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!doctype>Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Diagnostic Scan Tools for Vehicles Reviewed
Monday, February 24, 2014
Battery Tender Car Battery Chargers Review
The Battery Tender Junior and Battery Tender Plus Car Battery Chargers
It is cold and wet, snow is falling, and the commute promises to be a genuine horror story.
You trudge out into two feet of snow, angry that you had to spend a half hour to dig yourself out of the driveway – and frustrated because you already dread facing the morning meeting. You slide into the driver’s seat, turn the key, and – your car battery is dead.
Who you gonna call? Well, at this point, you’ll be needing to call emergency services, so the best solution is to avoid a dead battery in the first place. The Battery Tender 021-0123, 12V Battery Charger can help you with that. This compact charging device can help you to see an end to problems with low battery power. Let’s take a closer look at it to see how it works.
Main Features of the Battery Tender Junior
- Charge 12/6 volt lead-acid batteries
- Spark proof during lead connection for increased safety
- Intelligent four-step charging program to prevent over charging
- Automatic charge cycle optimizes charge, then floats to protect battery
- Two color LED monitors charger status
- Unit size - 8 x 4 x 9 inches and weighs 1.8 pounds
- 12 Ft connection cable (25 Ft. available)
- 5 year warranty
Battery Tender Junior Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1gxzK6x
While nothing is perfect, this small compact and easy to use portable battery charger comes rather close. It works just fine whether or battery is in your car, or sitting on a chair – and it virtually guarantees that your battery will be ready for travel when you are.
The Battery Tender Junior 021-0123 is the least expensive version, but some customers recommend the 021-0128 for more charging power and longer life.
The unit is extremely light, and easy to use. The two-color LED will display the state of the unit while in operation, and the intelligent four-step charging system brings your battery to an optimum charge, without risk of damaging it.
The 12 feet cable is replaceable with a 25 feet version and special care has been taken to make sure that no sparks are generated during connection to protect your care from fire and your face from possible explosion.
Customer Comments
- 5 star 1942
- 4 star 268
- 3 star 35
- 2 star 26
- 1 star 52
Customers are liberal in their praise of the Battery Tender charger. There are 2,323 customer reviews at the time of this writing, and less than 100 of these are under two stars. That is a rating of 4.7 stars out of five!
There are of course complaints about having received bad product, or units that burned up in a week – but nearly two thousand (1942) of these reviews offer a full five stars – and the only way to earn such strong praise from so many is actually to earn it.
It may be that the users of these units did not use them properly, or they may have gotten a damaged unit. One thing you want to be sure of, is that your battery connections are clean before attempting to use the Battery Tender charger. Next, you want nice tight connections between car and battery and you want clean firm contact between the charger and the battery for best results.
Again, we note that the Battery Tender Plus (more expensive version) which costs twice as much as the junior version reviewed here (about $50.00) is highly recommended among the customers, so we will make this recommendation as well. You will find the link to this product below.
However, according to these reviews, you can’t go wrong with either of these Battery Tender car battery chargers, so don’t spend more than you have to.
Until next time, have fun, and …
Happy Shopping!
Battery Tender Junior Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1gxzK6x
Want to see other options? Try these links!
See Related Products at: http://bit.ly/16xPTqN
Shopping Center: http://sincereproductreviews.com/products/
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Four Must Have Camping Accessories
Four critical camping accessories to make your tent a home
If you are planning a family camping trip soon, you will need to put yourself in a mindset to begin an inventory of what you will need to make your camping trip a success. Success, in this case, means that your family is as comfortable on the road as they normally would be at home.
To that end, here are some things that you should have along to make sure that your family could make the most of your time together in the wilderness.
Dinnerware:
It might seem obvious, until you arrive at site and realize that you didn’t bring any. As a recommendation, we selected the Coleman Speckled Enamelware. This dinnerware is durable, colorful and it comes with a 4-piece cutlery set. Everything is in one place, which saves you time and money, and makes sure that you won’t overlook anything in the dinnerware department.
Features:
- 24-piece set – incudes 4 each; cups, bowls, plates and matching cutlery.
- Red speckled enamel on metal for durability
- Carry case for cutlery
- Dishwasher safe
- Lightweight
Remember that this is only a 4-piece setting, so if you have a larger family, you may need to buy extra sets.
If you are interested in a set of portable camping dishes, you can view this product here: http://amzn.to/1ji2SkQ
Note: The cutlery set does have a carry case, but the dishes themselves do not. You may want to purchase an inexpensive carry bag to carry the dishes.
Cookware:
A decent set of cookware simply is a necessity for successful family camping trips. Obviously, you will want to use the heavy iron cookware like that found in your kitchen at home, but for the road, you need light weight and inexpensive cookery. A $500 dollar set of fine cookware to take on the road is simply out of the question.
As an alternative for you, we offer up the Texsport cookware set. It is durable, lightweight, and well-reviewed by earlier users. This handsome set of cookware will not disappoint. Here is what you will get in the box.
Features:
- 7 inch fry pan
- 1 quart and 1 ½ quart sauce pans
- Made of hard anodized material
- Stay cool wire handles
It would not be too surprising if you found this set of cookery to be an improvement on the cookery that you have in your kitchen at home. It certainly is lighter, and according to customers, it just might cook better too. The pots heat up quicker, heat distribution is more even, and according to customer, your food cooks faster with less heat.
This cookware is almost a miracle for those times when you cannot cook at home. You probably thought an old rusty skillet was your best option on the road, but this well-designed set of cookware will certainly prove you wrong.
Toss a piece of two in a backpack, store a set in the RV, or put it in the station wagon before heading off to the camping grounds and make your next meal in the great outdoors a feast.
If you need a lightweight, decent camping cookware set, this is it. Don’t try to throw your next dinner party using this cookware, as it is designed as camping cookery, but when on the road – and dinner time arrives, this cookery set will be your very best friend.
You can view this set and read more customer reviews at http://amzn.to/1bQ4lz2
Outdoor Lighting:
The Coleman Two-Mantle Propane Lantern
Our next offering takes up the need for lighting. Whether tossing around the football in the evening or just lighting the area for cooking and relaxing, the Coleman propane lantern (with mantles) will save the day. This lantern offers plenty of light – and it is very light weight.
The new designs are more convenient too. Campers had to fill the older models of this lantern with fuel, but these days, Coleman has moved to using small propane cylinders and they designed a two-mantle lantern to screw on top of a one of these cylinders. Once in place, the lantern has all the fuel that it needs to work.
Here are the major features of the Coleman Propane Lantern.
Features:
- Good burn time (7 to 14 hours depending on usage needs)
- Rust resistant
- Uses 16.4 oz. propane cylinder
- Easy light with matches
As a warning, let us first say that it is VERY IMPORTANT not to over-tighten the top ventilator nut on this lantern. This could cause the lantern globe to crack because it needs room to expand into as the glass heats up.
The Coleman Propane Lantern is quite bright so that mostly you won’t need to turn it up full. If you use only so much light as you really need, the propane tank will last a great deal longer.
There is more to know, of course – and you will get the whole scoop if you should buy this lantern. For now though, just know that if you plan to light your camping ground, this lantern will do the job admirably. It is lightweight, easy to use, easy to refill, and safe to have around.
For more details and customer reviews, you can view this two-mantle lantern at: http://amzn.to/1ji3jeZ
Indoor Lighting:
The Coleman Magnetic Battery Operated Tent Light
So, if the propane lantern is so highly recommended, why recommend another camping light? Well, the propane lighting is great for outdoors, but it is not the proper tool to light the inside of your tent, camping toilet, or other internal areas.
This Coleman light is ideal for tent camping. It is not hot or harsh and in a small tent, offers up all the light that you should need. In a larger tent, you may need two of these if you plan to read at night, but one is enough for most general purposes.
Features:
- Magnetic – attaches to tent pole
- Krypton replaceable bulb
- Battery operated – takes 4 AA batteries
- Convenient on/off switch
- Weighs less than one pound
Again, it really is necessary to have at least two of these, if you want to play cards or a board game inside the family tent in the evening. The price is very reasonable, so there is no financial burden here, and it is better to have one light too many, than too few.
This indoor light could not be easier to use. Just use its powerful magnet to attach it to a tent pole, throw the on/off switch and the bright krypton bulb will do all the rest.
For indoor use, this lamp is near perfect. It mounts securely so it will not fall. It mounts out-of-the-way, so it won’t be knocked over. It hangs high, just where you would expect ceiling lighting to be, and it is inexpensive – which matters – and we are not embarrassed to say so.
Do not forget to bring along extra AA batteries to power your indoor lamp, and if you want to know more – just use this link. http://amzn.to/1gmzTtp
These four critical items will get you started. If you’ve got your sleeping gear, a fishing pole and the items suggested here, you are primed for a truly successful camp outing. Enjoy the down time, enjoy the family and if you still need to order any of these items – happy shopping!
Want to see other options? Try these links!
See Related Products at: http://bit.ly/16xPTqN
Shopping Center: http://sincereproductreviews.com/products/
Monday, February 17, 2014
Three Frigidaire Window Air Conditioners Reviewed
Three Frigidaire Window Air Conditioner Systems Reviewed
Buying a window air conditioner unit may sound like an easy task, but there really is much to understand about them or you are certain to get burned, unless you do your homework. However, lucky you, now that you have this comparison review in hand, you will discover that we have done much of your legwork for you.
There are many questions to answer, and we have covered them all in the previous reviews on air conditioners that we have written. In this recap, let us touch again on these key areas of concern and propose some solutions, based on our previous discussions. We will also offer reference to these reviews to save you hunting about for them.
In earlier reviews, we reviewed two similar window air conditioning units costing around $125 - $150 dollars, to help you to get a feel for how to select the right air conditioner for your home. In this comparison review, we will bring a third patron to the party – the formidable FRA086AT7 window air conditioning unit. Stay with us now as we will quickly review the main features and benefits of each unit described and we will revisit our conclusions about each unit.
The Frigidaire FRA052XT7 5,000-BTU Mini Window Air Conditioner http://sincereproductreviews.com/2014/02/fra054xt7-window-air-conditioner/ is a neat and compact AC unit that is rated to cool an area of up to 150 square feet. We touched on this ac model in our review of the FRA054XT7 window air conditioner unit.
The FRA052XT7 window air conditioning unit offers three temperature options Cool, High Cool and Low Cool. There is also a fan option that when selected turns off the compressor to save power. This is great when all you need to do is to move the air.
Since this unit rates for a room area of 150 sq. feet, it would be perfect for a bedroom, home office, or other small room, but we concluded that the previous customers were unhappy with the cooling performance for this unit. As such, we could not recommend it – so on to something a bit more satisfying.
The Frigidaire FRA086AT7 8,000 BTU Window-Mounted Compact Window Air Conditioner with Temperature Sensing Remote is a powerhouse unit that can cool a room as large as 350 square feet.
The general features of this air conditioner unit are the same as those of it’s brethren, but the breakout feature for this puppy is the temperature sensing remote control. Its design makes it is easy to use and the large green digital LED display is easy to read even at night. This remote control works remarkably well even when you aim it away from the main unit.
This ac unit is light at just over 50 lbs, and is easy to install. It offers a clean sleek design that looks great when installed in your window. It doesn’t appear unsightly or bulky the way some other window air conditioners might.
For this unit, customer opinion seemed to be all over the place. One reviewer might say it is noisy, another will say it is not. One will say it does not cool efficiently, and the very next reviewer to speak will say that it cools great!
About the only consistent arguments focus on the loud beep, which is more of a moot point, since these beeps only occur when one presses a button on the control panel – and there is always the remote to save the day.
Another complaint was that the air conditioning unit seemed to be more susceptible to mold problems than other systems that earlier users had purchased. This complaint was persistent enough for us to take notice – and it is something that you should think about, as well.
The other complaint with any legs was that the plastic casing was durable enough for daily use, but too many users received units that were broken or otherwise damaged. The damage seemed most likely caused by handling during shipping, so the construction needs reinforcement, or the unit packing for shipping needs to be made more carefully.
In terms of cooling though, we can find no reason not to consider this window air conditioner unit. You should be working with an installer in any case, so to make sure that you are getting a quality install, you might consider giving the model number to your installer, and letting him worry about delivering and qualifying your air conditioner unit. There is an extra cost to get help, but it won’t be extreme for a window installation, and at least you can be sure of adequate protection, when the heat is on.
The next window air conditioner unit for your consideration is the Frigidaire FRA054XT7 Window Mounted Mini Conditioner. This unit is similar to the FRA052XT7 so both units are covered in the same review at http://sincereproductreviews.com/2014/02/fra054xt7-window-air-conditioner/.
The FRA054XT7 window air conditioner unit rates to cool a room up to 165 square feet. This coverage is a bit larger than the FRA052XT7 model but the extra capacity apparently is just enough to eliminate the cooling problems with the FRA052XT7.
Customers LOVE this unit, and remark specifically on its ability to cool quickly and efficiently. The FRA054XT7 is clearly the more advanced unit of the two, offering more cooling power, electronic controls an air cleaning system and even a 24-hour timer for custom cooling schedules.
We found this model to be the best of the lot, which is proof that if you pay more, you don’t necessarily get more. You really do have to understand how something like an air conditioner works in practice – thus the importance of customer reviews. That was no problem for the unit in question.
Customers were delighted with this model and naturally, they loved the price. At the time of this writing, we found this unit at Amazon where it was selling for only about $150. That is only about $30 more than the FRA052XT7 model, which will only cool a room up to 130 sq. feet. Not only does the FRA054XT7 cover a larger area, but also it does so more efficiently – which is of course a big savings on operating costs.
Some Final Thoughts
All of the window air conditioner units mentioned in this comparison review offer fan-cooling modes, air cleaning systems, and automatic restart after power failure. All except the FRA052XT7 offer, remote controls – which are a real convenience – but fortunately, the FRA054XT7 costing only a few dollars more has a fully functional remote – and we could find no complaints critical of its performance.
We should remember that any of the issues that reviewers complained about could be caused simply by a failure to install the unit properly. Point of fact; unless you are an expert, you may not even have selected an air conditioner unit of proper size for the area that you intend to cool, no matter how accurate you feel your computations.
Window air conditioner units are more complex than they seem, and even if the installation instructions might be excellent, unless you understand such principles as power load, grounding, room insulation, condensation, humidity, airflow design, etc., we strongly recommend you to get professional help to be SURE that the installation is made properly. It is what you do NOT know that will kill you.
And The Winner Is…
In our opinion, the Frigidaire FRA054XT7 window air conditioner unit wins easily. This selection is made based on the improved feature set, and the fact that it has a remote control, but mostly we decided on the strength of the customer reviews at amazon that, after proper analysis, seem to hold together to suggest that this unit is sturdy, reliable and delivers on what it promises.
That is good enough for us – and if it is also good, enough for you, then you can use the links below to learn more, or to make your purchase.
Happy Shopping!
Amazon Product Link: http://amzn.to/1ezZhJx
Want to see other options? Try these links!
See Related Products at: http://bit.ly/16xPTqN
Shopping Center: http://sincereproductreviews.com/products/
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Frigidaire FRA054XT7 Window Air Conditioner Review
Frigidaire FRA054XT7 Mini Window Air Conditioner Unit
After reviewing the FRA052XT7 model of this window air conditioner model, this new FRA054XT7 window air conditioner is a definite step in the right direction. The FRA052XT7 unit was underpowered, and failed to cool properly, according to many customer reviewers. This version, however, seems to have overall audience approval.
Before we go and fall in love, let us first meet our number one suitor. If you are in need of a window air conditioner, here is what makes the FRA054XT7 your first choice.
Main Features of the Frigidaire FRA054XT7 Mini Air Conditioner
- 5,000 BTU Energy Star rated
- Cool up to 165 square foot room
- 2-speed fan with a 2-way direction control
- Large air discharge vents output high air volume
- Anti-bacterial mesh filter slides out for easy access
- Easy temperature controls and fully functional remote control
- Energy efficient operation
- Dimensions: 15.25 x 16 x 12 inches
- Weight 36 pounds
- Quickly cools rooms on hot days.
- Low voltage start up
Amazon Product Link: http://amzn.to/1ezZhJx
Overview of the Frigidaire FRA054XT7 Window Air Conditioner
The FRA054XT7 Air Conditioner is a window installed air conditioning unit rated at 5,000 BTU and capable to cool rooms as large as 165 square feet. One must take care with ratings such as these, though. The conditions under which you will use your air conditioner may not be the same pristine environment in which your air conditioner was rated.
Therefore, the only true way to rate an air conditioner is to install it, and see what happens. The next best option is to read reviews from those who have been there before you. This second option lacks the advantage of being hands on, but is less expensive than finding you have the wrong unit – and having to start over again.
The unit covered here has the advantage of having been well reviewed to very positive responses from previous users, so that is already the best reason to consider it, if you need a window air conditioner unit.
The FRA054XT7 Window Air Conditioner unit is a modern design, and comes with electronic button controls that allow you easily to set your desired comfort level. The temperature display is large and easy to read even at night, so you are able to monitor the current set temperature at a glance.
This unit is designed really to pump out the cool air. It has two directional output air vents at the top of the unit that you can point in the direction of hot spots, and the entire front of the unit is on big output grill that makes you feel cold just to look at it.
Optional pleated side panels and a compact design ease installation by enabling you to adjust the unit to fit snuggly inside your window. That does not mean that you should attempt installation on your own though. Installation of a window air conditioner unit might look simple, but believe us when we tell you that installing air conditioning is ALWAYS a job for the experts.
The FRA054XT7 Window Air Conditioner feature an effortless temperature control that maintains the preset room temperature and regulates by turning the ac unit on and off as the room temperature changes. There is also the auto-cool mode that adjusts fan speed as the room temperature changes.
Should you experience a power failure, there is no problem. Instead of digging about to find where you put the manual to reset the system, you need only – do nothing! The ac unit will automatically resume operation at the settings you had in place when the power is restored.
Customer Reviews & Feedback
- 5 stars 97
- 4 stars 48
- 3 stars 20
- 2 stars 12
- 1 stars 9
Out of 186 total customer reviews, only 21 of these fell below three stars, giving the unit a total rating of 4.1 stars. Because of the way that we do things here at Sincere Product Reviews, that rating can be good or bad, as readers of our product, reviews should know by now, but this is a very good rating in this instance.
Most every review, to the last one, laments the tale of a broken unit, or perhaps an customer service issue that went awry, but not one of these complaints focused on the failure of this air conditioner unit to do its job.
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On the plus side, customers really love that this air conditioner unit runs silently so that they can sleep at night and they are delighted at how well it regulates room temperature. According to them, this unit cools quickly and the system even offers the added benefit of cleaning the air of pollutants, room odors, and bacteria by way of the antibacterial mesh filter that just slides out for easy replacement.
They are also real fans of the full function remote that enables them to adjust their window air conditioner from their EZ chair of bed. These amenities may not seem to important when reading the brochures, but in practice, just reaching for the remote laying there on your night stand does make for quite a difference in terms of convenience.
The current price for this unit on amazon is a startling $129.95. For that price, and supported by solid approval ratings, this window air conditioner is a totally fabulous buy, worth that amount of money any day of the week. Of course, you still need to factor in installation costs, but you should plan for this expense anyway, if you need a window air conditioning unit. Installation is NOT a job for a nonprofessional.
When you look at this window air conditioner as a whole, there is just no reason to take a risk on something else. The unit is inexpensive, mounts easily (saving big money on installation costs), full featured and it does its job well.
To see more on this item, look it up at the product link below.
Shop Smart & Prosper!
Amazon Product Link: http://amzn.to/1ezZhJx
Want to see other options? Try these links!
See Related Products at: http://bit.ly/16xPTqN
Shopping Center: http://sincereproductreviews.com/products/
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Honeywell 50250S HEPA Round Air Purifier
Honeywell 50250S HEPA Round Air Purifier
If you need a powerful air cleaning system, the Honeywell 50250S HEPA Round Air Purifier certainly gets the job done. This air cleaner is great for use all year round to protect you from dust and allergens.
Informed people know that purifiers, which use the HEPA filters, work more effectively to help remove airborne pollutants than air purifiers that use a simpler air filtration system. The trade-off is that you have to buy replacement filters, but there is no way around this if you want solid performance from your air cleaning system.
Main Features of the Honeywell 50250S HEPA Round Air Purifier
- Cleans rooms up to 390 square feet
- HEPA filter system removes 99.97% of common airborne pollutants
- 360 degree airflow means effective air quality management
- 3 speed selectable
- Carbon pre-filter increases system effectiveness
- Product Measurements: 18 x 18 x 19.6 inches
- Product Weight: 21 pounds
See this product now at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1dpox9E
Overview
The Honeywell 50250S HEPA Round Air Purifier is designed to clean large areas. Its large size and large powerful motor make it a bit noisy for use in tight quarters. If you are looking for something to clean your bedroom air the Germguardian 3-in-1 air cleaning system” [ http://amzn.to/1bpGFjr] might be a better choice.
For powerhouse air cleaning jobs, though, this air cleaner is tailor-made for the job. The carbon and HEPA filter work together to form an air cleaning technology that has to be experienced to understand. Use it for a month, then turn it off for a day, and you will see just what we mean.
Most HEPA air cleaners do a good job of clearing the air, but the 360-degree air intake offers cleaning power that puts the Honeywell 50250S HEPA Round Air Purifier in a class by itself. Honeywell even installed their proprietary Intelli-Check monitoring system on this model let you know when the filter needs replacing.
Customer Reviews
- 5 stars 480
- 4 stars 270
- 3 stars 83
- 2 stars 50
- 1 stars 50
The Honeywell 50250S HEPA Round Air Purifier scores 4.2 out of 5 stars, a very respectable rating. There were 933 total reviews at the time of this writing, and 750 of these were above three stars.
The praise was not universal, however as two basic complaints did emerge that went beyond simple quality control issues.
The first was the noise, but when you buy an air cleaning system of this size and power, it probably is too much to hope that it will be silent, as well. There are silent cleaning systems – VERY quiet, but these run on an entirely different technology that seems almost like magic, and these are prone to emit unpleasant odors of their own. Such air-cleaning units also tend to be very expensive.
The second complaint was vibration. The unit seemed to be a bit off-balance, so that the body would vibrate at low settings. If this unit is sitting right at your feet, this is going to be a problem. Put it in a BIG room, and choose a smaller unit for cozier settings.
At $144 dollars, the powerful Honeywell 50250S HEPA Round Air Purifier is very cost-effective, for its intended use. If the unit becomes too noisy, here is a tip: change your filter. Unusually high noise is often a symptom of a clogged air filter. It will quiet down again as soon as unrestricted airflow is restored.
Replacing air filters is often an unattractive prospect for many potential buyers. As we said earlier, if you want performance, this is unavoidable. Beware air conditioner makers who claim that you need only vacuüm or wash their filter for effective air conditioning. You cannot have both. There are such AC systems, but they are nowhere in the same class as an HEPA air cleaning system.
Therefore, you will need to change the HEPA filter every four to six months, but changing them out is a snap, and replacement filters are not terribly expensive. Technology may do better one day, but for now, this is the state of things. HEPA filters are NOT permanent - ever - and that is the fact of it.
If you would like to see more details on the Honeywell, 50250S HEPA Round Air Purifier please visit the product link below. Have fun!
Amazon Product Links: http://amzn.to/1dpox9E
See Related Products at: http://bit.ly/16xPTqN
Shopping Center: http://sincereproductreviews.com/products/
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Understanding Your Air Conditioning System
How to Select an Air Conditioning System
Running air conditioning in your home is expensive - no doubt about it. The costs need not be outrageous though – assuming that you understand at least a bit, of what you are doing.
There are two main areas to controlling air conditioning costs. The process begins before you make your installation, and ends upon selection of your air conditioning system. This sounds simple, but is very important to note right up front, because after making your selection – there is little more that you can do to manage the cost of operation.
Listen up now – while we give you the basics for installing an air conditioner that you can actually afford to use. Then keep your eyes open for future posts that will review some AC systems that just might be a good fit for your life.
Our first important step is to understand what the energy rating efficiency of your air conditioner means, and how to use this information. It is very important to understand how cost fits in here. A more expensive unit may cost more in the short run, but may save you TON’s of money (on your electric bill) over a few years – after which – it begins paying for itself!
Alternatively, buying a more expensive unit rated so low that it cannot get the job done means wasting your money now – and forever into the future. Whenever the hot weather sets in, it will cost a fortune to cool your home.
What you want then, is to be able to relate your purchase to the size of the area it needs to keep cool. You could ask your contractor for advice, if you think you can trust him. Tread carefully though. I mean, just who is going to sell you that air conditioner anyway?
To cool smaller areas with a window air conditioning unit, you can use this chart to determine the right rating. Skimping on cost in this situation is a bad idea. The goal is to spend a bit of money here, but to do it wisely. Buy a quality unit with good customer reviews that is large enough to cool the room efficiently.
Room Size (Sq Ft.) Required AC Size
- 100 – 150 5,000 BTU
- 150 – 250 6,000 BTU
- 250 – 300 7,000 BTU
- 300 – 350 8,000 BTU
- 350 – 400 9,000 BTU
- 400 – 450 10,000 BTU
- 450 – 550 12,000 BTU
- 550 – 700 14,000 BTU
- 700 – 1,000 18,000 BTU
- 1,000 – 1,400 24,000 BTU
To cool larger areas, it is best to install central air conditioning. This is expensive, and complicated, so you are going to need to work with someone who you can trust. Watch how he goes about his work. Here are some things to keep in mind.
- Did your contractor inspect your house thoroughly before offering you a solution?
- What do customer reviews for this contractor look like?
- Take some time to research his recommendation. If you can find it at amazon so that there are customer reviews, so much the better. Does your research agree with what you hear from your contractor?
- Ducting, air intakes and the like are usually in place already, but if not, you can be sure that you contractor has done his homework work by having him show you the data. If the ducting is already in place, make sure that your contractor understands what the limitations are by making a complete inspection of your home and reviewing her findings with you. Ask about bad ducting and air volume requirements to make sure that whoever installed your air conditioning system digs in, and does a proper job.
- Understand the SEER rating for your air conditioning unit. The higher the SEER, the more efficient and less costly your unit will be to operate. Do not go looking for a powerhouse AC system in this regard. Work with your trusted contractor to find an air conditioning system with a rating in the middle, as opposed to units with higher ratios and thereby higher prices.
- Understanding a central air conditioning system will always be over your head, but you should not be entirely ignorant on the subject. Information on SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is available at any reputable site that installs air conditioning units, along with all you need to make a unit selection. Such information usually will not include the specifics required for installation to your home, but the more that you understand, the better off you will be.
- When shopping for a new AC system, be sure it has an Energy Star label. There likely is little reason to replace your older system just to install an Energy Star product, but for new systems, this is necessary. Energy Star air conditioning systems are certified by the Environmental Protection Agency, and are about 20 percent more efficient than other air conditioning systems.
- Price is not everything. Now that your trusted contractor has steered you to the perfect AC system for your home, why not go off and buy it cheaper? If the trusted contractor with whom you are working can arrange this lower price – fine. Otherwise, work with your trusted contractor – even if it means paying a little more. This person has won your confidence – and probably has already earned her pay already, just by virtue of this fact – assuming that you followed the steps outlined above. It is vital that you work with someone whom you can trust.
That about covers what you need to understand, beyond what your trusted contractor will tell you. Just remember to check any preliminary information given you by your contractor – and if any of it proves fuzzy – move on. You have the wrong contractor. If the information proves valid, then it is safe to move on into the complicated stuff without worry.
You are looking for someone who takes the time to understand your home thoroughly before making any suggestion for purchasing an AC unit. A quick walk thru your home just will not cut it. If, for example, your original AC installer installed too small an intake port for your newly proposed system, you need to know. Your contractor has to demonstrate that he cares how this job will turn out.
All of this care might seem like overkill, but if you go into this project ignorant, then you will almost certainly lose a lot of money, and likely end up with an inappropriate AC system in the end. People are what they are, so don’t fight it. You must KNOW whom you are working with – and you will be fine.
To learn more about air conditioning systems in general, you might contact the contact the Department of Energy (DOE) at this link: http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/central-air-conditioning
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DOE Link to Air Conditioners: http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/central-air-conditioning
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