What Are the Pros and Cons of Keeping Your AC Constantly Running?

Walking in to your nice cool home sure is a sweet retreat on a hot summer day. You may have wondered, however, whether it's wise to keep your AC constantly running. There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, there are pros and cons to consider for your situation. Here's what to know:

Pros of Having Your AC Constantly Running

The biggest logical advantage for your AC constantly running is that your home will always be comfortable day or night. In some cases, this might be necessary. Perhaps there is always someone at home, which would be a good reason to keep your AC constantly running. Maybe you have pets that you want to keep comfortable as well.

Some newer, high-efficiency AC models are designed to run almost constantly by maintaining temperatures very close to your thermostat setting. Therefore, they don't cycle off and on nearly as much as a conventional air conditioner.

Another advantage of running your AC all the time is better indoor air quality. By constantly running your AC, indoor air is filtered much more frequently.

Cons of Having Your AC Constantly Running

One of the obvious disadvantages of having your AC constantly running is higher energy bills. Cooling and heating systems account for nearly half of the typical household's energy budget, which is likely why the AC is turned off at times.

One way to combat high energy bills and to keep your home comfortable when you need it is with a programmable thermostat. With a programmable thermostat, you can program temperature-event changes to coincide with your lifestyle, so you can save energy and stay comfortable.

Another disadvantage of constant AC is the extra wear and tear that you can place on it. If your AC is on all the time, parts are going to wear out sooner, meaning a higher cost for repairs and, eventually, early system replacement. Regular HVAC maintenance will help minimize repairs and replacement, but the fact remains that keeping your AC constantly running will take its toll sooner rather than later.

To learn more about keeping your AC constantly running (or not) in your Broken Arrow home, contactAir Assurance for the answers.

What Different Types of Air Conditioners Should You Consider?

Knowing the different types of air conditioners on the market helps you make an informed decision about your home's next cooling system. Each type has its pros and cons. Let's explore the different options.

Central Air Conditioning System

A central AC system has two main units: the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. It pulls heat from your home through a return system and exhausts it outside. Cool air is delivered to your room through ducts. The system can lose efficiency and effectiveness if there's a problem with the ductwork. It's costly to set up.

Central AC systems, one of many different types of air conditioners, are ideal for large homes and businesses because they cool multiple rooms concurrently.

Ductless Mini-Split

A ductless mini-split AC system consists of an outside unit comprising a compressor and a condenser, along with one or more air-handling units (often called indoor units). These outdoor and indoor units are connected by tubing, which allows for refrigerant circulation. Ductless mini-splits can be set up anywhere and can control the temperature of every room independently.

A single indoor unit cannot cool a large home. Therefore, using ductless systems can be costly if you intend to use them to cool an entire house.

Geothermal Air Conditioning

A geothermal cooling system removes the heat in your home and transfers it to the ground through an underground loop. Geothermal systems typically use water rather than refrigerant. While geothermal air conditioning is expensive to set up, it's highly energy-efficient and lasts longer than other AC options.

Window Unit

A window AC unit is installed in a window or in a hole in a wall. It blows cool air using the indoor side and removes heat through the outdoor side. It's less costly and easy to install and maintain. However, it will obscure the view from the window where you install it.

Portable Unit

A portable air conditioner is freestanding on the floor and self-contained. You can, therefore, take it to any room. It cools small spaces quickly but struggles in larger rooms.

Now that you know the different types of air conditioners out there, it's time to choose one that's best suited for your home. For more information on the different types of air conditioners, contact Air Assurance, the largest full-service heating and air conditioning company in Broken Arrow.

How to Properly Shut Down Your AC as Fall and Winter Approach

With summer winding down and the colder seasons on the way, you may want to start thinking about shutting down your AC. It will help protect it from the elements so you don't have a huge mess to clean up next spring. Follow these five steps for getting your AC ready for winter.

1. Make Any Needed Repairs

Don't let HVAC problems linger through the winter when shutting down your AC. If your AC needs to be repaired, call your HVAC contractor so that the problem doesn't get worse.

2. Change the Air Filter

You've been changing your air filter regularly through the summer, right? After shutting down your AC, throw away the dirty filter and replace it with a new one. You don't want all that dirt and gunk in your AC all winter long.

3. Turn Off the AC

You'll need to shut off the AC in two places: The first place is indoors at your thermostat box. Adjust it to the "Off" setting (not "Cool"). Next, locate the box outside near the condenser unit. It's typically on the side of the house in a small electrical box. Turn that switch off when shutting down your AC.

4. Clean the Condenser and Evaporator

The condenser and evaporator coils have probably taken on a lot of dirt and debris over the summer. Pick up a can of coil cleaner at your local home improvement store and spray it on both indoor (evaporator) and outdoor (condenser) coils to clean them. For an easier time, you can choose a self-rinsing cleaner.

5. Cover the Outdoor Unit

Once your outdoor unit is completely dry, cover it up. Use a waterproof tarp and bungee cords to secure it when shutting down your AC. This will keep debris out of the fan through the winter.

6. Schedule Professional HVAC Service

Now that your AC is shut down, it's time to get your furnace ready for the colder months. Call your HVAC contractor to schedule a furnace tuneup so you're ready to go whenever cold weather may strike.

For any questions about shutting down your AC or to schedule service this fall, please contact us at Air Assurance.

Have an Accessory Structure on Your Property? Make Sure Its HVAC Health is Maintained

It's tempting to save money by not cooling or heating accessory structures on your property, which could be anything from a storage shed to a detached apartment or cabin — even another unoccupied property you may own in another location. It stands to reason that the less energy you use, the lower your bill will be. However, there are some things to consider when letting unoccupied accessory structures go without heating or cooling.

Mold.

The climate in Oklahoma can be humid enough to generate mold indoors. Leaving a structure shut up for long periods without running an air conditioner to reduce moisture can result in mold, mildew, and fungus, leaving a damp and unpleasant smell in the building and on furnishings. At the very least, you may want to run a portable dehumidifier during periods of high humidity.

Broken pipes.

When there is plumbing in accessory structures, you will of course want to protect the pipes during the winter, especially when it freezes. That might be accomplished merely by keeping the thermostat in the low 50s or by placing a space heater near the pipes during the hours when freezing temperatures are expected. Draining pipes and wrapping them in heat tape might also prevent freezing. You may also want to turn off the main water supply if the building will be unoccupied for long periods. Even if there is no plumbing in the accessory structures, think about any items that are stored there that might be damaged by freezing temperatures. 

Add some ductless HVAC.

There are a couple of ways to add a simple HVAC system to help mitigate moisture and to maintain a proper temperature in your accessory structures. The simplest solution is to add a window unit. You can also install a window unit heat pump that both cools and heats, or a ductless mini split heat pump. The ductless minis have air handlers that you can mount on walls, ceilings, floors, and shelves.

For more on heating and cooling accessory structures, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Can Your House Get Too Cool in the Summer?

On a hot summer day here in northeastern Oklahoma, it’s tempting to believe that there’s no such thing as “too cool” when it comes to your home’s indoor environment. Yes, a well-maintained central air conditioning system should keep the household comfortable on even the hottest days. However, there can be too much of a good thing when it comes to pushing indoor temperatures down too far. Here are some reasons why “cool” is better than “too cool” inside your home.

AC Capacity Is Fixed

Central air conditioners are generally sized to a specific house with a BTU capacity sufficient to maintain indoor temperatures 20 degrees below what are typically the highest outdoor temperatures. No thermostat adjustments can make a unit extract more BTUs of heat than its rated capacity. Pushing thermostat settings excessively low on a very hot day simply results in longer and longer AC cycles, wasting energy and incurring wear and tear on your HVAC unit without making much difference in the indoor temperature.

Hot Is Attracted to Cold

The laws of thermodynamics dictate that heat energy always moves from a hotter zone into a cooler zone. The greater the differential between the outdoor and indoor temperatures, the more actively outside heat energy infiltrates the indoors by seeping through structural cracks and gaps, as well as areas where home insulation is not fully adequate to resist heat transfer. Narrowing the differential between indoor and outdoor temperatures — while still staying in the comfort zone — helps reduce heat gain.

"Too Cool" Costs More

A residential central air conditioner is engineered to run most efficiently at a thermostat setting around 78 degrees. AC efficiency declines as that setting is lowered. Pushing the thermostat down another 8 degrees to 70, for example, can boost monthly cooling costs by a full 10%. On the other hand, utilizing options to augment central air conditioning, such as high-efficiency ceiling fans that keep air moving, can allow you to increase the AC thermostat setting a few degrees above 78, saving money without decreasing the sensation of coolness.

For cool comfort without trying to be too cool this summer, contact the professionals at Air Assurance.

How Does Your AC Adapt to Heat Waves?

Heat waves can push an air conditioner to the maximum. In the past few years, nearly all states in the U.S. have had at least one spell of unusually severe hot weather. During these times, an AC runs longer, and thus, cooling components incur more wear and tear. Heat waves are hard to predict far in advance. However, you can predict that your air conditioner will be subject to increased stress if one occurs. Here are some things to expect:

Air conditioners have limits.

A residential central air conditioner typically has a rated BTU capacity sufficient to cool a house down about 20 degrees below the outdoor temperature? If a heat wave sends temperatures above 100 degrees, you can’t expect your AC to reduce indoor temps below about 80 degrees. Pushing the thermostat setting lower won’t make the house any cooler than 20 degrees below the outside temperature. It will, however, make the unit run longer — even nonstop — cycles. This can inflict increased wear and tear on critical components like the compressor and possibly trigger a system shutdown.

Cooling takes more time.

An air conditioner removes the same amount of BTUs of heat from your home every hour whether it’s a summer heat wave or a milder day. Therefore, lowering thermostat settings excessively can’t speed up the process in a heat wave. As outdoor temperatures decline later, however, extremely low settings may cause the house to become overly cooled, wasting energy and boosting operating costs.

Leaving the AC on reduces wear.

Shutting off air conditioning while you're gone during a heat wave means the house becomes excessively overheated. Hours of almost nonstop AC operation are required to cool it back down, inflicting excess stress on system components like the compressor. A better strategy is to leave the air conditioner running all day, cycling on and off normally with the thermostat set at a moderate temperature somewhat higher than your normal comfort zone. This actually consumes less energy and reduces stress on AC components.

For more tips about efficient, effective air conditioner operation during heat waves, talk to the pros at Air Assurance.

What Regular Checks Should You Make to Your AC in the Spring?

Factors such as spikes in negative temperatures and prolonged cold periods can affect your air conditioner's startup. Spring AC checks help you detect potential issues and have a comfortable, problem-free cooling season. Let's break down the steps you should take to physically and visually inspect your air conditioner to ensure it'll work correctly when you need it the most.

1. Inspect the outdoor AC panels. If there's a panel that's out of place or missing, call in an HVAC professional. These panels enclose the unit's electrical connections, so any missing or misaligned panel can pose a risk to you as well as to the unit's operation.

2. Clean the outdoor unit. The outdoor AC coil gets plugged up by foreign debris. Remove any debris that may have been blown into the coil and its surroundings to get optimum performance.

3. Check the suction-pipe insulation. The large insulated copper line on the outdoor AC unit can reduce indoor cooling performance if its insulation is damaged. Winter animals, trapped freezing water, and sun rot can damage the insulation. Have damaged insulation repaired or replaced before you start using the unit.

4. Change the filter. A clogged air filter causes your heating and air conditioning system to run less efficiently. When changing the filter, orient it according to the printed instructions that are on it.

5. Check the vents and grills. Make sure no items are blocking your supply and return grills and vents. Vacuum them to remove any pet hair, dirt, and debris that may have collected on them during the winter.

6. Inspect the condensate line. Make sure the drain line is properly placed. Dust, algae, rust, and other debris can clog up the line. A clogged drain line can make water flood your AC unit or even spill into the basement. You can flush a bleach solution down the pipe to keep it clear.

7. Turn the system on. After you've gone through the checklist, turn on your air conditioner on a hot day. Let it run for 15 or more minutes to feel if it's cooling your home properly.

Once you've performed the spring AC checks above, it's a good idea to bring in an expert. Some issues can only be detected and handled by a certified professional. Contact us at Air Assurance to have routine spring maintenance carried out on your air conditioner in the Broken Arrow area.

Do Cold-Weather Climates Cause More Trouble for ACs Than Warmer Areas?

Every now and then during an unseasonably warm winter day, homeowners may be tempted to turn on the air conditioner. It may not be that warm, but perhaps you got busy in the house and started sweating, so it's tempting to turn on the AC. But should you?

Probably not. The fact is, the air conditioner compressor has summer-weight oil in it, which is a heavy-grade oil that works best under summer conditions. In colder weather, the oil may be too thick for the AC to work properly, and damage may result. Also, running the air conditioner in colder weather could cause freezing coils.

This is more or less the scenario in cold-weather climates, but what about our climate in Broken Arrow, which isn't all that cold — but may be occasionally frigid?

In general, HVAC technicians don't like to run central air conditioning unless daytime temperatures are well above 60 degrees for two to three days prior to turning the AC on. That can make it difficult to run a test in colder weather (for a home appraisal, for instance) or in colder climates.

Another issue is that some modern air conditioners now have low-ambient temperature sensors that actually keep the compressor from turning on when it's cool. These sensors are for the protection of the unit.

Heat Pumps

All of the information we've detailed up to this point pertains to central air conditioning. However, heat pumps operate a bit differently. Heat pumps, which can heat or cool a home, run with a lighter grade of oil and can be turned on during cooler weather.

Cooling Off in Winter

In general, it's better to just open a window to cool off the home a bit or else turn on a ceiling fan. If the fan blades have been reversed to push down warm air to the level of the home's occupants, you may need to change the switch so the blades are running counterclockwise. This will help lift up warm air and push down cooler air.

For more on operating the AC in cold-weather climates, contact Air Assurance in Broken Arrow.

Is It Better to Combine or Separate Your Heating and Cooling Systems?

Your AC and furnace are both essential to your home comfort. However, both units require a significant amount of care and maintenance. Replacement costs can be high as well. Would it just be easier to combine heating and cooling systems into a single unit that does both? Here are some of the advantages.

Advantages of Combining HVAC Systems

The biggest advantage to consolidating your heating and cooling into a single system is that it saves space. Rather than having two different units in different areas of the house, you only have one. If you have a smaller home or want to free up some storage space, combining systems might be a good option.

It also saves money. Rather than having to buy both a furnace and an AC, you can just pay for a single system. It may be a bit more expensive than either of them are individually, but it's still cheaper than the combined cost of both.

Additionally, since you'll have just one system, you can get it serviced just once a year, rather than scheduling an AC tuneup in the spring and a furnace inspection in the fall. Finally, a combined system can save you energy. How, you ask?

Saving Energy with Heat Pumps

The best way to combine heating and cooling systems is with a heat pump. They're perfect for milder winter climates like Oklahoma's, and they can save you energy. Whereas gas furnaces burn fuel to heat the air, heat pumps are electric and operate on the same principle as air conditioners.

In the summer, it operates just like a regular AC. A heat exchanger absorbs heat, leaving you with cool air to circulate through your house, while the heat is vented outside. In winter, it's reversed: The heat that's absorbed is pumped into your home, while the cool air is vented outside. This not only saves energy, but it provides you with home comfort year round, from a single system.

If you want to combine heating and cooling systems in your home, contact us at Air Assurance today. We proudly serve all of Broken Arrow's home-comfort needs.