Counting Your BTUs

By Elliot | June 10, 2014

This summer is forecast to be a hot one, and central air conditioning can make all the difference in the comfort and enjoyment of your home. It can also be a drain on your wallet if the system is not operating at peak efficiency. If your older system is just chugging along, it may pay to upgrade to a newer, more energy-efficient system.

AC

Here are some tips on shopping for an A/C system and on keeping it working efficiently:

BTU Basics

The ability of an air conditioner to do the job is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour.

To determine the size of unit needed for your home, consider that it takes about 18 BTUs to remove moisture and cool one square foot of space. Multiply that by the square footage of the area you want to cool to get an idea of the size of unit needed.

Bigger is not always best – better to have a smaller unit working to peak capacity than an oversized unit working inefficiently.

Shopping for A/C

Start by asking an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) professional for advice on which type of system is right for you.

A central air system uses the existing ductwork of your hot air furnace to condition the air by controlling its temperature, moisture content, cleanliness and distribution. The evaporator, which cools the air, is installed in the furnace while the pump is installed outside. Keep in mind that the outside unit can be quite noisy; compare noise ratings of the different models before you buy and give some thought to its location in relation to your patio.

Also check and compare the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) of the various models; the higher the number, the more efficient the model. The average ratings fall between 10 and 14.

Before you buy, ask about warranties, servicing and installation costs.

Keeping Your Cool

  • Locate the outside unit on the shaded side of the house, out of direct sunlight.
  • Clean or replace the filters every month.
  • Have the system professionally serviced and cleaned annually.
  • Keep the unit free of leaves and other debris.
  • If you have storm windows on your home, keep them on all year round to help insulate and keep the cool air in.

A well-maintained central air conditioning system can maximize the enjoyment of your home this summer, while keeping energy costs down.

Courtesy: Homeservice Club

Posted in Your Home