testing testing
Smart Outlets to Provide Remote AC Access
Con Edison To Distribute Smart Outlets for AC Units
In Arizona, it is common to see that many people own a lot of highly technological air conditioners. A lot of them have remote access. Unfortunately this luxury isn’t available to everyone at this time. However, things are going to change for those in New York who get their AC repair done by Con Edison.
Con Edison is betting that a modest smart outlet can help prevent the grid from crashing during a heat wave. The same gadget will also let people remotely control their air conditioners.
The New York utility said last week it intends to distribute 10,000 smart outlets from startup ThinkEco to residents in large apartment buildings as part of its peak power reduction program called CoolNYC. A regular air conditioner plugs into the smart outlets and allows for remote control of thermostat settings from a smart phone or Web browser.
People can choose to participate in Con Edison’s CoolNYC program through which the utility adjusts air conditioner thermostat settings to lighten the load on the grid during times of peak demand. The 10,000 smart outlets, called modlets by ThinkEco, can trim 5 megawatts from the grid, or the equivalent of about 5,000 homes.
The “modlets” provide a notification to people in CoolNYC that their air conditioner settings have been adjusted temporarily. Participants in a program, which currently uses a different type of controller, get a rebate from the utility.
In addition to peak power shaving, the modlets turn a regular air conditioner into a smart appliance, giving people the ability to turn it on and off from an Internet-connected device and adjust the settings.
ThinkEco’s modlets are available to consumers but the has mostly targeted corporate customers which use them to power down office electronics on a schedule.
So basically while it’s only in the state of New York, I can see it spreading around. Especially here in Arizona. In Arizona, you need AC nearly year-round. Remote access would help those who need it or those just can’t afford it but see it as a necessary want. It can also help out in special Arizona AC repair jobs.
SOURCE:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57423993-76/a-c-on-demand-smart-outlet-provides-remote-control/
Energy Efficiency By Maintaining your AC Unit
Angie’s List Has Tips on Maintaining Your AC Unit
During the summer months, usually, you have to keep the house’s AC unit on at all times. Even when you sleep, even when you eat breakfast, and even after you have come home from work. But it can waste a lot of energy and there’s a huge possibility that they can break down. There are some tips from sources like Angie’s List that can help you out during these hotter times, but eventually you may have to call a local Scottsdale or Tempe AC repair specialist.
Air conditioning units frequently break down when the weather is the hottest, requiring expensive repairs and costly emergency calls.
Highly rated service specialists tell Angie’s List the majority of their emergency repair calls can be traced back to poor maintenance. Each year your air conditioner goes without maintenance, it will lose about 5 percent of its overall efficiency.
Finding potential problems before they arise will keep you from having an unexpected failure in the middle of a heat wave, will save you emergency repair bills and will help avoid costly repairs down the road.
Signs that your A/C is due for service:
· Is your AC unit not cooling your house as effectively as it should?
· Has the humidity in your home increased?
· However, not all problems are immediately recognizable, reinforcing the importance of having an annual inspection.
Items checked during a tune-up may include:
· Safety controls are inspected.
· Refrigerant levels to ensure there are no Freon leaks.
· Compressor and electrical components are cleaned and checked for proper operation and life expectancy.
· Filters checked and changed, if necessary.
· Outdoor coil is cleaned.
· Check temperature and proper air flow.
· Calibrate thermostats.
Angie’s List, the nation’s premier provider of local consumer reviews, asked itsheating and coolingexperts for ways homeowners can save and still beat the heat:
Call a professional:
Each central air conditioning unit should be inspected, cleaned and tuned by a professional before the summer season. Ask about annual maintenance plans. More HVAC are offering these plans that will insure visits twice per calendar year.
Keep the filter clean:
Clean and replace the air conditioner filter frequently (check the filter once a month). This is especially important during the summer when dust and allergens circulate. If the filter becomes clogged, your system will have to work harder to supply the same amount of cool air. Check with your provider on the right type of filters to use with your system.
Made in the shade:
Air conditioners with proper shading can be more efficient. Air in a shaded space is cooler than the surrounding air, meaning the A/C will have an easier time cooling the air, but keep plants, shrubs, and other landscaping about two to four feet away from your outdoor unit to ensure adequate airflow.
Dial for dollars:
Remember that each degree you dial below 78 increases your energy consumption by about 8 percent. If your monthly electric bill is about $100, you’ll save $8 a month with EACHdegree you can stand above 78.
Set and go:
If it’s hard to remember to tweak your thermostat before you leave for work, consider investing in a programmable thermostat or a timer for your window unit.
Time to replace? If your unit is more than 10 years old and you have substantial repair costs, it’s probably time to consider a replacing your unit with a new, energy-efficient model. When replacing your A/C, look for a properly sized unit. If you install a unit that is too large, it will cycle on and off – reducing the efficiency of the system.
Angie’s List tips for hiring a HVAC company:
· Check that they are properly licensed and insured.
· Some companies hire maintenance technicians to do their tune-ups as an entry level position. Make sure they have certification that shows they have met the minimum standards for knowledge of their trade.
· A typical service call should range between $70 and $100. Be wary of companies that offer significantly lower prices. Emergency or weekend repair calls often carry extra fees of $50-$150 above the time and materials needed for repair.
· Get multiple estimates, even in an emergency situation.
SOURCE: KSAT
http://www.ksat.com/money/Angie-s-List-Energy-Efficiency-Maintain-your-Air-Conditioner/-/2602640/11829496/-/13a5v6r/-/index.html
There other ways to find out of preventing any energy wasting and there other ways and tips to stay cool this summer. You just have to keep in mind what sources you cite and refer to. Either way, it’s a good thing to find out more before prematurely calling for any kind of Scottsdale air conditioner repair.
