The Handyguys address a listener question about his air conditioning and then talk about basement finishing systems.

Our listener Marc used our new call-in feature on the website and asked us about his air conditioning system. Marc’s question, in summary is

I live in a ranch style house that has two HVAC zones. We spend most of the time in only half of the house. Would it be OK to turn off the system in the half of the house we don’t use?

Great question Mark.

Before we answer – Mark has a great podcast and website for woodworkers called The Wood Whisperer. If you ever want to be inspired to do some woodworking yourselves make sure you check out what Mark is doing online.
OK, back to marks question. Short answer is yes. You will have spill-over from one half to another. A simple solution would be to just put up a heavy drape to keep the cool air in the part of the house you are in. We would also recommend not turning off the system completely but just turn it back. An automatic setback thermostat can help with this. There could be issues – Does the system share duct work throughout the house? Will the “design committee” allow for such a guy thing as a curtain in the middle of the house? Does the floor plan even allow for a separation?

Maybe you can make friends with an HVAC guy, invite him over for a beer, and ask his opinion.

Listen to the podcast to hear Marc ask his question and for our more detailed answer.

Thanks to Owens Corning for the picture of their system going in

Basement Finishing Systems

The Handyguys, Brian and Paul, have both done DIY basement finishing. We have been asked our opinions on so called basement finishing systems. These are not DIY solutions. A company will come in and use their system of pre-fabricated panels to put up your walls.

Handyguy Paul found an old webpage where the author recounts his experience with one of these systems. Check it out – Owens Corning Basement System Experiences.

Brian and Paul discuss the pros and cons of these systems. Listen to the podcast for all the details. Oh, and we ran out of time. Make sure you check out next weeks episode (link wont work until next week) where we finish the discussion! If you subscribe you will get the new show automatically. Cool.

In this episode of The Handyguys Podcast we discuss air-conditioning.

Air-conditioning is not something the typical handyguy or girl is familiar with. We turn it on and expect it to work as designed. What can we do if it doesn’t cool? Are there specific things to look for before calling in a pro to troubleshoot?

With high humidity and soaring temperatures this summer, the last thing you want to deal with is a broken air conditioner. But when an old air conditioning system fails, you will be faced with the tough and often expensive decision of whether to repair the existing system or purchase a new one.

Repairs on an existing unit may be the least expensive immediate option, but could cost you more in the long run since older systems tend to break down over and over and consume more energy and drive up cooling bills more than newer systems. However, there are times when simple repairs can prolong the life of an air conditioner, making immediate replacement a less sensible option.

Since the Handyguys are not experts in this area and we want to help you make an educated decision, consider the following tips from Bill Cunningham, a home cooling and energy efficiency expert with Lennox. Bill shares a great deal of wisdom and experience with residential central air-conditioning systems, regardless of who manufactures your system. He suggests homeowners ask the following three questions before making the decision whether to repair or replace:

1. Is the air conditioner on its last leg? Excessive energy consumption and frequent repairs are the trademarks of a worn-out system. If the air conditioner is more than 10 years old, replacing the aging system with a new ENERGY STAR-qualified system can save time, money, and headaches – and keep you cooler and more comfortable in the long run. If the system is less than 10 years old, routine maintenance is almost always the way to go. In fact, an annual check-up can significantly increase the air conditioner’s performance and extend the life of the unit. Listen to the podcast for more information.
2. Are your energy bills going up, up and up? While the cost of electricity is on the rise, an older, less efficient air conditioner may also be the culprit when it comes to high energy bills. By replacing an 8 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating) cooling system, which is much less efficient than the current SEER level allowed by law, with a 15 SEER system, homeowners can save approximately 47 percent on energy bills and up to $3,095 over a five-year period. Energy calculators, such as the one available on the Lennox site can help consumers compare the savings of different high-efficiency systems and determine whether to repair or replace an older unit. Listen to the podcast for more information.
3. Did your home feel like a steam room even before the air conditioner stopped working? A poorly operating air conditioner or one that is not properly sized for the home can contribute to excessive humidity. Leaky ductwork can also cause humidity problems. When making the decision to repair or replace, talk with a reputable home cooling contractor about the humidity problem to determine if you need to replace the existing system with one that is the right size for the home or if the issue can be resolved with repairs or duct sealing. Listen to the podcast for more information.

We also discuss with Bill a few things you can check yourself before calling a service tech.

1. Does your thermostat use batteries? Many of the fancier thermostats use batteries. If your batteries are dead your system will not work.
2. Did a breaker trip? Its an easy check and will save you the cost of a service call. Look for a tripped breaker if you have no fan or no cooling. You likely have separate breakers for each.
3. Did someone turn it off? Systems usually have switches for killing the power before service. There will be one near your outside unit as well as near your inside unit. There may also be a switch at the top of your basement stairs or somewhere nearby.

Listen to the podcast for more information.

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