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is needed. Air conditioners are rated according to energy output, measured in BTUs. Simply put, the larger the room, the more energy output required. One more important point: Modern equipment is more energy efficient than older models. New Energy Star–rated models use 10 percent less energy than conventional models. These new-gener-ation air conditioners often have timers to turn down the power when it’s Ho_{t tips for}not needed.

Smart usage tips Once you have the

keeping cool right air conditioner in place, AHAM suggests following these tips to optimize performance.

• Turn off the unit and open doors and windows during cooler periods.

• Use the unit fan and portable fans to draw in cooler outside air and increase circulation.

• Use a dehumidifier in the basement to prevent excess moisture seepage through the house.

• Use a higher (warmer) thermostat setting during peak periods or when the area is unoccupied. A 75- to 80-degree setting will cut power consumption by 15 percent.

• Don’t let heat build up all day and then try to cool areas quickly. Start units earlier in the day and cool areas slowly before they are occupied.

• Avoid activities that generate high heat and humidity (such as cooking, bathing and laundering) during high-heat hours.

• Draw shades or window blinds to reduce solar and outdoor heat. Reflecting and dou-ble-pane glass, awnings, overhangs, louvered sunscreens, plantings, fences or an adjoining building also help—but don’t block the back of the air-conditioning unit.

• Regularly change or clean filters and check airflow for blockage or frost on the evaporator coil.

• Have the air conditioner checked and cleaned at the start of the season. During the off-season, make certain it is cleaned and properly covered and disconnected.—Tim Talevich

KEEPING COOL in your home or business in the summer months can roast your energy bill. But taking energy-smart steps can help keep air-conditioning costs as low as possible.

The two keys are buying the proper air conditioner and running it properly. Here’s a primer.

Buying the right air conditioner

It’s easy to understand how an undersized air conditioner won’t properly cool a room. Units that are too small simply aren’t strong enough to cover a large room. However, an equally common mistake is having an air conditioner that is too large.

Air conditioners remove both heat and humidity from the air, explains Energy Star, a federal government organization that promotes energy-efficient products and practices. “If the unit is too large, it will cool the room quickly, but only remove some of the humidity. This leaves the room with a damp, clammy feeling. A properly sized unit will remove humidity effectively as it cools.”

Determining the right size of an air conditioner involves calculating room size and other factors. Energy Star offers a basic chart to calculate these figures on its Web site at www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=roomac.pr_ properly_sized. But a more detailed calculator is offered by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) at its site, www.cooloff.org. This program asks for information on which region you live in, whether the room has windows (and which direction they face), what’s above the room and so on.