With energy costs soaring, there are a variety of steps you can take to cut the expenses of cooling your home.

Cooling and heating equipment use more energy than any other appliance. This inevitably shows up every month on the energy bill, but it's important to remember that energy costs can be controlled.

Maintenance: One step to control energy costs is to schedule annual maintenance checks to make sure your unit is running properly and efficiently. Most home comfort systems require very little owner maintenance. However, operating dirty heating or cooling equipment can result in unnecessary loss of efficiency and can damage the unit. You play a vital role in making sure your system continues to operate at peak performance.

High Efficiency: If you are in the market for a new home comfort system, consider purchasing a high-efficiency system. They can help reduce your energy costs as well as conserve our natural resources. When selecting a new home comfort system, pay close attention to the BEER rating of the air conditionerS savings.

1.      Make sure all ductwork vent registers are not blocked by furniture.

2.       Leave all interior doors open at least 2 inches if the room does not have its own return air intake vent.

3.       Insulate your attic and ductwork.

4.       Install solar screens, awnings, or plants to shade windows and walls during the summer months.

5.       Keep heating and cooling filters clean and inspect them monthly.

6.       Have your heating and cooling system thoroughly cleaned and tuned (not just a check-up) by a reputable company with certified technicians, such as Service Experts, at least twice a year.

7.       Seal ductwork airtight.

8.       Turn off all lights, fans, computer monitors, etc. when a room is unoccupied.

9.       Consider replacing low efficiency incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.

10.    Replace old inefficient heating and cooling systems with new super-high efficiency models.

11.    Always buy products with the Energy Star® label.

It is now possible to exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air without compromising the energy efficiency of your home. With heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), it's out with the bad air and in with the good — all without wasting energy. HRVs and ERVs are electronically powered units that circulate air throughout your home using the existing forced air system or specially installed ducts. The units pump stale air out of your home and replace it with an equal volume of fresh outside air. An HRV is a compact unit that conditions the temperature of the outside air, while an ERV is a packaged unit that conditions both the temperature and humidity of the outside air. Because these units condition the air before it enters the home, your energy costs remain stable.

Your home's air is pulled through a return duct into the furnace. If an air filtration system is present, the air first passes through the filter and is cleansed. When heating, the air is then circulated through the heat exchanger where it is heated to the temperature set by the thermostat. A blower then pushes the air into the duct system, where it blows out of the vents and circulates throughout the home.

We were once able to achieve natural ventilation in our homes by merely opening a window. However, with the concern for energy efficiency in recent years, we have been busy making homes "tighter" from an energy standpoint. Armed with weather stripping and caulk guns, we have eliminated air leaks from our homes. Unfortunately, that has also eliminated the opportunity for outside ventilation that could help reduce concentrations of indoor contaminants. But thanks to some innovative engineering, it isn't necessary to throw energy efficiency out the window in order to grab a breath of fresh air.

Dry air in your home can make your throat feel dry and cause or aggravate respiratory ailments.

The India Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE) recommends that your home maintain a humidity level between 30 and 60 percent.

During extremely cold weather, your home loses humidity to the outdoors and the level may drop to as low as 10 percent. A humidifier adds moisture to your indoor air and can help relieve ailments related to dry respiratory membranes.

Health Concerns: Conditioning the amount of moisture in the air is necessary for your family's health. One of the major causes of respiratory infections is inadequate humidity during cold weather. The start of the heating season each fall causes many people to begin having repeated attacks of winter colds. Winter weather is blamed for these problems, but the actual cause may be dryness, which develops in the membranes of the nose, throat and bronchial tubes. Relative humidity also has a significant effect on controlling the occurrence of airborne infections.

Air pollution surrounds us daily...car exhaust, smog, indoor air. Indoor air? Yes, indoor air quality is important to your health. Your exposure to air pollutants can be up to 100 times higher indoors than outdoors. The American Lung Association estimates that most people spend 90% of their time indoors. So clean indoor air is very important.

Types of Indoor Air Pollutants

Pollutants can come from many different sources inside and outside the home. For instance, carpeting and upholstery release chemicals into the air. These pollutants circulate through ductwork, entering every room and living space. And if ventilation's inadequate, the pollutants multiply. High temperature and humidity also increase concentrations of some pollutants. Use our interactive tool to learn more about common air quality problems in the home. 

Indoor air pollutants come in all shapes and sizes, but they usually fall into three main categories.

Particles

Pollen, dust, dirt, pet dander, insulation and carpet fibers
A common trigger of allergies and asthma, particles are most dangerous when they are small and easily inhaled into the lungs

Biological Contaminants

Mold spores, dust mites, viruses, fungi, bacteria, yeast and algae

Also known as bioaerosols, these contaminants are mostly organic and thrive in warm, humid environments. Like particles, they are a major cause of allergies.

Gases and Odors

Chemical vapors from gas appliances, fireplaces, carpets, garages, cleaning products, furniture, paint, perfumes, pesticides and tobacco smoke

Gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be released from materials used during the construction, finishing and furnishing of your home. They can also come from everyday household items like aerosol sprays, paints, cleaning products and air fresheners

Symptoms related to Air Pollutants

The health effects of breathing polluted indoor air can range from headaches to allergies and asthma attacks, depending on such factors as your degree of exposure and overall well-being. Even low levels of pollutants can be harmful to children because their systems are still developing, and they take in more air per pound of body weight than adults. The elderly and those with respiratory ailments are also particularly vulnerable to indoor pollutants.

Many everyday unsuspected household items contribute to poor indoor air quality. Compounds found in carpeting, furniture, upholstery and drapery fabric constantly emit gas or fumes. Other sources of pollutants can include, but are not limited to, cleaning agents, paints and personal care products. Newer, more energy-efficient homes do not breathe like older homes. Things like weather stripping and storm doors keep indoor air in and outdoor air out. This provides energy savings, but the limited exchange of outdoor and indoor air can mean a buildup of contaminants inside your home.

Allergies and asthma are two health problems that can be helped with clean indoor air. When airborne irritants are removed, allergy and asthma sufferers often find relief from their symptoms. Even healthy people who have never suffered from allergies can benefit from clean air. Dust, smoke and other particles float around in the air, causing your drapes and furniture to gather dust. By removing airborne dust particles, you reduce the amount of exposure your respiratory system has to them.

Did you know that most people spend 90% of their time indoors, and 50% of all illnesses are either caused by or aggravated by poor indoor air quality? According to studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to air pollutants indoors can be 100 times higher than outdoors.

Indoor air pollutants can be the cause of numerous health-related problems. Indoor air pollutants can cause you to suffer from flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea and respiratory irritation. They can also exacerbate existing illnesses such as allergies and asthma.

Reducing the amount of pollutants in the air is the most effective way to improve indoor air quality. Frequent dusting and vacuuming will reduce the amount of dust and dust mites present in your home. However, not all airborne particles can be eliminated. Filtration devices can eliminate particles that are too small to be captured by a vacuum. Some filtration devices include UV light units, air filters, energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and electronic air cleaners.

UV light units help decompose contaminants, such as bacteria, chemicals, dust mites, animal dander, cat saliva and mold, through a process called photolysis oxidation. When the UV lights are installed in the ductwork of your central air and heat system, they can eliminate most of the organisms in the treated area. Activated carbon and microbiocide-treated filters can also purify your home's air. Both the carbon and the microbiocide-treated filters remove odor and kill bacteria, but the carbon filters are more adept at removing odor, and the microbiocide-treated filters trap bacteria as the air is pulled through, which inhibits biological contaminants from growing.

The efficiency of the air filter should be a top consideration. Efficiency is measured in terms of the particle size an air filter can capture. The higher the efficiency, the more effective it will be. Look for the filter's MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) number, a new industry standard that rates filters based on their performance. Residential filters typically have an MERV range of one to eight. Higher ratings indicate more efficient filters.

ERVs and HRVs bring fresh air into the home and exhaust stale air out. An HRV conserves energy from indoor conditioned air and transfers it to the outdoor air as it is brought into the home to provide ventilation. An ERV does the same thing, but it also maintains the desired humidity levels to keep the house comfortable.

Electronic air cleaners clean the air by taking recirculated air and passing it through a prefilter that traps the large pollutants. Then, ionizing wires give a positive electrical charge to remaining particles. A negatively charged collecting section collects the particles. Pollutants pass through an optional carbon filter that absorbs unwanted odors.

Different people have different needs. It is up to the inhabitants in the home to determine the right product or products. The threshold of irritancy and triggers that affect people determine the proper solution. High threshold levels may require simple solutions like a one-inch air filter. Low threshold levels may require an air purification system for the reduction of triggers and irritants.

You may have tried to get rid of odors in your home by spraying air fresheners or lighting candles. However, these tactics only mask the odors. They don't get rid of them. These remedies may cause further contamination of the home with chemicals that cause allergic reactions in homeowners.

What causes the lingering odors? Sometimes poor ventilation in a home causes unpleasant odors. Moisture condensation on walls or windows and stuffy air are signs of poor ventilation. A qualified service technician can inspect your home comfort system to determine if this is indeed the problem, and the technician can also inform you whether or not your equipment is working properly.

Bacteria, dust mites, animal dander, cat saliva and mold may also be roots of your home's odor problem. One method to purify the air is by using germicidal (UV) lights, which inhibit the growth of biological contaminants, sterilizing surfaces in the HVAC system. They also purify the air, preventing the growth of contaminants. The UV lights are installed to work with your home comfort system.

Activated carbon and microbiocide-treated filters can also purify your home's air. Both the carbon and the microbiocide-treated filters remove odor and kill bacteria. The carbon filters are more adept at removing odor, and the microbiocide-treated filters trap bacteria as the air is pulled through, which inhibits biological contaminants from growing.

Electronic air cleaners clean the air by taking recirculated air and passing it through a prefilter that traps the large pollutants. Then, ionizing wires give a positive electrical charge to remaining particles. The particles are collected by a negatively charged collecting section. Pollutants pass through an optional carbon filter that absorbs unwanted odors.

Indoor air pollutants can cause you to suffer from cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and respiratory irritation. The main pollutants are allergens known as respirable particulates, bioaerosols and chemicals.

These allergens found in the home trigger chronic illnesses such as allergies, asthma and sinusitis. Recent statistics show that more than 65 million people suffer from asthma and allergies.

Air filtration products purify the air and eliminate many of the indoor air pollutants that cause numerous health-related problems. Many things should be considered before purchasing your next air filter.

Sensitivity to allergens may be the biggest consideration for choosing your filtration system. The more sensitive a person is to allergens, the greater the need for a high-efficiency filtration system. There are many products to choose from, including one-inch filtration systems and electronic air cleaners. Germicidal lights sterilize surfaces, creating enhanced comfort from bioaerosols that may contaminate your heating and cooling system. Each solution removes particles, bioaerosols and chemicals depending on the size of the allergen.

The efficiency of the air filter should be a top consideration. Efficiency is measured in terms of the particle size an air filter can capture. The higher the efficiency, the more effective it will be. Look for the filter's MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) number, a new industry standard for rating filters based on their performance. Residential filters typically have an MERV range of one to 12. Higher ratings indicate more efficient filters. For example, an MERV 8 filter removes 80% of allergens down to .3 microns during air circulation in the home.

Airflow reduction is also a major consideration. The air circulation in your home may be reduced when air is forced through various types of filters. Generally, the more efficient a filter is, the less airflow reduction there will be. For more details, check with your Service Experts sales and service center.

Cost is another major factor. It is important to consider not only the initial purchase price of the item but also the cost of maintenance and upgrades. Purchasing a filter of reasonably high quality can save you money over the long term. Inexpensive filters may not clean the air as effectively as you need and may also need to be replaced more frequently.

There are many types of filters to choose from. Disposable filters are generally made of coarse fiberglass mats in a frame mounted on a filter rack. They are often referred to as throwaway filters.

Reusable foam or metal filters have slightly higher performance capabilities than disposable filters. This is true because oils and adhesives are applied to them to help particles adhere.

Electrostatic filters have a means for electrically charging the filter to attract particles. They are most effective on large particles. Pleated filters are constructed of fiberglass or synthetic fibers woven into a more dense material. The pleats are arranged in V-shaped forms to increase the area of the filter material without increasing the face area. This increases the particle-holding capability.

Other choices include electronic air cleaners (EACs) and High-efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. EACs are highly efficient and clean the air by taking recirculated air and passing it through a prefilter that traps the large pollutants. Then, ionizing wires give a positive electrical charge to the remaining particles. A negatively charged collecting section collects the particles. HEPA filters are considered to be very effective at small-particle removal.

Activated carbon and microbiocide-treated filters can also purify your home's air. Both the carbon and the microbiocide-treated filters remove odor and kill bacteria, but the carbon filters are more adept at removing odor, and the microbiocide-treated filters trap bacteria as the air is pulled through, which inhibits biological contaminants from growing.

           More than likely the air conditioner is undersized and/or working harder to keep to the desired indoor design temperature. An air conditioner works properly and efficiently at the temperature it was designed to achieve during installation. If there are hotter than normal days, the A/C will try to maintain the indoor design temperature. This does not necessarily mean there is an undersized unit. It means that the particular hot day is outside the normal range of the calculated design for the A/C unit. A proper load calculation from an air conditioning contractor can determine if the air conditioner is properly sized for the geographic location.

Heat pumps are often misunderstood or not understood at all. Because of this, you may not realize that there may be a better heating and cooling option than a furnace or air conditioner.

A heat pump is an efficient method of cooling your home in the summer and warming it in the winter. Although heat pumps are new to many people, they have been around for over three decades.

Although its name is a little misleading, a heat pump is an efficient method of heating a home during the cold winter months and also cooling it during the blistering summer months.

A heat pump looks like an air conditioner, but that's only the outside appearance. It actually has two functions based on the same principles for both. In warm weather situations, the heat pump works as a normal air conditioner. It extracts heat from inside the home and transfers it to the outdoor air. In colder weather, however, the process reverses, collecting heat from the outdoor air and transferring it inside your home.

Even when the air outside feels extremely cold, the air still contains some heat. The heat pump pulls the heat from this cold outdoor air and sends it inside to warm your home. When there is not enough heat in the outside air to meet the demand of the thermostat setting, an electric heater supplements the outdoor air to warm the home.

While many people find the winter operation of a heat pump the most difficult to understand, it is during the heating cycle that the heat pump produces the most savings. Unlike a furnace that turns fossil fuel or electricity into heat, the heat pump collects heat that already exists in the outdoor air by means of its refrigeration cycle. Consequently, a heat pump will produce two to three times more heat than the energy it uses.

In addition, a heat pump can be an effective add-on option to use in conjunction with an existing gas furnace. With a dual-fuel system, the two systems share the heating load but never function at the same time. Each system operates when it is most cost effective. The heat pump will be the primary heating and cooling system. However, when the temperature drops below the heat pump's ability to operate as efficiently as the gas furnace, the gas furnace will take over until the temperature rises enough for the heat pump to operate more efficiently.

An air conditioner seems as if it cools your home's air, but in reality an air conditioner makes your home less warm by removing heat from the indoor air and transferring that heat to the outdoor air.

Heat is extracted from the home by passing indoor air across a refrigerant coil in the indoor unit. Refrigerant lines then carry the heat to the outdoor unit, where it is released into the outside air. The cooling cycle continues until the indoor temperature reaches the thermostat setting.

Star Rating

Would you compromise on the cooling capacity of an AC to save cost?

The answer is no. 

Star rating is a system initiated by BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) to determine the energy efficiency of an appliance, like air-conditioners. Depending on their energy efficiency they are rated on a scale of 1 - 5 stars. Higher the number of stars, better is their energy efficiency.

The energy efficiency of an AC depends on two factors :

a) Cooling capacity (in watts)

b) Power consumption (in watts)

While it is important to choose an AC with higher star rating, it is equally important not to compromise on the cooling capacity, which is the primary function of an AC.

While purchasing an air-conditioner, make sure you don't compromise on either the cooling capacity or the energy efficiency.

The star rated  Air Conditioners are designed to help you save power (higher star rating) and deliver the required cooling capacity, unlike the competition that tends to compromise on cooling capacity to maintain energy efficiency.

Incredibly quiet. 

Inverter air conditioners convert the AC power input into DC to allow the control of the compressor speed in the outdoor unit. This gives the air conditioner control over power consumption and greater accuracy in consistant temperture.

You can also think of the inverter air conditioner as a car accelerator. When it is turned on it will quickly get to the desired temperature and then back it's self off just like when a car accelerates after a traffic light turns green. Once the car hits the speed limit, you back your foot off and cruise along. The engine works much less and uses less fuel.

The inverter air conditioner has less wear and tear on it (which can lead to a much longer life span) and will use less electricity. Which is obviously much better all round, including the impact on the environment. If everybody who is thinking of buying an air conditioner bought an inverter instead of a conventional system it would make a huge difference to our summer electrical usage.

Cost up to 30% less in electricity bills.  All the units supplied here will last a long, long time and so will your savings!

Keep temperature constant
(no fluctuations with room temp going up and down).
 
Much more reliable in extreme temperatures.  The fact is air conditioners get used a lot in winter and especially summer so you need a unit that can handle the consistent use.
     
Sure, you have to pay a little more for an inverter air conditioner but it is worth it. The savings on electricity bills alone are worth the extra money but also the more impressive ability to deliver more consistant temperatures.

The inverter air conditioner type is consistant through out most brands these days which means most top manufacturers of inverters have a pretty level playing field when it comes to energy efficiency.

Remember also that the COP and EER ratings of inverter air conditioners gives you the most accurate rating of the air conditioners efficiency.
But in reality it is also the way that you run the air conditioner.

There is no point worrying about 0.5 difference in the COP or EER rating if you don't run the air conditioner properly.

Things like,

1. Draft ceiling

2. Effective blinds and curtains

3. Running the inverter air conditioner at the right temperature

4. Getting the unit running at the right time of the day to prevent unnecessary loads on the system.

5. Proper installation!