Easy Ways to Save on AC

While air conditioners often make up the meat of your electricity bills, you should be interested on how to cut back usage and spend less on your monthly power bill. Luckily, our friends at the South Florida air conditioning experts are here to show you how!

First and foremost, make sure the filter is clean each month. Dust and debris can build up quickly, causing your air units to work harder to pump cool air. A harder working ac=a higher utility bill.

Clean and protect your air conditioner. As air conditioners pump away day after day, you need to make sure they are adequately cleaned and cared for. Cleaning the air conditioner is an easy way to save money and cut power usage. The outside and inside units both need caring for--spray off debris and wipe away dust to ensure your air is clean.

Use less. While this may seem like an obvious way to cut your bills, many people discount it as a possibility. Many people overuse their air conditioners and don't realize it--in the early mornings or evenings, take advantage of cool breezes and open the windows. Once the sun begins to come out, then you'll want to shut the windows and circulate cool air. Also, setting the thermostat higher will still effectively cool your place--and cost you less.

Should You Use a Window Air Unit?

In older homes, the ability to install central air can be tricky, costly, and near impossible. However, living in Miami means you have to certainly have some sort of air flow--enter the window air conditioner. While these are more commonly seen in cities up north, such as New York, they can be just as effective in South Florida if they are installed properly.

There are a few things to know before you pick up a wall air conditioner to ensure you've got the right one for your home.  Choose the right size (you can take the square footage of the room and use that information on a trip to a Home Depot or Lowe's), and you'll be sure to know how many BTUs you need to adequately cool off a room. You also want to open the window to see how high it can go, because you don't want to pick an air unit that is taller than that--it won't be able to fit.

Try to place the unit in a window that isn't in direct sunlight, which will keep it from having to work too hard.

Wash the window before you put the unit in, and make sure there isn't any peeling paint around the interior frame. Also, you want to place the unit near a three prong plug so that you don't have to use an extension cord--an extension cord will make your air unit a fire hazard.

When you install it, make sure it isn't tilting downwards--this can result in problems with drainage. Be sure to put foam at the top and at the bottom of the raised unit to prevent hot air from seeping in/cool air from seeping out.

Keeping Cool in the Heat of Summer

Depending on the size of your home or apartment, there are certain tips that apply to getting the most out of an air conditioning unit. While many people choose to install central air, this can pose a problem for renters who don't have that ability. Generally landlords won't want to alter the air situation, so it's important that you consider alternatives. The Miami air conditioner experts want to help you figure out what can be done when you can't install central.

Wall units are an easy and temporary way to pump in cool air--just be sure you have the right plugs and outlets so that you don't override a circuit or use to much power where it isn't meant to be distributed. There are easy tutorials online that can help you install a window unit.

For more flexibility (and less intrusion) you can also look into portable air conditioners. They are towers that you can easily move from room to room to cool off where you're spending your time rather than an entire house that has vacant areas.

Remember, whatever you decide to purchase--make sure it is Energy Star Compliant!

Do You Have the Right Size AC?

Getting an air conditioner that is the right size is an essential step in cooling your home properly.  All air conditioners are measured in BTUs--now you need to figure out how many BTUs are right for your home.The Miami air conditioner experts want to make sure you've got the right equipment in your home.

Be sure to analyze the air conditioner that your home used before. This is often the most accurate way to choose a new one, because it's what worked in your house before. If you feel it may be the wrong size you need, you can view your neighbors air units (with their permission of course), to see what they are using and if its different than yours.

Measure the square footage of your home. Climate and square footage are the factors used to determine what kind of air unit you should be using. Finally, you want to use that information on a BTU estimation tool to see how many BTUs are right for your home. Then you want to check your load calculation for a professional estimate of your air conditioner size.

Your numbers might not be 100% accurate, but they will certainly be on the right track!

Are Your Air Vents Emitting a Musty Smell?

Air conditioners serve to remove humidity from indoors and also circulate cool air. But what if you smell something moldy or musty coming from the air unit? It's likely that you have mold somewhere in your homes heating and cooling system. The Miami air conditioner professionals want to help you determine what kind of mold problem you might have.

The size of the air conditioner plays a role in the likelihood of mold. If your ac is too big for your home, it may be unable to correctly remove the moisture from the air. This results in mold spores growing, and also in a musty smell.

Air leaks can also result in a musty smell. When air drains through drainage systems and drip trays, there are several areas where leaks can occur. Stagnant water and broken drains can result in real problems that need to be fixed by a professional.

Ducts and vents are also a place where mold spores can grow. A duct cleaning company will be able to help you target these growths.

Did you know that running an air system on Economy can result in mold growth? Running on fan-only is an ideal way to help with evaporating any moisture that has built up within the unit and vent system.

How Much Does Duct Cleaning Cost?

According to the EPA, homes need to have their ducts cleaned when they start to show mold or are infested with vermin. For single homes with one furnace, the cost to clean the ducts can be anywhere from $400 to $600. For a two-furnace home, the cost can be anywhere from $600-$1,000. Any company that charges a fraction of this, or substantially more, is worth looking into and researching.
However, some companies charge by the hour for cleaning--rather than a flat fee. Charges may run from $90 per hour up to $125 per hour.

So what goes on during a duct cleaning? The Miami air conditioner experts know that when we conduct a cleaning, the duct work along with the fans and heating coils are cleaned. Cleaning the furnace is also part of the job. Asbestos removal is a different task, and it requires the work of a professional to remove asbestos before duct cleaning can begin.

DIY Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping is an important element to getting the most of your air conditioning. With cracks and leaks in the doors, windows, and other areas, the air that you are paying for is essentially seeping right back outside. So how to solve this problem inexpensively and easily? The Miami air conditioner professionals have you covered!

Weatherstripping materials can range from self stick foam to sheets of rubber screwed into frames. Before you apply either, you want to measure the space around which you need to weatherstrip, and then clean the area before applying anything.

Using scissors, cut the weatherstripping to the exact length that you will need. You can use the adhesive the product comes with or nail it down if you feel it isn't secure enough.

Close the door/window that you have applied the insulation to. It should close properly, but if it doesn't--check the weatherstripping and make sure it is aligned properly.

Save Money on Air Repairs

Here at the Miami air conditioner experts, we know that no one likes spending their hard earned money on repairs--whether it's for your air conditioner or for your car, and so on. With that in mind, we've decided to help you put together a list of ways to save money on ac repairs.

One of the things we recommend the most is having an expert come perform a leak search. By properly maintaining and servicing your ac, you are likely to have less problems with it.

Research a company before you invite them into your home or hire them. While many companies aim to help consumers, some also try to take advantage of them. It's better you do your due diligence rather than become the victim of a scam.

If you still have a unit that uses R-22 you're in a quandary--the chemical has gone up significantly in cost, but it is still a necessity for many air conditioners. If you have to buy this, we suggest buying a little more than you might need at the present time. If you don't want to fork out several hundred dollars for it, we encourage you to look at new units on the market that operate without.