hawaii home+REMODELING: Keep Cool

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Keep Cool

Article by Conrad Kampp, of City Mill

Issue Date: May 2007

Summer is almost here, electricity rates are up, and if last year’s heat is any indication of what we can expect this year, now is the time to look at your cooling options. City Mill offers several ways to beat the heat while lowering electricity bills.

A great way to lower your rates is to replace an old air conditioner. The new models are high-efficiency, which translates into less cost per Btu of cooling power. There are several things to consider when purchasing an air-conditioning unit:

Type: Typical options in home air-conditioning units are window mount and wall mount. Window-mount units are the easiest to install and fit the needs of most homeowners who do not wish to have a permanently installed system.

Power: Most window-mount units, up to 15,000 Btu, require 115 volt service. Larger units require 230 to 280 volt service. Also, it is always recommended that you use a dedicated circuit for an air conditioner.

Cooling Capacity: Prior to purchase, determine the size of the area to be cooled. As a general rule of thumb for Hawaii homes, multiply the square footage of the area to be cooled by 50. This will give an approximate number of required Btu. Also, keep the filter clean. Filters remove allergens and odors. A dirty filter is less able to clean the air and puts a strain on the fan motor, reducing the efficiency of the unit.

Fans are another option. While they do not cool the air, fans provide air movement. In a living area or bedroom, a wall-mounted or ceiling fan is a good choice, as it does not take up any room space and provides an even temperature throughout the room. Portable fans, either stationary or oscillating, allow you to place them anywhere in the room. Fans can be used in conjunction with air conditioners to improve the distribution of cool air in a particular room or throughout the home, which allows the air conditioner to run at a lower capacity and operate at a lower cost.