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Air Conditioning Season Ending? Not in Arizona: Are You Reaping the Benefits of Home Air Conditioning?

For many U.S. states, the summer is ending. Like much of the nation, Arizona temperatures are dropping, but for local residents the seasonal changes are far from complete. The southwest is a bit different from most northern and eastern states. The average southwestern summer last five months rather than three. Air conditioning season lingers far longer than most residents care to endure.

According to current Phoenix, AZ weather reports, August 29th experienced a high of 106°F at 2:25pm. It’s still brutal out here – even for folks well adjusted to the heat. The National Weather Service in Phoenix, records a 1981 through 2010 average local September temperature of 88°F degrees with an average September high that hinges around 100°F degrees. Even October has been known to cook up a few days that served out as much as 106°F.

Reap the Benefits of a New Home Air Conditioning System

Buying a new air home cooling system involves many options, calculations and personal considerations. But getting through a scorching Arizona summer makes all the planning worth the while and the costs.

Home cooling resources come in many formats, including heat pumps, window units and central air conditioning systems. The benefits of going with a new unit, even late in the season, include:

  • Better energy efficiency
  • Lower energy bills
  • Government incentives
  • Special dealer discounts
  • And the cool air heat-reprieve that only an efficiently installed home air conditioning system can deliver.

Modern home cooling and heating systems provide advanced temperature control technology that not only reduces on energy waste but also helps ensure personal comfort in a well monitored home. Digital controls permit regulated temperature changes even while you are away from home. You can program specific settings to coincided with your personal traveling or working schedule.

Save energy during school hours. Avoid waste during vacation times. But always enjoy perfect air conditioning comfort whenever anyone is home to take advantage of the benefits.

A new home air conditioning system can:

  • Help decrease the humidity in your home
  • Provide better air filtration and purification
  • Reduce the need for additional Arizona air conditioning repair services
  • Help remove the spread of bacteria, pollen and fungal growth
  • Relieve and reduce the effects of allergies and asthma
  • Be up and running within twenty-four hours after you contact your Arizona heat pump installation expert.

Make Your Choices Wisely

Reaping the full benefits of a new Arizona air conditioning installation project requires the services of a trained and competent HVAC professional. The efficiency, the life-expectancy and the cost effectiveness of any new home cooling system is directly tied to proper unit sizing, expert installation and correct outdoor placement.

Bigger and more expensive is not necessarily a best choice. Let a professional help you understand the differences. In Arizona, the seasonal temperatures fit well with the performance of a heat pump. Even though a central air conditioning system can be more cost efficient for cooling, the benefits of a heat pump may be a better fit for your Arizona home.

Air conditioning season ending? Not in Arizona.

The Invisible Costs of Using Air Conditioning Systems

In times past, the Southwest has been known to use “swamp coolers” for general residential cooling purposes. The energy consumption of a swamp cooler – better known as an evaporative cooler – is typically two to four times less than a modern air conditioning system. Thus arise a serious question:

With 56 percent of the total home energy bill going toward heating and cooling, is the switch toward air conditioning worth the affect it has on climate, health and resources?

In a white paper produced by Arunima Chatterjee and Melanie Lenart, the process of energy versus water as a home cooling method is studied in detail. The researchers compare the costs for cooling a typical 2,000-square-foot home using both types of cooling systems. In application, they say that a swamp cooler can cool the home for as little as 250 kilowatt-hours per month, whereas an air conditioner will consume 850 kilowatt-hours per month when cooling the same Tucson Arizona home. This implies a monthly cost difference of better than $60.00 at current Arizona electric rates.

Water, a Natural Resource Not Fully Accounted In Expense

In a further report from the Environmental Research Laboratory at the University of Arizona, T. Lewis Thompson noted that a swamp cooler could use an average of 150 gallons of water in a single day. Arizona temperatures, extended heat waves and battles with run-away fires enhance the value of water. Since standard air conditioning systems do not make direct use of water, it would first appear that the swamp coolers are wasting valuable resources.

However, University of Arizona researchers have been quick to point out the indirect water consumption of a typical air conditioning system. In Arizona, hydropower consumes approximately 65 gallons of water for every kilowatt-hour of generated electricity. Likewise, coal-fired plants consume around half a gallon to produce one kilowatt-hour of electricity.

Effectiveness, The Primary Measuring Stick

Since swamp coolers make use of evaporative cooling, their effectiveness is hindered during monsoon season. The storms bring moist air, but the swamp coolers function best in a dry environment. Air conditioning is not limited by external weather conditions. Being thermostatically controlled, air conditioning systems provide Arizona homeowners with regulated temperature regardless of external or internal humidity.

Climate Changes

Some researchers claim that air conditioners generate more global warming than do swamp coolers. Yet the argument typically fails to include the greenhouse gases produced by coal-driven electrical sources.

Issues Pertaining to Personal Health

Researchers also claim that evaporative cooling provides a better quality of indoor air. Reasoning centers around the filtering system of a swamp cooler. In principle, the pads of a swamp cooler are always moist, thereby capable of trapping dust and pollen more effectively than conventional air conditioning systems. Additionally, the swamp coolers are praised for adding moisture to the inside air, thus preventing dry eyes, throats and skin.

However, air conditioners are credited as more efficient when dealing with re-circulated indoor air. The counter-arguments also suggest that conventional air conditioning systems magnify indoor air pollution, yet high-efficiency filters can easily remedy the situation.

Stay in the Swamp or Switch to Modern Air Conditioning

Most Arizona residents now use conventional air conditioning units. None of the above arguments take into account the benefits of calling an Arizona heat pump installation expert. The continual yearly rise in Arizona temperatures will force society to consider every option in energy conservation, resource preservation and personal health.

Right now, a heat pump provides a reasonable point of balance. By increasing the energy efficiency of home heating methods, heat pumps create an effective balance to a difficult situation.

How to Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Heating and Cooling System

In any building, the exterior environmental conditions determine the primary rate of energy consumption that is necessary to maintain a cool indoor environment. In Arizona, the extreme highs of outdoor temperatures typically place a great demand on home air conditioning equipment. Understanding how your home cooling unit functions under load bearing conditions can greatly increase your ability to monitor energy efficiency.

Cooling load sources make up the most complex component of Arizona home energy consumption. According to recent census figures, approximately 80 percent of Arizona houses are constructed in the following four desert cities:

* Kingman, AZ

* Phoenix, AZ

* Tucson, AZ

* And Yuma, AZ.

In general, the homes are designed for a dry environment with intense sunshine, yet even the best methods of home construction cannot fully counter the typical Arizona heat wave. Local homes usually use a stucco exterior and tile roofing materials. Most are constructed without a basement. Such homes, built on ground-level slabs, tend to provide better cooling efficiency.

Yet energy efficient cooling is an on-going process. By controlling the cooling load associated with the following areas of your home, you can reduce excess heat, unnecessary energy consumption expenses and air conditioning repair and maintenance requirements.

Start with the windows:

Assuming that your windows are air tight, use additional shading to reduce the cooling load. Thermal insulating properties are good during the winter, but offer little value toward a reduced cooling load. By applying window glaze, blinds or external overhangs, you can see a major improvement in your air conditioning performance. But don’t go cheap. Remember, Arizona can experience some powerful windstorms. Build the overhangs to last.

Investigate the air conditioning ducts:

If your home is built on a slab, the air conditioning ducts will be run in the attic. Hot attics and leaky duct work make unnecessary cooling loads. You can’t relocate the ducts, but fixing the leaks is definitely doable. Leaky ductwork creates two complications:

1) They waste cool air

2) They create additional indoor/outdoor air infiltration, which often raises the relative indoor moisture rate as well as increasing the cooling load on your air conditioning equipment.

If your home does have a basement or a crawlspace, this does not mean that a leaky duct system can be ignored. Check it. Fix it. If necessary call an Arizona air conditioning repair center.

Add insulation to the walls and ceilings:

In general, Arizona homes are well crafted and the walls and ceilings are adequately insulated. The associated cooling load is typically rather small. However, additional insulation can be relatively inexpensive and the long-term benefits can make the cost worthwhile. Don’t let small change bleed over into extended energy waste that could result in your home needing the services of an Arizona air conditioning replacement expert.

Little Adjustments and Corrections Make Big Differences

Some cooling corrective processes require professional help. Others can be accomplished by able-bodied homeowners. Every situation is unique, but every situation is worth taking time to seek and correct the things that are hindering the performance ratio of your home air conditioning system.

Indoor Air Hazards: Things Every Homeowner Should Know About Air Safety, Air Quality and Air Conditioning Solutions

Poor Indoor Air Quality – A Nationwide Problem Correctable By Standard Air Conditioning Equipment

The quality of indoor air concerns every homeowner. Indoor air hazards affect your health, your lifestyle and the cost of home air conditioning. Dealing with the likes of airborne biologicals, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, lead content, molds, smoke, radon and other hazardous breathing components requires careful monitoring of indoor air filtration systems and air conditioning efficiency.

So Much Time Indoors and So Little Thought To the Consequences

Most U.S. citizens spend more time indoors than outdoors. Office, factory and even warehouse workers move from one sealed environment to the next. With so many warning about the risks involved in too much exposure to sunlight, smog and other outdoor hazards, many people never stop to consider the quality of air within their own home.

Throughout the nation, some families endure indoor air of lower quality than the surrounding outdoor air. Strange as it may sound, the efficiency of modern homes promotes the problem. Houses are now constructed tighter, with increased energy-efficiency in windows and doors, better insulation properties and purposeful air recycling equipment. The very assets that are designed to enable more efficient home air conditioning can actually lead to lower quality indoor air.

Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality and a Need For Advanced Air Filtration and Air Conditioning Control

Addressing the hazards relating to poor indoor air quality can be simple or complex. Some problems are easily resolved by simple air conditioning maintenance programs. Other problems may require specialized equipment, authorized professional disposal of contaminated materials or even temporary off-site living quarters.

Here are some signs that may indicate your need to investigate the quality of your indoor air supply:

* Odors – Be on guard for persistent and unusual odors, stale or stuffy air.

* Air Flow – Pay attention to long-lasting slacks in air movement throughout the home.

* Air Conditioning Equipment – Clean your home heating and cooling units. Repair faulty central air conditioning equipment.

* Excessive Condensation – An oversized cooling system permit too much condensation in the home air supply.

* Excessive humidity – This condition typically accompanies too much condensation.

* Molds – Never permit mold to linger in your home. When you see it, clean it up. If it persist, locate and eliminate the cause.

* Flues and Chimneys – Perform a yearly checkup on your home’s flue pipes and/or chimneys. Correct any damage. Remove any clogs.

* Home Construction – If your home is equipped with air-tight windows and doors, be careful with any heating system that generates fumes, consumes oxygen or emits carbon dioxide.

* General Health – Pay attention to your own health. When symptoms of illness seem to alleviate when away from home, poor indoor air quality may be the cause of your health problems.

* Remodeling – Weatherizing your home, installing new furniture or remodeling may introduce various changes into your home environment. Pay attention to any associated health changes. Remodeling may generate an increase in dust and other allergy causing components. Better window seals may capture air contaminates that have previously been dispersed without consequences.

* New Hobbies – New indoor activities can introduce glues, paints and other health affecting airborne components.

Solutions

Every component of indoor air pollution has a different method of resolution. For remodeling issues, practice pollution containment. For molds and mildews, apply better air conditioning control or in some events call in professional mold handlers. For situations pertaining to indoor hobbies, practice general awareness of cause and effect.

In general, analyze each unique situation and react appropriately. If you need help, call in a professional indoor air quality service person.

Energy Savings Tips

5 Tips to Help Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient

Turning your home green benefits the environment, but it also keeps you from wasting money on unnecessary water heating, lighting and air conditioning costs. The following tips will help you reap the benefits of living in a more energy-efficient home.

1) Sealing and Insulation

“If life is like a candle bright

Death must be the wind.

You can close your window tight

And it still comes blowing in.”

The above words, from a song by Moe Brandy, contemplate the shortness of life. Yet they also reflect a basic truth in energy-efficiency. Wind seeps through every crack. To reduce the expenses of home air conditioning, your home must be properly sealed and insulated.

Older homes in particular, but even some recently constructed homes, can lack the most cost-efficient means of regulating the effects of external air flow. Perhaps your home does not include the advantages of current construction technology. Spending money on new energy-efficient windows and doors can amount to huge long-term savings.

2) Tankless Water Heater

Modern tankless water heaters save energy by functioning on a “demand only” basis. Rather than wasting energy on continuously heating and storing hot water, the systems anticipate the current hot water needs in a home. For example: The Rheem Prestige™ Series of tankless water heaters are ideal for full-size families. The units provide sufficient hot water to:

  • Start the laundry
  • Bathe the kids
  • Start the dishes
  • And enable you to relax in the aftermath by dipping beneath a relaxing hot shower.

3) Light Bulbs

For years, the local utilities company has been pushing energy-efficient light bulbs. It’s a wise choice, so don’t keep lagging in the game. Traditional light bulbs are still available, but they seem such a wasted option. It’s time to make the plunge; go with energy-efficient lighting today.

4) Programmable Thermostat

State-of-the-art heating and cooling is different from ever before. Modern units enable automated air conditioning control during vacations, brief overnight trips or even at the far away summer cottage. Programmable thermostats are easy to monitor, enable exact control of heating and cooling systems and help you save money on energy consumption. If your home system lacks the efficiency of a programmable thermostat, consider making an immediate upgrade.

5) Energy-Efficient Air Conditioning Equipment

If your air conditioner or furnace is not working correctly, do something to correct the problem. Air conditioning repair is much less expensive than the cost of operating a poorly functioning heating and cooling system. Many older homes lack central cooling and heating. When accurately sized for the home, installed correctly and regulated with an efficient thermostat system, central air conditioning provides advanced performance, less energy consumption and better home comfort.

If your home is already running on a central system, stop letting it struggle in a needless battle. Any unit that is correctly sized for the home, properly ducted, filtered and primed for energy-efficient operation should easily keep up with the heating and cooling needs within an adequately sealed and insulated home.

If your home HVAC equipment is just sitting there, spinning out cool air in the winter and warm air in the summer, you are being hi-jacked by a needless energy bill.

Conclusion

With even a few home improvements, it is possible to increase the energy-efficiency standards of your home. Even the costly upgrades and replacements will eventually pay for themselves. Go with a win-win solution. Use these five tips to help make your home more energy-efficient.

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