Yucaipa, CA Air Conditioning Tips by Russell’s Heating & Air Conditioning
Choosing and installing an air conditioner in your home is a big step in ensuring the comfort and wellbeing for your family. You want to make the right decision about the unit you select and how you maintain your air conditioner. To help, here are some tips to get you started.
Choosing your air conditioner:
If you’re like most people you want the best but you don’t want to drain your bank account. It’s a good idea to do some simple measurements and make sure you are not oversizing your system. Larger is not always better. This can cause the system to short cycle and result in uneven cooling and that could cause wasted energy.
To make sure your air conditioner is not too big or small, measuring the actual cooling space of your home is essential. A good rule of thumb is taking your square footage and divide that by 450. That number will represent the tonnage you would need. However, having a professional come out to measure and to look at other variables also helps with the proper sizing of the system.
Energy Use:
One of the biggest fears most homeowners have when installing an air conditioning system is the sudden spike in electricity use and the bill from the utility company that follows. However, with the higher efficiency equipment that most manufacturers have now, controlling your energy bills can be within reach.
But to help with those increased costs of utilities there are a few things you can do to help offset that cost. Raising your thermostat up a few degrees can help. We recommend keeping our thermostat set at 78 degrees which should be comfortable. Remember, for every degree below 78 degrees will increase your energy use by 8%.
Installing a programmable thermostat can help with energy costs also. This can control the use of the system when you are away at work and on vacation.
Draw your shades or curtains to reduce the amount of sunlight that comes into your home. Simple awnings can reduce your energy use significantly if they are installed early in the summer. Additionally, don’t run other appliances during peak hours.
AC Maintenance:
Make sure to check the coils on your air conditioning unit every year before operation. Whether indoor or outdoor, these coils will attract dust throughout the season. Removing that dust can improve efficiency immediately, so it should be done regularly. You should also check the refrigerant levels in your air conditioning regularly. Trained technicians can check your charges and ensure you are ready for even the hottest days before your AC units gets turned on for the summer.
Ductless Split Tips:
If you recently had a new ductless mini split system installed or you’re considering having one installed, you are probably interested in learning what these systems have to offer. This is more than just another form of cooling – it is a revolutionary way to reduce energy use and stay cool without relying on underpowered window air conditioning units. But, there are a few things you should know to help you keep your system operational for years to come.
Ductless Heating & Cooling:
One of the many benefits of mini split systems is that they can also be used to heat your home. While the primary application is cooling, adding a heat pump allows for wintertime heating as well. This lets you reduce the space used by your heating system as well and minimize maintenance needs many times over.
If you are interested in heating with mini-splits, make sure you discuss your requirements with a contractor. While cooling is often a room by room operation, heating has a number of other factors to consider.
Ductless Split Maintenance:
While you won’t have any ductwork to worry about, you still have an outdoor condenser that needs to be maintained to keep your heating and cooling system operational. To avoid any problems make sure no debris builds up around the system.
Grass, leaves, debris or shrubs can all block the system, reducing efficiency or causing other problems. There are screens and components that need to be properly maintained as recommended by the manufacturer.
Choosing a Mini Split System:
Ductless mini split systems are popular for a number of reasons, but efficiency is one of their primary selling points. These systems can save money if installed and used properly. However, the actual benefits will depend on which system you buy based on your needs.
Let’s get started on your air conditioning project. Call Russell’s Heating and Air Conditioning or fill out our online form and one of our specialists will get back to you right away. We appreciate the opportunity to earn a 5-star review!
