This is a question you hear quite often in the air conditioning business. What Temperature should I keep my AC? In truth, there are many different opinions and people all have different personal preferences. But, in this article, we will share what the energy experts say is your ideal setting to balance comfort and cost efficiency.

The U.S. EPA program called Energy Star suggests that 78 degrees is that perfect temperature. They suggest this temperature for when you are home and awake. But they suggest you have a programmable digital thermostat that will adjust the settings when you are away from home.

The following are the set points that they suggest:

• 78° F when you’re home.
• 85° F when you’re at work or away.
• 82° F when you’re sleeping.

They also say that you’ll save 3 percent on your air conditioning costs for every degree you raise the temperature. For many folks this temperature is way too high and they will pay the extra money to stay cool and comfy.

They suggest other tips such as during a heat wave, avoid using appliances in your home that produce heat. This would include things like your clothes dryer, iron, oven and dishwasher. If you air conditioner is having trouble battling the blaze on a 95 degree day, help it out by skipping laundry and cooking in the oven for a few days.

If you are installing an AC for the first time hire a professional. The money you pay them to figure out the right unit for your living space will save you plenty of money in the long run. A new unit, with a well programmed thermostat will save you hundreds of dollars per year.

You can get away with having higher temperature when the humidity is lower. But, when the weather is very humid the higher temperatures can become unbearable. My personal preference is between 75-77 degrees in the summer. In the winter I can deal with 70 degrees in my home. Again, it is all personal preference and everyone’s body runs at a slightly different temperature.

In our latest series of blog posts we wanted to really delve into air conditioning. It is a major part of or lives and many people take it for granted or give very little thought to it. Sterling Oil actually installs and repairs AC so that is why we wanted to include this content on our blog.

Raw Figures and Stats

Three quarters of all home in the United States have air conditioning. Air conditioners use roughly 6% of all electricity consumed in the U.S. Your refrigerator uses the same exact principles and mechanisms to keep your food cold. Until the very late 20th century, the liquid coolant (refrigerant) was called a CFC. This stands for chlorofluorocarbons. Since then, the industry has been switching to halogenated chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). The reason for the change is because the CFC’s cause damage to the Ozone layer of the Earth.

Studies indicate switching to newer and more efficient systems can save as much as 20%-50% household energy consumption. It is important to make sure you have the most efficient AC unit you can and that your system is using the newer refrigerants.

Types of AC’s

There are two main types of air conditioners:

1. Room air conditioners
2. Central air conditioners

The room AC’s are usually window units or units that use a window in some way. The other type is built into the house and has vents in each room and has an evaporator outside. There are various hybrids of these two types but they are all related to these two main types.

Central units are much more efficient at cooling an entire house. Some people may choose to only air condition a room or two in their house and this is when a window type unit comes in handy.  Another positive feature of a central air conditioner is the ability to truly filter the air. The air is all run through a filter and this process can help with conditions such as asthma and allergies. There are some very high end filters available these days.

Each living space is unique and can be evaluated for the best type of AC to be used. A professional can help you decide what is best for your particular living space.

Many people have enjoyed the benefits all their lives and never really stopped to think how the air conditioning system actually works. All they know is that they hit a few buttons and some cold air starts pouring out of the vent. But the process of cooling the air is actually very interesting and shows, why I believe, air conditioning to be one of the most valuable inventions of the 20th century.

For starters, the reason it is called an “air conditioner” and not an “air cooler” is because it is also dehumidifies the air. A cool room with high humidity works against the cooling process and can also be bad for the occupants. They can develop respiration problems in that environment and mold can grow on surfaces as well.

Basically, the system works by extracting heat from the room and then carrying the heat outside. It also dehumidifies the room and carries the water outside or down a drain. The system uses air from inside the cooling area so it doesn’t have have to waste as much energy. By recycling the already treated air, it saves energy and money. Continue reading ‘How an Air Conditioner Fundamentally Works’ »

If your air conditioning system is getting older and you find yourself having to have it repaired every other year, it is probably a good idea to consider replacing it. Not only will you prevent being stuck with no AC in the middle of the summer, you will actually save money on your monthly energy bill. How much money can you save with a newer unit over an older one? $200 a year.

Newer AC units are more efficient when using energy. Also, when the AC technician is there, have him inspect your duct-work. Repairing or replacing worn or damaged duct-work can save you another $100 per year. Over time these saving actually help displace the cost of a new unit.

Sterling Oil is known for being a local supplier of heating systems and oil. But, we do AC as well. We are proud distributors of Nordyne, Armstrong Air, Burnham Products, Goodman, and Thermopride products. These are the best brands in the business. You can finance these services if you prefer to. You may be able to get your payments down to the amount that the new system saves you per year. It would almost pay for itself in some instances. Continue reading ‘Replacing Old Air Conditioning System’ »