In most cases, it’s just a matter of if you want and need an AC unit. If you have a furnace, we can usually match it up with an air conditioner. For those without a furnace, there are “ductless split” units available that can cool from 1-3 rooms. In our climate, though air conditioning is not a necessity, it can really enhance your comfort level inside your home. It can be difficult and uncomfortable to relax or even sleep at night when your house is too hot. Other than their cooling functionality, air conditioners offer benefits like:

• You can leave your windows shut so no additional dust can come in.

• It also acts as a dehumidifier on hot and humid summer days.

For those of you that are concerned with the noise level, Lennox offers a unit that is as low as 59 decibels (normal conversation at 3 feet away is 60-65 decibels). Also, just like your furnace, air conditioners require regular maintenance. An annual service should be done to keep your warranty valid and ensure that the unit is in good working order. You will need to ensure that your furnace filters are clean as well to avoid coil freeze-ups. One last thing is what temperature you should set it for. It is all about personal preference; however, when it's 32°C (90°F) it will still feel cool in your house if it is at 24° (75°) (above average winter room temperature).

An oversized AC unit can be inefficient and costly, and an undersized unit will not be able to meet the cooling needs of the home on hot, humid, and peak summer days. Our experts and technicians can help you pick a good size AC unit for your home by evaluating the size of your home, the insulation value of your windows, walls, and roof, the direction your house faces, surrounding trees and greenery to provide shade, and so on.

For more information, please contact G.M. Mechanical at 403-652-1282.

Electricity usage depends on different factors like the no. of units running in your home, age, size, make, model, and general daily usage of your air conditioners. Two-story homes with two or more AC units will obviously consume more energy than single-story or single-unit homes. On average, a home air conditioner can use about 3,000 watts of electricity an hour which can add up to 72,000 watts of electricity if you run it all day. Air conditioner manufacturers usually print information on the label to help you determine how much electricity usage you can expect.

The most important thing you can do to reduce your AC bill is to ensure there are no leakages through faulty seals on doors and windows and other insulation problems.

Some other tips include:

• Close the blinds to reduce the sun's ability to change your home's temperature.

• Change the settings for different times of the day.

• Look for options with higher Energy Star rating options, preferably 14 or higher rating.

• Plant some trees around your house to shade your home.

As always, if you have any questions or need our help, please call G.M. Mechanical at 403-652-1282 or visit www.gmmechanical.ca.

The most common reasons behind your AC cooling insufficiently are:

• Clogged air filter

• Dirty coils

• Insufficient coolant

• Faulty compressor, thermostat or AC remote

• Defective parts

• It’s too hot outside

Please contact the trusted air conditioning contractors in Okotoks - G.M. Mechanical - for quick and reliable AC repair and maintenance services. We are happy to provide all the information you need and help you with a free quotation on a new air conditioning unit.

When you have an issue with your air conditioner, it is recommended that you attend to it as soon as possible to avoid an expensive replacement. The following are some signs that you might require air conditioner repair:

• Warm air

• Inadequate airflow

• Irregular cycles

• Unusually high energy bill

• Leakages

• Humidity

• Unusual noises

• Bad odours

If you notice anything amiss with your air conditioner, please contact us immediately. We will diagnose the issue quickly and provide you with long-lasting repairs.

It is important to consider regular preventative maintenance and AC servicing for the following reasons:

• ​Improves efficiency and performance

• ​Extends the lifespan of your AC

• ​Saves money on energy expenses and potential costs on repairs and replacements

• Improves indoor air quality

• ​Ensures maximum comfort

• ​Improves your home’s resale value

Our air conditioner experts recommend taking a proactive approach and attending to any concerns and issues with your air conditioners as soon as you notice them. Get in touch with us to know more about our HVAC maintenance programs offered across Okotoks. You can contact us to buy highly efficient air conditioners too.

Joe recommends the Lennox Merit Series ML14XC1 air conditioner. The air conditioner is designed for smart energy use. It comes with efficiency ratings of up to 17.00 SEER. The highly-efficient air conditioner can reduce your energy bills without compromising comfort. ML14XC1 meets today’s new construction efficiency standards without breaking the bank. So, go ahead and get it now!