Household Tips and Resources Rebates through Hawaii Energy Calculate Appliance Operating Costs Energy Saving for Businesses RFP - Grid Services Demand Side It's very important that you select the right sized unit for your home. An undersized unit will not have the ability to effectively handle the heat in your room, causing the unit to overwork and not perform optimally. On the other hand, an oversized unit can cool a room quickly, but can create a "cold and clammy" feel due to the humidity levels that aren't lowered properly.  We have provided a quick and easy guide to selecting a proper-sized air conditioner to fit your needs. 1. Compute the Area of the Room: Assumes an 8-foot ceiling. (Use Tab key to advance to the next field) 2. Select your Air Conditioning Needs: In what environment will you be using your air conditioner? Low Heat or Night Time Only - windows/exterior walls mostly shaded from direct sunlight, well-insulated construction.

Good figure for bedrooms or apartments in well-constructed high-rise buildings. Normal Conditions - windows/exterior walls moderately (50-70%) exposed to direct sunlight, ceiling with attic space above. High Heat or Direct Sunlight - large window and wall area exposed to direct sunlight, heavy afternoon sun, and open beam ceilings. (Use your mouse to select the appropriate choice) Low Heat or Night Time Only High Heat or Direct Sunlight Consider an Air Conditioner with a BTU rating within the range to Note: Add 4,000 BTUs if the area includes a kitchen 3. Compute the Monthly Usage Hours: How much will this unit cost to operate? The Energy Efficiency Ratio, or EER rating, tells you how efficient the appliance is in energy consumption. The higher the number rating, the more energy-efficient it is. Here is an example of how much it would cost to run your selected unit if it had an 8, 10, or 11 EER rating: Estimate length the A/C will be on:

4. Select Service Area for Monthly Energy Cost by EER: For other service areas, specify cents per kWh Your Energy Cost should be between: * EER value for box A can be changed to illustrate costs of Air Conditioners with other EER ratings. ** Default cost per kWh is based on the average residential rates for customers on Oahu and Maui Island, as of July 2008.ac and heating brands Sizing of a room air conditioner depends on many factors, such as area of room, ceiling height, number of occupants, insulation and type of construction. central air conditioner and heating units pricesWe recommend you consult with the sales person at the showroom you visit to be sure that the size selected will meet your individual requirements.how do you wire an ac unit

Electricity usage of an Air Conditioner A room air conditioner is used to cool an apartment or a single room, they are often placed inside of a window and bring in outside air while cooling it. Single room air conditioners come in different sizes and use from 500 to 1500 watts. Click calculate to find the energy consumption of a room air conditioner using 1000 Watts for 3 hours a day @ $0.10 per kWh. Decreasing the use of an air conditioner will help lower costs, cooling is generally expensive and there are not many options to save money without increasing your temperature. If you are in the market for a room air conditioner make sure you get one that is energy efficient and appropriate for your room or apartment. Close windows in your home if you are using an air conditioner, to avoid leaking cold air and making your cooling inefficient. Taking cold showers, drinking cool drinks and wearing lighter clothing during hot weather may allow you to decrease your air conditioner reliance.

Using a low energy portable fan instead of an air conditioner may also help save you money.Residential HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical All material Copyrighted (c) by the Tuckey Companies, 2015. Is central air really better than window units? Generally, yes – central air conditioning systems are better (mechanically, functionally, and with respect to efficiency) than window units. However, it’s important to remember that “better” can be defined in many different ways. There are indeed some circumstances where a window unit might be the best option for your cooling needs. First and foremost, keep in mind that window units are intended primarily for cooling a single room (or area of a room). Window units are not intended to cool multiple rooms in the same building (or even an entire room if the room itself is large). If your goal is to cool a large area or multiple rooms, you should be considering your central air conditioning options, which may include ductless systems in addition to more traditional HVAC systems.

Some people assume that today’s ductless systems really just represent an evolution of decades-old window units. Like window units, ductless systems are also intended to cool only a limited space (such as one room or one portion of a room). However, ductless systems are much more efficient than window units and can be installed as zoned systems with multiple indoor wall units. Ductless systems will also be much quieter to the indoor ear versus window units. Aesthetically speaking, window units carry the obvious baggage of having a large plastic-and-metal box jammed into your window frame – they block your view of the great outdoors, and they block sunlight coming into the room as well. Additionally, window units are louder to building occupants because their compressor is located within the unit itself (not outdoors or in a separate location). There are some limited situations in which a window unit might be the best fit for your cooling needs, including situations where you’re only concerned about cooling one room or where you’d like to supplement other cooling systems in hard-to-cool areas like a four-seasons room or a spare room over a garage.

If you’re cooling multiple rooms and if the budget allows, central air conditioning is the more efficient, less costly-to-operate option to pursue. If you’re a typical homeowner, central air is the most cost effective, energy-efficient way to go. Additionally, central air is the lease intrusive and most aesthetically-pleasing home cooling option. For professional assistance with this and other home maintenance work, Tuckey is the local expert to call. Keep our number handy – you never know when you might need us! All material Copyrighted © by The Tuckey Companies, 2015. [/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons] DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as a reference guide only.  All mechanical, plumbing, electrical, remodeling, and restoration projects should be handled by a qualified, professional contractor like the Tuckey Companies.  Information presented here is of a general nature that may not be applicable in all situations. Tips, articles, and accompanying information do not represent an official recommendation of the Tuckey Companies.