Space Cooling

The way you operate your R-2000 Home can also have a significant impact on the need for mechanical cooling.

During the heat of the day, mechanical and natural ventilation should be minimized. Keep all windows and doors closed and shut off the heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system to keep hot humid exterior air outside of the building envelope. Curtains and blinds may also be closed on the south and west facing windows to limit solar heat gain.

During the cooler night time and early morning hours, the HRV system should be turned on again and all windows opened to maximize ventilation, flushing out any warm interior air and replacing it with cooler exterior fresh air.

The use of energy efficient lamping not only saves you money on your lighting bills, but also reduces internal heat gain and air conditioning requirements. Compact florescent lamps give off just as much light but far less heat than their equivalent incandescent bulbs.

Proper attic ventilation will allow the excessive build up of heated air within the attic space to flow out and reduce heat gain into the home through the ceiling assembly

Many R-2000 homeowners report that having maximized the foregoing heat rejection strategies they live quite comfortably throughout the hottest summer months without the aid of mechanical cooling. For the majority though, central air conditioner units will still be required. The following points should be considered in the selection of the proper equipment.

• The air conditioner unit needs to be sized appropriately for your home. Part of the internal comfort derived from air conditioning is the dehumidification it does to the air in your home. If you buy an A/C unit which is too large, it will tend to run for short cycles and not remove the proper amount of humidity. You may then be left with cool but uncomfortably humid air in your home. A properly sized A/C will run for longer cycles and reduce humidity, as well as cool the air, therefore increasing comfort. An R-2000 computer analysis can help advise you on the correct size of air conditioner required for your home.
• Air conditioner units come in various efficiencies measured by their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) value. Choose an air conditioner with the highest SEER available.