10 December 2014
 Categories: , Blog

An unconditioned home can be oppressively hot during the summer, especially if you live in some of the nation's warmer climate zones, like the southwest or southeast. Given the hot and sticky feeling associated with a lack of air conditioning, it's no surprised that the majority of U.S. homes rely on central air conditioning to keep things cool and comfortable. Unfortunately, even central air may not be enough to tame the heat in some cases. If you've added an addition or sunroom to your house, or your central air conditioner is undersized, you may find yourself sweating even when the air conditioner is running full blast. These alternative cooling technologies can be used to supplement a central air system to help you beat the heat this summer.

Mini Split Systems

The most efficient way to supplement your existing central air system involves adding a mini split system. These units act just like heat pumps, extracting heat from the air and expelling it outdoors. They feature an outdoor condenser and indoor air handler controlled by a thermostat. Just place on air handler on the wall or ceiling of each overly-hot room to help cool it down. These systems tend to come with a high price tag and require professional installation, but offer greater efficiency and a more integrated look than window or portable cooling units.

Window Units

Adding a window unit is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to cool a room. Because they run off electricity, window units are notoriously inefficient, however, and can also make your home less secure against burglars. These units can be heavy and difficult to install and remove each year, and some feel that they detract from the appearance of the home.

Portable Cooling

If you want to cool a windowless room, or you don't want the hassle of window units, consider a portable air conditioner. These units look like space heaters, and many come on wheels so you can move them to different parts of the house to supplement central air. Like window air conditioners, they are relatively inefficient, and require venting through a duct run out a window or door.

Duct Boosters

If your central air system is properly sized and running well, but you still have rooms that feel too hot, your problem may lie in your ducts. Perhaps the ducts themselves are sized incorrectly, or feature too many twists and turns to transport cool air to each room. If this is the case, special fans installed in ductwork can help push cold air along so that it reaches its intended destination. These fans fit right within the ducts themselves to give the air extra momentum. Others take the place of vents or outlets in each room to blow cold air throughout living spaces. Many are easy to install and require only basic tools and know-how.

For more tips on getting the most out of your air conditioner, contact a company like Plisko Electric.