Air Conditioning Appreciation Days: July 3 to August 15, 2012
Thank Willis Haviland Carrier for inventing the air conditioner. You’ll need your a.c. unit to survive the Dog Days of summer. Starting July 3, 2012, on the official beginning of summer’s Dog Days, take time to appreciate your air conditioning. Two-thirds of homes in the U.S. have air conditioners according to Energy Savers the U.S. Dept. of Energy.
Air conditioning facts from the U.S. Dept. of Energy:
* 5 – Percentage of electricity produced in the U.S. that is used to run air conditioners
* $11 billion – Amount of money homeowners spend to run those air conditioners.
* 100 million tons of carbon dioxide – Amount of carbon dioxide released into the air due to air conditioning.
* Two tons – Amount of carbon dioxide each air conditioned home produces annually.
* 20%-50%- Percent of energy home owners could save by switching to
high-efficiency air conditioners.
Maybe you have window units, or you’re really lucky and have central air. You have from July 3 until August 15 to appreciate your air conditioner.
If you have an air conditioner:
* Change the filter in a central air unit monthly. If you live in an apartment, get a free filter from management. This is pretty standard if you live in sunny Fla. “Clogged, dirty filters block normal air flow and reduce a system’s efficiency significantly. With normal air flow obstructed, air that bypasses the filter may carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impair the coil’s heat-absorbing capacity. Keeping the filter clean can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5%-15” according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy.
* Clean your filter more often if you have pets.
Troubleshooting your air conditioner:
* On humid days, check the condensate drain for clogs.
* If the unit is not draining properly, ensure that it’s level.
* If refrigerant is leaking from the unit, contact a professional. Simply adding more refrigerant won’t solve the problem and the leaks could be “harmful to the environment” according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy.
If you don’t have one, consider these alternatives:
* Go to the movies for the day and catch a double feature.
* Claim your space at the local library so you can enjoy some near Arctic temperatures
* Take on extra shifts at work, where it’s air conditioned.
