Your Essential
Home Cooling
Guide
Soaring temperatures
can have us rushing to
lower the thermostat, but
instead of blasting the
air conditioner, check
out these resources,
rebates and natural
cooling tips to help cool
your home as efficiently
as possible. You’ll
stay comfortable while
controlling your costs.
Au naturel:
Home ventilation
Of all the ways to cool your
home, ventilation is the least
costly and most energy efficient.
1
2
Install a ceiling fan
Create a cross breeze
A ceiling fan allows you to raise your thermostat by 4°C without
affecting your comfort. Set blades to run in a counter-clockwise
direction to circulate cool air downwards. Download a coupon
for $10 off ENERGY STAR® certified ceiling fans.
Open a few windows to create cross ventilation. For the
best results, open a lower window on one side of your
home and an upper window on the opposite side.
Is it time for
a new central
air conditioner?
Think about upgrading if:
Rooms served by your air
conditioner are too hot
Did you know?
Your system is more
than 10 years old
It’s unusually noisy
Your home’s air
is too humid
You need major
parts replaced
Central air conditioners are more efficient than
room air conditoners.
Working with
a contractor
When it comes to hiring
a contractor, it pays to do
your homework. Here’s how
to be better prepared.
HOW TO CHOOSE
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
WHAT TO EXPECT
CHOOSING A CONTRACTOR:
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
IN AN AGREEMENT:
ANNUAL SERVICING:
Your contractor should:
Start with our list of participating
contractors near you
Detailed list of all work to be completed
Check refrigerant levels and test for leaks
Itemized list of all equipment to be
installed, including name, quantity,
model number and energy rating
Clean condenser coils
Proof of warranty – for both the
equipment and installation
Inspect ductwork for air leaks
Read online reviews
Ask friends and neighbours for
recommendations (check to ensure
they’re on the list of participating
contractors)
Get at least three quotes and
compare estimates
Ask for an inspection of your
current system
Get everything in writing
Ask about rebates for
high-efficiency systems
Documentation of sizing calculations
or results of any tests performed
Liability insurance information
(minimum of $2 million)
Proof of licences and certification to
install an ENERGY STAR® certified
CAC system
•313A Refrigeration and
Air Conditioning licence or
Ensure your contractor has general
liability insurance to protect yourself
•313D Residential Air
Conditioning licence
Ask about services post-installation,
including annual servicing,
maintenance, etc.
Payment terms and schedule
Start and completion date
Replace or clean air filters
Measure airflow through the
evaporator coil
Inspect, clean and tighten
electrical connections
Lubricate motors and inspect belts
Check thermostat and controls
for accuracy
10 ways to cool
your home efficiently
1
2
SPRING
CHECKUP
3
Book a spring
tune-up
Change or clean
furnace filters
Deal with your
ducts
Annual servicing can
reduce your cooling
costs by up to 10%
and extend the life of
your system.
Clogged filters
restrict airflow and
make your system
work overtime. Refer
to your owner’s
manual to see how
often you should
do this.
About 20% of airflow
is lost to leaks. Seal
cracks and holes with
mastic sealant or foil
tape – this will also
help control humidity.
6
Shade to save
Plant trees or shrubs
to shade your outdoor
condenser and improve
efficiency by up
to10%. Keep your
thermostat out of
direct sunlight as well.
7
Let your attic
breathe
Proper attic ventilation
can reduce the strain
on your central air
conditioner by moving
hot air out.
8
4
5
Clear away clutter
Set to save
Keep weeds and
debris away from your
outdoor condenser
unit to allow the air
to circulate freely.
Prune foliage at least
24 cm back.
Set your thermostat to
25°C when you’re at
home. Raise it to 28°C
(or, better yet, off)
when you’re away.
9
10
Switch on the fans
Seal the leaks
Close the blinds
Remove heat and
humidity by using your
bathroom fan after a
shower and your range
hood while cooking.
Caulk, seal or
weatherstrip around
doors and windows
to keep hot air out
and cool air in.
Download a
coupon for $3 off
weatherstripping.
Keep blinds and
curtains closed during
the day to block out the
sunlight and naturally
cool your home.
Shopping for
a central air
conditioner?
An ENERGY STAR® certified
high-efficiency model can cut
cooling costs as much as 30%*.
While you may pay a little more
up front, you’ll save on energy
costs over time.
Think high efficiency!
Added benefits:
Proven reliability
Quiet performance
Better warranty protection
Improved air quality
Use less energy
* Assumes replacement of a model 12 years or older.
Look for the labels
The official Canadian EnerGuide label
displays the model type and seasonal
energy efficiency ratio or SEER. The
SEER measures how efficiently the
system runs over the entire cooling
season. The higher the rating, the
more efficient the system. You can
use this rating to compare the energy
efficiency of different models.
The most energy-efficient units will
also be ENERGY STAR® certified.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)
Air source heat pump
THIS MODEL
19.0
13.0
Uses least energy
24.5
Cool tip:
Double up and save
GET UP TO
650
$
IN REBATES
Your central air conditioner
and furnace share a blower
motor to push air through
your ducts. If it’s about time
to replace both your heating
and cooling systems, your
new AC will perform at
maximum efficiency if you
do it at the same time.
With rebates that help offset the
upfront cost, now’s the time to think
about upgrading.
GET UP TO $400
FOR A NEW HIGHEFFICIENCY CENTERAL
AIR CONDITIONER
Get $250 when you install an
ENERGY STAR® certified system
(Must meet a minimum 14.5 SEER rating
and 12 EER rating)
Get $400 when you install
a stand-alone CEE “Tier 2”
level system (Must meet a minimum
15 SEER rating and 12.5 EER rating)
GET $250 FOR A
NEW HIGH-EFFICIENCY
FURNACE
Equipped with an Electronically
Commutated Motor (ECM)
To find a contractor or for full program details, visit www.HydroOne.com/Rebates
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