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 extreme weather conditions. The air conditioner will run constantly in the summer and the furnace will do the same in 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. A knowledgeable tech will need to visit your home and take measurements in order to determine the right size unit for your home. Call us today to schedule an Appointment at 410-633-8350 or 1-800-750-2008.
R-22 is a refrigerant that has been widely used in air conditioners and heat pumps for many years. It has been deemed hazardous to the environment and it will begin phase-out by law in the year 2010. The replacement refrigerant for R-22, R-410A, is being produced to meet the rising demand for new air conditioner and heat pumps systems.
SEER stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This is a measure of the energy efficiency of the air conditioning system. SEER ratings permit consumers to compare operating costs of various cooling systems and products. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the given air conditioning system is.
Manufacturers offer extended warranties. Typically 10 years. Ask your sales person for details. Please note that extended warranties become null and void if you do not have your system maintained yearly by a licensed HVAC contractor.
Preferably auto. That way, the fan operates only when the temperature requires it. This is the most used and the most efficient setting. However, there are advantages to using the “on&rdquol setting. Air is constantly filtered through the unit’s air filter, and the constantly circulating air results in an even temperature throughout the house.
If an outdoor unit needs replacing, should the indoor unit be replaced too?
Yes, because of efficiency. Air conditioning and heating units are designed to operate as a matched system. The efficiency rating is based on the entire system. Replacing the entire system ensures the system will be reliable and efficient.
Gas furnaces are rated according to their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE. The AFUE rating measures how efficient a gas furnace coverts fuel to energy. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the furnace. A gas furnace with an AFUE of 95 percent is one of the highest efficiency gas furnaces you buy on the market today.
No. Heat pumps and outdoor air conditioning units (aka outdoor condensing units) operate year-round and should never be covered. They are built to withstand an outdoor environment and should not be covered.
For best performance of your system your air filters should be changed every three months but this can depend on the conditions in your home. If you typically have to dust your furniture once a week then you should stick to the quarterly filter changes. You can tell when to change an air filter by inspecting the back side of the filter, any discoloration on the back side (dirt) indicates the filter is fully loaded and is releasing dirt into the air stream.
Generally, as with anything, this depends on how it is used. A rule of thumb is the more you set the thermostat to adjust the temperature above or below your standard setting the more you save. Adjusting the temperature on your thermostat just a couple of degrees while your sleeping will save you money alone but if your home is unoccupied during the day then the savings can be substantial.
This depends on what you have now, efficiencies have increased dramatically over the years, furnaces ten to fifteen years old or older typically have an efficiency rating of 75% to 80% measured in AFUE, while today you can purchase furnaces that are rated as high as 97%. The savings also depend greatly on how you use your system and the temperatures you enjoy.
This also depends on what you have now, again efficiencies have increased dramatically over the years. Air Conditioners ten to fifteen years old or older typically have an efficiency rating of 7 to 10 measured in SEER. Today you can purchase air conditioning equipment with ratings as high as 18 or 19 SEER. Again the savings greatly depend on how you use your air conditioning system and the temperatures you set on your thermostat.
Clean Air Heating and Air Conditioning HVAC services and installs all brands of air conditioning and heating systems. So, if you are in need of a repair or replacement, Clean Air Heating and Air Conditioning can handle the job. Call us today to schedule an Appointment at 410-633-8350 or 1-800-750-2008.