Most homes in the area need a functioning air conditioner to make it through the summer. Air conditioning is more than just a luxury when the temperatures shoot towards 100 degrees and higher, and the more a prudent homeowner can do to ensure efficient and stress-free air conditioning performance, the better. Now is the time to act, since the weather will remain comparatively cool for a few more weeks and allow residents to schedule service at their leisure.
In addition to more immediate concerns, such as setting up service to check for any problems in need of immediate corrections, an upgrade to the air conditioner can do wonders for its performance and cost effectiveness. Upgrades can be installed in the existing system without much trouble, providing new features as well as greater efficiency. Every home is different and what works for one may not work for another. A few examples of AC upgrades can provide a good basis to begin consideration.
Thermostats
Thermostats are designed to last for many years, which means that some homes have units that have lasted for decades or longer. The only downside to such durability is that it misses recent advances in the field. New thermostats offer features like smart programming, which makes automatic adjustments based on the homeowner’s cooling habits, or control of the system from anywhere in the world via an app on the homeowner’s phone. In addition, older mercury-based thermostats should be removed from the home no matter what, since mercury is toxic.
Zone Control Systems
Centralized air conditioners generate cool air in a single location, then distribute it through the home with a system of ducts. That means that only one temperature can be set for the entire home, and larger homes may struggle to maintain an even temperature throughout their space. A zone control system divides the ducts into sections and allows the homeowner to adjust the temperature in each section independently of the others. This allows different temperatures to be set in different rooms and the air conditioner to be turned off in unused parts of the home: lowering the monthly cost of cooling a great deal and sparing the system any unnecessary strain. Zone control systems are especially recommended for larger homes or homes with multiple stories.
Dehumidifiers
New York can get quite muggy and humid in the summer, which makes households extremely uncomfortable. Air conditioners can somewhat address the problem, since lowering the temperature of the air helps reduce humidity levels. But they’re not set up for such duties and the added strain of high humidity can increase wear and tear on the system. A whole-house dehumidifier operates on the same principles as air conditioning, but with a focus on humidity. It allows precise control over the levels of ambient moisture in the home, and can ease the strain that high humidity levels place on most air conditioning systems.
Homeowners in Pelham, NY interested in helping their air conditioners perform at their best can call Yost & Campbell Heating, Cooling & Generators today!