Originally Posted On: Should I buy an air conditioning system in the seattle area? (fischerheating.com)

 

A fortnight ago, I stumbled upon a tech article that read something like this:

The above lines may not be verbatim to what I read but the idea is. Think about it. Most of the luxury products we own, we do not use them all the time. But they come good when they are needed.  An air conditioning system in Seattle is no different in this regard.

Think Seattle, and you will probably think of its mild weather and dark overcast skies, which is the climate forecast for most part of the year. That said there are times when the summer heat hits the 80’s and even the 90’s. And that’s when you will start missing the mild temperature so badly.

Are you one of those people like me, who like to stay indoors most of the time? If yes, you seriously need to think about a central air conditioning system that serves you in multiple ways.

Seattle was never the most air-conditioned city for many years but that trend is fast changing, says Fischer, a Settle-based HVAC company.

What is an air conditioning system?

If you’ve ever been in a dilemma as to whether or not to purchase an HVAC system in Seattle, you are not alone. And that’s why Fischer has come up with these tips to help you take an informed decision.

Humankind has been fighting nature ever since his evolution. Today, beating the natural weather outside and bringing a desired temperature inside is a breeze (pun intended).

It is noted that Seattle’s temperature reaches the 80 °F mark and goes beyond for a minimum of thirty days every year. In the past decade, several days were extremely hot, with the highest record of 103 degrees Fahrenheit. In the recent times, the city has also witnessed many long, hot and dry days.

So why surrender to Nature’s impacts when you can enjoy an optimal temperature every single minute of your life? A central air conditioning system will ensure that nothing spoils your mood and energy.

Compared to an individual air conditioner, an air conditioning system is a part of the central cooling and heating system in your home. It distributes cool air via the ductwork that is built in the home. The process includes drawing out the warm air that circulates inside the home, expelling it outside and replacing it with chilled air.

Air conditioning systems explained

Fischer recommends buyers to consider a central air conditioning system over a single unit, for multiple reasons. One, a central system helps you enjoy a consistent and even cooling throughout the year. Of course, if you live in a studio apartment, a single unit may be the best choice. For folks that live in big houses, a central air conditioning system is a wonderful choice.

These days, central air conditioning systems are extremely energy efficient and far better alternatives to 4 or 5 independent ACs around the house. Even the noise levels and blasting of air are far lesser with these systems. As the central air conditioning system disperses air at a moderate and cool temperature to each room of your house, you just have to run the system for a short time before the entire house is pleasantly cool. Moreover, the central system lasts approximately ten to fifteen years (if maintained properly), which is quite more than what a single-room AC does.

For many homeowners, an air conditioning system is an appliance that provides cool air during summer. Several types of air conditioning systems are available in the market.

• A fixed air conditioner is often mounted on windows or walls of a room. In a bigger house, it is usual to have several units of fixed air conditioners installed
• A split air conditioning system has indoor and outdoor units connected by a refrigerant piping. The indoor unit could be mounted on a wall or allowed to stay on the floor.
• A ducted type air conditioning system also has indoor and outdoor units. The compressor unit is installed outside the building while the indoor unit is usually installed near the ceiling area and connected to the ductwork, which distributes the air into different parts of the house or building through air vents. A thermostat controls the temperature of the cooling unit.

Central Air Conditioning System Diagram (source: Homestuffworks, 2015)

Central air conditioning system diagram

The condenser and the evaporator at the two main and separate parts of a central air conditioner. The condenser, which is the outdoor unit, should be installed on a sturdy and flat surface such as concrete. The location should be free from obstructions and if possible, away from plants whose leaves, flowers and twigs could be sucked into the unit. The other component, the evaporator coil is installed on the junction of the main duct that is located on top of the furnace.

The ductwork, the blower and motor that are used by the central air conditioning system are shared by the heating system as well. The two main units are sealed thus, when maintenance or repair is needed, it is best to get professional help by calling a licensed HVAC technician from Fischer Heating.

Now this is one point you cannot afford to ignore. What happens if you decide to sell your house in the future?

It is a no-brainer that a central air conditioning system increases the resale value of your home. It makes it a more desirable and compelling buy.

How smart are you with your real estate capabilities? By installing a central air conditioning system, you can increase the asking price of your home and attract potential buyers in droves.

It adds to the safety standards of your home by eliminating the need to open the windows and make way for burglars. This might look like a small factor. But you never know; bad times come exactly when you don’t expect them. With this system in place, you can keep your windows closed, while enjoying the coolness inside.

Ok, now that you have realized keeping your windows open for long is not safe, did you know that you are also inviting pollen, dust and all other kinds of allergens into your home? This is extremely bad for you and your family’s health. When you have a central air conditioning, it eliminates the need to keep the windows open.

Less noise is produced by a central air conditioning system. Moreover, since the working parts of the system are located outside the home, it does not affect the home interior’s view. It likewise does not eat up precious space inside the home. The air ducts distribute cooled air into each part of the home while filtering airborne particles that can all illness.

Best ways to save energy on your central air conditioning unit

One of the reasons some people hesitate to purchase a central air conditioning unit in Seattle is they are cautious of their monthly electricity bill. However, modern day air conditioning systems are far more efficient and less energy consuming.

In addition to that, there are a few things you can try to increase energy efficiency.

1) Adjusting the thermostat
For best efficiency, adjust your thermostat to 78 °F. You may think this is a little too warm for the climate of Seattle. But the modification will ensure that the air conditioner does not start until it’s necessary.
Without realizing, you would be saving plenty of money on your utility bill on the long run. 2) Switch off the Ovens
Switch off your oven if you are done cooking. It is not practical to keep it on when you are not going to use it for the rest of the day. Switching the oven off can effectively reduce the heat inside your home. A hot oven contributes to the overworking of your air conditioning unit. If possible, try cooking and backing during the night. Or replace your oven with toasters, outdoor grills and microwave. 3) Make your house weather-resistant
There are many different ways to weatherproof your house. Install sunblinds and curtains on your windows to battle the heat. 4) Turn them on earlier
Contrary to many beliefs that turning the air conditioning unit on throughout the day is not energy efficient, it is. When you set the temperature to a lower speed and let it run for the entire day, you get far more energy efficiency than switching on the AC at full blast, especially during the peak heat of the day. 5) Clean the condenser and air vents
You’ll help improve the efficiency of your air conditioning unit if the condenser is always clear and free from debris. Remove leaves, twigs, grasses and other items are that blown near the condenser to prevent them from entering the unit. Wipe off dust and grime. Call a professional technician from Fischer if you need a more thorough cleaning.

Clean the vents indoor with a vacuum cleaner. Ensure that no items and pieces of furniture are blocking the vents, including toys and blinds.

Conclusion

The Seattle Times featured a News article about air conditioning systems in Seattle. More and more houses and apartments are opting for air conditioning equipment as the weather in Seattle is getting hotter day-by-day. It was noted that only 4% to 5% of homes in Seattle had central air conditioning units until 2010. The number has surged to over 25% today.

So, the million dollar question is ‘should you be buying an air conditioning system in Seattle?

I would go back to where I started – It’s always nicer to have something and not use it, than want something and not have it

What do you think?