How To Make Sure You Stay Cool Next Summer
By: Jan Hajek | Date Posted: September 6, 2021
Table of Contents
While everyone likes being warm and toasty, these past few years have brought some major heat waves. In order to ensure you have a refreshing environment for yourself, you might want to take some steps to prepare for next summer.
First, think about the season. If you plan on spending a lot of time outside during the hotter months you might want to invest in some lightweight pieces that will keep your bodyâs temperature down. Also, consider where you live and what weather conditions are like there â canopies over outdoor seating areas could be beneficial if you live in an area where it gets extremely hot.
Lastly, make sure youâre drinking plenty of water throughout the day â itâll help keep your body temperature down and give you the energy that comes from staying hydrated!
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1. Keeping your house cool and inviting
ACs will be a must-have for everyone who wants to stay cool. In order to be comfortable this upcoming season, youâll need to have an AC with the correct refrigerant. There are two main types of AC refrigerants: R-22 and R-410A. Which one should you choose? The answer depends on your needs! Here is a quick overview of each type of refrigerant so that you can make a more informed decision when buying your next AC unit!
2. Refrigerant â definition and types
A refrigerant is a fluid that is used in a heat pump and air conditioner to transfer heat. This fluid absorbs the heat from inside an enclosed area, carries it outside, and then releases it into the atmosphere. In order for these systems to work properly, they need a certain type of refrigerant which varies based on where you live and what your needs are.
Freon and Puron are the two main types of refrigerants. Which one should you choose for your next AC unit depends on your needs! Freon is classified as an ozone-depleting substance, which has been phased out in many countries around the world. Puron, on the other hand, is an environmentally friendly refrigerant that has been considered a safe alternative to Freon.
If youâre looking for an AC with zero Freons, you should go with Puron. Freon R-22 emits CFCs into the air which damages ozone layers in our atmosphere. Puron is a natural refrigerant that helps people save money on their energy bills. It also has zero ozone depletion potential, so itâs better for the environment than other chemicals like R-22 or HFCs. It makes sense to use Puron instead of another chemical because it will help you keep your costs low and stay cool next summer.
If you need an AC unit installed in your home, be sure to hire professionals who know how to handle this type of equipment safely. Make sure they have any necessary licensing before hiring them as well! You can find reliable technicians by searching online or asking friends and family members if theyâve had good experiences with anyone in particular, more often than not, these types of services are done by businesses that have worked in the area for some time.
3. Buying A New AC
The average life span of an AC unit is around ten or fifteen years. If your system is more than 15 years old, itâs advised that you replace it. Newer systems will be much more efficient, saving energy costs in the long run.
If you have a unit thatâs less than 15 years old it may still be more efficient to replace the system if there is an issue with it. There are many things that could go wrong such as broken coils, leaks, and other issues. You donât want major repairs in the middle of summer, so replacing your current unit would prevent this from happening!
The next thing you should consider when buying a new AC unit is how much cooling capacity will you need. This isnât actually as complicated or difficult as people think. However, there are a few things to consider when deciding on the best unit for your property. Square footage, floor plan, and insulation type in your home are just a few examples of factors that may make determining this simpler for homeowners.
Once youâve established all of the details, get the job done by professionals who are familiar with the installation process, which might include things like uninstalling the old system, installing new systems (if applicable), running wiring through attics/walls, setting thermostat (if necessary).
4. How to Upgrade Your AC Unit
Even if you have a new AC (air conditioner), it is possible that the Freon has worn out. It might be time to upgrade it.
The first thing to do is to contact a specialist. A technician should be called to check for any potential issues with your AC unit before you consider upgrading it, especially if itâs an older model. A common issue that arises is an evaporator coil leak in which case the air conditioner will need to be repaired.
Once you have received the go-ahead from your technician, it is time to look into what type of Freon needs to be put in your AC unit. For example, if it was an R-22 system at one point and now has transitioned over to an R410A system, then you will have to upgrade the Freon or your AC unit is going to be running very inefficiently. It is highly advised that you change up all of the components in an air conditioning system at once and get it done properly as opposed to changing out just one thing.
5. DIY Coolant Upgrade
It may be more inexpensive to tackle this issue on your own, but you should ensure that youâre not taking on more than you can chew before you attempt a DIY. In case you still want to take care of the upgrade yourself, here are the necessary steps:
- Turn off the power to the unit and make sure that there is no residual charge in any components inside before servicing.
- Drain all remaining Freon from the hoses and the unit.
- Remove the existing filter and replace it with a Puron-compatible one.
- Prepare for filling by removing any external insulation from service ports on indoor or outdoor components of your AC system, including valves and gauges. This will ensure that there are no leaks when you need to refill in the future.
Once you have completed this, you can get Puron filled at a certified service center.
As with anything else, itâs also important to be smart about how you use your AC unit. Donât keep it running when youâre gone and donât set it too low. You want your AC unit to be as efficient as possible, and that means keeping it at a reasonable temperature. At the end of the day, no matter what you decide, the important thing is to have a functional AC unit and a healthy stash of ice cubes in your freezer when summer rolls around.
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Thank you for reading!