Monthly Archives: October 2014

The Four HVAC Terms You Need to Know Now

Posted on by
5

We usually don’t spend too much time thinking about our AC systems.  We just want them – and expect them – to work.  And when the AC fails, we don’t think much about the replacement other than the fact that it needs to be replaced ASAP, and the fact that the cost involved wasn’t likely an expected expense. Five Good Reasons Why You Should Replace Your Old HVAC System in the Fall

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately three million HVAC units require repair or replacement each year, meaning homeowners will be faced with big ticket decisions that affect their indoor comfort and energy costs for the next 15 or so years.  But not all cold air is the same. Understanding the following four terms can help save money and increase your comfort level.

  1. SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a measure of system efficiency, which translates to how much it costs to operate.  The higher the number, the more efficient the system.  A SEER rating of 16 or higher with stepped capacity modulation is considered high efficiency and could save you over $400 per year versus an older lower efficiency system.
  2. Variable Speed – modulated systems with variable speed compressors can continuously vary the amount of energy used as the demand for cooling goes up or down.  This helps keep temperatures stable throughout a cooling cycle.  These systems are much more energy efficient and also provide superior humidity control throughout the home, possibly saving you more than $800 per year over what you might be paying now to cool your home with an older model.
  3. Humidity – We hear the term all the time, but indoor humidity can cause many problems.  Too much humidity in the air causes you to feel warmer, meaning it costs you more to run your AC unit longer. By selecting a thermostat with a humidity control feature, this could save you up to $300 per year and will also increase comfort in the home if you live in a humid area of the country.
  4. Heat Pump – Heat pumpsystems have long been popular in warmer climates, butimprovements in technology and performance are making them increasingly viable options inmore northern climates.  A heat pump is an air conditioner that can also be used to warm a home in the winter.  A high-efficiency heat pump system – which moves heat into the home instead of generating heat — can be an incredibly efficient and cost-saving solution to replace conventional gas- or oil-burning furnaces, resulting in estimate annual savings of $700 versus what you might be paying today to heat with an older conventional furnace.
    How a Heat Pump Air Conditioner Works

Knowing these four terms can help save you hundreds on the cost of running your AC system. So, don’t wait! Start educating yourself now so that the next time you see your contractor, you know the right questions to ask. Don’t forget to check out some other helpful tips as you prepare your AC system for heating or cooling season: http://www.ac-heatingconnect.com/homeowners/

Related podcast:
Common HVAC Terms

Comfort Gadgets and the State of Our Industry

Posted on by
Reply

I was reading a recent post on one of my favorite social media channels a few weeks ago regarding new “gadget products” that were designed to keep consumers cool and comfortable during the summer months, and especially at night. Some of the more interesting ones included self-cooling pillows, self-cooling mattress pads, a temperature controlled mattress and a bed fan that cools the space above or under the covers.  Some of these products were selling for between $300 and $700. The question I asked myself was, “Why not just invest that money in a whole home HVAC comfort solution that works for every room in your house all day and night instead of in a single bed?”

In addition to getting much better comfort for the little extra money when a system is replaced, the homeowner would also probably get better humidity control, better indoor air quality and reduced noise. One of our recent posts deals with this.  I think these “comfort gadgets” are yet another example of how many consumers in the U.S. are underserved by our industry. Consumers want comfort and better indoor air quality, but they don’t realize they can get it from some of our latest HVAC technology. There is a huge market out there for contractors who take the time to satisfy the needs of comfort instead of just replacing existing equipment with similar stuff and moving on to the next job.

Cool It! Choosing the Right HVAC System for Your New Home

Posted on by
15

If you’re building a home and getting ready to make the important decision about your heating and cooling system, you might want to consider some new ways of thinking about your future HVAC needs.

Depending on the size or the layout of the house, you might want to consider two central systems – usually one for the upstairs and another one for the main floor.  This way, you can adjust the temperature up or down in those areas independently and reduce your overall energy consumption.

For the areas where people will be sleeping at night, I would also consider a central system with some sort of capacity modulation – either one with two steps of capacity or continuous capacity control along with a variable speed or stepped indoor air handler.  This will be especially important in warmer and more humid climates because of the comfort and health problems associated with humidity control are almost as important as the temperature control in those climates.

If you choose a capacity controlled system, usually 16 SEER or greater, the system will be able to adjust to the load on humid nights when you need the system to run at low capacity for an extended period of time.  This will ensure that the humidity is removed and the air remains fresh and filtered.  The same system can still run at the full load capacity during the day when the demand for cooling is most critical, or vice versa depending on the climate you live in.  The other benefit of these systems is that they run very quietly at the low capacity mode.

You might also want to consider also adding a remote ductless mini-split system If you have rooms in your new home that are in remote areas and are located far away from the central AC system – e.g. an attic space or “bonus” room. These rooms are frequently zoned off from the rest of the house or used only occasionally. A ductless mini-split is a type of air conditioning system that does not use ducts to transfer cool air, and instead the outdoor condenser unit is connected directly to an interior air handler. Because of this direct connection, generally only one room or space can be cooled at a time making ductless mini-splits a viable option for room additions or add-ons.

Investing in a new, custom built home involves a lot of decisions and unfortunately the HVAC decisions are sometimes overlooked.  It’s always best to consider the comfort and energy cost factors as well as the many other decisions you will be making.  You might also want to consider talking directly with an HVAC contractor instead of relying entirely on the general contractor to know the latest about HVAC technology and options.  Good luck with your new home!

Before purchasing, check out these money saving tips!