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ARI Celebrates Air Conditioning Appreciation Days
The arrival of summer’s sticky, steamy weather is a reminder that July
3 through August 15 is designated “Air Conditioning Appreciation Days,” so
don’t forget to give your cooling equipment some tender loving care before
the “dog days of summer” turn into scorchers.
The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute’s (ARI) guidelines give
homeowners suggestions to help keep central air conditioners working properly,
which can reduce energy costs, head off expensive repairs and protect families
from killer heat waves like the kind that took thousands of lives last year
in Europe and India.
“Proper maintenance of your air conditioner can help you beat the summer
heat and conserve electricity,” says William G. Sutton, president of ARI. “However,
if your air conditioner or heat pump gives you problems that seem too expensive
to fix, consider a replacement. Newer equipment on average is about 50 percent
more energy efficient than equipment manufactured 25 years ago.”
To keep cool this summer:
•
Clean and replace the air conditioner’s filter frequently (monthly during
heavy use).
• Central air conditioners and heat pumps should have annual, equipment
inspections by a North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certified technician
who will
check refrigerant fluid and mechanical operations.
•
Consider a programmable thermostat to automatically increase or decrease temperatures
during the day or night to suit a family’s lifestyle and reduce energy
cost.
• Raise the thermostat setting as much as you can without sacrificing comfort.
For every degree you raise the setting, you can expect to cut your energy consumption
by up to 3 to 5 percent.
• Use shades, blinds, or curtains to keep sunlight out of the house.
• Keep windows and doors closed when the air conditioning is running.
•
Keep fallen leaves, grass clippings, foliage and other dirt and debris away from
your outdoor unit. And keep the conditioner’s coils clean, following manufacturers’ instructions.
•
Don’t block vents or ducts inside the house to assure air flow in the
home.
• Caulk and install weather stripping around windows and doors (especially
the attic) to close air gaps.
• Run fans to keep air moving.,
• Avoid using the oven during the day.
•
Run the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer in the evening, when electricity
rates may be lower and heat from those appliances won’t increase the
demands on your air conditioner.
• Turn off lamps, TV and other appliances when not in use.
ARI has a useful consumer brochure that answers 42 questions asked about
central indoor comfort systems at www.ari.org. Send a self-addressed, stamped
business
envelope to ARI, 4100 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22203, and
ARI will send you the brochure, “How To Keep Your Cool and Save Cold Cash,” free
of charge.
This and other items may be found on the internet at ARI’s website www.ari.org.
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