Credit: deadling

Are you in the market for a new air conditioner? Have you been considering a room air conditioner instead of a central air conditioner but aren't sure what you should be looking for? Purchasing an air conditioner of any type should be researched before hand simply due to the amount of electricity your air conditioner could potentially use. If you purchase the wrong unit you may end up with extremely large monthly electric bills and inefficient cooling.

As a consumer you definitely want to find the best performing unit for you. You want to find a unit which is very energy efficient because not only will it save you money in the long run, it's better for the environment as well. Energy efficiency is about making the best or most efficient use of energy in order to achieve a given level of comfort and convenience.

What is a Room Air Conditioner?

A room air conditioner is an air conditioning system designed to cool a room or rooms instead of the entire house. Do you live in a smaller home, townhouse, condo or even apartment? Would you prefer or do you require a non-permaneant air conditioning installation? If you answered yes then a room air conditioner may be a good matched for you. In comparison to central air conditioners, room air conditioners are dramatically less expensive to operate - even though they are often less efficient.

While central air conditioners often need higher voltage connections a room air conditioner can often be plugged into any 15- or 20-amp, 115-volt household circuit. If you have a larger room air conditioner you may need a dedicated 115 volt-circuit. In only the most extreme cases will you ever need a dedicated 230-volt circuit.

Room air conditioners are often vented or window mounted so they can effectively expel hot air out. Be wary of any room air conditioner that does not offer proper ventilation.

How are Room Air Conditioners Rated?

If you are familiar with central air conditioners you may be already familiar with the SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Room air conditioners are rated not on in SEER but rather in EER or Energy Efficiency Ratio. The EER of a given room air conditioner is calculated by dividing the cooling capacity in British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour by the power input in watts. You can find room air conditioners offering a range of cooling powers from 5,500 BTU per hour to 14,000 BTU per hour.

While the national appliance standard requires that any room air conditioner built after 1990 to have an EER of 8.0 or greater, and the latest Energy Star standards require in some cases an EER of 10.7 or greater I support the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's (ACEEE) recommendations. The ACEEE recommends at least an EER of 11.6. Why? This will guarantee your unit is energy efficient throughout the year and when it is needed most - the hottest summer months.

Selecting a Room Air Conditioner

Once you've decided to purchase a room air conditioner make sure you look for the Energy Star label. If every room air conditioner sold in the U.S. were Energy Star qualified, we could prevent 1.2 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions to put that into perspective that is equivalent to the emissions from 100,000 cars. Energy Star room air conditioners use at least 10% less energy than conventional models.

In the room air conditioner game Energy Star isn't the only certification to be looking for. You should also look for Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers or AHAM Certified units. Why? AHAM Certified room air conditioners have their EER ratings verified by an independent laboratory.

Getting the Right Size

Room air conditioners like all air conditioning units are rated by the number of British Thermal Units (BTU) of heat they can remove per hour. Another common way of rating air conditioners is by the "ton," some example are 5,500 BTU per hour or 14,000 BTU per hour.

Getting the right size room air conditioner for your application is crucial. If you get the wrong size you can easily waste large volumes of electricity. The size of your air conditioner depends upon:

• How large is your home and how many do you have?
• How much shade do you have? Do you have shade on your home's windows, walls, and roof?
• Are the ceilings and walls of your home insulated properly?
• Do you have air leaks?
• How much heat do you, the occupants, and appliances generate?

Remember the key to any air conditioners efficiency and performance depend on you properly matching the size of the AC unit to your specific application.

If you find this a bit confusing then you can always use the free AHAM tool. AHAM offers a handy online tool which can help you calculate your air conditioner (or evaporative cooler) needs.

• http://www.cooloff.org/sub_cool.html

Installing your Room Air Conditioner

When you install a new room air conditioner you should try to locate the air conditioner in a window or wall area near the center of the room. It is also beneficial to install your air conditioner on the shadiest side of your house. Try not to let your installation increase air leakage - you can minimize this by fitting the either the room air conditioner or its ventilation snugly into its opening and sealing gaps with a foam weather stripping material.

Are Room Air Conditioners my only non-permeneant cooling option?

If you live in a drier climate, somewhere with a relatively humidity level below 50%, then you may be well matched for an "Evaporative Cooler" sometimes referred to as a "Swamp Cooler." An evaporative cooler cools by using a fan to force air through moistened pads. As the hot air passes through the pads, the pads absorb the heat and cool the air in some cases as much as 15-20 degrees.

Evaporative coolers are not for everyone. In the wrong climate, in the wrong conditions an evaporative cooler can create conditions of high humidity in the air which in turn can cause condensation and even corrosion.

In the right conditions and climate, evaporative coolers, can provide cost very effective cooling. When compared to air conditioners, evaporative coolers use an average of 75% less electricity. Evaporative coolers are very energy efficient.

If you think you are a good candidate for an evaporate cooler you can use the free AHAM tool referenced earlier to calculate the proper size for your specific application too.

In many parts of the world air conditioning can seem like a life saver, but it comes at a cost - first in dollars spent for electricity, and second in carbon dioxide pollution from the generation of electricity. According to the the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) we create an astounding 140 million tons of CO2 cooling our homes. You can easily save electricity by purchasing a correctly sized Energy Star rated room air conditioner. By saving electricity you are doing your part to fight global climate change.

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioning, article, diy, electricity, energy, energy efficiency, hvac, renovation

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Credit: aine d

Did you know that 14% of the energy produced in the United States is used to air condition buildings and 10% of the energy produced is used to air condition homes? What is the total cost to consumers? Over 15 billion dollars a year. To put that into perspective the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) equates that to an astounding 140 million tons of CO2.

Energy efficiency refers to the reduction of energy used by specific end-use devices and systems, such as air conditioners, typically without affecting the quality of the services provided. Energy efficiency can be achieved many ways. In the case of your air conditioning one simple way to achieve this efficiency is by reducing your air conditioning needs.

Reducing Your Air Conditioning Needs

Depending upon where you live you may feel very dependent on your air conditioner. You may even be thinking about upgrading to a newer air conditioner with higher improved SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) but before you do consider the following - the easiest way to save money and energy on cooling is to reduce your air conditioning needs in the first place.

While some of my solutions may seem initially costly - in the long run you will enjoy a monthly energy savings, in some cases you may appreciate the value of your home, and you will always feel good knowing that you are doing your part to fight global warming.

Strategies for Reducing Your Air Conditioning Needs

• Invest in alternate forms of in-house cooling such as ceiling fans or house fans. Unless you live in a very humid climate than ceiling fans, which can provide cooling by creating a low- level "wind chill" effect, are a good and relatively inexpensive choice. Ceiling fans are also rated by Energy Star so it's easy to find energy efficient models. House fans are usually large fans in your top-floor ceiling. They cool by expelling hot air out and in-turn creating a vacuum that sucks cooler air in. Unfortunately house fans are not covered by Energy Star. In either case fan use substantially less energy then air conditioning systems and can go a long way in reducing your dependence on your air conditioner.
• Replace older single pane windows with newer more energy efficient double pane or even triple pane windows. More energy efficiency windows can reduce your air conditioning needs but depending upon the number of windows involved it may get expensive. If expense becomes a concern you can always opt to use drapes or window coverings that block out the sunlight effectively. While drapes and window coverings will help, for the best results when justified, I recommend replacing the framing and glass. In some cases replacing your windows can improve their energy efficiency by up to 41% in the summer - when your air conditioning is used most.
• Consider shade gardening. If replacing your windows is expensive but you have room for gardening consider planting shade trees on the sunny side of your home. The less direct sunlight that gets into your house, the less heat. Shade trees also have the added benefits of reducing local area CO2 pollution. You can expect a full grown shade tree to gradually remove about 10 lbs of CO2 a year, native trees are always good choice because they are easier to maintain.
• Replace non-programmable thermostats with programmable versions. You can save as much as 10% a year on your cooling bills by using a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically while you regularly sleeping or out of the house. When you shop for a programmable thermostat, be sure to look for the Energy Star versions.
• Install energy efficient roofing. Energy Star offers a number of different Reflective Roof Products that can reduce your peak air conditioning demand by as much as 10-15%.
• Use light-colored or "cool" sidings or paints with a high Light Reflective Value (LRV). Most major paint manufacturers can tell you the LRV of any color paint chip. The higher the LRV the more the paint will reflect away heat instead of absorbing it. Keeping your house cooler by reflecting away heat will reduce your air conditioning needs.
• Replace your older/inefficient appliances such as old or secondary refrigerator or, replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs. The less heat your appliances and inefficient lighting give off the less your air conditioner will have to compensate.
• Unplug large consumer electronics when you aren't using them. Lots of newer electronics have a "sleep mode" that keeps them ready for action. This "sleep mode" uses electricity and because the device is running at some level it will still be creating heat. When not in use,don't forget to unplug chargers for your smaller devices, too
• Properly insulate your home. If you have a home that isn't properly insulated you can waste a lot of electricity when the cool air created by your air conditioner escapes. Why? Your air conditioner will simply keep working harder to maintain a stable temperature regardless of continuous air leaks. The harder your air conditioner works the more electricity is uses and the more expensive it becomes. If your home has an attic it is very common for air leaks to occur between your living space and the attic space.

An easy way to save money on air conditioning which is often overlooked is through the simple reduction of its use. While enjoying the cool benefits of air conditioning it is easy to overlook its expensive nature, due to the electricity required one has to also consider it's environmental cost. While being green isn't always easy, in this case, being green will save you money - by reducing your energy usage.

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioning, article, diy, electricity, energy, energy efficiency, hvac, renovation

¶ 6:15 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

Credit: eurleif

Computer technology advances at a very fast rate. Chances are you've upgraded or replaced your computer equipment in the last few years. Why am I so confident? The average desktop has a functional lifespan of between two to five years depending on your computing requirements. Similarly, a laptop or notebook have a functional lifespan of between two to five years as well. Most manufacturers usually offer a three year warranty which indicates what they perceive is a reasonable lifespan. Understanding the rate the computer technology improves - while you may have a functional lifespan of up to five years - you will most likely be owning outdated hardware in as little as six months.

Why Should I Recycle my Hardware?

It's important to try to re-use and recycle everything we can but computers, laptops and their peripherals require special attention. Why? Consider the following facts:

• In 2001 "e-waste" was responsible for 70% of the heavy metals and 40% of the lead in all US landfills
• It requires 530 lbs of fossil fuel, 58 lbs of chemicals and 1.5 tons of water to make a single desktop PC and monitor
• Contained in the 300 million already discarded computers is enough mercury to poison the Great Lakes over eight times
• About 400 million pieces of consumer electronics are thrown away each in year in the US

Instead of throwing away your outdated hardware and creating more waste or storing it indefinitely - why not recycle it? If your computer is still functional you can always consider donating it locally to a family member or charity. If you have some technical skills and a DIY attitude you may want to revive an older Windows machine by installing a free Linux based operating system.

If you feel more comfortable donating your machine, then your first step will be finding a suitable new home for your older hardware.

Finding a Charity

Donating to a charity instead of individual will provide you with a receipt that you can use for tax purposes. The following services can assist you with finding a charity in your local area.

• Share the Technology (USA)
• DonateAPC (UK)
• World Computer Exchange (Canada)

Finding a Non-Profit Organization

• Recycles (USA)

Make sure you check each organizations requirements for accepting donations. Some organizations have specific requirements such as restricting computer donations by age.

More Recycling Options

If you can't find a local charity which is a good match for your hardware you can always consider:

• Freecycle
• Craigslist

Another option to consider is contacting your local city hall about its recycling policies. Many have designated days for collection computers and other electronics.

Before Donation

Before you donate your hardware you should back up your files just in case you might need them at a later date. To simplify this process you may want to consider an external hard drive or some useful free utilities such as FolderShare.

After backing up all of your data it's always a good idea to wipe your hard drive clean. While some charities guarantee they will wipe your data, not all do. This includes removing your operating system. You can do this using free utilities such as Active KillDisk or Eraser.

At this point your machine should now be ready for donation.

Revive an older PC/Laptop using Linux

For those with more some technical skill and a DIY mentality then you may be pleased to learn that installing a linux distribution on an aging windows machine will breath new life into it.

Will switching your OS turn your old machine into a state of the art powerhouse? No, but it will provide basic functionality such as web surfing, word processing and email.

If you are interested in installing a Linux based operating system, then I recommend reviewing your options at DistroWatch. If that seems overwhelming due to the volume of choices then consider gOS and Freespire as free options or Linspire as an inexpensive one.

Remember, older PCs and laptops can be useful for charities, schools, family members in need and with a little TLC maybe even yourself.

Labels: article, computer, computers, desktop, diy, landfill, laptop, linux, pc, recycle, reduce, reuse, waste

¶ 6:07 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

Credit: fmc550uz

There is a big difference between knowing how to live green and actually living green. Being green isn't always easy and it isn't always cheap but the world you live in becomes a better place for your efforts.

"Greening" your own life starts with a single step. If you are ready to take that first step then consider the following 10 simple actions that you can apply in your own life to reduce your impact on the environment.

1. Support local green businesses. Do you have a local Co-op or Farmer's Market you could be shopping at?
2. Install Energy Star products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or a Cool-N-Save(tm) Air Conditioning Pre-Cooling System. Doing this can provide a 30-75% energy savings.
3. Always remember to check and maintain your tire pressure at least once a month. Doing this can save you about $840 a year on gas and reduce approximately 250 lbs of carbon dioxide.
4. Add low-flow aerators to any sink you have that may have been manufactured before 1994. In 1994 the government mandated that sinks could have no more then 2.2 gallons per minute of flow, before 1994 sinks could use between 3-4 gallons of water per minute.
5. Purchase green power from your electric company. This reduces demand for fossil fuel based power.
6. Plant a tree. Tree's offer shade and reduce CO2 from the environment.
7. Bring your own utensils into work - it's an easy way to avoid throwaway plastic ones.
8. Bring your own coffee mug to coffee shops - it's an easy way to avoid disposable coffee cups.
9. Reduce the amount of red meat you eat. Why? The production of animal-products has an expensive environmental cost, so the less you eat, the less the environment incurs.
10. Unplug power adapters, like your cell phone charger and MP3 player charger, when not in use. These chargers use energy 24/7 even when your item is not charging.

While this is far from a comprehensive list I hope these tips help you become a bit more "green" in your own life. As the world keeps getting bigger it's more and more important we each do our part.

Labels: article, diy, earth, earth friendly, environmental impact, green, home, recycle, reduce, reuse

¶ 1:59 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

Credit: gaetanlee

Green, green, green - today green is the new "black." Are you interested in participating in the green movement but are restricted because of financial limitations? While the US-GBC estimates a 2-7% increase in materials costs on average for "building green" there are lots and lots of ways to be green either completely free of charge or very, very cheaply.

Let's Focus on Free

Here are some 100% free tips to help you get green.

• Have an extra 1 gallon milk container you plan on recycling soon? Why not fill it with water and place it in the tank of your toilet. Doing this will stop 1 gallon of water from being wasted with each flush of your toilet.
• Reduce your driving. If you have a bike then why not ride your bike instead of driving? If you don't have a bike then why not walk? Riding a bike and/or walking is not only good for the environment its good for your health too.
• Keep some key drapes closed. Which ones? Close drapes on the sunny side of your house.
• Keep room's you aren't using closed off and seal up an un-used heating/cooling vents. This should help reduce your heating/cooling costs.
• Turn off lights when not in use - because lights produce heat they make your AC system work harder (and cost more).
• Turn off your computer and other home office equipment - because they generate heat as well.
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying heat cycles. If you are feeling extra earthy why not give your dishwasher a break. (If you stop using your dishwasher you can turn your water heater down to 120 degrees.)
• Dry your clothes outside on a line instead of using your clothes dryer. If you need fluffing user your dryer but without heat.

Let's Focus on Cheap

Here are some very inexpensive ways to help you get green.

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFLs/compact fluorescent lamps or LED based light bulbs. CFLs and LEDs use less power to supply the same amount of light as an incandescent lamp of the same lumen rating. Remember you don't have to replace all your light bulbs at once!
• Install low-flow shower heads and faucets. This will help you use less water. (Make sure you have aerators in every sink, too.)
• Plant shade trees around your house. This will help absorb CO2 and reduce your AC bills.
• Add energy efficiency devices such as the Cool-N-Save(tm) Air Conditioner Pre-Cooling system. This device can improve your AC units efficiency by up to 30%. (Make sure your energy efficiency devices are Energy Star rated, Cool-N-Save(tm) is an Energy Star Partner.)

In the words of Kermit the Frog, "It's not easy being green," but the world and everyone sharing it will appreciate your effort.

Labels: article, diy, earth, free, green, help, inexpensive, save money, save the planet, tips, tricks

¶ 8:31 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Credit: Akash k

While it is a term commonly used by contractors and home improvement hobbyist, not everyone knows what the acronym HVAC stands for. HVAC is an acronym that stands for "heating, ventilating, and air conditioning." (Yes - it is also an acronym for "high-voltage alternating current" but that is for another article.)

Sometimes referred to as "climate control," an HVAC system is integral in office buildings and commercial buildings. HVAC systems are extremely common in US homes and that trend is only rising. Depending upon where you live in the US you may "not be able to live without" your AC.

So what does an HVAC system do? An HVAC system is designed with the two following major goals:

• Providing and maintaining "thermal comfort"
• Maintaining acceptable indoor air quality

These goals are often compromised relative to the underlying manufacturer goal of maintaining reasonable installation, operation, and maintenance costs.

Many people don't realize that depending where they live either their cooling system or their heating system (both parts of their HVAC) will be the biggest energy guzzler in their homes. To reduce to energy use and thus operational expense of either device energy efficiency is the key. Many recent technological advances have allowed to improve the efficiency of HVAC systems.

Energy Efficiency and Heating

Thanks to technologies like water heating, geothermal heating and zoned heating - heating systems are in general becoming much more energy efficient. In some cases today's forced air systems can even double for air conditioning systems.

Energy Efficiency and Cooling

Thanks to SEER it's now becoming easier and easier to purchase efficient cooling systems as well. In the USA it's rare to see systems rated below SEER 9 because of the benefits of energy efficiency. Major energy savings can be obtained from more energy efficient systems. Here is an example:

• Upgrading from SEER 9 to SEER 13, the power consumption is reduced by 30% (equal to 1 - 9/13). It is claimed that this can result in energy savings valued at up to US $300/year depending on the usage rate and the cost of electricity.

Replacing an existing HVAC system can be a very costly proposition. So many companies are now working on technologies to improve the efficiency of existing HVAC systems.

An example of this type of add-on technology is: Cool-N-Save(tm). The Cool-N-Save(tm) is an "Air Conditioner Pre-Cooling System" that works in concert with your existing HVAC system. The Cool-N-Save(tm) system uses purified water vapor to create a "chill zone" surrounding your AC unit. This "chill zone" can reduce the ambient temperature by as much as 30 degrees. By reducing the ambient temperature around your air conditioner, the Cool-N-Save(tm) device reduces the power your AC unit draws. This in turn reduces your monthly electric bill.

The Cool-N-Save(tm) gives consumers a simple and cost effective alternative to replacing your entire HVAC or AC system. According to an independent study performed by Tulane University the Cool-N-Save(tm) system can improve the efficiency of your AC by up to 30%.

As more and more companies focus on ways to improve efficiency in existing technologies more and more devices like Cool-N-Save(tm) will become available and affordable for the average consumer.

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioner efficiency, article, diy, earth friendly, go green, green, hvac, inexpensive, save money

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