How often should I have my equipment serviced?
Heating and air conditioning equipment should be serviced at least once a year. The best scenario is to have the heating system checked in the fall and the air conditioning checked in the spring. Cool Air Solutions, Inc. offers an ESA (energy savings agreement), in which you can schedule an annual or bi-annual check up for your heating and air conditioning equipment.
How long will my system last?
Manufactures typically give a life span of 12 to 15 years. The key to system longevity is regular maintenance by experienced HVAC professionals like Cool Air Solutions, Inc. With proper care, you air conditioning system can last from 15 to 20 years; a gas furnace can run for up to 25 years.
Does freon need to be added to my system every year?
No. The Freon or refrigerant in your cooling system is circulated through the copper refrigeration lines to remove heat from your home. If your system ever needs freon, you have a leak and it’s costing you money in higher utility bills through poor system performance. It can also damage the compressor, the heart of the air conditioning system. We recommend repairing the system for reliable and efficient operation.
What is a B.T.U?
Air conditioner sizes (or capacities) are rated in BTUs per hour (12,000 BTU’s per ton). The abbreviation BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. It measures the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at sea level. BTUs are the primary measurement used to match your cooling needs with an air conditioner. Air conditioning works by removing heat (x # of BTU’s) from your home.
Should I Repair or Replace Old Equipment?
Three main factors to consider are:
·
When you’re frustrated with an equipment breakdown, it can be tempting to find the least expensive "quick fix" to get on with your life in relative comfort. That "quick fix" may be the least expensive now, but it may not give you the most value — or cost you the least — in the long run.
Paying for repairs to an old or inefficient system often simply prolongs the inevitable. It’s almost like putting a bandage on a serious injury. An older system that breaks down once is likely to break down again ... and again. That means more service calls or, worse yet, the risk of damage to your home or to other components of your heating and cooling system.
There’s also an ongoing cost factor to consider. Restoring your old system will only bring it back to its current level of energy efficiency. After you’ve recovered from the repair bills and the frustration of system breakdowns, you still won’t save on your energy bills.
Even six-year-old heat pumps and air conditioners are considered inefficient by today’s energy efficiency standards. So are most furnaces built before 1980. So you could save up to 60% on your energy bills with new high-efficiency equipment. That’s why installing a new heating and cooling system can actually pay for itself in energy savings.
·
When one component of your system breaks down unexpectedly, it’s easy to just focus on repairing or replacing that component. But each part of your system works with the others to boost efficiency and reliability, so it helps to keep the big picture in mind.
Replacing your old furnace with a new higher-efficiency model but leaving your old mechanical thermostat in place, for example, won’t allow you to enjoy all the efficiency advantages the furnace has to offer. Replacing your outdoor condenser only with out replacing the indoor coil can also affect the efficiency and longevity of the new unit. Plus, you can often save on installation costs if you have several components of your system (for example, a furnace, coil and air conditioner) replaced at the same time.
What size heating and air conditioning system do I need?
We get asked this question all the time. Having a properly sized HVAC system is extremely important.
A system that is too large will cool or heat your house quickly, but you may not feel comfortable. That’s because it will satisfy the thermostat before it can adequately remove sufficient moisture from the air during the cooling mode, leaving you feeling sticky and humid. This could even lead to moisture and mold problems. And, the stress of short cycling (too many starts and stops) will shorten the life of your equipment and increase your heating and cooling bills.
On the other hand, a system that is too small just cannot get the job done, especially in the extreme weather conditions. The air conditioner will run constantly in the summer and the furnace will do the same in the winter.
But a correctly sized system isn’t just based on the size of the structure. Many factors go into determining the size of the system. Including type of house and walls, type and size of windows, insulation, basement and attic conditions, house orientation, and so on. Contact your Cool Air Solutions comfort specialist for more sizing information.
What is an Energy Efficient Ratio (EER)?
Energy Efficiency ratings measure the amount of electricity required by an air conditioning unit to provide the desired cooling level in BTUs. The higher the EER, the more energy efficient a unit is.
Federal law requires that all manufacturers display the EERs of each of their units on yellow tags so that consumers can easily compare the energy efficiency of the models they are considering.
Is “High Efficiency” really worth it?
By Federal law, the minimum efficiencies that can be sold in
California are 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) for residential cooling products and 80% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) for gas heating products. SEERS can range as high as 21 seer and AFUES can go as high as 96% AFUE. These translate into operating savings of about 25% on cooling and 17% on heating. If comparing against a 20 year old condenser the operating savings goes to about 65% for cooling and 40% for heating. Payback of the initial cost difference in some cases can be realized in 4 to 7 years, depending on how often you use the heating and air conditioning systems.
What are the benefits of variable speed furnaces?
Quieter operation: A properly installed variable speed furnace is substantially quieter than new standard furnace’s.
More even temperatures: With the use of a very quite and efficient low speed fan feature you can constantly balance the temperatures in your home. These furnaces are also equipped with two-stage heating witch provides more comfortable even heating.
More efficient: A variable speed blower motor uses about 1/3 of the energy as a conventional blower motor which increases the air conditioning efficiency about 10%. Also, for those who use the continuous fan the savings can be much more dramatic; A typical furnace running continuous fan for the year can cost as much as $360.00. The variable speed furnace with “fan on” all year long costs only about $60.00. That’s a savings of up to $300.00 per year.
Better Filtration: Using continuous fan at low speed for long periods of time makes any good filter perform dramatically better because of more continuous use and lower velocities across the filter. Customers will notice more relief from allergens and dust with a variable speed furnace and a simple MERV 10 media filter ran continuously than the most expensive “HEPA” filtration system ran only when the air conditioning or heating is on.
What are the high SEER requirements for 2006?
Like many consumer products that use energy, air conditioners and heat pumps are manufactured to meet or exceed minimum efficiency standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy. After nearly a decade with 10 SEER as the minimum efficiency, January 23rd, 2006 marked the mandated increase to 13 SEER.
Who will this effect?
The 13 SEER minimum applies to all new equipment manufactured on or after January 23, 2006. You may continue to use your current system indefinitely, even if it operates below 13 SEER, but when it’s time to replace your system, only 13 SEER or higher models will be available.
Does a higher SEER mean cost-saving energy efficiency?
For many homeowners, a 13SEER air conditioner or heat pump will save money on each month’s electric bill. Exactly how much you can save will depend on the efficiency of your current system. For example, a 13 SEER product delivers about 23% energy savings compared to 10 SEER models and delivers about 8% energy savings compared to 12 SEER models.
Actual savings will depend on the age, efficiency and condition of the unit being replaced, but if you are currently considering a new air conditioner or heat pump, it makes sense to start saving now with a 13 SEER product.
Do I need to have my ducts tested or have a special HERS rater inspection?
Anytime you are replacing your existing equipment with new heating and/or air conditioning equipment, there are new requirements from the California Energy Commission that may require duct testing and/or TXV verification by a third party HERS rater.
To determine if your installation will require these inspections, you must determine what climate zone you are living in. All of
Orange
County is in Zone 8 and is excluded from duct testing requirements. Zone 8 however does require a third party TXV (Thermal Expansion Valve) inspection for jobs with permits pulled after October 15, 2005. You can be exempted from this requirement by installing a 14 SEER plus air conditioner or an 82% AFUE plus furnace.
For further questions involving duct testing and TXV inspections, please contact your friendly Cool Air Solutions comfort specialist.
Can I troubleshoot before calling for service?
The answer is, "Yes." Here are some simple procedures you can perform before going to the expense of a service call:
Check disconnect switches (indoor and outdoor if you have a split system): Make sure that circuit breakers are ON or that fuses have not blown.
Check for sufficient airflow: Make sure air filters are clean and that supply-air and return-air grills are open and unobstructed.
Check the settings on your thermostat: If you want cooling, make sure the temperature control selector is set below room temperature and the SYSTEM switch is on the COOL or AUTO position. If you want heat, make sure the temperature control selector is set above room temperature and the SYSTEM switch is at HEAT or AUTO. The FAN switch should be set at ON for continuous blower operation or AUTO if you want the blower to function only while the unit is operating.
In addition to the routine maintenance you perform, your home comfort system should be inspected at least once a year by a properly trained service technician Cool Air Solutions can make sure your system operates safely and gives you the best performance at the lowest cost.
What kind of tips can I use to insure a long-lasting life for my equipment?
- Keep grass clippings and leaves away from the outdoor unit. This keeps dirt and debris from getting into the system. It also keeps the airflow path clear.
- Keep furniture and carpeting away from grills and ductwork. If you block your air conditioning system’s ability to deliver air, you rob yourself of the cooling necessary to keep your home comfortable.
- Keep the west-facing drapes, shades or blinds drawn in the afternoon. Keeping the sun out will keep your home cooler.
- Run your dishwasher, washing machine, oven and dryer in the evening hours.
- Keep your fan running. It helps to keep the air moving.
- Don’t overrun an exhaust fan. It pulls the air conditioning out of the home.
- Use a programmable thermostat. This allows you to cool your home only when you need it.
- Zone your heating and cooling system. If you spend most of your time in one part of your home or if different people in your home want the temperature at different settings, then zoning can help you be more comfortable and save money on your utility bills.
- Use an attic ventilator. By pulling hot air out of your home, you keep your home cooler in the summer.
- Have your cooling system checked at least once per year by an Cool Air Solutions Service Technician. Your equipment works more efficiently when it is clean and running properly
- DO NOT turn off your air conditioning unit!
- Set your thermostat at 85 degrees. This keeps the air circulating in your home. High temperatures and humidity can cause damage to your home, your workplace and your health! Humidity can cause wallpaper to peel, floorboards to warp, and most importantly, mold and fungus to form in bathrooms, on furniture and in your air conditioning ducts.
