IR CONDITIONER REPLCEMENT GUIDE Wherever you live in Canada, your summer can be much more comfortable with the right air conditioner sending cool air through every room in your home. This buying guide lists the top 5 questions you need to consider when shopping for a new air conditioner: 1 WHT TYPE OF IR CONDITIONER DO I NEED? 2 WHT SIZE DO I NEED? 3 WHEN SHOULD I REPLCE? 4 WHERE TO INSTLL? 5 HOW DO I CONTROL MY IR CONDITIONER?
1 What type of air conditioner do I need? PORTLE ROOM IR CONDITIONERS portable, or windowless air conditioner can be moved from room to room, but often requires venting to remove the hot air generated by the unit. Portables can be very effective when used with central air conditioners, helping you to target cool air to specific rooms. There are many types of air conditioners, including portable, WINDOW ND IN-WLL IR CONDITIONERS The second type of smaller air conditioning units fit into either a temporary open window frame, or a permanent, sealed wall opening. In both cases, these units will only cool the room in which they are window and in-wall units. This installed, and often drop condensed water below the unit. guide deals with central air conditioners, which use your furnace to push air through your home s ductwork. In these systems, the main air conditioner compressor is located outside your home to expel warm air, and a direct feed through a wall to your furnace in your basement to bring C CENTRL IR CONDITIONERS The most common way to cool a home is with a central air conditioning system. The system includes an external condenser unit which sits outside your home and expels hot air, and your furnace fan, which blows the chilled air through your home s duct work. These units are much more efficient, use less energy to cool your home, and create less noise inside your home. s a central air conditioner is integrated with your furnace system, it can take advantage of the furnace filter and any additional air purifying equipment you have added. This ensures that your home s air is clean year-round, and your ducts remain free of dust and debris. in cool air. ENEFITS OF CENTRL IR CONDITIONING: Central air conditioners are much more energy efficient than other types of air cooling equipment. They use less electricity, cost less every month, and are quieter inside the home. In addition, when paired with a digital programmable thermostat, you can reduce energy consumption even more by controlling exactly when your air conditioner turns on and off. FIND MORE TIPS & VIDEOS: LOG.RELINCEHOMECOMFORT.COM
2 What size should my air conditioner be? The required size of an air conditioner is determined by a number of factors, including the square footage of your home. It s critical to properly size the unit to TONNES, TUs, SEER? Central air conditioners are rated and specified by a number of different measures. You may have heard of 1 ton air conditioners. Surprisingly, this doesn t relate to the weight of the equipment, but rather, to a ton of refrigeration, defined as the cooling power of one ton (907 kilograms) of ice melting in a 24-hour period. TU refers to the average heat generated inside your home. 1,400 square foot home generates about 18,000 TU, and needs a 1.5 ton air conditioning unit to cool each room efficiently. SEER relates to the Seasonal Energy-Efficiency Rating, and is the amount of cooling output (measured in TU) divided by its energy usage (measured in watt-hours). Newer units have a SEER rating of up to 14.5 SEER your home, a true science that can only be correctly calculated by a home comfort expert. If you buy a IT S NOT JUST OUT THE SQURE FEET Common sense tells us that the more rooms we have to cool, the more powerful our air conditioner will need to be. Typically, a 1,500 square foot home will need a 1.5 tonne air conditioning unit. That s a good start. ut unit that s too big, your home may feel damp, if it s too small, your home will not be cooled sufficiently. good rule of thumb, is that the more rooms you have to cool, the there are other factors that can dictate how much cooling capacity you will need. If your home has more than the usual number of windows receiving a lot of direct sunlight, has less roof or wall insulation, has non-standard construction or leaky ducts, has 10 or higher ceilings, or has a functional attic...you may need a larger unit. Every home is different, and only a certified home comfort expert has the tools to accurately calculate the proper sized unit for your home. more powerful the air conditioner needs to be. ut other factors can also play an important part in the calculation. ENEFITS OF RIGHT-SIZING YOUR CENTRL IR CONDITIONING SYSTEM: If you underestimate the size of an air conditioner, your unit will run continuously, struggling to cool your home s air. This will increase your seasonal energy costs dramatically, and could potentially lead to higher maintenance costs. If you overestimate sizing, your home could end up feeling cold, damp and humid, as the air conditioning cycle will be too short to properly dehumidify the air. FIND MORE TIPS & VIDEOS: LOG.RELINCEHOMECOMFORT.COM
3 When is the best time to buy a new air conditioner? The best time to buy an air SUMMER SLES OR WINTER SVINGS? When to buy a new air conditioner frankly, depend upon when you need it most. If your /C has just broken and summer s in full swing, then sooner is better. If you aren t pressured by time, you may think that winter would be the best time to buy, when demand is low. That s not usually the case these days, as many manufacturers typically don t have seasonal sales, with their product development cycles are measured in years, rather than months. conditioner will vary. If you are upgrading your furnace, you ll save money by bundling an air conditioner at the same time. If you are building a new home, it will be easier to install the ducting and optimally position the air conditioner during construction, rather than afterwards. If you are UNDLE UP ND SVE If you are looking to maximize your savings when buying a new ir Conditioner, the best time to buy is probably when you need to purchase an entire Home Comfort system. undling a new furnace, air conditioner, air cleaner, humidifier and thermostat together brings many benefits, the largest being the opportunity to reduce the overall costs of the individual components. Other benefits include time and convenience. s each of the components will be installed, tested and optimized together, by the same technicians, the project will be completed faster, and more efficiently than if you were to spread out the project. upgrading just your air conditioner, be sure to check for available rebates. SUSIDIES ND RETES Many local utilities, municipalities and Provinces have recently offered rebates and incentives for homeowners to upgrade to newer high efficiency air conditioners and other home comfort equipment. These rebates can offer you significant savings. One resource you may want to review is http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca for availability and qualification details. FIND MORE TIPS & VIDEOS: LOG.RELINCEHOMECOMFORT.COM
4 Where should I install my new ir Conditioner? LOCTION, LOCTION, LOCTION. central air conditioning system is made up of multiple components. The condenser/compressor is the most visible component, and should be located outside your home, away from any doors or windows. This unit will be expelling hot air when it operates which you don t want cycling back into you your home through an open door or window. It s also best to have it located in a shady area if possible. When it comes to installing a central air conditioning system, leave it to the experts. This is complex technology that requires proper planning, tools ON THE LEVEL When positioning the compressor unit, ensure that it is sitting on a stable, concrete, level surface, and won t be in a high-traffic area where it could get damaged by cars, bicycles or pets. lso, ensure it doesn t obstruct backyard access. and experience. That said, it s always good to understand and prepare for the installation process. In this guide we ll review some of the basic location prerequisites. WINTER ND SPRING MINTENNCE TIPS Central air conditioners are very low maintenance appliances. It s a good idea to use an air conditioner cover to protect your outdoor unit from winter s snow, rain and any other windblown debris. Every Spring, use a garden hose to clear any dust or leaves from the compressor cabinet, and ensure no sticks or twigs are blocking the fan. FIND MORE TIPS & VIDEOS: LOG.RELINCEHOMECOMFORT.COM
5 What is the best way to control my air conditioner? TOTL CONTROL Just like your furnace, a central air conditioner is controlled by your wall thermostat. If you have a new digital programmable thermostat, you ll have complete control over the temperature and schedule management. Most people set their thermostat to activate the air conditioner a few hours before they return home from work or school in an effort to save electricity and wear and tear every day. nd if your home is a part of your municipality s time-of-use electricity rate structure, you can save every month with some smart scheduling. digital programmable thermostat is the best way to control your air conditioner. It enables you to schedule the cooling periods to maximize energy savings. GIVE YOUR /C N SSIST There are many ways to keep your home cool during hot summer days, in addition to turning on your air conditioner. When planning your garden, consider planting shade-giving trees or other plants near windows. If you are going out for a few hours, consider drawing the shades on your windows to repel the sun s heat. lso, if you do need to stay in the home, the lower floors will always be cooler than upper floors, where heat naturally rises and collects. For more tips on how to stay cool while minimizing the a/c use: watch our video at: http://blog.reliancehomecomfort.com/?p=364 THE PERFECT TEMPERTURE Scientists have defined the perfect temperature as that at which a person wearing a normal amount of clothing feels neither too cold nor too warm. This "thermal comfort" point varies between 21C and 24C, depending upon relative humidity and your activity level. To find your perfect temperature, set your thermostat a little higher and then reduce it if you still feel warm. The goal is to balance comfort with energy efficiency. FIND MORE TIPS & VIDEOS: LOG.RELINCEHOMECOMFORT.COM
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