasting unnecessary energy when other rooms are not in use at any given moment.

To make things even better, you can also install a mini split air conditioner if reduction of energy consumption happens to be on top of your list. The smaller air handlers and compressor units mean lesser electric consumption—another savings in your pocket in the long run. So, if you happen to be searching the market for a split air conditioner, you can start off by checking some websites that offer high-quality units that come with lower prices; plus the convenience of having your split air conditioner delivered right to your home at no extra cost at all.

How do you know what size to buy?  The power of air conditioners is measured in BTU’s, or British Thermal Unit.  A British Thermal Unit is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.  More importantly for our purposes, the number of BTU’s translates to the cooling power of an air conditioner.

A good rule of thumb is that an air conditioner with a capacity of 12,000 BTU’s can cool an area of about 500 square feet.  Using this ratio, you can calculate that a single square foot of space requires about 24 BTU’s to cool.  This means that a 5,000 BTU unit is good for about 200 square feet, an 8,000 BTU unit is good for about 330 square feet, and a 10,000 BTU unit is good for just over 400 square feet of space.

While this is a good rule of thumb, you should also carefully check the documentation provided for all of the vertical window air conditioner units you look at.  The manufacturers will always state explicitly somewhere exactly the area that they think the vertical air conditioner is suitable for.  Armed with this information, you can make and install your purchase, and never be warm again!

As the name implies, a ductless air conditioner operates without the need for ductwork. It has four main components: the condensing unit, the evaporator coil units, thin refrigerant lines and wall mount or a hand-held wireless remote to control the system.

Utilizing a ductless ac has many strong points. First is that it is relatively easy to install. A crew composed of 2 persons would need at least 7 days to install the ductwork as well as the other components of a central air conditioning system. This can be ready for use within a day. In the same vein, it is also easy to operate as it comes equipped with a remote control. This means being able to control a room’s temperature without having to get out of bed. You cannot accomplish this with a central unit.

Owners of this system also commend the product because it does not create a ruckus when operated. Traditional models can make a lot of noise. With this, you can only hear a quiet hum in the background which can easily be drowned out by television, music and conversation. This is because the fan in the evaporator unit generally runs at a low speed and the compressor is located outside.

Also, this article will save you money in the long run. It uses considerably less power because the system eliminates the loss of cool air as it passes through the ductwork. This results to lower energy consumption and ultimately, a smaller electricity bill. Purchasing one is certainly a wise investment.

Your consideration in deciding to buy an air conditioning unit usually involves comfort, cost, as well as environmental and health reasons. That said, you control the temperature inside your home. Turning your AC unit’s thermostat all the way up not only raises your monthly electric bill; it also negatively affects the environment. However, you can choose to adapt energy-saving measures and still keep your home cool and comfortable.

Replace your outdated air conditioners with ones using Energy Star standards. Being Energy Star certified means the AC will not cause harm to the environment. This has now become the national and international symbol for caring for the environment through energy efficiency and is the gold standard for any electrical appliance.

Get an air conditioner that will suit the size of the room. Using a huge AC unit to cool a small room is throwing away money. On the other hand, a small air conditioner will strain and waste energy to cool a large room.

Turn the air conditioner thermostat to lower cooling temperature to save on electricity. 76 or 78 degrees can still be comfortable. Raise the temperature to a reasonably tolerable level as needed.

You can also use ductless mini split air conditioners because of their high efficiency rating and capability to heat and cool.

Regular maintenance can give you the most out of your air conditioning unit. Have the unit inspected and tuned up every year. You can hire an AC technician or do it yourself. Be sure to clean the condenser and evaporator coils. Clean and adjust the fan components as well. Check the refrigerant gas level. Low levels of refrigerant can make the unit work harder and less efficiently.