ELECTRIC NOTES

STAY COOL, SAVE MONEY

By Brian Sloboda
Cooperative Research Network

Cooling a home on hot, humid days can be energy-intensive—in fact, cooling generally becomes the largest energy expense homeowners face during the summer. A room air conditioner may seem like an easy-to-install, low-cost way to add comfort, but it could waste energy and money. 

A room air conditioner is basically a self-contained box designed to be mounted in a window, through a wall, or as a console. Costing between $100 and $1,000, they can be purchased at home improvement centers, big box retailers—even yard sales and flea markets. They tend to last a long time with minimal maintenance, so selecting the right unit is important.

Room air conditioners rated by Energy Star, the federal energy-efficiency program, are at least 10 percent more efficient than the federal standard. The energy-efficiency ratio (EER) measures each unit’s efficiency. The higher the EER rating, the more efficient the air conditioner will be. National appliance standards require room air conditioners built after January 1, 1990, to have a minimum EER of 8.0.

Energy Star-qualified units have advanced compressors that use less energy and run more quietly. However, they do cost slightly more.

An average consumer in a hot and humid state such as Texas could save up to 300 kilowatt-hours per year with an Energy Star-rated room unit versus a less efficient one.

Consumers should look for models with timers and programmable thermostats that allow users to cool spaces according to their preferences. For example, a homeowner can program the air conditioner to turn on 20 minutes before bedtime to make the bedroom comfortable.

Installing a room air conditioner is typically an easy job. Most units fit in a window. Large-capacity units often require a dedicated electrical circuit or may have specific wiring and breaker requirements. These units may need to be installed by a professional. Improper installation can negate the savings offered by even the most efficient of units.

Here’s a tip: Put window units in an east- or north-facing window out of the direct sun. It’s even better if the unit is shaded by a tree or awning. Also, make sure the external surface is not blocked by shrubbery. And, make sure the unit is level so its drainage system operates properly.

Room air conditioners come in a variety of sizes, and buying the right one is important. A unit that is too large will cool the room too quickly to properly remove all of the humidity, leaving the room feeling cool, but also wet and clammy. Buy the unit from a knowledgeable retailer who will help you select the right size for your room. 

Consumers replacing an existing unit with a more efficient unit should not throw the old unit away. Air conditioners contain refrigerant that should be removed by a trained technician before the unit is recycled or discarded. Contact a local solid waste organization for information on how to properly dispose of old air conditioners.

Air conditioning will impact your monthly electric bill—your purchasing decisions, climate and length of use determine how much of an impact there will be. Making smart energy choices will leave you happier, cooler and with a couple of extra bucks in your pocket.

Before You Buy

Before investing in a room air conditioner, take some easy and inexpensive energy-saving measures in your home. Any of these measures will maximize the cooling power of your air conditioner.

• Add caulk and weatherstripping around doors and windows.

• Add insulation to attics and exposed walls.

• Move furniture or obstacles away from room air conditioners.

• Close blinds or curtains during the day.

KEEP DAD SAFE FOR FATHER’S DAY

Years of power tool shopping for past Father’s Day gifts have probably yielded the dad in your life a garage or shed full of handy gadgets. On June 20, give him the tools he needs to use his stockpile safely.

For table saws and other large tools, give your dad a motor safety switch with a large “stop” paddle or switch. It allows him to use his hip or foot to immediately cut power to the tool without removing a hand from the work piece, helping him to keep his work safe and steady. For about $30, you can buy a switch that easily mounts to most 120-volt machinery.

If he spends full weekend days near his workbench, pick a pair of supportive steel-toed boots to protect his feet from knocked-off or dropped work gear. Good work boots also will reduce fatigue and keep his knees and back comfortable even after a full day on his feet.

Toss in the classic safety gear: Sporty safety glasses styled like sunglasses offer a snug fit and wraparound protection in both clear and tinted styles. Choose a snug pair of work gloves with extra gripping strips to help your dad keep a firm hold on his tools and work materials. And don’t forget his ears—a simple pair of ear plugs will keep that ringing noise at bay when he works around loud machinery.

SUMMER LIVING WITH OUTDOOR APPLICANCES

Outdoor kitchens and living rooms are a great place to spend summer evenings and are becoming a common extension of modern homes.

Make your outdoor room as safe as your indoor rooms.

First, before plugging in even one outdoor appliance, upgrade your outdoor outlets. Each should be a three-prong outlet, protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter with its own weatherproof cover. Without a proper cover, moisture can get into outlets and cause a malfunction or shock.

Only use appliances outside that the manufacturer says are safe for outdoor use rather than moving indoor appliances to your patio. Outdoor temperatures that are too hot or too cold can damage refrigerators and icemakers designed for indoor use.

As the popularity of outdoor rooms grows, more manufacturers are creating products that can hold up to the elements and withstand wet weather. You can find refrigerators, freezers, wine chillers, keg tappers and icemakers with a safety stamp from Underwriters Laboratories or another rating agency that ensures the appliance is safe to use outdoors.

HEED A FEW CFL NO-NOS

One of the benefits of using compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs)—other than significant energy savings—is that each bulb can last up to 10,000 hours, if used correctly. But while CFLs can fit into nearly any light fixture, they aren’t always a perfect choice.

Heed these CFL “don’ts” to extend the life of your energy-efficient bulbs:

• Don’t use a CFL in a fully enclosed, recessed fixture, as the heat will cause the CFL to cease working properly. However, CFLs will generally work if the fixture is not completely recessed. Check the packaging to see if the CFL can be used in an inverted position.

• Don’t use a regular CFL with a dimmer switch—this will cause the bulb to burn out in days or weeks. Choose a CFL made specifically for use with dimmers.

• Don’t expect a regular CFL to produce three levels of brightness on a three-way switch. While a CFL will work properly on the middle switch, a regular CFL will not produce light like an incandescent bulb in a three-way switch. However, some manufacturers produce three-way CFLs.

• Don’t expose a CFL to the outdoor elements without a protective cover. Check the packaging for the range of operating temperatures.

• Don’t use a CFL in a fixture with a lot of vibration, such as a ceiling fan or in conjunction with a garage door opener. Vibrations can cause a CFL to fail.