Summer tips

Rating and Sizing Air Conditioners

A bigger air conditioning unit is not necessarily better, because a unit that is too large will not cool uniformly and may not provide proper dehumidification. Correct sizing and energy rating are two keys to efficient air conditioning. Keep the following ideas in mind when choosing an air conditioner.

Sizing

The dimensions of the area to be cooled and how the area is used need to be considered when sizing an air conditioner. Based on size alone, an air conditioner generally needs 20 Btus (British thermal units) for each square foot of living space. For instance, to air condition a 15-foot wide by 20-foot long room you would calculate 15 x 20 x 20 (Btus) = 6,000. Thus, a unit with a 6,000 Btu capacity would be required. This is a very simplified calculation method and it does not take into account such important factors as the ceiling height, layout or how well insulated and airtight the house is.

Efficiency

When choosing between units with similar prices, capacities, and features, energy efficiency should be the deciding factor. Although higher in price, high efficiency units cost less to operate and can pay back the extra initial cost many times over during their lifetimes. All room air conditioners bear bright yellow labels that provide information on energy efficiency. These labels display the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) in large black numbers. The higher the ratio, the more efficient the appliance. Units with an EER of 10.0 or above are considered very efficient. Central air conditioners are rated according to their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). This measurement is similar to that of room air conditioners except that it indicates the average efficiency over the entire cooling season. Like the EER, the higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. To compare the efficiency of two units with equal cooling capacity, take the difference in SEERs and divide by the larger SEER. For example, if system A has an SEER of 6 and system B has an SEER of 8, system B will provide the same amount of cooling as system A while consuming 25% less energy(8-6=2;2/8= .25).

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600

Cool Tips

With the summer season fast approaching here are some ideas for saving energy.

Clean the refrigerator coils so dust and dirt do not restrict airflow and make the motor run harder.
Defrost the freezer and refrigerator.
Keep the refrigerator in a shaded area.
When using the stove, try to keep pots and pans covered to avoid humidity and cook food faster.
Replace clogged air-conditioner filters and clean the vents.
Place an awning over the air conditioner to keep it cool.
Use ceiling fans and portable fans instead of air conditioners as much as possible.
Close the windows on the side of the house where the hot sun strikes them longest.
Keep drapes and shades closed during the day to block out heat.
Call the power company to investigate paying a cheaper off-peak rate and a slightly higher peak rate if you aren't home in the daytime.
Use most of your electricity in the evening.

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600

Attic Ventilation

One of the most frequent and least recognized problems home owners face is inadequate attic ventilation. Poor attic ventilation can lead to excessive heat in summer, which will prematurely fatigue a roof and require additional cooling for the living spaces below. During winter, moisture from indoor activities migrates from the living spaces to the attic-delaminating plywood and rotting roof sheathing and framing. Rusted nails and stained roof sheathing are initial signs of a ventilation problem. Two tests help determine if there is sufficient ventilation in an attic. In the winter, look for moisture or frost on exposed nails at the underside of the roof sheathing during very cold weather. On warm, windless summer days there should be a maximum 10-15 degree difference between the air in the attic and a shady spot outside. Solutions for poor ventilation include:

Ventilation Systems:

Ridge and soffit vents allow natural air flow. Cool air enters at the soffits under the exterior roof overhangs. As this air warms, natural convection pushes it to the ridges at the top of the roof where it vents to the outside. Power Fans: During summer operation, a thermostat automatically operates a roof or gable-mounted fan as needed to force air circulation. For proper moisture control in winter, the fan should be operated by a humidistat placed at the lowest point in the attic on the north side, or a clock timer set for two minutes each hour during cold weather.

Blocked Vents:

Clearing up blocked soffit vents often cures ventilation problems.

Adequate attic ventilation all year round is important to the long-term health of your house and for optimum interior comfort. It will also reduce heating and cooling loads and the expenses that go along with them.

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600

Controlling Moisture Problems

Moisture arises from both inside and outside the home. To reduce the humidity to a stable and optimum seasonal level, investigate the following possible causes and their solutions:

1. Domestic activities. Cooking without lids, bathing, hanging wet clothes indoors, and using unvented clothes dryers may cause excessive moisture. We suggest using exhaust fans for at least 15 minutes in kitchens and bathrooms and venting clothes dryers to the outdoors.
2. Plumbing leaks. Leaks provide a steady source of moisture, particularly if the moisture stands or soaks into building materials. Check and fix all leaks to prevent this moisture source.
3. Faulty or improperly combusting flame-f red heating equipment. Gas or oil may release water vapor and carbon monoxide into the air. During the maintenance call check for blocked vents or a blocked chimney and test to see if the flame on the heating unit is yellow or flickers.
4. Newly installed building materials. Increase ventilation during new construction and during a home's first year, since green lumber, wet wood, concrete, wallboard taping, and masonry fireplaces are full of moisture.
5. Certain types of cooling and humidifiers. Do not use evaporative coolers in high-humidity climates and use humidifiers only when necessary. This equipment can be a source of excess moisture and may may increase indoor relative humidity.
6. A high-ground water table. Problems arise from moisture that's forced up through the ground into the basement or crawlspace and then through the house. These problems can be addressed by putting a vapor retarder over the ground in the crawlspace or basement and properly ventilating the area.

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600

An Old Cedar Roof

An old cedar roof worries many a home buyer, especially if it appears to need replacing. Old cedar roofs may not require immediate replacement. Fortunately they're one of the easiest types of roofs to evaluate for approaching failure. Observe the underside of the roof and look for white stains- that's where the leak is or where it will first develop. Don't worry if you can see light through the cedar shingles, just worry about white stains.

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600

Air Conditioner Advice

A properly maintained air-conditioning system (or unit) will increase efficiency and reduce energy bills. Follow these tips to get the most from equipment for the least cost.

Since dusty filters reduce airflow and consume excess energy, examine the unit's air filters once a month and clean or replace filters when necessary.
Clear drain channels by passing a stiff wire through them. Clogged drain channels prevent the unit from reducing humidity, and the resulting excess moisture may discolor walls and carpeting.
Clean dusty interior coils with a vacuum cleaner. Exterior coils may be cleaned using water from a garden hose. Before you do anything, remember to unplug the unit!
Set a timer (or a programmable thermostat for central air conditioners) to automatically turn on a half hour or so before returning home. Make sure that the timer can handle the electrical load; otherwise, it could be a fire hazard.
For central units, make sure the ducts are properly insulated, especially those that pass through the attic or any other unconditioned, areas.
Close off unused rooms and close vents in those rooms.
Weatherstrip all doors and windows.
Set the thermostat to 78 F to decrease energy costs by 12-47% (as compared to setting it to 72 F). Do not set the thermostat lower than the desired temperature when you first turn it on. It will not cool faster; it will only cool to a lower temperature than necessary and therefore waste energy.
Turn the fan speed to high except in very humid weather. When it's humid, set the speed on low; you will get less cooling but more moisture will be removed from the air which will make it feel cooler.

Stoffer Inspections, L.C. (785) 766-0600