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A/C is crucial to MSers
If anyone does not know what HVAC stands for it is heating, ventilation, and a/c. Here are some tips on a/c
1. If you do not have a Service Contract with a heating an air company you go to the bottom of the list for repairs no matter how much money you are willing to spend on a Service call. So in this weather it may takes days or weeks to get someone out.
One of the most common repairs is a relay switch they wear out every few years. With Service the technician can see if it is getting pitted and needs to be replaced.
2. Make sure all your registers are open. Floor one's especially get bumped and closed. You can put fans in front of registers to help circulate air in room which are hotter.
Keeping doors open help circulation. If you keep a room closed off close the vent.
3. If you put your thermostat way up when you are at work or away it takes longer to cool the house back down so it is better to turn it up say 4 degrees. I keep mine at a constant temperature. I actually keep my house between 76-80 and it is comfortable for me. Yes I have MS, asthma, and hot flashes. One of the things is hard on our bodies is going from different temperatures. Think about it when you go from a 100 to 70 instantly that is hard on our bodies. If someone has heat stroke you cool them down slowly or the go into hypothermia.
4. Changing filters is important. Regular filters once a month, pleated filter once every three months unless you have a lot of pets. All pleated filters are equal. Some come in plastic and say they are recommended by the lung association and are more expensive. I buy the cheaper three packs from the hardware store. Newer systems have electrostatic filters which also need to be maintained. A dirty filter blocks air flow. Which means the compressor has to work harder.
5. Make sure the outside unit is clear or bushes and grass around it. Air needs to circulate around it. I spray it down with 409 once a year and hose it down to wash the dirt out. Dirt is an insulator and the coils, the shiney loops of metal do not work as well when insulated.
6. A home a/c unit should not lose refrigerant unless it has a leak so ask if they are putting refrigerant in. A simple test if your unit is working is to place your hand over the outside unit on a hot day the air coming out should be significantly hotter than the outside temperature.
Car a/cs due need to be charged because they do leak naturally. If the a/c is not working cut it off right away and do not run it until you get it into the garage. Running it when it is low on refrigerant will blow the compressor costing thousands of dollars in repairs.
7. If the a/c goes out fans and evaporation can help. Taking a shower and wrapping in a wet sheet. wet towels. It is not perfect but it can help. Drinking semi cold water can also help. If it is hot and humid opening windows will not help.
8. I turn my house a/c fan from auto to on and keep air circulating all the time.
Some electric companies, but very few will give you a break on your bill if you have a medical condition, or will let you make payments. Some will let you register so they will make you a priority in a power outage or will not immediately disconnect you because of payment.
Also during these hot days try to use as little electricity as possible during the day. If everyone has there a/c going plus everything else it is a big load on the grid. A/c takes more power than heat.
Using appliances which bring in heat into your house such as stoves and dryers might be limited until after sun down if possible.
Lights, computers,TVs all give off heat. Shades are also important.
Keep it cool.
Alex
1. If you do not have a Service Contract with a heating an air company you go to the bottom of the list for repairs no matter how much money you are willing to spend on a Service call. So in this weather it may takes days or weeks to get someone out.
One of the most common repairs is a relay switch they wear out every few years. With Service the technician can see if it is getting pitted and needs to be replaced.
2. Make sure all your registers are open. Floor one's especially get bumped and closed. You can put fans in front of registers to help circulate air in room which are hotter.
Keeping doors open help circulation. If you keep a room closed off close the vent.
3. If you put your thermostat way up when you are at work or away it takes longer to cool the house back down so it is better to turn it up say 4 degrees. I keep mine at a constant temperature. I actually keep my house between 76-80 and it is comfortable for me. Yes I have MS, asthma, and hot flashes. One of the things is hard on our bodies is going from different temperatures. Think about it when you go from a 100 to 70 instantly that is hard on our bodies. If someone has heat stroke you cool them down slowly or the go into hypothermia.
4. Changing filters is important. Regular filters once a month, pleated filter once every three months unless you have a lot of pets. All pleated filters are equal. Some come in plastic and say they are recommended by the lung association and are more expensive. I buy the cheaper three packs from the hardware store. Newer systems have electrostatic filters which also need to be maintained. A dirty filter blocks air flow. Which means the compressor has to work harder.
5. Make sure the outside unit is clear or bushes and grass around it. Air needs to circulate around it. I spray it down with 409 once a year and hose it down to wash the dirt out. Dirt is an insulator and the coils, the shiney loops of metal do not work as well when insulated.
6. A home a/c unit should not lose refrigerant unless it has a leak so ask if they are putting refrigerant in. A simple test if your unit is working is to place your hand over the outside unit on a hot day the air coming out should be significantly hotter than the outside temperature.
Car a/cs due need to be charged because they do leak naturally. If the a/c is not working cut it off right away and do not run it until you get it into the garage. Running it when it is low on refrigerant will blow the compressor costing thousands of dollars in repairs.
7. If the a/c goes out fans and evaporation can help. Taking a shower and wrapping in a wet sheet. wet towels. It is not perfect but it can help. Drinking semi cold water can also help. If it is hot and humid opening windows will not help.
8. I turn my house a/c fan from auto to on and keep air circulating all the time.
Some electric companies, but very few will give you a break on your bill if you have a medical condition, or will let you make payments. Some will let you register so they will make you a priority in a power outage or will not immediately disconnect you because of payment.
Also during these hot days try to use as little electricity as possible during the day. If everyone has there a/c going plus everything else it is a big load on the grid. A/c takes more power than heat.
Using appliances which bring in heat into your house such as stoves and dryers might be limited until after sun down if possible.
Lights, computers,TVs all give off heat. Shades are also important.
Keep it cool.
Alex
I bought a room a/c for my bedroom this year due to the heat. The intake for my central a/c happens to be in my bedroom and I was pleasantly surprised by my electric bill last month.
According to weather stats the cooling degree days last month were almost double the previous year but my bill was only $1 more than last year. Also my central a/c has been able to keep up with the heat which it wasn't doing before I got the room a/c.
Dennis
According to weather stats the cooling degree days last month were almost double the previous year but my bill was only $1 more than last year. Also my central a/c has been able to keep up with the heat which it wasn't doing before I got the room a/c.
Dennis
Alex, many good ideas here. Thanx!
I do have a service contract with an HVAC outfit. Not only do I get priority service, but I also get a yearly inspection and testing of my heating and cooling systems. Early this season my AC was not cooling, and it turned out it needed a new motor. That would have cost me $600 without the contract (for which I pay $23/mo.).
Ceiling fans help a lot.
I often turn the AC off overnight, but turn it back on before it has gotten really hot the next morning. Not in this weather, though. I will pay a fortune for AC on my next bill, but that's life. I just can't deal in this heat otherwise.
In winter I turn heat off, close bedroom door, and even open the window sometimes. I sleep MUCH better that way, and it doesn't even cost me, because my wide eastern exposure heats things up nicely in the mornings. Great in winter, awful in summer in this top-level condo.
Again, that's life.
ess
I do have a service contract with an HVAC outfit. Not only do I get priority service, but I also get a yearly inspection and testing of my heating and cooling systems. Early this season my AC was not cooling, and it turned out it needed a new motor. That would have cost me $600 without the contract (for which I pay $23/mo.).
Ceiling fans help a lot.
I often turn the AC off overnight, but turn it back on before it has gotten really hot the next morning. Not in this weather, though. I will pay a fortune for AC on my next bill, but that's life. I just can't deal in this heat otherwise.
In winter I turn heat off, close bedroom door, and even open the window sometimes. I sleep MUCH better that way, and it doesn't even cost me, because my wide eastern exposure heats things up nicely in the mornings. Great in winter, awful in summer in this top-level condo.
Again, that's life.
ess
HVACAlex!
You are the best! Thanks for giving us your knowledge and must do's!
-Shell
You are the best! Thanks for giving us your knowledge and must do's!
-Shell
Oh, and I had husband install a remote controlled fan in the master. You can turn on/off and work the light on it with a remote by the bedside. Sweet!
Julie
Julie
Great tips!!!! We also keep our temp constant except for master bedroom which we have an auto temp dip from 10pm until 7am. Just a couple of degrees lower at night saves me from tossing and turning.
We are pretty conscientious about conserving both energy and water, as a consequence, our energy bill has been lower than all of my neighbor/friends that I have chatted with...I think they are jealous.
It's also important to get your units serviced at the beginning of the season to ensure high efficiency.
Julie
We are pretty conscientious about conserving both energy and water, as a consequence, our energy bill has been lower than all of my neighbor/friends that I have chatted with...I think they are jealous.
It's also important to get your units serviced at the beginning of the season to ensure high efficiency.
Julie
Alex, those are great tips. Thanks for taking the time to share your expertise with us.
I have the ongoing disagreement with DH about the FAN being in the on position on our thermostat. He says it wastes energy. I say it helps move theair, keepingthe house cooler/warmer depending on the season. We use a heat pump for both. Now I can tell him my HVAC expert says I am right LOL
thanks again,
L
I have the ongoing disagreement with DH about the FAN being in the on position on our thermostat. He says it wastes energy. I say it helps move theair, keepingthe house cooler/warmer depending on the season. We use a heat pump for both. Now I can tell him my HVAC expert says I am right LOL
thanks again,
L
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