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The Essential Guide to Air Conditioner Home Ownership
Posted On: August 31, 2024
Owning an air conditioner is not just about enjoying cool, comfortable air during the sweltering summer months—it's about ensuring your unit runs efficiently, lasts longer, and provides value for your investment. Whether you're a new homeowner or you've had an AC unit for years, understanding the essentials of air conditioner home ownership is crucial. In this guide, we’ll cover the key aspects you need to consider to keep your air conditioning system in top shape.
1. Choosing the Right Air Conditioner for Your Home
The journey of air conditioner ownership starts with selecting the right unit. When choosing an AC system, consider the following:
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Size and Capacity: An undersized unit will struggle to cool your home, leading to higher energy bills and faster wear and tear. On the other hand, an oversized unit may cool too quickly without properly dehumidifying the air. Ensure your unit is correctly sized for your home’s square footage and layout.
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Energy Efficiency: Look for units with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the unit, which means lower energy bills in the long run.
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Type of AC System: Central air conditioning systems, ductless mini-splits, and window units each have their pros and cons. Choose the one that fits your home's needs, budget, and existing infrastructure.
2. Regular Maintenance is Key
Routine maintenance is the backbone of air conditioner home ownership. Regular maintenance not only extends the lifespan of your unit but also ensures it runs efficiently. Here are the main tasks you should prioritize:
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Filter Replacement: Replace or clean your air filters every 1-3 months, depending on usage. Clogged filters reduce efficiency and strain the system.
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Annual Professional Tune-Up: Schedule a professional HVAC technician to inspect and tune up your system once a year. They’ll check refrigerant levels, clean coils, and ensure all components are working correctly.
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Clean the Coils and Fins: Dirt and debris can accumulate on the condenser coils and fins, reducing efficiency. Gently clean these parts with a soft brush or a vacuum with a brush attachment.
3. Understanding Your Thermostat
Your thermostat plays a vital role in how your air conditioner operates. To maximize efficiency:
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Set It to the Right Temperature: The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78°F when you're home and higher when you're away. This helps reduce energy consumption without sacrificing comfort.
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Utilize Programmable Thermostats: Invest in a programmable or smart thermostat that can automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule. This feature can significantly reduce your energy bills.
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Regularly Calibrate Your Thermostat: Ensure your thermostat is calibrated correctly to avoid inaccurate readings, which can lead to your system working harder than necessary.
4. Know When to Repair or Replace
Even with regular maintenance, there comes a time when you need to decide whether to repair or replace your air conditioner. Consider these factors:
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Age of the Unit: Most air conditioners last between 10 to 15 years. If your unit is nearing the end of its lifespan and requires frequent repairs, it may be more cost-effective to replace it with a newer, more efficient model.
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Repair Costs: If the cost of repairs is more than 50% of the price of a new unit, replacement is usually the better option.
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Energy Efficiency: Newer models are often more energy-efficient. Upgrading to a newer model can reduce your energy bills and improve your home's comfort.
5. Optimize Airflow and Insulation
Proper airflow and insulation are crucial for your air conditioner’s performance. Here’s how to optimize them:
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Seal Leaks: Check for and seal any air leaks around doors, windows, and ductwork to prevent cool air from escaping and warm air from entering your home.
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Insulate Your Home: Proper insulation in your walls, attic, and floors can reduce the load on your air conditioner, making it easier for your system to maintain a consistent temperature.
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Clear Vents and Registers: Ensure that furniture, curtains, and other objects do not block vents and registers, allowing for proper airflow throughout your home.
6. Prepare for Off-Season Storage
If you live in an area with cold winters, you might not use your air conditioner for several months. Properly preparing your unit for off-season storage can prevent damage and ensure it’s ready to go when the warm weather returns:
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Cover the Outdoor Unit: Protect the outdoor unit with a weatherproof cover to prevent debris, snow, and ice from accumulating on it.
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Turn Off the Power: Turn off the power to the outdoor unit to prevent it from accidentally turning on during the winter.
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Inspect the Unit in Spring: Before turning your air conditioner back on in the spring, inspect it for any damage and clean it thoroughly.
7. Energy-Saving Tips
As an air conditioner owner, saving energy should be a priority. Here are some simple tips to reduce your energy consumption:
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Use Ceiling Fans: Ceiling fans can help circulate cool air, allowing you to raise the thermostat by a few degrees without sacrificing comfort.
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Close Curtains and Blinds: Keep curtains and blinds closed during the hottest parts of the day to block out the sun’s heat.
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Limit Heat-Generating Activities: Avoid using ovens, stoves, and other heat-generating appliances during the hottest parts of the day to reduce the load on your air conditioner.
Conclusion
Proper air conditioner home ownership is about more than just enjoying cool air; it’s about ensuring your unit runs efficiently, lasts longer, and helps you save money. By choosing the right system, maintaining it regularly, optimizing airflow, and adopting energy-saving habits, you can enjoy the benefits of your air conditioner for years to come.
Investing time and effort into these practices will not only enhance your comfort but also increase the longevity and efficiency of your air conditioning system. Stay cool and take care of your AC—it’s an essential part of your home’s comfort and value.
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See What Our Customers Are Saying:
Jun 4, 2018
End to end service. From quote, overseeing installation, contacting and making arrangements for energy audit. Warranty program is comprehensive. Cleaned up mess of assistant walking through my place without proper indoor foot covering when I pointed out that I was not happy about footprints on my floors.
Jun 11, 2018
In April we hired Twintech Heating & Cooling to replace our 20 year old water tank & 35 year old air conditioner. We got 5 estimates for the job & decided to go with Twintech for the following reasons.
- The Sales Manager, Dave, was very personable & knowledgeable as all of our questions were answered. (We had a list of questions we asked each of the contractors when we got the estimates)
- We got 5 estimates for the job. All contractors verbally told us they had the required qualifications but Dave was the only one to physically show us their license & insurance documentation.
- Twintech carried the Napoleon air conditioner & we wanted to support Canadian industry as it is assembled in Barrie On.
Safety is important at Twintech as demonstrated when we discussed with Dave, the need to change our install date because of freezing rain. Access was required by navigating a set of outside steps & Dave identified that safety took precedence.
On the installation date, Greg, Peter & Grant showed up on time & methodically accomplished the removal & installation of both units. The guys did a great job cleaning up as well.
When the job was completed we mentioned to Greg that we were pleased with the work they had done & were going to have them come out & do our furnace inspection in Sept. Greg said we can save our money as he had inspected the heat exchanger on the furnace while doing the job & there was no need to have another inspection in Sept. We were very impressed with Gregs initiative. This is top shelf service. Thank you Greg.
As the weather was too cool to complete a functional test of the air conditioner on the installation date, Dave made a follow-up call to us to see how things were going & Greg also came out to check the operation. No problems.
We are very happy we hired professionals like Dave, Greg, Grant & Peter & have no hesitation in recommending Twintech Heating & Cooling. They will now be our "go to" guys.
Nov 18, 2018
These guys are the best. From start to finish they exceeded my expectations and delivered a great product. They accommodated the nuances of my 100 year old home which was really appreciated. The install was easy to schedule and done fantastically. Im so excited to have an efficiently heated and cooled home.
Aug 12, 2018
Twintech were fast and efficient contractors. It only took 48 hours between an initial home visit and complete installation. The workmen were polite and hardworking. The site was left clean with the old furnace etc. removed. They helped arrange an environmental assessment in order that I could receive the maximum rebate. They even called me within a week to determine if I was satisfied with their work and to reassure me that I could call them anytime I experienced heating difficulties or had any questions. I recommend Twintech for your heating problems.
Jul 21, 2018
Courteous and professional service from initial consultation through to the installation. We highly recommend Twintech for outstanding service in the industry. Competitive pricing, professional and accurate advice, attention to detail, respect for their client's home and cleaning up at the completion of installation.
Jul 12, 2018
Last night was the coldest day of the year so far and I woke up to my house being 54 degrees... I called Twintech at 2:45am and Greg was on site by 3:30am. The furnace required a part and he returned to his shop and came back to my home around 4:15am, furnace up and running by 4:30am. THANK YOU TWINTECH! Your service is second to none.
Jun 25, 2018
After much research & getting 4 quotes, we hired Twintech team for our new furnace installation, prices were fair, they carried great product brands & more importantly installation was expertly done by one of the owners (Greg & his assistant Peter) which gave me an added piece of mind. Dave was very organized & answered all my questions in great detail, especially re: the Enbridge & Govt. rebate program.
Jun 10, 2018
My old air conditioner was 20 years old and developed a Freon leak and it was more cost effective to replace rather than repair. There are a large number of heating and air conditioning companies available in my area so I contacted several for quotes. Twintech heating and cooling responded quickly to the inquiry I left on their website and their sales person Dave came by the following day. He was knowledgeable about the field and was able to show copies of the various refrigeration and gas fitting licenses along with workmens compensation, TSSA and other certifications. He also suggested a particular manufacturer and model of AC unit appropriate to my house and gave me a quote. Since the price was reasonable, service had been good and the reviews on the internet were also good, I decided to purchase an AC unit from them. Installation was quickly scheduled. They showed up on time, did a good job installing the new unit including some sheet metal work to get the new heat exchanger to fit in the furnace duct, and cleaned up afterward. In addition, they noticed that my existing AC was installed too close to the furnace exhaust (based on building code) and were able to mount the new AC the appropriate distance from the exhaust. Overall, they did an excellent job and were a pleasure to work with.
Jun 5, 2018
All interactions from sales to installation were Courteous and professional. The installation was seamless and the attention to detail including clean up was outstanding. I highly recommend TwinTech Heating and Cooling.
May 17, 2018
Twintech's Salesman Dave arrived promptly was friendly and courteous, listened and assured us the installation would be completed according to our requests. The crew arrived early morning on May 11th, 2018 and worked through till late afternoon non-stop. They were very friendly, very professional, their expertise was excellent, their workmanship outstanding and the installation was completed in a timely and efficient manner. We were completely satisfied and happy with the quality of the work.
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