The bigger an air conditioner, the better it cools, right?
Not necessarily. As a matter of fact, most systems are over sized to begin with and that fact can lead to other problems. An over sized system initially can cost more to install, more to operate, may not dehumidify adequately and could cause unhealthy conditions or affect the structure.  The same goes for heating equipment.   Over sized heating equipment will not allow uniform temperatures through the dwelling.

What brand equipment should I purchase?
According to Consumer Reports the “brand is not nearly as important as the competency of the contractor”. There is no substitute for using a quality contractor.

Should my home have some type ventilation?
The motto for ventilation should be “seal the house tight and ventilate it right” on all homes, new and old.  With improvements in construction methods, the newer the home, the more likely controlled ventilation is required.

At what level humidity should my home be maintained?
Generally, a safe humidity range appears to be 35% to 50%.

In the last home we were living, in the air conditioning didn’t run as long. Why?
As mentioned earlier most systems are over sized. New systems are designed to run longer. Even though the system runs longer less energy is consumed due to more efficient components. Components are larger with more surface area to move heat more efficiently.

We believe we have a need for additional insulation. How can we tell?
Opinions on insulation levels are subjective and hard to quantify. Most homes don’t have the insulation levels claimed. This is not by design but rather as a consequence. One trip the length of the attic by any tradesman or homeowner can significantly diminish the installed value of insulation. All blown insulation settles over time. In ventilated attics, air currents, humidity levels or critter traffic can cause insulation to lose value.  As an example; a 10×10 room with R-30 insulation over 96 of 100 square feet and a 2×2 attic access or hatch that remains bare can reduce the effective R value to just over half of the original R 30 value. The room will have a value of approximately R 17 if the hatch cover is left with no insulation.

Which insulation is best?
There is a wide variety of insulation materials. As with most construction components there are pro and con for each product. Products need to be weighed on a case by case situation depending on other components or methodology each home is built with.

A sales person said we needed to add insulation to the walls.
While insulation in walls is important, focusing on air infiltration within the wall structure is more cost-effective in cooling dominant areas. Where penetrations through walls exist such as plumbing pipes and electrical wiring, seal around the penetrations with a flexible sealant like silicone. This practice will keep hot or cold outside conditions from accessing the inside or your home. Remember, insulation is only as effective as the air barrier that effectively wraps the home. Benefits of insulating outside walls in our area have a substantially longer payback than does attic insulation.

Do solar screens really work?
Solar screens are one of the most cost-effective methods for blocking heat from the sun entering the home. As an added benefit solar screens block damaging UV rays that can fade materials and destroy construction components. Remember drapes and blinds may protect fabric, flooring and furniture from UV damage but heat is already inside the home once past window components.

One room is cold and the other is not quite cool enough. Why does the temperature vary so much?
The air distribution system in homes must be designed and balanced. This step is seldom performed and may result in uneven temperatures throughout the home. If the design is wrong the energy you consumed will be wasted, not being delivered to the exterior walls and window. Remember, an efficient air conditioning system does not cool the air in your home. The air conditioning actually removes the heat inside your home and puts it back outside so the products your home is constructed with, are used efficiently.