July 15, 2015

3 Things Homeowners Need to Know About Home Cooling

Home cooling myths can do more than keep you uncomfortable this summer. They can cost you serious money in the form of higher utility and repair bills. Most home cooling misconceptions begin with something that sounds like it should be true even though it isn’t. While cooling and heating research has repeatedly disproved the fables and fallacies, some of these half-truths just keep coming back every season.

Don’t rely on legend and lore to stay cool this summer. Here we bust three myths about summer cooling:

A Bigger Air Conditioner Is Always Better

This isn’t necessarily the case – if the unit is too large in relation to the size of your home. Oversized A/C units short cycle, turning on and off rapidly because they reach the required cooling level in a short time. This affects their ability to dehumidify properly; and the frequent on and off cycle results in more wear and tear. A qualified HVAC technician should perform a cooling load calculation to accurately determine A/C capacity.

Keeping the House Cool All Day While You’re Gone Saves Energy

Energy consumption to sustain a cool indoor temperature all day long is greater. Why? The wider differential between indoor and outdoor temperatures increases heat gain, causing the A/C to cycle on excessively. Instead of trying to maintain a lower temperature all day, use a programmable thermostat to turn on the A/C an hour before you arrive home. You will be greeted by a more desirable temperature, while still being able to conserve energy.

Ceiling Fans Keep Rooms Cooler

Ceiling fans increase the perception of coolness to occupants due to the wind chill effect from moving air. The actual temperature is unchanged. Fans only circulate the air; they don’t make it cooler. Fans increase the evaporation of sweat, which is a process that cools the skin. This perception matters only if someone is in the room to feel it. Running ceiling fans in an unoccupied room is a waste of energy.

For more of the plain truth about keeping comfortable this summer, check out W.E. Brown’s home cooling solutions, or call (434) 295-1177.

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