Summer in the Lower Mainland is beautiful; however, sometimes you just need a break from the heat and humidity. Often it gets so hot the only thing we can think of is figuring out which of our friends have air conditioners!
Speaking of needing a break from the heat, have you ever put a bowl of ice by your face and sat down in front of a fan? Or, maybe you put your feet in a bowl of cold water and continuously spritzed your face with water? Have you ever gone through your Facebook friends…just to see who has a pool? It’s ok, you can be honest.
If you have thought of or have done any of these things, you likely are in need of some type of air conditioning, so please read on!
Here are the 4 coolest ways to cool you home this summer:
- Central Air Conditioners are most common option to cool an entire home. While central air units are not new they have become quieter and much more efficient over the years. They provide the most consistent cooling throughout your home. If you already have ductwork in your home a central air conditioner is likely the best solution for you. Although central air is a larger investment than the other options, their typical lifespan is 15-20 years but that can be extended through regular maintenance and care.
- Room Air Conditioners are very common in apartments or for adding extra cooling to additional space. They are very common because you can easily take them when you move and they are relatively cheap. The major downside to ‘window’ air conditioners is they are very noisy. They also block sunlight,  create a lot of water run-off and since they are hard to seal around they lead to air leakage of around 10%.
- Ductless, Mini-Split Air Conditioners are becoming extremely popular. Many families in the Lower Mainland are converting more of their homes into comfortable and permanent living spaces. These also provide heating, so while they may cost as much or more than central air, they are also doing the work of a furnace. If you already have ductwork then central air is your best option, unless you are using this system to heat and cool space that central air or your furnace don’t reach (i.e. new living space).
- Evaporative Coolers reduce the humidity in the air which does create a more comfortable environment. They do have their place in specific situations, but, they are not as common in our region.
Here are the pros and cons for each air conditioning system:
Source: www.Energy.Gov
What is the best solution for you?
We hope this helps you decide what the best option is to cool your home. Since you have made it to this point of the blog post, please tell us this:  What is the craziest thing you have done to keep cool in summer? Please comment below.Â
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