Air Conditioner Installation
In choosing the right cooling system for your needs, homeowners must consider a variety of factors, but despite the significant costs, price typically shouldn’t be the first item checked off the list.
Your needs in the home, its size, age, energy-efficiency and setting will all be factors when deciding on the right cooling system. Choosing the wrong cooling unit simply based on price can cost you a lot more in the long run – especially considering that air conditioning, heating and water heating typically account for more than 50 per cent of energy use in a home.
So, with advances in technology the HVAC industry has seen, and the variety of air conditioning options on the market, where do you start?
Finding a professional installer and technician well-versed in the heating and cooling industry in your community is a good first step. Once you settle on the right system for your needs, an experienced technician will ensure the unit is expertly installed in accordance with warranty requirements.
Following installation, be sure to ask the technician to provide a tutorial on your new system, and don’t be afraid to ask questions until you feel comfortable with its day-to-day operation. Ask for his or her recommendations about regular servicing and what you can do in between service calls to ensure your system continues to operate at peak efficiency for years to come.
Air Conditioning Maintenance
Industry experts put the average life expectancy of an air conditioner or heat pump at 10 to 12 years, however achieving that longevity with a system that continues to work well is much more likely with regular, preventive maintenance.
Regular checks of your cooling system by a trained professional is the most efficient way to ensure your air conditioner is operating safely and efficiently, but it may also be important to ensure the requirements of your warranty remain in effect.
In fact, a regular maintenance schedule will go a long way toward preventing problems that can arise with a neglected cooling system, and helps ensure a positive relationship with an expert technician in your area should more significant concerns arise.
Cooling Systems
As the most significant investment we’ll make, a home needs to be comfortable and welcoming throughout the seasons. While heating is a significant component of this, anyone who has lived through the heat of a Kelowna summer knows that an effective air conditioning system is equally important.
What can you do to help keep your home cool? In addition to an efficient air conditioner or HVAC system, it’s important to remember that heat rises, so ensuring your attic is well-ventilated will help relieve heat build-up, and help increase the longevity of other home systems, such as your roof. If a renovation is in your plans, look at options to manage heat control, such as updating insulation, efficient windows and lighter-coloured roofing shingles to reflect the sun’s light and heat. Day-to-day behaviours can also have a significant impact on the comfort level of your home, while also reducing the strain on your heating and air conditioning system – and saving money.
Maximum AC Efficiency
In especially warm areas, consider installing awnings, shades or shutters over windows exposed to direct sunlight, and draw blinds or drapes during peak daytime temperatures to help keep your home cool. Set your temperature a little higher to reduce energy use and the time your system is working (in the same way that keeping the furnace a few degrees cooler in winter can reduce heating costs) and in moderate weather, consider opening windows instead of turning on the air conditioner. And remember – to ensure an accurate reading, don’t place heat-producing home devices such as televisions, computers or lamps near or under your thermostat.
