So it started out as a way of making people comfortable. Right? Well, not exactly. In 1882, thanks to Thomas Edison, the first electric power plant opened in New York making it possible for the first time to have an inexpensive source of energy for residential and commercial buildings. And by 1889, central station refrigeration was used in large cities to preserve foods and documents. It was well known that a cool surrounding could preserve foods and other perishables for a long time. But what was not well known was how humidity and heat were related. Then in 1902, Willis Carrier built the first air conditioner to combat humidity inside a printing company. Controlling the humidity in printing companies and textile mills was the start of environment management.

Is it time for a new air conditioner for your home?

02/07/12

Ah, hot weather. Something people in the south have been dealing
with for months already, but something many people in the north
have been eagerly waiting for after enduring an endless winter.

In most parts of the country, air conditioning has become fairly
commonplace, moving from a luxury item to a near-necessity. One
question that often comes up at this time of year is what to do
about an aging unit that probably needs some repair but may
finally need to be replaced. How do you decide whether to repair
or replace it?

The Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute notes that when a
unit begins to reach the end of its expected life span, it is
the major components like the motors or the compressor that
finally wear out. Along the way, smaller components may need to
be replaced, and their repair price is usually far less than the
cost of a new unit. But sooner or later, you’ll need to decide
whether you want to put a little money into less expensive
repairs, or more money into a newer, more efficient air
conditioning system.

It requires a much different mind set that making the same
decisions about your car. As your car gets older, repairs can
keep it going, and unless something big happens like your
transmission goes or a broken timing belt wreaks havoc on the
engine, repairs will make economic sense if they keep the car
running. Your air conditioner, though, falls into a different
category. With all the advances in efficiency and technology in
recent years, putting money into a new unit can bring impressive
energy savings – savings that over time will probably pay you
back the cost of the purchase price. No matter how
fuel-efficient your new car might be, it’s not going to give
results like this!

The new unit also brings with it reliable performance as well as
a longer life span, and you’ll probably enjoy the comfort level
in your home even more. All kinds of new technology coming on
the market bring more and more benefits you can enjoy. For
example, there are now systems using scroll compressor
technology, which operate at two-thirds capacity 80 percent of
the time, saving energy in the process, and only going to their
full capacity on the hottest days. Manufacturers of these units
say you’ll benefit from even cooling comfort, reduced indoor
humidity and high energy-efficiency. Conventional systems run at
full power to cool your home, then shut off until the
temperature increases and they come back on again, so this new
type of system sounds like a real money-saver. There are also
units that are more efficient than ever before, and their higher
purchase price can easily be balanced against their higher
energy savings.

The secret to buying the right air conditioner for your home
actually has two parts – buy the most-efficient unit that you
can afford, and buy the one that is sized right for your home
and lifestyle. Check out the latest technologies on the market
today, think about the importance of air conditioning in the
climate where you live, and make your decision on the amount of
usage the system will get rather than just on its purchase price.

The air conditioners on the market today use a lot less energy –
maybe as much as 50 percent less, in fact – than were used by
systems 25 years ago. Maybe you can keep your current air
conditioner going another couple of years with some minor
tune-ups or repairs, and that may be the most economic thing you
should be doing for it. But if some major repairs are needed,
give some serious thought to buying a new unit with the latest
technology and good energy efficiency. Talk to the salespeople
about the recommended SEER ratings in your area, along with
upcoming changes in the use of ozone-friendly refrigerants and
other aspects of the air-conditioning systems.

Finally, one tip to help lower bills even more this summer. If
you’re going to be away from home for a few hours or longer, set
the thermostat several degrees higher than its usual set point.
Why spend money to keep your house so cool when no one is home?
It’s a lot more economical to adjust the thermostat when you get
home and bring the house to the level you want than to keep it
at the cool point all the time you’re gone.