Monday, September 23, 2013

REPOST: Air conditioner: Keep in or take it out

As autumn approaches, it may no longer seem necessary to keep the air conditioner around, specially since the warm air can escape through the hole in the wall where the appliance sits. With the unpredictable temperature fluctuations, the question is when to take the air conditioner out. This video article on WWLP discusses a few options.

Video source: WWLP

As the temperatures drop, it's probably something you're considering: whether you'll need your air conditioner again before next spring.
The problem is mainly for people with window air conditioners, take them out too soon and you might be caught sweating on the next warm day.
"I had my heat on last night," said Anthony Rondoletto from Springfield.
Cold nights and mild days make it tough to decide whether it's time to take out your window air conditioning units.
Around Chicopee neighborhoods it was easy to see that many people still have them in, but some won't keep them in for much longer.
Most people like the indoor temperature of their home to be in the upper 60s or low 70s and while cooler air is certainly on the way into October, there could be those warmer day exceptions.
For example, just last week temperatures hit the mid 90s in the lower pioneer valley.
"I'd probably take it out just because it doesn't stay hot very long now. It might be hot for a day then it cools down at night so I don't really see the need for it," said Scott Griffith from East Longmeadow.

While taking your a/c out too early could be a bit of a risk, if you keep your air conditioner in too long you could be letting warm air out and bringing an unnecessary increase to your heating bill when the cold air does arrive.
"What month do you normally take it out? Umm it could stay there until November sometimes," said Sheena Neily from Springfield.
For comparison, after this date last year we hit the mid 70s or higher only three days through the end of the year.
Electricity bills can run very high if heat or cool air is not properly insulated in the home.  Hobson Air conducts maintenance checks to ensure that a household is maximizing the benefits of their cooling or heating systems.  Follow this Twitter account for more tips on energy efficiency.