Cooling Whitney

Generally, the most advantageous time to install an air conditioning system in a house is in the spring or fall. At that time, the demand for air conditioning installation is at its low, so homeowners can have a pretty flexible schedule when it comes to their installation. And also, the air conditioning installers themselves seem to have a pretty flexible schedule. So, that's just two reasons why spring or fall is good. But also, the temperatures are mild during spring and fall, and the guys that are going to be putting the air conditioning unit in seem to work better when it's not like 100 degrees outside or 100 degrees inside when the unit itself is going in.

Choosing the most suitable cooling system requires consideration of many factors, not least of which are the dimensions of your domicile and your financial plan. The cooling industry has made great strides in the development of energy-efficient models, but it still pays to poke around for the best bargain. Once you have a good idea of what works for you, consult with an HVAC professional to nail down the appropriate system type and size. A load calculation performed by a pro will ensure you're not over- or under-working your chosen system.

For a cooling system in Whitney, routine upkeep entails regular changes or cleaning of air filters that allow for good airflow and system efficiency. Your best bet is to change or clean the filters every 1-3 months. If you have a split ductless system, you will also need to do the same for its filters. The next step is to schedule a yearly professional inspection and adjustment. During this maintenance, the pros will ensure refrigerant levels are sufficient, the coils are clean, and there is no issue with the electrical connections. Keeping the outdoor unit clear of debris and making sure the insulation is in good shape will also help the system perform as if it is new for the duration of the cooling season.

There are several ways to make your cooling system work better, and they are pretty common-sense things. First, make sure you change your filter periodically. A clean filter is crucial for good airflow, and good airflow means that your cooling system doesn't have to work as hard to do its job. Second, check your insulation and make sure all the air leaks in your house—especially around windows and doors—are sealed. Once you've done that, consider a programmable thermostat to keep your home's temperature set to an optimal level and reduce energy usage during times when you don't necessarily need it as low as you can go.

Your cooling system may need a repair if you notice odd sounds—like grinding or rattling—coming from it. If the system is simply not working right, repairing it might be better than replacing it. Undoubtedly, a sign that a cooling unit is on the brink of failure is when the air blowing from the system is warm instead of cool. Should you notice this, pay no attention to the "summer has arrived" part of the calendar. Warm air coming from a cooling unit is unacceptable. A unit that cools one room while another room teems with an undisturbed wave of heat is a unit that might need a repair.

Obliging the cooling unit during the non-use season isn't necessary in Whitney, but it can help safeguard the unit against debris—like leaves and twigs—that might otherwise get inside the unit. If you do cover it, use a cover that can "breathe," meaning that moisture won't collect under the cover and subsequently rust out the unit. Also, make sure the cover can withstand 30 to 40 mph winds; otherwise, the cover will essentially become a giant rain poncho for your unit.

At Whitney, the cooling systems we install have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. The range reflects not just the system itself but also how much we've put it through. For us, regular system checks are reliable and routine; for our systems, the same could not be said. And yet, if there is one thing that going through this rigmarole has taught our systems and us, it is that minor problems turning into major problems can be avoided if we are more prompt, more vigilant, and better at reading the signs systems give us (if they do, indeed, give us signs).

A number of utility companies and government programs provide incentives and rebates for homeowners to install energy-efficient cooling systems in Whitney. These programs exist to reduce what are called "demand side" levels of energy consumption—that is, the amount of energy consumed by us, the end-users. They "demand" energy from power plants that, in turn, "supply" energy to us. The idea is to have us consume less energy and therefore require fewer power plants, which saves money and minimizes environmental and health impacts.

How large a cooling system you need for your house depends on how much space there is to cool, how well the space is insulated, and how well— or poorly— the windows of the house let heat in or out. An HVAC professional can perform a detailed calculation to work out the necessary size. You might think it's better to play it safe and get a system with more cooling capacity than necessary, but that's a common mistake.

A few proactive measures can help to minimize the required cooling load while maintaining comfort levels. First, and most importantly, is insulate as though your life depends on it—and it does, because good insulation can save lives. No, I’m not talking about preventing fires. Good insulation prevents cool indoor air from going out and hot outdoor air from coming in. It also, notably, allows your conditioned air to condition your living space without being conditioned itself; or, put another way, properly functioning insulation allows the air that the people who live in a space don’t control to be so different from the space these people live in as to make a significant difference in what we call comfort.