Summer and air conditioning go together

Summer is perfect for getting together with friends and family to enjoy the beautiful weather. But when a heat wave sets in and humidity hits an all time high, that’s when air conditioning proves its worth.

All anyone can think about is air conditioning and its cooling and soothing effects. After a picnic in the park, a day at the beach, or a nice long bike ride, nothing is better than to come home to the serenity and comfort of an air conditioned house.

Think about your air conditioning needs

Depending on your air conditioning needs, there are a range of systems to meet your comfort requirements. Your choice of system will depend on your budget and the type of home you live in. That is why it is important to be well informed before shopping for an air conditioner. An air conditioning professional will be able to advise you and give you reliable practical information that will help you choose the type of unit that best suits your needs.

Room air conditioning

If you only need to cool a few rooms, room air conditioning units are an economic choice because of their low price and high efficiency. Room air conditioners are also the most sensible choice if you are renting your home. Currently, all air conditioners are equipped with fire preventive electrical plugs. If the power cord is damaged, the plug shuts off automatically.

There are several types of room air conditioning units, depending on your cooling requirements. They can be mounted in a window or portable, monobloc (one unit) or split (an outdoor unit and an indoor unit). Room air conditioners are often equipped with convenient features – such as digital displays, integrated timers, or remote controls – for customized cooling.

A room air conditioner that is too small cannot cool a room efficiently. On the other hand, one that is too big can cause a room to feel clammy. The general rule is that an air conditioner needs about 20 BTU to cool one square foot of living space. Be sure to place the unit where you can easily access the filter when it needs cleaning. It is important to keep your unit in good condition.

Central air conditioning

If you own your home and are planning to stay a while, a central air conditioning system is an investment that can add value and is more energy efficient in the long run than several room units.

When deciding on a central system, heat pumps are an attractive option because their technology provides both air conditioning in summer and heating in winter. Whichever type of central system you choose, it must be installed by a qualified professional because a central system’s performance depends as much on how it is installed and maintained as on the equipment itself.

Make sure to keep your system clean. Leave a minimum distance of two feet between your system's outside unit and garden plants, especially shrubs and hedges. Every month, clean the grill and the filter and remove debris and dirt from the unit’s coils. It is also important to check the drain pipe for blockages.

Keep your air conditioning unit running smoothly

Dust buildup on the air conditioner filter reduces its efficiency and can increase the noise level of your unit. For best results, clean the air filter of a room unit every two weeks. For a central unit, once a month is enough.

Always think ahead

It is best not to wait for a heat wave to hit before getting air conditioning. If you shop for an air conditioner before summer starts, your system will be ready to keep your home cool and pleasant when you really need it.

By Judith Brown