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Energy Management Blog

Regularly updated news, opinions and educational articles.

Ask Daniel

How can I get the most from my air conditioning?

In order to operate your Air Conditioning system most effectively, please remember these facts:

Clean filters will help your A/C work more efficiently; dirty filters will break your A/C. When it’s 95″ outside your A/C will not keep the inside as cool as you would like - it will feel “warmer”.

Air conditioning will not work with windows and doors open. The air conditioner is not designed to cool your space down to 66′. (Minimum set point at federal buildings is 74″. Most commercial buildings should be set at 74′ to 76′.)

In commercial buildings, if you leave the air conditioner on overnight (at a very low temperature setting), it will freeze up and not cool at all.

By turning the thermostat way down, the A/C system will be over-worked and possibly will freeze up and not cool at all.

Maybe I can make my point by looking at an appliance that we use daily, the refrigerator, as an example. Ask yourself - would you open the refrigerator to help cool off the food? No, that would be crazy, right? It is just as crazy to open windows and doors to cool off an air conditioned building. lf you want the windows and doors open then turn off the A/C.

Some days, it may be preferred to have doors and windows open, over operating the A/C. lt’s your choice. Please print this and post it by the thermostat so others can refer to this.

Best wishes,
Dan

Note: lf your A/C is frozen up, please turn the system OFF. This will allow the unit to defrost {melt ice that’s formed in the system.) lt will take several hours to defrost a frozen air conditioner. After waiting several hours, turn it back on at the thermostat. lt will work after defrost is complete.

Who Should You Buy From in 2009?

When you’re in the market for complex equipment, such as furnaces, heat pumps, gas fireplaces, on-demand water heaters, or any other appliance that requires complex repairs, does it matter who you buy from?

Here are some questions to consider, to determine who you should buy from:

  • Will the seller fix what they have sold you?
  • Do they have a service staff or do they outsource?
  • What is their availability?
  • When will they fix it?
  • How long of a wait is expected when a service call comes in?
  • Will you be required to bring in the appliance to the store to be fixed?

If you buy a product that can’t be fixed you have wasted your money!