Air Conditioning - How to Keep Your Electricity Bills Low

Are you finding it harder to budget for the amount of money you pay to your electric utility? This is a very common problem since most people have to deal with the rising cost of living on a fixed salary. At the same time, it is very hard to expect oneself and one's family to do without the comfort of an air conditioning unit because weather conditions have made summers too hot to handle and winters far colder than before. Thankfully, there are ways in which you can manage your air conditioner so that your electricity bills do not climb too high.

One of the first things you should do is pay close attention to the weather and set your air conditioning according. The amount of cooling you require during the peak of summer is undoubtedly high but you certainly do not need to cool your house to the same level when the weather cools. In fact, you might not even require air conditioning during some of the days late in the year.

Make sure that the air conditioner you use is placed correctly. Most people recommend placing it on the north side of the house so that it does not have to work too hard to cool the house. You should also use the right sized air conditioning unit for your room or house. A small unit will have to work too hard without giving satisfactory results whereas a very large one will use up a lot of energy.

You have to take care of your air conditioner well so that it works efficiently. This involves cleaning its filter as well as condenser and coils. You can do it on your own if you check the owner's manual. It is also a good idea to get it serviced twice a year.

Most people who have central air conditioning do not realize that they can save quite a bit of money by closing the air vents in rooms that are not occupied. You might have to take a bit of trouble to monitor this but it is certainly worth the effort. Another thing that you could do on really hot days is to close the intake of air from outside so that your air conditioning unit circulates air inside the house. If you do not do this your machine will pulls in hot air which it then has to cool, thereby using too much energy.

If you have a large window that bears the brunt of the sun's rays then you should close it with a blind so that the heat does not enter the house and reduce the cooling effect of your air conditioner. Another thing that you should always do is have the slats of the blinds pointing towards the ceiling and not downwards so that the sun's rays cannot warm the room.

These cooling tips will help you get the most out of your air conditioning system without having to pay too much money in electricity bills.

Air Conditioning Systems - How it All Works

Central air conditioning systems are the largest and most complicated of all air-conditioning systems. Because of this, it is mainly used in large buildings such as apartment complexes and office buildings. The reason why this type of air-conditioning is used instead of window units or portable air conditioning units is because they are more economical to run in the long run. Window units are generally only good for small rooms and are not practical for cooling large areas.

Central air units are a set of machines and parts that work in unison to cool air. Generally a separate space such as a small room will be needed to install this system. This type of air conditioners consists of four different parts or systems. They are the compressor, which will be larger than ordinary air conditioner compressors, condenser, evaporator and the thermostatic expansion valve. If these parts sound familiar it is because they are also found in refrigerators, the main difference being that they will be bigger. There are basically two different types of central air conditioning units. The direct expansion system also known as the DX system and the chilled water system are the 2 basic types.

The DX system will use a big compressor and condenser which will be installed in one room and the cooling coil and evaporator will be installed in another room. The chilled air is then distributed via air ducts to different rooms. This system is used in smaller buildings and is the more common of the two types. The chilled water system is housed in one room and uses a sophisticated system using brine solution to cool the air. The system is more noisy and complicated to run which means it needs qualified technicians to keep it running smoothly. Chilled water systems are used for large buildings. The biggest advantage a chilled system has is that if there is leak in the pipe only water is lost and not expensive refrigerant.

As far as DX central air conditioners go, there are a number of players in the market today such as, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, GE and so on. They all have their websites which makes it easy to find prices and size. As far Chilled water systems go, there are only a few manufacturers that make them. The reason for this is because they are more complicated and expensive to make. Some of the companies that make this type of system are GE and Westinghouse.

The Japanese Have Been Using it For Years - Split System Air Conditioning

Have you got rooms in your home that just won't cool using your existing air conditioning equipment? It's possible you may not have central air at all, because you have no ductwork in your home to run it through, so you're surviving using inefficient window units. Having ductwork run and installing central air just isn't feasible for a lot of people, because of the financial outlay that will be required. People are finding, however, that there is a better option available with split system air conditioning.

Although people used to exist without air conditioning in their homes, it was a very uncomfortable situation. Furniture and carpets became saturated with moisture while the people living in the home sweltered and sweated. It was too hot to cook, eat, sleep, or even just sit around doing nothing. Homes built during these years were not constructed to accommodate central air. Since that time, people have either had to bite the bullet in order to cool their homes or have just gone without. With split system air conditioning, however, the opportunity to cool older homes has become a reality.

With split system air, you can cool all of your home or only certain portions of it depending on the size of the systems you purchase and how many zones you elect to include. For people with limited budgets, it's possible to install this type of air conditioning system one zone at a time which makes it much more cost effective. If you already have central air, for example, but the bedrooms are still too warm for sound sleep, you can install a system that will cool just the bedroom areas. If you have no existing form of air conditioning, you can choose the areas you wish to cool, such as the kitchen and bedrooms.

The only thing that needs to be done prior to having split system air conditioning installed in your home is to drill a 3" hole in the wall. As mentioned earlier, there is no need for ductwork. The units are designed to maintain a low profile so that they won't disturb the décor of your home. You will find models that hang from the ceiling, mount on the wall, or stand on the floor so that you can put them wherever they will be the least obtrusive. Although this type of system is somewhat more expensive than other options, it still opens up a lot of possibilities for the owners of homes that have no or inadequate air conditioning.

Whole House Air Conditioning Vs Window Units

During the summer, air conditioning becomes essential for many people, especially in the humid Deep South and the scorching deserts of the Southwest. There are two kinds of air conditioners: wall/window units and whole house units, or central A/C systems. Both types of A/C cool and dehumidify, but differ in energy use and scale of their cooling properties. Here is some information about each type.

How Air Conditioning Works

Air conditioning is complicated. A/C units have complex systems of compressors, heat pumps, fans, fan motors, and coolant circulation. Hot, moist air is taken in from the outside and put through a series of processes that cool it and remove the majority of the moisture. It is then forced through an outlet vent into the inside of the home, lowering the ambient temperature. In the past, carcinogenic and environmentally destructive CFC's were used as the coolant gas. Now, other substances are used. All air conditioning units will require coolant, external ventilation, and an electrical power source.

About Window Units

Window units, wall units, or split A/C units are all variations on the same thing, which is a single-room A/C system. They can be permanently installed in the room through a hole in the wall or placed in a window. The ventilation and cooling system are contained within the body structure of the unit, which can be plugged into an outlet or hard-wired. The electrical installation will depend on how many BTUs the unit needs to operate efficiently, but most units consume about 900 watts per kWh. Prior to buying window units, measure the space to be cooled so you can buy an A/C that will cool it without overworking.

Pros and Cons of Window Units

Window units are portable to a large degree, although moving them around often can be detrimental to its internal components. The unit's size is very important. If it is too small, it will run constantly, driving up your energy bill. A large unit will cool inefficiently and cause clammy humidity buildup in the room. Wall units are also prone to dripping and leaks, especially in very humid climates. They can be noisier than central A/C. Window units can be less expensive than central A/C if they are only used in small areas and the thermostat is set to a moderate temperature. They also are inexpensive, as little as $300.

About Whole House Air Conditioning

Whole house A/C is also known as central air. This is a larger air conditioning unit, consisting of a condenser (normally placed outside the house) a blower fan, and a cooling coil system. The warm air from outside is condensed, channeled into the fan and cooled by the coils, and forced through the home's existing ductwork into the rooms, thus cooling and dehumidifying the air. If the home does not have a forced-air furnace, the fans and the cooling coils will be placed in the attic. The thermostat will regulate the home's temperature level. Whole house 2.5-ton A/C units consume about 3500 watts of electricity per kWh.

Pros and Cons of Whole House A/C

If you have a house with several rooms that need to be cooled, installing a whole house unit is the way to go. The installation cost of a central A/C unit will vary on the region, type of unit, and the amount of customization that needs to be done to the home. If the home does not have existing ductwork, the installation will be much more expensive, since that will have to be added. Whole house units dehumidify and condition the air, removing allergens and irritants, making the environment better for everyone. Make sure enough cold-air returns are installed, and only choose a unit with a high seasonal energy efficiency rating.

Maximizing Efficiency in Both Types

There are many ways to make the most of each kind of A/C unit's cooling power, while keeping your electric bill reasonable. Set the temperature at 78F, because every degree below this mark increases energy consumption by as much as 4%. When you leave, increase the temperature to 80F or more. Set the blower fan at a lower temperature to help circulate the air better. Insulate your home well, especially on the sunward-facing side, which will keep the home at an even temperature yearlong. Replace filters, clean ducts and/or intakes/outlets frequently to prevent clogs, and check that the coolant level is sufficient.

When deciding whether to install window units, whole house A/C, or a combination of both, consider the number of rooms you need to cool and your installation budget. Regardless of which type of air conditioning you choose, set the thermostat at a reasonable temperature and maintain them well to ensure maximum cooling efficiency.

10 Tips for Renting Long-Term Apartments in Kiev

10. Know Your Budget - Understanding your budget for rent should include utilities. Expenses such as internet service, electricity, gas; and in some cases water and parking will dramatically increase your overall monthly living expense.

Many apartments for rent include internet, electricity, gas, water and parking in the monthly rent cost. Therefore, it would be wise to ask your agent for specific details. Figure out exactly which utilities you require, see if these utilities are or are not included with the monthly rent; and then calculate the total cost.

Note: Many property descriptions will lead you into thinking various utilities are included in the rent - but often times require additional payment.

9. Heating /Cooling - The winters in Kiev are harsh. Actually, it is VERY harsh/COLD! Regardless if a property description states heating is available, make sure you get clear details. Most buildings have 'Central Heating.' This heating system utilizes water and/or air and heats the entire building. Central Heating works from October 15 to April 15. Sometimes it can be still cold before October 15 or after April 15, so if you plan to stay before or after these dates, check to see if other forms of heating is available - e.g. electric, fire place etc.

Most apartments do not have individual air conditioning units as the warm months in Kiev are quite moderate. However, Western influences in renovation and construction have instilled the value of having units fixed with individual air conditioning units. Make sure you ask your agent or the home owner (in detail) if the apartment has proper heating and cooling systems.

8. Transportation - Unless you plan on purchasing a car in Kiev or having one shipped over, you will most likely get around using public transportation. The public transportation infrastructure in Kiev and throughout Ukraine is well structured. Metros (underground subway), trains, trolley-buses, buses, shuttle-buses, taxis are all forms of Kiev's public transportation. When deciding on an apartment to rent, find out where the closest Metro station is located as this will be your main means for transportation (especially for those who commute to work daily). Remember, the winters are harsh in Kiev and the last thing you want to do is walk long distances to and from Metro stations.

7. Parking - If you plan to own a car while residing in Kiev, having your own private parking spot would be convenient. Having a parking spot located underground is even more convenient (especially during winter months). Therefore, ask your agent or the home owner to give you information on parking for the apartment. If a private spot is not available, make sure adequate street parking is available. Having to spend time looking for a spot to park after a long day at work can be frustrating, time consuming, often times require long walks and may pose a security threat.

6. Furniture - Most apartments come furnished. Get a complete detail of the type of furniture, appliances and see if anything you may specifically need is furnished. If you are looking for an unfurnished apartment, most agents will be able to negotiate with the home owner to remove some if not all the furniture.

If an apartment comes unfurnished but looking for one that is furnished, ask your agent if the owner will accommodate furniture for the apartment.

5. District (location) - As with most large cities in the world, Kiev is broken into various neighborhoods ("districts"). Spend some time and research the various districts of Kiev and look for an apartment that is within your budget as well as its distance to your work place/school, shopping locations, and places you may want to frequently visit during your downtime - parks, museums, churches etc.

4. Bedrooms / Bathrooms - Most agents will describe a property's bedroom/bathrooms with a simple 'rooms.' If a property states it has 4 rooms, this may be 2 bedrooms and 2 bathroom; 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom; or any other combination. With that said, ask your agent to give you specific detail of the property's number of bedrooms and bathrooms.

3. Timing - Plan ahead. A minimum of one month notice should be given to your agent; so that he or she will find exactly what you are looking for (often times saving you money as well). Also, there are major festivities such as UEFA Euro Soccer and long holiday seasons that often times will limit you and your agent to find what you are looking for - poor planning/timing may also result paying premium prices for an apartment as many apartment owners will increase the price during specific festivities when apartments for rent are in high demand.

2. Contract/Lease Agreement - Most agreements are drafted in Russian and English (together) and notarized. Expect to sign a 12 month agreement as this is the norm. If there is a possibility that you may not need to reside in the apartment for a full term/agreement, ensure you ask the agent to put a clause in the contract/lease agreement that states the tenant(s) have the right to break the lease with no penalties should an agreed amount of time/notice is given.

1. Use a Real Estate Agency - Although the least inexpensive way to find an apartment for rent is dealing strictly with the owner, finding this information is close to impossible for foreigners and property owners in most cases do not like dealing with possible tenants. Therefore, property owners will list their properties with local real estate agencies. A private real estate agent will give you invaluable advice, make all necessary negotiations with the landlord, draft contracts tailored to your needs, and most importantly, an agent will find exactly what you are looking.

Tips For Central Air Conditioning Maintenance

Performing your own central air conditioning maintenance is not as hard as you may think. It is just a matter of knowing where to start and paying attention to what you are doing. Knowing the parts of your system is very important before you start performing a maintenance. Know the components of your system. The system consists of an air handler, condensing unit, drain line, and line set plus other components within these parts as well. The purpose of performing a maintenance is so that you may identify problems with your system before they become major problems and cause a breakdown when you least expect it.

Cleaning your air conditioner regularly will prevent the dirt from building up which is among the leading causes of air conditioner failure, To do this, you need to clean your air conditioner thoroughly twice every year depending on the frequency of use and the length of time you keep the unit running.

Always check the operation of your system before performing a central air conditioning maintenance to make sure that all components are operating. Because there is nothing worse than to complete your maintenance and find out that your system is not operating correctly. It may lead you to think that you caused the problem if you had not verified first that all was working at the start of your maintenance. Also at this time if you are not getting air flow to parts of the home, check your duct work for possible leaks and repair them if needed.

Now that you know something about maintaining air conditioners it will be easier for you to understand the detailed manuals for central air conditioning maintenance that are provided on the internet.

Choosing An Air Conditioner - Part I

Air conditioning has become the norm in hot and humid climates. Almost all offices and many middle class homes have starting installing air conditioning in their homes. Air conditioners are essential to improve working conditions. This in turns helps to improve productivity of office workers. Many industries, factories, laboratories etc. too need air conditioning for comfort or because the process needs it.

Depending on the size of the room and total area needing air conditioning, some decisions have to be made for the air conditioner to be installed. The usual choice for a home may be window or split air conditioning. Central air conditioning may be choice for very large homes, offices and factories.

Cost can be one big factor we need to consider when making a choice. But it would also be handy to know some technical information like tonnage of the air conditioning, power consumption and other mechanical features as well.

Let's examine some of the technical data we ought to acquire to get your money's worth, when buying an air conditioner.

First and foremost you need to your budget. Secondly you should know the size of the room or area of the house or office if you wish to cool part or whole area. This helps to ascertain the tonnage of the air conditioner you require. The price of the air conditioner increases with the increase in tonnage. Normally for window or split tonnage of air conditioners available are from 0.60, 0.75, 1, 1.5 and 2 tons. One question the store will ask you which brand or manufacturer you prefer. Depending on the brand, your price will vary. Sometimes there are even assembled air conditioners available from the local maintenance workshop, which may turn out to be cheaper though not entirely reliable.

It is no secret that the cooling capacity varies in direct proportion to the air conditioner tonnage. So how do you measure cooling capacity? Cooling capacity is measured in KCal/hour or BTU/hour and the greater the number, the more powerful is the unit. Cooling capacity of an air conditioner of one ton is 3000 KCal/hour or 12000 BTU/hour. Guidelines given by manufacturers indicate that area and tonnage of machine. A 0.75-ton machine is suitable for 35 sq. ft. area, one-ton machine for 90 to 110 sq. ft. area, 1.25-ton machine for 115 to 140 sq. ft. area, 1.50-ton machine for 150 to 170 sq. ft. area, 1.75-ton machine for 180 to 220 sq. ft. and so on. A better way is to divide the square feet of your room by 600 to get the correct tonnage.

It would be helpful to your dealer if you give some details. Other than room size, you could tell him the number and size of windows, the direction the room faces, how much shade your room gets, the thickness of walls and type of roof, type of insulation the room has and the number of appliances in the room like computers. Such details will enable your dealer to advise about the best type, tonnage and number of air conditioners to be installed.

You need to be guard that you do not select a lower tonnage simply to save on cost. Lower tonnage can reflect in higher bills, which will eventually hurt your pocket in the long term.

It is important to ensure that the power supply in your home is sufficient to run the machine. Your authorised electrician can advise you on the power supply angle. You should also get him to check the wiring. If required, separate wiring and heavy-duty electric plug connection should be provided to install the air conditioner.

The efficiency of your machine can be measured with the help of Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). EER helps you to determine how much it costs of run each unit. Units with higher EER are more expensive, but consume less power and turn out cheaper in the long run.

Central Air or Window Air Conditioner?

All air conditioners' power is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU). The amount of power you need depends on the square footage of your room. It is important that you choose the right size air conditioner for your room. Unfortunately, picking the wrong size window air conditioner is most prevalent.

An air conditioner that is too small for your room will have to run longer in order to reach the temperature that you have set on the thermostat. Thus, the unit will ware faster and contribute to increasing your energy bills.

If you buy an air conditioner that is too big, then your room will get cold fast much faster. This also means that it will have to turn itself off and on a lot to maintain the temperature you have set on your thermostat. This will increase your energy bills and make your home feel damp.

Pros to Central Air

Central Air conditioning is great for cooling an entire house. It is recommended to have a central air conditioning unit if you have a house that is more than one story. Central air can even help to dehumidify your entire home, preventing the growth of mold.

Cons

Installing a central air conditioning unit can be very expensive. If you already have ducts in your house, then a central air conditioner will cost around $4,000. If you don't have ducts installed, then you're looking at closer to $10,000 for your central air conditioning unit. Once it is installed however, there are usually no problems and no maintenance required.

Pros to Window AC

Window air conditioners are great for supplying heat to a targeted area. They are great if you only need to cool a couple of rooms, or if you live in a one story house.

Often placed in an open window, they convert the hot air outside into cold air that is then blown into your room. You can install these units yourself and they are relatively easy to transport from window to window.

Cons

They can't blow the air they generate to a large area. They are most effective with a portable rotating fan so that the cold air can be circulated throughout the entire room.

Unfortunately, they require a lot of maintenance. It is recommended to clean your filters regularly, especially if you have been using it a lot. You will have to uninstall your window air conditioning unit every winter and then reinstall it for the summer time. It can be easily stolen because it located in your open window.

Recap

Make sure you consider the size of the rooms in your home and your other needs before purchasing your ac unit.

Tips for Picking a Mini Split Air Conditioner

As real estate grows thinner and thinner and homes push up against each other, the mini split air conditioner has become more necessary than ever. Many of us do not have space for air conditioning ductwork and also lack windows for window-set air conditioning, rendering the need for efficient yet compact units pressing to many people who unfortunately do not know how to choose the right mini split for their home. To avoid the common mistakes made, follow the tips below.

Do not think that a mini split air conditioner coming pre-charged with refrigerant is immediately one you can install yourself. Many companies lead customers to this false conclusion by failing to explain properly that such pre-charged products usually require regulation before they work, and this is a process that still has to be carried out by a professional. Make thorough inquiries before you jumping to conclusions like this, or you may be sorely disappointed when what you expected to be low costs escalated to high one owing to the price of hiring a pro that you did not factor in from the start.

Check the decibel figures for the amount of noise each air conditioning unit makes. This should not be too grave an issue since this type of air conditioner is known for being quiet. Still, you should compare the numbers across units. Lower decibels naturally mean less noise.

Look for an air conditioning unit that has a high SEER rating. SEER figures indicate how efficient a unit is, so you typically want to go with a mini split unit with a very high number here. Even if the unit does appear to carry a higher price tag, you may rest assured it shall be worth every penny you pay. These days, it is fairly easy to find a mini split air conditioner that posts a figure as high as 20 SEER; indeed, many are now posting higher ratings. Consider going for these to keep your energy consumption excellent.

Consider the big picture when buying a unit. The costs involved in buying cooling units like these are not restricted to simply buying the product: you need to search for a mini split air conditioner whose installation is straightforward enough for you to step in and do some of the basic preparatory tasks instead of leaving everything to the professional installers. The bottom line is always better if you are handy enough with your household or garage tools to take some of the work upon your shoulders, as this cuts down the labor costs involved in hiring experts to do the work for you.

Mini Split Air Conditioners - Economical Home Cooling, Or Waste of Money?

Perhaps one of the best products ever invented was the air conditioner. Nothing beats the luxury of being able to sit inside on a blistering hot day as the air conditioner bursts forth super cooled air to chill your home. For many years, our only solution was the window unit air conditioners. These loud and often quirky pieces of equipment helped cool you down but were often inefficient in cooling larger areas. You either had to install multiple units or deal with part of your house being uncomfortably warm. Central air conditioners were a great improvement and they do a fairly effective job at cooling the entire house. Nowadays, they are fairly standard in many newly build homes. But, there is a new kid on the block in the world of air conditioners and it is called the mini split.

A mini split represents an entirely new concept in air conditioning technology in that they are ductless. The need for ductless ac looms large as many houses don't have any space for incorporating the large and bulky duct systems needed for implementing a traditional central air conditioning system. Try to modify an existing house that doesn't have space for ducts can be incredibly expensive and often result in a cumbersome final design. Mini splits require very little space and are much easier to install.

While traditional central air systems have one unit inside and one unit outside that work together to cool air and force it through the duct system, mini splits feature multiple units throughout the house. Instead of relying on ducts, mini splits feature refrigerant lines that run from a single unit outside to each the additional ones inside. These refrigerant lines cool the air and the indoor unit distributes the cool air throughout the house. Some homes can do well with just one unit while other larger houses may incorporate up to 3 and sometimes even more zones to full cool the house.

So, while the overall cost can be much cheaper than central air systems, you do have to content with multiple indoor units. While they are small, this can be viewed as a negative by some. As far as cooling economically, however, you aren't likely to find any negatives here. You see, traditional duct systems can be incredibly inefficient because the cooled air is forced through a massive duct system where much of the cooling is lost during its travel to the register in a particular room. With min splits, the coolant travels through extremely efficient refrigerant lines directly to the units that expel the cooled air. Not only will your mini split cost less to install, your ongoing bills should be cheaper as well.

If your home is woefully without ac, then taking some time to investigate mini splits a little more may be just the solution to your sweat covered brow. In one day, and for less than the cost of a full central air system, you can be chilling in style thanks to a newly installed mini split air conditioning system.

Split Air Conditioner - For Perfect Cooling

Before the invention of air conditioners, people used different ways for keeping them cool. The ancient Romans used air duct water that help in circulating the water through the walls. Chinese used different methods to keep themselves cool during the scorching summers. But things changed with the invention of air conditioners.

The one first invented had many flaws and was hazardous for human health. There was a time when air conditioners were an item of leisure. But they are no more so... Slowly and gradually, our lives have become dependent on them and we cannot live without them in hot weather. Earlier there were few model of Ac's available but now they are available in different types. Split Air Conditioner are one among them.

Split air conditioners are units installed inside the home and the condenser remains outside. It is connected by the means of a refrigerant pipes. They make less noise and are available in different capacities depending on the size of the room. Split Ac's are available in 0.50 ton, 0.75 ton, 1 ton, 1.5 ton and 2 tons. Every manufacturer gives you the details about them. One of the thing you must look in them is the BTU (British Thermal Unit) per hour. It is the cooling capacity.

Different manufacturers due to cut throat competition, prefer to provide customers with Split Room Air Conditioners that have the capacity to deliver 9000 BTU of power to cover an area of 200- 300 sq.ft. They have the temperature setting system that can be adjusted as per your needs. Further the sleep mode operation, helps you in relaxing in your room without any disturbance. From past experiences, people have complained of room having air borne particles. But now you need not worry. All the air conditioners today have air filters. They can be removed easily and cleaned with water. Well you might be thinking, where you will fix the Split Unit Air Conditioner [http://airwater.biz/amcor_split_air_conditioners_uchw-h09af2_2163_prd1.htm]? Well, they can be mounted on a wall. For this, you would be required to make a hole on wall.

A word of caution: Installing a split air conditioner in homes/ offices is not an easy task. Hence, take a professional help. They will assist in selecting the right conditioning unit as per the area and give you an idea about the tubing and installation cost.

This may cost you bit extra... but lets be very clear that the range of Split Unit Air Conditioner is not at all expensive. They are being offered by well known brands like LG, Whirpool, Samsung, Cruise, Amcor and others. Go through the range and see to your needs. If you live in a home with multiple rooms then go for a Dual Zone or triple Zone Spit AC.

Call The Central Air Conditioning Repair Expert

While it provides cooling, air that is moved throughout your home, central air conditioning is out of sight and you do not need those big window air conditioning units. Sometimes it is on the roof (as in office or apartment buildings) and other times out in the back yard (home units). During the hot months of summer, many homes and offices would be unbearable to stay in without this wonderful invention. Because they are fitted into the same air movement system as your heater, they generally share the same ductwork. Offering much less noise than in-home units do, central air conditioning units require expert technicians for servicing.

Homes already have ductwork in place for the furnace, so it is a matter of installing the add-on parts to the furnace, in order to have central air conditioning capabilities. Once you have the ductwork it is a matter of installing the cooling unit outdoors. Most of the repair work will be on the unit itself as well as the furnace. Your ductwork should also be cleaned once a year or every other year to provide the proper cooling and heating.

Inside every central air conditioning unit is pretty much the same. There is an evaporator (an array of cooling coils), which is placed in front of the air system's blower fan. Air that is cooled inside the coils of the evaporator is circulated through the house by way of the same fan that moves warm air from the furnace in colder months. There is little likelihood that any of the parts inside the ductwork will require repair as few of them actually move at all. Most repairs take place in the part of the unit that is outdoors.

Outdoor Parts Wear Out Faster

The main parts of the hot side of the unit (which are outside) are the condenser and the compressor. This is the end of the unit that does all the hard work and as such is also the area needing repairs most often, particularly the compressor. When you are having problems with your unit not working properly, this is the area to check. Keeping a close visual check on these parts will save time and money.

Most home central air conditioning units are securely fastened to the ground by way of a concrete or wooden platform. This is to prevent them from blowing away in storms and provides for stability. As some of these units are not especially heavy, care must be taken to secure them properly. You must ensure that your air conditioning unit is placed in a safe area, away from any items that may fall and damage the unit. Any obstruction will affect air circulation and cause the unit to not work properly. Proper maintenance such as oiling of all moving parts will add many years to the life of your unit. The parts of the compressor and the cooling fins should be kept free of dust as well.

If you provide a clear and clean area for the air conditioning unit [http://www.knowairconditioner.com/Home_Air_Conditioning_Units/], you will save yourself quite of bit of money and have know need to have repairs done unless it is something inside the unit itself. Also keep in mind when installing your cooling unit, keep it out of direct sunlight if possible, this will help prevent overworking the unit. Your home is better off during the summer having some form of cooling system as well as you. Therefore, central air conditioning is the best if you have the room outside for the unit.

Central Air Conditioner Prices - Cost Considerations

There are quite a number of cost factors you need to consider if you are planning on buying a central air conditioner. Among them are the central air conditioner's cooling capacity (which has a very large influence on the price of the central air conditioning unit), the installation cost, and the cost of energy usage. And the only way to get a good picture of how much buying, installing, and operating a central air conditioning system will cost you is to discuss all those factors with qualified air-conditioning contractors.

Let's take a look those three factors in more detail.

Installation

Whether or not you can readily install a central air conditioning system in your house should be on top of your considerations.

Can your house readily accept a central air conditioning system? Does it have a usable ductwork in place? If not, does it have a forced-air heating system that the air conditioner can piggyback on? If you answered no to all of these questions then be prepared to pay for high installation costs.

Retrofitting is not at all cheap. Actually, it is too expensive in most cases. The thing about retrofitting is that it involves a tremendous amount of work which includes gutting out your house. So, on top of the standard cost of installation, you also need to pay for extra working hours and extra materials for tearing down your walls, ceilings, and floors and putting your house back together. And no, unfortunately buying and installing a central air conditioner is not a do-it-yourself project.

Cooling Capacity

Before you actually go and shop around for central air conditioning units, you need to first take careful measurements (the square footage) of your house. The size or area of your house dictates to a large extent the cooling capacity of the air conditioner you need to buy.

Additionally, you should also take note of how much insulation you have installed, how many and how large the windows are in your house, how high is the ceiling and window shading, how your house is oriented in relation to the cardinal points (e.g., which room is facing which direction), the number and type of lighting fixture you have, the presence of heat emitting home appliances, the location of your house, and the local climate. Each of these factors can also have an influence on how much cooling capacity you are going to need.

Talk with the air conditioning contractor about all these and other things that can influence or contribute to the change in temperature inside your house. These things will allow the contractor to provide you with an air conditioning system that will perfectly suit your needs and situation which, in turn, will let you save on electric bills and maintenance costs over time.

Energy Consumption

Central air conditioners are generally more energy efficient than either portable or window air conditioners. But still can push your electricity bill through the roof, especially in hot climates.

There are actually two main things to look at here. One is the cooling capacity, which we have already talked about earlier. And the other is energy efficiency.

You can ask your contractor how much it will cost you if you will have your air conditioner running for an hour. From that you will be able to compute for its possible impact on your electricity bill.

Whole House Air Cleaners Report - Why They Do Not Work!

As you search for that perfect air cleaner to protect your family from dust, pet dander and other airborne allergens, you will run across many different types of air cleaners, air purifiers, air filters and air filtration systems. One of the most interesting and eye catching products on the market is the Whole House HEPA Air Cleaner Filtration System. This report also includes Whole House Air Filters and Whole House Air Purifiers. There are many of them on the market! Unfortunately human nature often kicks into high gear when the wonderful offer of a central whole house air cleaner is advertised as a way of keeping your entire house clean with just one single gizmo! THE FACT IS THESE AIR AIR CLEANING MACHINES JUST CAN'T CLEAN A WHOLE HOUSE!   There are five types of air cleaning products that are advertised to clean a whole house. They are: HEPA air filtration bypass air cleaners  Electronic air cleaners Self-Charging electrostatic air filters Ultraviolet light systems Portable ozone-ionizer air purifiers This report will explain the truth about how each of these products actually operate and what benefits they really do provide for you. Also included are the proper steps to take for a clean indoor air environment.

Myth #1. Whole house HEPA air cleaner / bypass systems - These somewhat expensive systems are flawed in design from the beginning. The idea behind these units is to pull a portion of the air stream from the return side of your furnace or air conditioning system, clean it and then return it into the supply side of the furnace or air conditioning systems ductwork. Most of the time, it involves taking up to 30% of the air from the return ductwork. The air is then cleaned with a high efficiency filter such as a HEPA and/or carbon filter. The cleaned air is then returned into the supply ductwork of the air handling system (bypassing" the air handler unit). Such an air cleaning system under this design poses many areas of failure. First of all, you are assuming that the majority of the airborne contaminants in your living space are drawn into the heating and or cooling system.

However, home heating/air conditioning systems are designed to heat and cool. They are not designed to pull dust, dander and allergens into a HEPA air cleaner from the narrow return ductwork at far distances. Note that the great majority of homes have only one air return per air conditioning system. So without having a means of returning the air from each and every room to the air handler, the overall effectiveness of these HEPA air cleaner systems is nullified. This is because the majority of rooms will not be able to have dirty air pulled from them. So the "whole house" air cleaner will only be able to clean the dirty air that makes it into the return side of the ductwork. This is a very limited amount! Secondly, in order for the HEPA air cleaner to work at all, the fan for the HEPA cleaner and the fan for the air handler unit must run all of the time.

THIS MEANS HIGH ELECTRIC BILLS! Having both blower units running constantly uses significantly more electricity than portable systems located in individual rooms. Lastly, and more importantly, even in an ideal world where the air from all over the house is making it back into the return duct work through multiple air returns, a bypass system is only cleaning up to 30% of the return air because it is only receiving up to 30% of the return air. This means, even if the HEPA air cleaner unit is running at 100% efficiency for all contaminants, only 30% of the entire air going through the return duct work is actually being cleaned. Therefore, when you look at the system as a whole, it is only 30% efficient. Plus the entire air return duct work from the air vents in the rooms to the HEPA air cleaner system will become filthy because the air entering into the return duct work is not being filtered! Also these whole house cleaning systems require expensive pre-filter replacements to protect the even more expensive HEPA filter! The bottom line here is that Central HEPA filtered types that install into air conditioning / furnace systems cannot properly clean the air in an entire house or building!

Myth #2. Whole house electronic cleaner systems (Also Called Electrostatic precipitators) - Electronic systems are made to fit into the air return side of the central air conditioning system or furnace. They can only filter the air that is brought into them from the air return duct or area that leads to the electronic  cleaner unit. These units use electrically charged metal or fiber cells that attract dust particles onto them. Unfortunately this old technology is outdated and it does not work well! This is because after a light amount of dust covers the surface of the charged cell grid, the rest of the incoming dust and allergens will pass right through the air cleaner and back into the indoor environment for people to breathe! Also, Central Electronic Cleaners with Charged Collector Cell Grids Produce Non-Adjustable Levels of Ozone! This can be an irritant to people with asthma and lung problems! Since most homes and buildings have only one central air return per system or zone, these electronic cleaners cannot pull dirty air from rooms or areas that are more then a few feet away from the air return that is attached to or leading to the electronic air cleaner. Major companies that produce these electronic cleaners are Honeywell, Trion and Aprilaire. THERE IS NO WAY that central electronic cleaners can pull the dirty air from across the house or from the inside of bedrooms and or offices that are away from the central air return area in your home or building! They Are Not Whole House Air Cleaners!

Myth #3. Whole house self-charging electrostatic air filters. These air filters are custom made to size to replace your existing throw away air filters in your furnace or central air conditioning systems air handler unit or air return. They are made from multiple layers of poly propylene fiber which allow them to become electrically charged when air flows through them. They can then grab dust and allergens onto them like a magnet. These air filters are durable, washable, reasonably priced and they can last for many years. They are wonderful for keeping your air conditioning or heating system and ductwork clean as they can catch and remove very small particles of dust and allergens from the air in your home or building! However, just like the less effective throw away filters, self charging electrostatic air filters can only clean the air from the air handler unit or from the air return area they are operating from! Self-charging electrostatic air filters cannot pull the dirty air from across the house or from the inside of bedrooms and or offices that are away from the central air return area in your home or building! They Are Not Whole House Air Filters!

Myth #4. Whole house ultra-violet (UV) light systems for central air conditioning units - These ultra-violet light systems are installed into air conditioning systems to kill mold and bacteria. They do not remove dust, particulates or airborne allergens from the A/C system, air ducts or from the indoor environment! These units are supposed to be installed so the ultra-violet lights are shining onto the evaporator coil on the air return intake side to prevent mold and bacteria growth on the evaporator coil and surrounding area, yet many of these units are installed improperly into areas of the air handler or air plenum where they can not do much good. Beware of UV light systems that produce ozone! Many of these UV light systems produce ozone at levels that cannot be controlled! Too much ozone can be an irritant to people with asthma and lung problems! I have experienced ozone producing UV light systems that created so much ozone it burned my eyes and throat.

And I do not have asthma or any lung problems at all! Some of these units are also produced with non-ozone producing UV bulbs. However please note, if an air conditioning system is clean and installed properly and it has a high quality self charging electrostatic or pleated air filter in it to protect the air handler and evaporator coil from dust, the chance of the evaporator coil and the rest of the system becoming contaminated with dirt, mold and bacteria will be greatly reduced. We recommend properly cleaning your air conditioning system and duct work while installing an upgraded quality air filter instead of an ultra-violet light system. Please know that ultra-violet Light units for your air conditioning system are not whole house air cleaners even though people will claim that they will keep your entire home clean!

Myth# 5. Whole house Portable ozone ionizer air purifiers - Some air purifiers include both needle point and radio wave ionizers that can ionize the air in mutable rooms in your home or building. These units produce negative ions that are sent into the air. Negative ions work by attaching themselves to small floating particles in your indoor air forcing the particles to quickly drop out of suspension and then down to the ground or onto any surface below. These purifiers will drop smoke, dust, pollen and animal dander from the floating indoor air environment and down to the surface below to be vacuumed. However if your bedroom is in the area being ionized, floating particles including allergens can drop onto you while sleeping in bed. This can cause problems for those with allergies and asthma. Some of these machines also produce adjustable levels of ozone.

Ozone is that fresh smell that occurs after a thunderstorm when lightning cuts through the oxygen splitting some of the oxygen in the air into ozone. Ozone does a wonderful job of removing all kinds of odors such as smoke odors, musty odors, pet odors, food odors, chemical odors, and body odors. The ozone works by oxidizing the odors. However, since ozone is an oxidizer it can be an irritant to those with asthma and lung disease if turned up to high. So if you or a family member has asthma or lung problems, ozone -ionizer air purifiers are not for you! IF YOU'RE A SMOKER THEY REALLY DO A GREAT JOB OF QUICKLY REMOVING FLOATING CIGARETTE SMOKE, CIGAR SMOKE AND ODORS FROM INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS.

Please remember that these air purifiers do not filter the air and they are not whole house air cleaners even though people often claim that they are! THE ANSWER, What You Can Do For a Clean Indoor Environment As explained above, there is no one single air cleaning system that will keep your entire home or building dust or allergen free. If you have a central air conditioning or furnace system in your home or building and you have the desire to keep it as dust and allergen free as possible, follow the four steps below for a clean and healthy indoor environment.

1. Keep you ducted air conditioning system or furnace clean and install a quality self charging electrostatic air filter or pleated air filter in the main air return or air handler unit to keep your system clean for the future. If you desire to have your air ducts and air handler unit properly cleaned visit the National Air Duct Cleaners Association at NADCA Dot Com  and interview some of the members in your area so you can choose the right air duct cleaning company that will best fit your needs.


2. Purchase and place a quality HEPA air cleaner or HEPA air purifier in the most important areas of your home or building that need to be the most dust or allergy free. Most people place HEPA air cleaners or HEPA air purifiers in the bedrooms, family room and office area if there is one. If you have a mold problem in your living space or if you need a unit that will kill and reduce mold bacteria and viruses, make sure you purchase a portable air cleaning unit that includes a non ozone producing ultra-violet light system. When choosing a portable HEPA air cleaner or HEPA air purifier it is important to look for brands and models that are quiet while producing the highest air exchange rate per hour in any given sized room or area, at the lowest aftermarket filter replacement cost. We feel that the highest quality HEPA  units on the market are made by Austin Air, TRACS and EZ Air. 


3. If possible replace all carpeting with ceramic tile or hardwood floors. {Tile is best} New carpeting is loaded with toxic chemicals that will outgas for a period of 2-3 years and old carpeting is often loaded with dust and allergens that include molds, bacteria, dead skin, animal dander and dust mite allergen. All of these problems are major triggers for allergies and asthma! If the carpeting must stay, VACUUM OFTEN! Use a quality HEPA vacuum cleaner that is sealed tight so the fine dust does not blow back into your indoor environment while you are vacuuming. Sweeping ceramic tile or hardwood floors is not the best way to clean as it causes the dust and allergens to fly back into the air. Vacuuming all surfaces with a quality HEPA vacuum cleaner is the best way to go. We feel that the Airstorm HEPA vacuum cleaner is the highest quality HEPA vacuum cleaner on the market.


4. Un-clutter your living space and keep it Clean. This is very important! Also get rid of all feather pillows and wash all of your bedding in HOT water as least once a week to limit dust and Dust Mite allergen from building up. Dust Mite allergen is very reactive to people with allergies and asthma. It must be reduced as much as possible! If you have pets, do not allow them into your bedrooms to spread their animal dander. Look at your bedrooms as a safe haven to sleep in if you are allergic to your pet dog or cat. If you do have pets and follow these four steps, you will have a much better chance of being able to keep the pets that you love and live with. It is our hope that this report will be helpful to you in creating a healthy, clean, more allergy free indoor environment for your family or workplace employees!

Determining the Best Central Air Conditioners - Tips and Facts

The best central air conditioners will usually be different from one structure to another. Although many different models of central air conditioners are on the market, offering varying amenities, the crucial factor in determining the answer "Which is the best central air conditioner for you?" is the efficiency of the unit itself.

The efficiency of an air conditioning unit depends first on its SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of the unit itself. This value is measured in terms of BTU/hour and represents the cooling power of the air conditioning unit. The other factor in gauging whether an air conditioner is indeed the one ideal for your structure is the appropriateness of its SEER rating for that house.

To determine the power you will need for the best central air conditioning unit you will have to calculate the BTU requirements of the room using the dimensions of the room and the degree of insulation found in them as parameters for the computation. Such BTU calculators can be found on the internet. They will usually ask you to input the length, width and height of the room as well as indicate the general level at which it has been insulated from hear. If you calculate the value for all the rooms you intend to include in your best central air conditioners' scope and add them together, you have the total BTU's that that structure will require for maintaining a pleasant temperature in the rooms.

Basic BTU calculators do not usually include the body heat emanating from occupants of the room. However, you can get around this by adding 600 BTU's for each person you expect to be in each room.

Because cooling power is measured in BTU's per hour, if the value you got from the BTU calculator is indeed set for one hour, you will still need to multiply that by the number of hours you think you are going to keep your best central air conditioner on for a day, and then for the whole year.

For ordinary usage, the best air conditioning units should have an SEER rating of 10. However certain structure may require a much bigger rating than that during periods of normal use. There are, in fact systems that have a 23 SEER rating. Such ratings are good for extended use of the air conditioner.

The rule at the market place is that the higher the SEER rating of a unit, the more expensive it is. This is precisely why without having calculated your BTU requirements, it is impractical to go out and purchase the best central air conditioners. You simply cannot be sure you have made the right choice without calculations. You might end up with an air conditioner that is incapable or over-capable of cooling the areas in the building that need cooling. In either case, the integrity of you appliance will be compromised.

As soon as you know the precise SEER rating you need, you should look for best central air conditioners that have the energy saving star on it. This will make you eligible for benefits from the power companies and incentives from other organizations that are concerned with preserving our environment. These brands and models usually are 20 % more efficient that the best government standards. So unless your system has the energy star you can't really call it "best."

Evaporative Air Coolers Are Good For the Environment and Your Health

While evaporative air coolers, also known as swamp coolers or desert coolers, are an effective way of cooling your residence or business, they offer some additional benefits to your health and the environment. Powered by the natural evaporation process, desert coolers do not rely on excessive amounts of electricity and chemical-based coolants, such as Freon. With all of the energy savings and environmental benefits, swamp coolers can potentially lower your indoor temperature by as much as 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Evaporative coolers use about 25 percent of the energy used by an air conditioning or central air unit. Even the most elaborate residential evaporative cooler system will uses 60 percent less energy than the alternatives.

Some swamp coolers, such as the Symphony Winter Air Cooler, are ideal for people allergies. The swamp coolers draw exterior air into the building. Inside, the air is cooled by evaporation and then circulated. This activity provides a constant supply of filtered, fresh air, unlike most air conditioning units, which recirculate the same air. swamp coolers feed moisture into dry indoor air, increasing humidity while lowering the air temperature. Evaporative coolers of this caliber are are ideal for people with allergies, respiratory pathologies, as well as elderly people and children.

In addition to the environmental benefits and health benefits, evaporative coolers also easy to maintain and the cost of installation is half as much as the cost to install a central air unit. Lastly, you can expect your electric bill to decrease by up to 75 percent, with an evaporative cooler.

The Benefits - Why Should I Choose an Evaporative Air Cooler?

In low-humidity areas, evaporative air coolers can provide an energy-efficient and natural method of cooling. swamp coolers, work by passing outdoor air over water-soaked pads, this causes water to evaporate into the pad. The cooled air, which ranges from 15 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, is then directed into a home.

The substantial energy savings alone make evaporative cooling a better choice compared to refrigerated cooling which uses a tremendous amount of energy. The low maintenance of swamp coolers and the filtered air are great bonuses. Another benefit of evaporative coolers is the low cost of installation, which is half the cost of installing a central air unit.

People with health benefits can also benefit from using an evaporative cooler, such as the Symphony Winter Air Cooler, which provides a constant supply of filtered, fresh air, unlike most air conditioning units, which recirculate the same air.

When choosing a swamp cooler, it is important to note the unit's air moving capacity, as well as installation and maintenance requirements. Some swamp coolers may require more maintenance than portable air conditioners such as replenishing the water supply, draining the unit, and cleaning the cooling pads. At any rate, the most important benefit of an evaporative cooler is that it can efficiently cool an area, using only a third of the amount of electricity of conventional air conditioners. Overall, evaporative cooling provides significant savings in comparison to refrigerated cooling air units. Evaporative coolers are made using a simplistic design, therefore they are very low maintenance.

Passive Cooling For an Energy-Efficient House

The need for cooling is rising more than ever, with speculations of global warming becoming true as summers are becoming hotter and winters are turning milder than before. In the United States, cooling systems are almost synonymous to central air-conditioning systems and room air-conditioners, two systems that consume at least 15 percent of the entire energy production in the country. In fact, air conditioning can take up as much as half the electricity consumption during the hot summer months.

That sounds comfortable for those of us inside our homes, but air-conditioning places huge pressure on Mother Nature, which receives the consequences in the form of about half a billion tons of carbon emissions produced from the generation of electricity to run our air-conditioners. An earth-friendly house, which is an energy-saving house, makes use of alternative and passive cooling methods that do not consume as much electricity as conventional cooling systems. These are easy to install, much less costly, and demand much less from the environment.

Method No. 1: Remove the heat.
Have you ever heard of what many environmentalists call a thermal chimney? It's one of the cheapest (in fact, it's free) and easiest ways to remove the heat from your house and expel it outside. A thermal chimney is most effective in houses with multiple floors. To make a thermal chimney, you only have to open the lowest windows on the side of the house where the breeze is blowing in and open the uppermost windows on the opposite side of the house. You should leave all the doors inside the house open to allow the heated air room to travel upwards and get out through the other open windows. It is also recommended that roof ventilation is installed to reduce the amount of heat absorbed through the roof and accumulated in the attic. This minimizes your home's cooling load and greatly helps save home energy. Roof vents are not uncommon in very hot areas, where they can be installed for $10 apiece.

Method No. 2: Reduce the sources of heat.

The biggest producers of home interior heat are the handfuls of inefficient incandescent light bulbs you have chosen over more energy-efficient fluorescents. An energy-saving house starts with its light lamps, and incandescent lights not only consume more electricity than the fluorescents, they also use majority of this electricity not to produce natural-looking light but to give off heat and increase the load on your air-conditioner. By switching to fluorescent bulbs, you save home energy both on the lights and the cooling system. Other methods to lessen the sources of heat in an energy-saving house are simple enough. Things like placing lamps and appliances away from the air-conditioner, using the dishwasher only with a full load, and air-drying laundry and dishes are cheap, easy, but effective extra efforts you can take to cool your house without using added electricity.

Method No. 3: Block the heat.

You can prevent unwanted outside heat from coming into your house by installing insulation materials such as fiberglass, spray-on foam, and cellulose on your home's walls, ceilings, attics, and floors and radiant barriers on your roof. Insulation are effective in absorbing the heat that enters through your exteriors, while radiant barriers will reflect of the radiant heat that comes from above the house. It is also important that you seal the doors and windows of your home through weatherstripping and caulking to cover air leaks and keep your home completely airtight. There is, however, a more natural means of keeping the heat out of an energy-saving house, and it involves only the trees, vines, and shrubs. It is estimated that a home properly shaded by surrounding plants can save home energy of up to 40 percent the original consumption. Maximize these natural shades by placing trees and vine-covered trellises on the south and west sides of the house and shrubs on the lower walls to prevent heat gain and generate up to $200 in electricity savings.

Using Individual Air Conditioner Units

When the summer months start to appear, many people start thinking about vacations, summer pools and of course, the air conditioner. Even though there is the option to have central air, many people find that the individual window units are a better choice. For starters, you can purchase enough individual units for way less than purchasing and installing a central air unit.

In addition, with the individual units, each room can be controlled to be a certain temperature where as with the central air unit, the whole house will be one consistent temperature. While this may sound nice, not everyone always enjoys the same temperature.

One thing that can be a hassle with the individual air conditioner is that when the colder months arrive, the unit generally has to be removed from the window and stored somewhere. This is the best way to make sure that the cold winter air does not sneak its way into your home, raising the heating bill. You also have to make sure that you are always keeping the filter or screen clean in order to make sure that the unit continues to work as great as possible. The better care you take of your air conditioner, the longer it will last.

Just make sure that when you are buying a new unit that you are getting one that comes with a warranty. Even though the air conditioner is new, you just never know when something unexpected could break. With the warranty, you will be covered instead of having to spend another two hundred dollars on a new air conditioner.

Split Unit Air Conditioner Disadvantages Versus Mini Split Units

Are you looking for information on split unit air conditioners? Are you looking to buy a split air conditioner? If so you have come to the right place. The reason many people are looking into regular and mini split units is because these days people look harder when they are looking to buy or upgrade a home. When the money is tight, it really makes sense to consider not only the cost of the home and the cost of the financing of the home but also the ongoing maintenance and operating costs. In this review we will present three disadvantages of buying or using a single, large, split unit air conditioner, versus buying mini splits. The disadvantages are: Higher operating costs, Less control over the individual room temperatures, and Energy losses.

Higher operating costs

When you are controlling the climate of the entire house from a single location, you will likely be overshooting on supplying the heat to one area and under serving another. To generate optimal comfort in the room that you are spending time in, other rooms will be either too hot or too cold. This will lead to higher operating costs. Some people report costs of $300-$900 per month to cool the whole house down in the summer. This is a big deal and air conditioning costs, especially in the summer and winter, are the biggest part of house maintenance costs.

Less control over the individual room temperatures

Imagine having just one main switch to operate the air conditioning in the entire single family residence. Now imagine how people are different. Just look at your family members! They all have different comfort levels. Unless each individual has the control of the climate in their own room, there will always be some who will root for a higher setting, and others will root for lower setting. But with several mini split units, each room or "zone" (part of the room, or several adjacent spaces), will have its own controls, not only of the temperature of the air blowing out, but also of the direction of the cold air. Some people just prefer a nice breeze, and some want still, stationary air. With mini split units you can accommodate both.

Energy losses

Using a central split unit air conditioner will require longer ducts for the conditioned air from the split unit air conditioner condenser to reach the destination. The ducts can be a significant sink of energy, especially when they have to traverse places where extreme temperatures can develop, such as an attic in the summer. Energy losses associated with the ducts can significantly contribute to operating costs. With mini split unit models, however, such energy losses are minimized assuming good design. The distance between the outside unit and the inside unit can be made very short and the refrigerator hoses will well insulated, leading to reduced energy losses during heat transfer.