Weatherproof Your Home

Want to save some money in 2012? Look no further than your own home! By weatherproofing it, you'll be able to cut back utility bills and put a little money back in to your wallet.

Whether you're using your heater or your air conditioner, weatherproofing is an essential part of maximizing your air unit. Sealing areas such as door frames and window sills will go a long way in keeping air from escaping. Essentially, that means more heat inside in the winter and more cool air trapped inside in the summer.

Programmable thermostats range between $25-100 and will help you maximize air efficiency. The thermostat should contribute to about $200 off of your bill, therefore paying for itself and then some. Also, small tweaks to your set temperatures will go a long way in cutting costs--switching the thermostat by 2 degrees will save 5%, and more savings ensue as the temperature is adjusted.

For more tips on saving on your air conditioner, be sure to follow the Miami air conditioning blog!

Before There Was Air Conditioning

Have you ever wondered how people made it through the heat without today's modern technology? Without air conditioners, freezers, and other cooling-off techniques?

Well, turns out a lot of thought went in to staying cool. Every thing from the construction to the location of a person's home (at least the upper class) was carefully planned to maximize cool weather. For example, homes were built with eco-friendly materials that changed with the seasons--warming in the winter and cooling in the summer. There were also copper pipes throughout the house pumping cold water to cool through the walls.

Also, areas of the house were specifically open to flowing fountains, water gardens and other cooling effects. Time was also spent in pools and large outdoor baths. Aside from the main homes, pavilions were built in openly airy spaces to maximize cross breezes and often located near bodies of water.

As for the lower classes, they stuck to hanging in the shade and also dipping their feet in water wells for little jolts of cold. Most medieval buildings, such as forts and even jails, had open windows to allow for air circulation.

Panasonic Releases New Line of Air Conditioners

This week, Panasonic unveiled a new line of Cube ACs, upgraded from the original design and targeted at commercial customers. The new split ACs are outfitted by ECONAVI technology, which computes various factors such as human location, activity level, absence and sunlight levels to determine the amount of air that should be pumped into a building and at what temperature. The technology is available among 65 different models from 11 different series.

Currently, the units are being introduced in India, with hopes of becoming a household name in the commercial industries for services. The eco take on air conditioning is one that they hope to catch on among consumers looking to cut utility bills and up the technological advances.

Hopefully the Miami air conditioning scene gets a piece of Panasonic's new models in the coming months!

Ron Paul's Campaign: Cut A/C For Troops

Among other controversial beliefs that the potential Presidential candidate has, one of his most debated statements is his plan to cut off air conditioning for troops at war. The reasoning? As a means to bring them home. According to Paul, our country is spending $20 billion a year in air conditioning bills to keep the tents in Iraq and Afghanistan cool. His belief is that if you cut air conditioning, the troops would get out of the middle East--something Paul strongly wants. The $20 billion cut would then be redistributed: $10 billion to our national debt and another $10 billion to FEMA, child healthcare or another cause benefiting the American public.

Here in Miami, it's hot. Over in the middle East, it gets to be scorching as well. So, what do you think? Is cutting the a/c too extreme? Aren't there other steps necessary to ensure troops are removed safely? Share your thoughts!

Get the Most Out of Your A/C

Many people don't realize that the air conditioner can do more than simply cool your home off--it can also keep fresh air ventilating throughout your home, control humidity, and contribute to the overall comfort of your residence. A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system, also called HVAC, is a great machine to handle all of these things.

One caveat to those considering an HVAC--monthly servicing is ideal to keep utility costs down and efficiency up. Common monthly maintenance includes changing the filters. Also, remember to switch it off when you aren't home! When handled right, an HVAC is a relief to the wallet.

If you need a professional HVAC inspection, contact the air conditioning professionals at Edd Helms today!

Landlords & Air Conditioning

One dilemma that tenants may face throughout a rental lease is problems with their air conditioner. It's important to know where your responsibility ends and your landlord's responsibilities begin. At the end of the day, they own the apartment/house, so their concern for the maintenance should be present.

Small repairs or maintenance, such as changing out the filters, are often left at the responsibility of the tenant. These filters are inexpensive and will help keep the air conditioning unit running at optimum levels. Often, they should be changed about 30 days. These are a few bucks at home goods stores, such as your local Home Depot.

Once you get to a bigger problem and require professional air conditioning repairs, you should certainly contact your landlord. You don't want to do any repairs before involving your landlord first, as they may have a specific request or would like to speak with the repair team for themselves.

Keep Your Home at the Temperture You Want it!

Sometimes, setting the thermostat and relaxing while your home cools/heats works out great. You're refreshed, the climate is enjoyable, and everything copacetic. Sometimes, however, it never seems to get a point where it's comfortable--what's with that? Either your cold, searching for a blanket or your hot and searching for circulation. By checking a few parts of your air conditioner, you'll be able to troubleshoot this from happening to you.

First, check the insulation. If you've got cracks where air is escaping, then the air that you're paying to cool (or heat) is flowing right back outside! Talk about a waste of time, energy and money. Insulation should be done throughout the home--think attics and other rooms where air may escape. Also, fix and window or door drafts. The same rule applies--any where air can escape, it will.

Invest in a programmable thermostat. By setting the temperature you wish, you can have your home ready and waiting at a cool 70 degrees when you get home from work, if you would like. The best part, however, is that the air won't be cranking all day. Simply set the thermostat to kick on about an hour before you intend to be home and voila--you'll walk in to the climate you're wishing for.

If you need a professional to come help you optimize the energy efficiency of your home, don't hesitate to call the air conditioning professionals at Edd Helms.