Portable Air Conditioning Units Versus Evaporative Coolers - Which to Buy?

Need a quick fix to stay cool with the summer heat but don't know your options? There are two ways of keeping cool during the summer without having a centralized air conditioning unit installed at your home. Portable air conditioning units may be a more affordable way to cool down specific rooms in a house during the hot summer months. However, there are disadvantages (expensive to buy/run, need to vent outdoors). An evaporative cooler may make more sense and cents (cheaper to buy/run, no venting necessary), but they're not for everyone and every climate.

So how do you know which is the best option for you? Let's start by discussing each option.

Portable Air Conditioning Unit

Photo Credit: yourbestdigs via Compfight cc

Portable air conditioning unit function similarly to a central air conditioning system. It releases fresh air and expels hot air from an indoor space. The difference is portable air conditioning unit cools one room and requires an opening, such as a window, doorway, or mail slot, to expel the hot air via a tube connected to the portable air conditioning unit.

What's Great About Portable Air Conditioning Units:

• No Installation Required. Portable air conditioning units require absolutely no installation.
• Mobility.  Portable air conditioning units can be used wherever needed in the house and can easily be moved from one room to another.
• Operate on 120 Volts. Portable air conditioning units can be plugged into a regular outlet in your home, unlike air conditioning units that require special high amperage circuits to operate.
• Convenient. No permanent installation. If you move, you can take your portable air conditioning unit with you.
• Energy Efficient. Small areas in a home can be cooled without using the amount of energy required to cool the entire house.
• No Duct Work Needed. 

What's Not-So-Great About Portable Air Conditioning Units:

• Generates noise. Portable air conditioning units are not quite the quietest way to stay cool.
• Not Economical. Portable air conditioning units blow in hot air along with cool air.
• Moisture Collection. The unit pulls in moisture that will eventually need to be discarded by the user or drained with another hose to an opening.
• Large rooms will not be able to cool adequately.
• Refrigeration Chemicals. Just like central air conditioning units, it contains refrigeration chemicals.
• Openings. The tube that releases hot air requires an opening, such as a window, doorway, or mail slot. Dust and pollen will be able to get inside and may affect those with allergies. This can also bring up safety issues, such as a home burglary. 
• Maintenance Costs. Since portable air conditioning units are a complex technology, maintenance costs will be high.

Evaporative Cooler AKA Swamp Cooler

Photo Credit: insomnix via Compfight cc

Evaporative coolers, which are also known as swamp coolers, take in fresh outside air and send the air through moist pads where it is cooled by evaporation and circulated through a house or building by a large blower. As this happens, the temperature of the outside air can be lowered as much as 30 degrees. The outside air must be dry and desert-like for the cooler to work effectively. Luckily in California, this won't be too much of a problem, so it can still be considered as an option to stay cool.

What's Great About Evaporative Coolers:

• No Installation Required. Evaporative coolers require absolutely no installation.
• Energy Efficient. Evaporative coolers use as much as 75% less electricity as air conditioning units do. Some California utility services offer rebates for purchasing evaporative coolers.
• Simpler Technology. Simple technology means lower costs. Evaporative coolers cost a lot less than air conditioning units.
• Operate on 120 Volts. Evaporative coolers can be plugged into a regular outlet in your home, unlike air conditioning units that require special high amperage circuits to operate.
• Efficient Air Filters. The moisture pads located inside the evaporative cooler traps some dust and pollen, which it will then flush out and traps at the bottom of the cooler.
• Complete Air Change. Since at least one window must be opened to operate, complete air change in a home occurs every 1 to 3 minutes.
• No Duct Work Needed. 
• Good for the Environment.

What's Not-So-Great About Evaporative Coolers:

• Dependent on Dry Air. To operate efficiently, evaporative coolers depend on dry air. Humid air does not work well with the cooler. If used during high humidity, moisture pads will begin to smell and will output that smell to the house.
• Requires Water. The moisture pads in the cooler require water. For drought sensitive locations this cooler might not be the best option. Depending on how long the cooler is used each day, water consumption can run from 3-15 gallons of water a day.
• Warmer Air. If the cooler is connected to an air duct, the air will be warmer than the air supplied by an air conditioning unit.
• Ventilation. Since at least one window must be open for the cooler to work efficiently, dust and pollen will be able to get inside and may affect those with allergies.

Taking these pros and cons of each, you can determine whether the portable air conditioning unit or the evaporative cooler would be a fit for you.

3 Tips for Planning a Successful Home Remodel

Planning or thinking of a home remodel? Looking to remodel your dated kitchen or bathroom and not sure where to start? Planning a remodel can be stressful, especially when it comes to budgeting and making design decisions, but with these tips you can have a better idea of what to look into while planning for that remodel.

Photo Credit: jkoegel via Compfight cc

Three Tips for Planning a Successful Remodel

Planning for a remodel is a very important part of the remodeling process. It will help you prepare and organize for your remodel. Keeping the following tips in mind will help you plan for your remodel and reduce the stress when you begin your remodel.

1. Choose a design professional

Choosing colors, styles, and use of space for your remodel for your home can be stressful and you probably won't know where to start. You may find it beneficial to hire a design professional to help narrow down your options (colors, materials, type of floors, ect.) and make decisions simpler. That way it will save you both time and money in the long run. Design professionals can also assist you in determining the layout of your remodel. They can maximize the functional use of space that you might not have considered or thought of.

2. Create a plan

Remember the big picture. It is good to have a budget and know what exactly it is that you want, but it is also beneficial to plan ahead for unexpected expenses, such as termites, that may be discovered during a remodel. Usually remodels cost more than you expect them to be, so it'll be good to keep in mind. Picking out all your materials (counter tops, flooring, fixtures, ect.) before starting your remodel will help you have a better estimate of your expenses as well as save time and reduce stress. Also, look into long term costs when choosing products and materials to use for your home: Will this product last long term? Is it cost effective? Are there expensive maintenance costs? Will energy costs increase?

3. Interview contractors

It is good to interview multiple contractors for a remodel, not only to weigh in their prices, but to also get to know them. Ask the contractor to describe any similar projects to yours they have completed. Interviewing a contractor will let you know if you are compatible for each other, especially since you will be working with him or her for the entire duration of your project and be in constant communication. Make sure to address any questions or concerns you may have with your remodel. Don't forget to check if the contractor has a valid state license.

Once you interview the contractors, it is good to get bids from at least 3 different contractors. Don't hesitate to ask question about the bid. Remember, the cheapest bid isn't always the best option.

Contact Kaplan Construction for your general contractor needs at (562) 495-0483 or via email at bob@kaplanconstruction.com for your home remodel!

To see Kaplan Construction's work, click here.

Hello, August! Your August To-Do List!

It's August, and here is your August to do list! This month we would like to focus on air circulation around your home. Cleaning vents and filters will provide clean air flow throughout your home and will not stress your fans and air conditioning units.

Photo: One of Kaplan Contruction's kitchen remodels in Long Beach, CA. You can find more photos of this kitchen remodel featured on This Old House magazine here.

Dust, dirt, debris, and other particles get trapped in air filters and vents, along with moisture, which allows mold, bacteria, and allergens to flow freely around your home. Here are some home maintenance tips to consider to prevent this from happening and to improve the air flow in your home.

1. Clean or replace air conditioner filter

Photo Credit: billyaircon via Compfight 

Regularly changing your air conditioning filters will prevent mold, bacterial, and allergens to circulate your home and can save about 5-15% on energy costs from your AC unit.

2. Clean air conditioner drain line

Photo Credit: PaulMB79UF via Compfight cc

Moisture drips from your evaporator coil and into your AC drain line. While moisture is collected at the drain line, dust, dirt, and other debris are collected as well. Cleaning the AC drain will prevent clogs and leaks from occurring.

3. Clean and maintain bathroom vent fan

Photo Credit: meowy takes photos via Compfight 

Bathroom vent fans collect dust and prevent moisture from staying in the bathroom, cleaning and maintaining the fans will prevent mold and other harmful bacteria from forming and will allow your fans to work efficiently.

4. Clean range and hood filter and fan

Photo Credit: Aplus Interior Design & Remodeling via Compfight 

Your range and hood remove grease, moisture, and smoke while cooking. Cleaning the range and hood filter and fan will provide better air ventilation and reduce the stress in your fan. 
NOTE: Remember to UNPLUG your range and hood before cleaning it!

5. Clean refrigerator coils

Photo Credit: woodleywonderworks via Compfight 

Coils collect dirt, dust, hair, and other particles. Cleaning refrigerator coils will increase the lifespan of your refrigerator. It will allow the coils to heat easily and efficiently and not stress your refrigerator's compressor.
NOTE: Remember to UNPLUG your refrigerator before cleaning it!

6. Clean and test refrigerator door seal

Photo Credit: Parker Knight via Compfight 

Cleaning and testing your refrigerator door seal will ensure that your refrigerator is easily maintaining its set temperature. A broken door seal will cause your refrigerator to work harder than it should to maintain the set temperature. This can reduce the lifespan of the refrigerator and increase your energy usage.

For detailed information and instructions to complete each task, Danny Lipford from Today's Homeowner provides a blog post on these.

You can download a printable To-Do list here.

Summer Time Conservation Tips

With the hot weather, it's hard to conserve water and energy. Living Green Magazine offers some tips to help you conserve water this summer.

Photo: One of Kaplan Construction's remodeling projects in Laguna Beach, CA. For more photos of this home remodel, click here.

• Block out the sun from your home
• Change your bulbs
• Use fans and open windows during evenings when the temperature is cooler
• Check for leaks
• Install a low-flow system
• Check your meters

To get more information on these tips, check out the Living Green Magazine blog here.