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Cooling Your Attic With an Attic AC Unit

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If you own an attic, a powerful air conditioner may be required to keep it cool. Furthermore, it is imperative that filters and drain lines are regularly changed out to keep optimal temperatures.

Attic air conditioners can help regulate humidity levels in an attic area and prevent warm air from moving down into lower parts of your house, saving both space and money in the process. They're also great space savers.

Mini-split ACs

Mini-split air conditioners (ACs) are ideal for homes that do not feature ductwork, as each indoor unit includes an evaporator coil, air handler and blower that cools individual rooms or zones independently. A professional HVAC specialist can determine how many indoor units will be necessary to cool a home as well as how many BTUs each indoor unit should generate.

Ductless air conditioning systems are more energy-efficient than their central forced-air counterparts due to reducing heat loss in ducts and upgrading to energy efficient models for lower operating costs.

Homeowners should make sure their attic can accommodate an indoor air conditioner unit. Most models are mounted to walls using brackets; others can be suspended from ceilings. Ensuring there is enough space is important as this will determine where refrigerant lines can run; homeowners can also add wireless remote controllers or condensate removal pumps for improved humidity control of their system.

Window ACs

Window air conditioners can make an effective cooling solution in an attic space if they fit through windows that are large enough. Furthermore, these cost-effective models boast excellent energy efficiency ratings.

Window AC units feature all of the components required for effective air conditioning: thermostat, blower motor, tubing filled with refrigerant, an evaporator coil and condenser coil. When temperature increases above the set point, triggering the thermostat triggers the blower motor to circulate air over cold refrigerant coils, cooling and circulating it back into the room.

Make sure your attic windowsill is clear of clutter that could inhibit ventilation. Furthermore, keep in mind that the unit's condensate drain may leak water outdoors - to stop this, regularly sluice the pan to clear out debris blocking its drain hole and ensure the drain hole doesn't become blocked by dirt or dust. A fan in front of an air conditioning unit will help improve circulation and reduce hot and cold spots; additionally it should be periodically cleaned along with its fins and evaporator coils for optimal functioning.

Portable ACs

Portable ACs can be an ideal way to cool attic spaces quickly and affordably. Installation requires no ductwork and they come with their own remote controller - plus, R32 refrigerant ensures long term reliability!

Some models come equipped with a dual hose system that uses outdoor air to cool their condenser, making them more energy-efficient than single hose units and often quieter and easier to keep clean than window ACs.

Some models include a gravity drain with or without pump, which collects any evaporating moisture in the air and sends it outside for disposal. They're more efficient than old-school portable ACs which just dump their bucket onto a nearby floor for you to manually empty every few hours; perfect for renting spaces but less suitable for larger attics as their energy efficiency doesn't compare with that of ductless mini-split AC systems; moreover they require much more electricity to operate than their ductless counterparts and require much higher electricity consumption overall compared with their counterparts as they require less electricity usage over their lifetime compared with their energy-efficient counterparts.

Smart AC controllers

Smart air conditioning controllers like the Sensibo Sky and Cielo Breez Plus are typically sold as add-ons for existing AC units, providing hands-free control via WiFi compatible devices like smartphones or voice assistants. By simulating an infrared signal sent from your remote control device, these smart AC controllers communicate with them to provide hands-free operation.

These devices can automatically detect your location and use geofencing technology to ensure your cooling system only operates during times when you are home. Furthermore, these devices can learn your habits and predict when you will use a room, creating a seven-day schedule to turn on or off your air conditioner at the times you select.

Panasonic Comfort Cloud 2 smart AC controllers feature occupancy sensors and can connect with voice assistants for hands-free control, tracking energy use and saving money through automated settings adjustments. Mysa offers an online compatibility checker to make sure that any smart AC controller works seamlessly with existing ACs.

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Originally published: 

June 6, 2023

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Jason

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I enjoy designing and curating experiences both virtually and in 3-dimensional reality.
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