AC Tips & Tricks

Air Conditioning Tips & Tricks You Must Know!

We will be giving everyone a few simple tips and steps that can end up saving you a lot of money when it comes to running your air conditioner. A little planning before installing your air conditioner will save you energy and money.

• Try setting your thermostat between 72°F and 78°F. Each degree setting below 78°F will increase your energy consumption by approximately 8%. As you can see, that can add up to a lot of money over a year.
• Inspect and clean both the indoor and outdoor AC/Heating coils. The indoor coil in your air conditioner acts as a magnet for dust because it is constantly wetted during the cooling season. Dirt build-up on the indoor coil is the single most common cause of poor efficiency. The outdoor coil must also be checked periodically for dirt build-up and cleaned if necessary.
• Check the refrigerant charge. The circulating fluid in your air conditioner is a special refrigerant gas that is put in when the system is installed. If the system is overcharged or undercharged with refrigerant, it will not work properly. You may need a service contractor to check the fluid and adjust it appropriately.
• Use bath and kitchen fans sparsely when you are running the air conditioning system.
• Reduce the cooling load by using cost-effective conservation measures. For example, effectively shade east and west windows. When possible, delay heat-generating activities, such as dishwashing or baking, until the evening on hot days.
• Try to not use a dehumidifier at the same time your air conditioner is operating. The dehumidifier will increase the cooling load and force the air conditioner to work harder, which in turn increases your utility bill.
• Over most of the cooling season, keep the house closed tight during the day. Don’t let in unwanted heat and humidity. If practical, ventilate at night either naturally or with fans.

Room Air Conditioning Units

• The unit should be level when installed, so that the inside drainage system and other mechanisms operate efficiently. If possible, install the unit in a shaded spot on your home’s north or east side. Direct sunshine on the unit’s outdoor heat exchanger decreases efficiency by as much as 10%. You can plant trees and shrubs to shade the air conditioner, but do not block the airflow.
• Set the fan speed on high, except on very humid days. When humidity is high, set the fan speed on low for more comfort. The low speed on humid days will cool your home better and will remove more moisture from the air because of slower air movement through the cooling equipment. Consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing electricity use.
• Set your air conditioner’s thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. And don’t set your thermostat at a slighter setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense.
• Don’t place lamps or televisions near your air-conditioner’s thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.

Proper maintenance of your air conditioner will also save energy. Be sure to do the following:

• At the start of each cooling season, inspect the seal between the air conditioner and the window frame to ensure it makes contact with the unit’s metal case. Moisture can damage this seal, allowing cool air to escape from your house.
• Check your unit’s air filter once a month and clean or replace filters as necessary. Keeping the filter clean can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.
• Occasionally pass a stiff wire through the unit’s drain channels. Clogged drain channels prevent a unit from reducing humidity, and the resulting excess moisture may discolor walls or carpet.
*In the winter, either cover your room air conditioner or remove and store it.

Call me today and I will personally visit you and discuss A/C cost cutting ideas with you.

Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
visit our website

Precool To Save Money

Air conditioner use accounts for as much as 40 percent of a typical household’s summer energy consumption. You can manage your cooling costs by precooling your home during hours when the price of electricity is low, then using less air conditioning during higher priced hours. Many Power Smart Pricing participants have shared stories of their success with precooling, saying it’s an easy way to manage air conditioning costs while keeping their homes comfortable.

To precool your home, simply run the air conditioner in the evening, overnight and during the morning hours when electricity is cheaper. Then increase your thermostat temperature setting or turn off your air conditioner during the afternoon. The goal is for your air conditioner to idle during the highest priced times, especially between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The graph below illustrates this precooling strategy and the table lists recommended thermostat temperature settings for each precooling phase.

 Precooling is easy, although you may have to experiment to find what works best for your house and your comfort level. Of course, the effectiveness of precooling will depend on the outside temperature, humidity levels, and the insulation in your home. You can make precooling more effective by shading south facing windows during the day to minimize heat from the sun. And if you have a programmable thermostat you can set it to help you precool automatically.

Call me today and I will personally visit you and discuss A/C cost cutting ideas with you.

Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
visit our website

Air Filter Tips

Purchasing air conditioning filters can be very confusing.

I am often asked “why doesn’t my filter fit properly in my grille?” There are basically two different “sizes” of filters, and purchasing one can be a little confusing. If you read on the cardboard on the outer edge of the filter it might read 18x18, but the actual size of the return grille opening is only 17 ½ x 17 1/2 . Naturally a filter that measures 18 x 18 will not fit in that opening. The first step in getting the right size filter is to measure the opening inside return grille. Most of our new homes will measure to the exact size of the filter you would like to purchase; if not then you must find a filter that has a note on the outer edge that reads 18x18 x 1G. This lets you know that the filter has been under cut to fit the older style return grilles that are very common.

If you are installing the filter in your air handler then you must measure the filter rack that is built into the unit at the time of manufacturing. These should all measure to exact measurements and not have to be undercut.

To learn more about air filters, contact Denny Martin Jr. at 239-774-5501. Denny is a Certified Test & Balance professional. Denny's aim is to provide customers with exactly what is expected in a timely manner, and work is 100% guaranteed.