Comments on: Energy Star Window Air Conditioners: A Greener Alternative for Us? http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/green/green-window-air-conditioners-efficient/ Home improvement and related topics from four evening and weekend warriors striving for the perfect homes... Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:49:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: southsideandy http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/green/green-window-air-conditioners-efficient/#comment-1851 southsideandy Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:08:20 +0000 http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/?p=498#comment-1851 It hasn't been that hot here in Chicago, but so far, I haven't even put our window units in the LR/DR. Upstairs, though, is a sauna, and the window units have been running quite a bit, as has the one in the kitchen, since it gets sun all day long. I'm trying to hold out as long as possible on putting the AC in the LR...we'll see how it goes. :) It hasn’t been that hot here in Chicago, but so far, I haven’t even put our window units in the LR/DR. Upstairs, though, is a sauna, and the window units have been running quite a bit, as has the one in the kitchen, since it gets sun all day long.

I’m trying to hold out as long as possible on putting the AC in the LR…we’ll see how it goes. :)

]]> By: Fred http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/green/green-window-air-conditioners-efficient/#comment-1844 Fred Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:11:28 +0000 http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/?p=498#comment-1844 Beth-That's a good idea and one we've considered after the basement is finished.. which might be 2 more years at the pace I'm moving. Our basement is at least 10 degrees cooler than upstairs. Beth-That’s a good idea and one we’ve considered after the basement is finished.. which might be 2 more years at the pace I’m moving. Our basement is at least 10 degrees cooler than upstairs.

]]> By: Beth http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/green/green-window-air-conditioners-efficient/#comment-1840 Beth Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:31:10 +0000 http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/?p=498#comment-1840 Fred, Ted and I decided to sleep in the basement this summer when the temps. are their hottest. It's free. and quite green. (Both for the energy savings and because the futon down there is actually green) ~Beth Fred,
Ted and I decided to sleep in the basement this summer when the temps. are their hottest. It’s free. and quite green. (Both for the energy savings and because the futon down there is actually green)
~Beth

]]> By: Fred http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/green/green-window-air-conditioners-efficient/#comment-1835 Fred Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:20:07 +0000 http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/?p=498#comment-1835 Todd, my parents have 2 of these types of units in their family room (which is very large). Obviously the only drawback is the expensive install cost, and the need to modify the structure... But, in new construction and with the expectation of continually rising energy prices, mini-split systems can make sense. Todd, my parents have 2 of these types of units in their family room (which is very large). Obviously the only drawback is the expensive install cost, and the need to modify the structure… But, in new construction and with the expectation of continually rising energy prices, mini-split systems can make sense.

]]> By: Todd http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/green/green-window-air-conditioners-efficient/#comment-1833 Todd Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:19:02 +0000 http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/?p=498#comment-1833 What we're seeing right now is a trend towards mini-split systems. The reason is they are substantially cheaper and you only end up having A/C in the rooms you need. Typically people are installing them in the bedroom and family room. They operate like a hybrid of window units and traditional systems. You still have a compressor outside next to the house. There is no need for duct work. Instead of having an air handler unit some place you have individual air units mounted through the wall similar to what you might see in a hotel. However, they are much smaller, much quieter and not as ugly. We just installed one on a job and it was about $2400 to cool a single room, adding a second room would have been probably another $1200 or so. I suspect we'll see more of these in the future. What we’re seeing right now is a trend towards mini-split systems. The reason is they are substantially cheaper and you only end up having A/C in the rooms you need. Typically people are installing them in the bedroom and family room. They operate like a hybrid of window units and traditional systems. You still have a compressor outside next to the house. There is no need for duct work. Instead of having an air handler unit some place you have individual air units mounted through the wall similar to what you might see in a hotel. However, they are much smaller, much quieter and not as ugly. We just installed one on a job and it was about $2400 to cool a single room, adding a second room would have been probably another $1200 or so. I suspect we’ll see more of these in the future.

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