Choose the Best Air Conditioner

jchait — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:13:27 -0400

Yesterday we looked at some ideas for greener cooling options. Today we're going to look at how to choose an air conditioner, if you think that's your best home cooling option.

You need to decide if you'd like to cool your entire home at once - say you have a tiny house, or maybe you're willing to cool room to room. The best option for a larger home is to cool room by room, because you'll save energy and money over central air or ductless air.

If you are looking for a room air conditioner, you need to look for the EER number. The EER is an Energy Efficiency Rating that show, in easy terms, how much energy you'll be consuming. It's more complicated than that of course, so if you're into the hard core search stage, it'll pay for you to read Choosing an Efficient Room-sized Air Conditioner. This post at Treehugger, goes over some more precise specs about EER.

If you're going with central air you won't see a rating because each central air system is dependent upon the home or space it resides in. Installation and hardware differs for each central air system. Some pros of central air is that it's the best at evenly cooling; but really most homes don't need their entire home evenly cooled. Secondly, central air in new homes is inexpensive. On the other hand, adding central air to your long standing home can be super costly. All things to consider.

Lastly, if you do go with air conditioners of any kind, make sure you're not blasting it just because you can. See if you can adjust the air conditioner down some, and still stay cool. Also, be sure to turn it off at night (or at least down) because it's cooler.

To learn more read:

Air conditioners: Green buying guide

Air conditioners: Simple efficiency tips

Central air installation tips

Save Energy: The Best Home Cooling Systems

jchait — Wed, 21 May 2008 01:47:25 -0400

Now that summer is right here upon us, many of us are thinking about home cooling. Sadly, when summer arrives is not the time to think about this major issue. It's actually best to consider home cooling needs when you build (or remodel).

If you're planning a home, here's what you should focus on if you want worry-free cooling during the hot months.

Passive heating and cooling: We've discussed this before here, but it's always worth repeating. The same issues, orientation, proximity to other structures and trees, and so fourth that keep your home warm in winter, also work to keep your home cool in the summer. Prevention of heat is a far better tactic than trying to get rid of the heat once it arrives.

Proper weatherization: People often think of weatherization as a warming method, but again, if it works to keep heat in, it'll work to keep heat and humidity out.

White roofing is a great, fairly simple, technique for keeping your home cool.

Super windows and insulation! Windows and insulation are very important both are actually weatherization techniques, but are big enough influences to deserve their own consideration. Windows and insulation with higher R-value are best. Windows (south facing) with the right awnings or that are place under sufficient roof overhangs can do double duty when it comes to keeping heat out.

Ventilation plays a big part when it comes to cooling your home. Heat trapped in say, your attic is going to go somewhere. One inexpensive and green option for proper ventilation is to use solar powered vent fans.

One extremely impressive passive and efficient cooling website to check out is at Build It Solar. I love this guide, it covers all kinds of things you know, and then tosses in some new ideas. An excellent read if you're thinking about cooling.