How does current forced air gas heating technology work?

The thermostat senses that the room temperature is cooler than the set temperature and signals the furnace to come on.  Inside the furnace a small exhaust vent blower comes on to force the unused vent gas out the flue.  This in turn allows gas and air into the "heat exchanger" to be ignited by a glow bar.  When the gas begins to burn it heats up the metal "heat exchanger".  The furnace blower then comes on and blows the air warmed by the heat exchanger into the room thru your duct system and registers.  Ultimately, you and your family feel warmer.

If I am going to replace my old gas guzzler furnace, do I need to replace it with the same BTU capacity?

In most cases the answer is NO, you won't need as large an input furnace, a smaller btu furnace will work just fine.  Chances are your old furnace was very inefficient with an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating  of 55% or less.  With today's furnaces obtaining 80% to 90% in efficiency, or AFUE, you just don't need as large a furnace.  The new furnace compared to the old furnace will require less BTU input, but will produce more BTU output, resulting in as much or more heat going into your home with the new smaller furnace.  In the past the old "gas guzzlers" were wasting almost half of their heat up the flue vent to the outside and not into your home.  Today it wouldn't be uncommon to replace an old 125,000 BTU furnace with a new 90,000 BTU input gas furnace.

If I replace my furnace, will my old duct system work properly with the new furnace?

This depends on a number of factors.  Older furnaces were more forgiving when it came to a poorly designed duct system.  Some duct systems were undersized and the older type furnaces would operate, but inefficiently, by cycling on "hi-limit safety".  In effect the poorly designed duct system wouldn't deliver enough air across the heat exchanger causing the old furnace to automatically cycle on the "hi-limit safety" until the house temperature was reached.  The newer furnaces have several safety controls to prevent this from happening, but in turn will "lock out" the new furnace preventing it from heating.  Sometimes it is necessary to make changes to the old duct system in order for the new furnace to operate properly.  Many factors such as the size of your main trunk line, size and number of supply pipe runs, size of return wall cavities, and the number of supply registers and return grills, just to mention a few, must be considered.  If you are considering replacing your furnace, let Four Seasons Heating and Cooling give you a free evaluation of your heating and cooling system.

How will I know it's time to replace my system?

When the system starts giving you more problems than seem cost effective to repair, particularly when major components such as the compressor start making unusual noises or otherwise indicating need for service.  Replacing a compressor may be less expensive then replacing the entire unit, but a new unit matched with a new evaporator coil will give you greater efficiency and lower operating cost.  Because newer equipment is more energy efficient, the money you save in reduced utility costs, might pay back your purchase price of a new system years earlier than you might think.

How are Air Conditioner efficiencies rated?

Because Central systems are rated by the SEASONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATIO or "SEER" Rating.  Effective January 1, 1992. the federal minimum standard of 10.0 SEER was established.  The higher the SEER number is, the more efficient the unit.  In the Owensboro area the savings on electricity is approximately 10% per SEER number.  A 12 SEER air conditioner would be 20% more efficient than a 10 SEER unit and a 14 SEER unit would be 40% more efficient than a 10 SEER unit.  If your old unit was only a 7 SEER and you replaced it with a 14 SEER unit you could see very nice savings on your operational cost.

How can I determine the SEER of my present equipment?

There are three main ways to determine the SEER of you equipment:  (1) Find the model numbers of your present equipment (the outdoor condensing unit and the indoor evaporator coil) and give us a call with the information.  We have most brands listed as far back as 1967 and we may be able help you determine your SEER rating.  (2) If your unit was produced after June 7^th 1988 the Department of Energy (DOE) required the manufacturer of your unit to have a label containing energy efficiency information.  If time has not destroyed the label, it will be on the outdoor condensing unit.  (3) You can derive at an approximate SEER rating by the age of your unit.  The average SEER rating in the 1960’s was 6 SEER, the average in the 1970’s was 7 SEER, the average in the 1980’s was 8 SEER and by 1994 the average had increased to 10.94 SEER.  In general the older the unit you are replacing the larger your savings.  If you are considering replacing your central heating and cooling equipment, give us a call at Four Seasons.  We will give you a free evaluation of your system.  Call for an appointment today.

How important is my heating and cooling system?

One of the most important investments in your home you’ll ever make is an improvement in your heating, cooling and indoor air quality system.  These systems are vital to your family’s comfort and health.  Although it is not glamorous, good home comfort equipment that is correctly installed can increase the value of your home, prevent costly repair bills, and even help improve some health problems.  If your furnace is very old and you replace it with a new high efficient model you could see a savings of up to 40% in your gas bill.  Recent news has indicated that the local gas rates are going to double this winter over last winter.  This 40% savings would help offset the increased cost of your monthly bill.

What is the number one rule in shopping for a new system?

The most important rule in shopping for home comfort equipment is to shop for a quality dealer first and then the equipment.  Even the best piece of equipment can be next to useless if not installed correctly.  A new furnace or air conditioner is not like a new washer or microwave.  You can’t just take it out of the box and plug it in.  Your new equipment must work together with the rest of your home comfort system, such as your existing duct work.  For example older furnaces may not deliver as much airflow through the duct system as today’s new technically advanced furnaces require.  In many of today’s installations, duct modifications are needed to allow for the proper operation of your new equipment.

How do I chose a dealer?

Talk to your friends and neighbors.  If you need to repair or replace a piece of equipment or you are in the market for a complete new system, chances are some of them have already been through the same experience.  Ask them what dealers they worked with and whether or not they had any problems.  If they did have problems, how did the dealer handle it?  How a dealer approaches a customer’s concern is a good indication of their attention to service.  The quality of service you receive after the sale is extremely important.  In order to maintain your new equipment in tip-top condition year after year you need to choose a dealer who puts service at the top of their priority list.  You want the dealer you choose to be available around the clock to maintain your investment as well as your comfort level.

How do I choose the brand of equipment?

When you shop for new heating and cooling equipment, you may be told that Brand A is better than Brand B.  In some cases, one brand may offer benefits that another brand does not.  However, generally speaking, most heating and cooling equipment made today is well made and the differences between brands are usually cosmetic.  Some brands offer a better warranty than others; and parts warranties are very important, especially several years after your purchase. If you are considering replacing your old inefficient heating and cooling system give us a call at 926-2900 for a free evaluation of your system.

Is there anything I need to do to get my heating system ready for winter?

Most heating systems are quite reliable and will provide you with quick, comfortable heat when you need it, providing you take good care of the system.  I recommend you have your furnace cleaned and checked by a professional technician before the cold harsh winter sets in.  If you have a gas furnace you might want to make a quick visual inspection of the furnace area to make sure there are no items that could interfere with combustion.  In addition check the top of the furnace to make sure nothing is lying close to the hot flue vent. Check all your supply and return registers to make sure that during the summer they were not turned off or blocked with items like rugs, furniture, plants, books shoes etc.

What causes cracks to form in a gas furnace heat exchanger?

In the normal course of a gas furnace operation, the heat exchanger experiences repeated heating and cooling, which causes a corresponding expansion and contraction of the heat exchanger metal.  As the heat exchanger ages over the years cracks will tend to form in areas of the heat exchanger that are weak, such as the areas that have been welded together.  More weak spots and holes will form as a result of corrosion.  Corrosion of the heat exchanger often signifies problems with the exhaust venting.  What happens is that water in the exhaust, which contains carbonic acid, cools too quickly and condenses out, draining back down the chimney and onto the heat exchanger where the acid eats away at the metal.  The ammonia fumes can also cause corrosion from a nearby cat litter box.  Cat litter boxes should be at least 15 feet away from the gas furnace.

How can I tell if the heat exchanger in my furnace has cracks?

You can't.  Most cracks in the heat exchanger occur in areas that are hidden away.  Even if the cracked areas of the heat exchanger were visible, the cracks themselves are extremely difficult to detect to anyone without a trained, experienced eye.  When a crack in a heat exchanger forms it allows the combustion gases, which contain carbon monoxide that would normally go up the flue vent, to leak into the airflow coming out of your registers.  If you or members of your family are complaining of headaches during the time spent at home it could be caused by carbon monoxide coming from a cracked heat exchanger.  By having your furnace checked once a year by a professional service technician you can eliminate some of this concern.  If you have any questions concerning your heating and cooling system give us a call anytime.

Why has the price of our natural gas bill almost doubled?

According to the experts, it is a matter of supply and demand.  Demand is high now due in part to our strong economy.  Industrial customers consume approximately 40 percent of natural gas consumed in the U.S.; so on-going economic growth continues to push natural gas demand.  Supply is low now because during the past few years the price that producers could get for natural gas was fairly low.  This contributed to a decline in the number of rigs drilling for natural gas.  With fewer producers drilling for natural gas, and the resulting shortage, the price of natural gas began to climb.  With the recent higher prices, producers have started drilling more natural gas wells. More rigs are now drilling for natural gas than at any time during the last 15 years.

Is there a shortage of natural gas?

No, the United States has abundant supplies of natural gas.  Unlike heating oil and other petroleum products, almost all natural gas used in our country comes from the United States.  Although there are no short-term remedies, help should be on the way.  Natural gas producers have boosted their exploration and production, so it is anticipated that natural gas prices will moderate when fresh supplies come into the market.  All of the current higher priced natural gas must be consumed before the new lower priced gas can pass through the storage fields.  Normally it can take 12 to 18 months for the new lower priced supplies to reach the residential customer. 

What are some ideas for saving on our heating bills?

Try lowering your thermostat setting a few degrees, especially while you sleep.  Changing it from 72 degrees to 67 degrees could save up to 10%.  You can also install a programmable set back thermostat for about $250.00 that will do this automatically.  Check your home over carefully for air leaks, especially around windows, doors, electrical switches and outlet plates on outside walls.  You can purchase some inexpensive insulation gaskets to seal around these problem areas.  Contact a local insulation company for an evaluation of your attic and wall insulation and consider adding more insulation.  Make sure your fireplace damper is tightly closed when the fireplace isn't in use.  Glass fireplace doors can reduce the loss of heated air when you are using the fireplace.  Use kitchen, bath and other ventilation fans sparingly in cold weather.  Exhaust fans remove a very large amount of heated air.  Ensure heating registers and air returns are not blocked with furniture and personal items.  Have your furnace system cleaned and properly adjusted annually.  A dirty gas furnace can be a real gas guzzler!  Consider replacing your old, inefficient heating system with a new high efficient energy-saving 92% efficient gas furnace.  Most older furnaces are only 50 to 60% efficient.  Replacing your older inefficient furnace could result in a substantial savings on your gas bill.  for a free heating system survey give us a call anytime.

What can we do to help offset our high utility bills?

Heating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more dollars from your budget, especially with the recent fuel price increase, than any other system in your home. No matter what kind of heating and cooling system you have in your home you can save money and increase comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment. You can save up to 40% on the heating portion of your energy dollars by replacing your old gas-guzzler or upgrading your heat pump to a higher efficiency. But remember, an energy efficient furnace or heat pump alone will not give you your maximum savings. You should consider the whole house approach, which include several items such as insulation.

How important is good insulation?

Extremely important; checking your home's insulating system is one of the fastest and most cost-efficient ways to use a whole-house approach to reduce energy waste. By investing just a few hundred dollars for additional insulation for your home, you can increase your comfort while reducing your heating and cooling costs by up to 30%. Insulation is measured in R-values-the higher the R-value; the better your house will resist the transfer of heat. Six-inch thick fiberglass insulation has an R-value of R-19 and three and one half inch has a R-11 value. Although insulation can be made from a variety of materials, it usually comes in four types- batts, rolls, loose-fill and rigid foam boards. Each type is made to fit in different parts of your home. Batts are made to fit between the studs in your walls or between the joists of your ceilings and floors. Rolls or blankets are also usually added over the floor in the attic. Loose-fill insulation usually is blown into the attic or walls. Rigid foam board is made for use in confined spaces such as exterior walls, basements, foundations, concrete slabs, and cathedral ceilings.

How much insulation is enough?

In a recent survey, only 20% of homes built before 1980 were well insulated. In our local climate it is recommended to install up to 9" of insulation or R-30 in the attic. The best payback is up to 6" or R-19, after that the payback or return on your investment drops dramatically. To find out if you have enough attic insulation, measure the thickness of the insulation. If there is less than six inches (R-19) you could reduce your heating and cooling bills substantially by adding more insulation. If your attic has ample insulation and your home still feels drafty and cold in the winter or too warm in the summer, chances are you need to add insulation to the exterior walls as well. This is a more expensive method that usually requires an insulation contractor, but it can be well worth the cost in comfort and energy savings. If you are building a new home there are some new and innovative ways to insulate. Check with your building contractor on the latest insulating techniques. If you are considering upgrading your heating and cooling equipment, give us a call for a free evaluation of your current system.

Will closing off supply registers help save on my heating and cooling cost?

No, it will actually cost you more in the long run. For both maximum comfort and efficiency the duct work and number of registers in your home must be sized to match the airflow output of your heating and cooling equipment. When you shut off supply registers you do not allow this matched amount of air flow to be delivered to your conditioned space. Closing the registers restricts the airflow and pushes it back into your furnace and air conditioner. In the heating season it causes the furnace plenum temperature to rise, weakening your hi-temperature limit safety devices, shortening the life of your heat exchanger, and causing short cycling of the system. In the cooling season the reduced airflow from closed registers will not allow the liquid refrigerant to evaporate in the evaporator and return to the compressor in liquid form. This will shorten the life of the compressor by allowing liquid refrigerant to wash oil from the compressor bearings. In addition if you allow the area of the thermostat to become cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer it will only cause the system to run longer and use more fuel. If you must shut off registers, I recommend you never close more then one or two, unless your system is designed with extra ductwork and extra registers. Ninety percent of homes are not designed with extra registers. The extremely small amount of savings you could realize from sealing off a room would be lost in the possible damage to your heating and cooling equipment.

Will burning an open fireplace help save on my heating cost?

When you cozy up next to a crackling fire on a cold winter day, you probably don't realize that your fireplace is one of the most inefficient heat sources you can possibly use. It literally sends your energy dollars right up the chimney along with volumes of warm air. A roaring fire can exhaust as much as 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour outside, which must be replaced by cold air coming into the house from open doors, cracks, loose windows ect. Your heating system must warm up this air, which is then exhausted through your chimney increasing your heating bill. If you do elect to use your fireplace you can try some of the following tips. Keep the nearest window slightly open about an inch and close the doors leading into the room. Lower the thermostat setting to around 55 degrees. Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchanger system that blows warmed air back into the room. Check the seal on the flue damper and make it as snug as possible. Add caulking around the fireplace hearth. Use grates made of C-shaped metal tubes to draw cool room air into the fireplace and circulate warm air back into the room. Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is going. Keeping the damper open, without closed glass doors, is like keeping a 48-inch window wide open during the winter. It allows the warm air to go right up the chimney 24 hours a day. Consider installing a fireplace insert with an electric blower to force the heat generated from the fire back into the room. If you are looking for ways to save on your energy bills you may want to upgrade your system to a higher efficiency. Give us a call anytime for a free evaluation of your heating and cooling system.

We would like to replace our gas furnace with a more efficient unit. What are our choices?

With the recent spike in gas prices, high efficient gas furnaces have become an increasingly important consideration in helping to lower our gas bills. Let's look at what our choices are as we research replacing our old gas furnace. Furnaces are rated by the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratio (AFUE), which is the percent of heat produced for every dollar spent on gas. The higher the AFUE rating on your furnace, the lower your monthly gas bill. There are two basic classes of gas furnaces available today: 80% Non-Condensing and 90% Condensing. Before we compare the two classes let's look at our old furnace. Most old furnaces are in the 50% to 65% AFUE bracket. This means for every dollars worth of gas you buy 35% to 50% of the heat produced from that gas is going up the chimney only to keep the birds warm! In comparison a 80% furnace only looses 20% of the heat outside and better yet a 92% efficient furnace only looses 8% to the outside. Gas usage can be cut by up to 40% by replacing an old inefficient gas guzzling furnace with a 92% efficient model. In addition, in most cases when you replace your old furnace with a higher efficiency model, you actually need to down size the BTU capacity of the new furnace. A ballpark example would be if the old furnace was 100,000 BTU @ 60% efficient it would produce 60,000 BTUs to heat your home. In relation a new furnace which is 80,000 BTU @ 80% efficient would produce 64,000 BTUs for heating your home.

What are the differences between an 80% and 90% efficient gas furnace?

We will start with the 80% AFUE furnace, which is a non-condensing furnace. The 80% furnace has only one heat exchanger and draws its combustion air from inside the home or the space the furnace is located. In most cases it is vented into your existing flue vent or your chimney with a flue liner. With 20% of the heat it produces going up the chimney, the water vapor in the flue gases are able to reach the outside air without condensing and draining back into the furnace, much like your old furnace. This is why it is called a non-condensing furnace. This furnace does not have a pilot that burns continuously but a hot surface or spark ignition system. Because this furnace pulls combustion air from inside your home it tends to have a noisier burner operation. This is the less expensive of the two classes of furnaces. The 90% AFUE has two heat exchangers, a primary and a secondary heat exchanger. This furnace draws its combustion air from outside your home thru a fresh air inlet PVC pipe. This furnace only wastes 8% to 10% of its heat outside resulting in a cooler flue gas going out. This causes the water vapor in the flue gas to condense into liquid water before it can reach the outside air. The 90% efficient condensing furnace is vented with sealed PVC pipe to the outside to allow this condensed water to run back into the furnace reservoir. This is the reason the 90% furnace has a condensate drain and is called a condensing furnace. Like the 80% furnace this furnace has the hot surface ignition system without a pilot. The two pipe PVC direct vent allows for quieter operation by eliminating the use of indoor heated air for combustion. If your budget allows, the 90% efficient furnace is the best choice for both money-saving efficiency and reduced operating sound levels. If you are interested in replacing your system we currently have special financing available. Give us a call today.

What is the evaporator coil and how does it operate?

On a split system central air conditioner the evaporator or "cooling coil" is located in your home above or below the furnace. This coil is also referred to as the "A" Coil because most evaporators are shaped like the letter "A". The evaporator coil produces cool air for your home by taking hi-pressure liquid refrigerant, produced by your outdoor condensing unit, and converting it to vapor refrigerant. In this process of "boiling off the refrigerant", air passes over the evaporator coil allowing the coil to absorb heat, resulting in cool air being delivered to your home via the duct work. On a home that has a outdoor combination heating and cooling unit this evaporator coil is located in the outdoor unit directly coupled to the condensing unit section. These units are called package units because all the heating and cooling components are packaged together.

When replacing the outdoor unit of a split system, should the indoor evaporator coil also be replaced?

In most cases the answer is YES for the following reasons! All air conditioner and heat pump outdoor units are specifically designed to work, as a team, with a matched indoor evaporator coil to obtain optimum efficiency and performance. The result of this matched system is a coordinated, top-performance team that ensures the dependability and high-efficiency offered by today's new units. The outdoor unit can be replaced, and it will work, without replacing the indoor evaporator coil…..however, the result is a definite compromise in system performance. The new higher efficient outdoor unit cannot produce the desired savings, on your utility bill, if it is connected to your old inefficient evaporator coil. The government rates all new outdoor air conditioning units by "Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating" or SEER by testing the new outdoor unit with a new matched indoor evaporator coil. If you purchase a new outdoor unit with a high efficiency rating of 12 SEER or 14 SEER you must replace the indoor coil, at the same time, to achieve these ratings or savings on your electric bill. In most cases if the outdoor unit is 10 to 15 years old and needs to be replaced, the indoor evaporator is just as old and has been subjected to the same wear and tear. New equipment also gives you a new product warranty. With most brands replacing the indoor evaporator coil at the same time you replace the outdoor unit results in an extra-extended warranty on the new evaporator, plus peace of mind, knowing the new warranty covers the entire system. If you have any further questions concerning your cooling and heating system, or you would like a free evaluation of your system, give me a call anytime.

What is the latest in regards to refrigerants in air conditioning systems?

Due to environmental concerns, in 1987 the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement, established requirements that began the phase out of CFC's (chlorofluorocarbons) based refrigerants in developed nations. R-22 a HCFC refrigerant has been the refrigerant of choice for residential heating and cooling systems for more then 40 years. Another type of refrigerant, R-12 , a pure CFC, was used in automobile air conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment until its phase out in the last few years. If refrigerants are released into the atmosphere, it is the chlorine contained in them that attacks the ozone layer. R-22 refrigerant contains only 5 percent of the chlorine that R-12 refrigerant contained. Because of the heavy concentration of chlorine in R-12 the phase out was accelerated and production stopped within a short period of time. Due to the small amount of chlorine in R-22 the phase out period will be much longer. Manufacturers can produce air conditioners containing R-22 until 2010 and the R-22 refrigerant itself will be produced until 2020. Another reason for the extended period of time in phasing out R-22 is the fact that all refrigerants must now be recovered or recaptured instead of venting them into the atmosphere. When a unit is replaced technicians now recover the old R-22 refrigerant and send it back to the factory to be reclaimed and reused. This has dramatically reduced the amount of refrigerants escaping into the atmosphere and the possibility of damage to the ozone layer.

What is the future alternative to R-22 refrigerant?

As R-22 is gradually phased out of use over the next decade, R-410A will be phased in. R-410A is a HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) and does not contain any chlorine. R-410A refrigerant is marketed under several trademarked names such as Ultron , Puron , Prozone , etc. and was developed by a major chemical company. R-410A is not a proprietary refrigerant and is available for use by the entire heating and air conditioning industry. The transition to R-410A requires that air conditioning systems be redesigned. R-410A is a refrigerant with operating pressures about 50 percent higher than R-22. Because of this, heating and cooling dealers must be schooled in stricter installation and service techniques, and must obtain new recovery equipment and servicing tools, as well. It is important to note that units containing R-22 will always be serviced with R-22. They can never be converted or retrofitted to the newer environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant.

Which is the best choice R-22 or R410A?

In order to help safeguard the environment R-410A is the best choice of refrigerant. However, with the lengthy phase out, mandatory recovery, and the availability of R-22 over the next ten to twenty years, R-22 is still a good choice. Regardless of your preference of refrigerant, the efficiency of the system and the quality of the installation are extremely important. Since carbon dioxide emissions are tied directly to energy use, purchasing higher efficiency comfort systems not only help you save on your utility bill but also make a significant contribution toward protecting our environment. Whether you choose an R-22 unit or the new environmentally friendly R-410A unit it is equally important to select a reputable dealer. An established heating and cooling dealer will have many qualifications allowing them to provide you with a quality installation. The dealers qualifications should include State HVAC Licenses, EPA certification, adequate insurance coverage, drug free employees, written guarantees, around the clock service, and a list of more than satisfied customers. In addition, a quality dealer will have the proper tools and training needed for their technicians to handle and install all refrigerants, including the earth friendly R-410A. If you have any further questions concerning refrigerants or you would like a free quote on replacing your heating and cooling system, give me a call anytime.

What is a heat pump?

A heat pump is an all-electric unit that both heats and cools your home by refrigeration. The heat pump is not new. The first factory-made units rolled off the production lines more than three decades ago. There are two basic types of heat pumps. The first is a ground-to-air system known as a Geothermal system (ground source) utilizing a coil buried in the ground outside your home to assist in providing heating and cooling. The second and most common type of heat pump is the air-to-air type, which has an outdoor unit producing heating and cooling. Most air-to-air heat pumps are compact two-piece units with both indoor and outdoor components. However, some homes utilize a single-package unit, which is installed entirely outside, and have the system ductwork extended out and connected to them.

How does an air-to-air heat pump work?

As the name indicates a heat pump, pumps heat from one location to another. If you remove heat from an area, that area will become cold. Strange as it may sound an example of this is your home refrigerator. The refrigerator keeps the food cold by removing the heat inside and exhausting it out the back or bottom into you kitchen, via the condenser fan. Using the same process, in the summer a heat pump removes heat from inside your home and exhausts that heat outside via your outside unit. In the winter the same principle is applied except in reverse with the use of reversing valves in the outdoor unit. The outdoor unit extracts heat from the outdoor air and exhausts it indoors to keep you warm and cozy. You may ask how a heat pump can extract heat from outside when, in the winter, it could be zero or below outside. The heat pump can accomplish this because heat exists in all air down to minus 460 degrees F. Even extremely cold winter air contains heat. In this heat extracting process the outdoor coil gets very cold and may form ice on it from time to time. The heat pump is designed to "defrost" this ice build up periodically, resulting in steam coming out of the top of the outdoor unit when it is in the defrost mode. Unlike a furnace that turns fossil fuel or electricity into heat, the heat pump collects heat that already exists in the outdoor air by means of its refrigeration cycle like your refrigerator. This means the heat pump can supply two to three times more energy than the energy it uses, making it very efficient. For example, a heat pump can mean savings of up to 60 percent on electric heating bills because it uses less energy to supply the same heat as an electric furnace with a resistance heating element.

How are heat pump efficiencies rated?

Heat pump efficiencies and central air conditioning are both rated by SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Similar to miles per gallon on an automobile the SEER rating indicates the approximate cost of operation of the unit. The minimum the department of energy allows manufactures to produce is a 10 SEER unit. The higher the SEER, the greater the efficiency and the greater your energy savings potential. In addition to the SEER, HSPF or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor also rates heat pumps. This measurement indicates the efficiency of the heat pump in the heating mode. The higher the HSPF specification the more efficient the unit. The minimum requirement by the department of energy is 6.8 HSPF. If you have any questions concerning heat pumps or you would like a free evaluation of your heating and cooling system give me a call anytime at 926-2900.

How long should a central air conditioner last?

The useful "life" of an air conditioner can vary greatly. Such factors as climate, maintenance care, and quality and capacity of the original equipment can increase or decrease the service a system will give by months or even years. On the average, a residential central air conditioner will last from ten to fifteen years. When a unit begins to show its age, it is usually major components of the air conditioner, such as the motors or the compressor that wear out. After years of vibration, systems may begin to develop refrigerant leaks resulting in reduced cooling capacity. In any case, the homeowner is faced with a decision on whether to patch up the existing system or replace it with newer equipment. In the short run, replacing failed components will usually cost the least amount of money. But in doing so, the homeowner may be missing an opportunity to really improve the overall efficiency of the system and, thereby, save significant amounts of money in operating cost.

How much can I save with higher efficiency equipment?

In recent years, manufacturers of air conditioners have made dramatic progress in increasing the efficiency of the units they produce. Therefore, it may make more economic sense to put the cost of repair into a new, more efficient system that will immediately bring down operating cost. Air conditioners and heat pumps are rated by SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher the SEER, the greater the efficiency and the greater your energy savings potential. For example if your old system is in the 7 SEER range, and this rating is common for fifteen year old units, by upgrading to a new 14 SEER system you could save 50% to 60% on the cooling portion of your utility bill. This could turn into a nice "Return on Investment". For example, if it costs $3,000 dollars to install, but saves $65 monthly, it will pay for itself in less than four years. In addition, Four Seasons offers financing options that are an easy way for you to make convenient monthly payments instead of paying the entire amount at the time of installation. If you are also saving money on your utility bill every month, it can help offset the monthly payment for the system.

What can you expect during our cooling evaluation?

We start by taking accurate measurements of your home. We ask detailed questions about what you want and need. We ask what problems you are encountering with your current heating and cooling system. We look at your duct system to see if it is sized properly for the new equipment and the size of your home. We count the number of supplies and returns in your home to see if you have enough to deliver the conditioned air your home needs. We ask about your indoor air quality and any need for extra air filtration. We inquire about your wall and attic insulation. We ask which rooms are either too warm or too cold. We then install your system using sophisticated equipment and highly-trained responsible technicians. If you would like a Free evaluation of your current heating and cooling system please give me a call at 926-2900 anytime.

How does a central air conditioner work?

A central air conditioner is able to cool a building by removing heat from the indoor air and transferring it outdoors. To accomplish this the system converts refrigerant from a liquid to a vapor and back to a liquid again continuously. This refrigerant, sometimes called Freon, is pumped by the compressor to and from your outdoor condensing unit via two refrigeration lines. The small un-insulated copper line is warm to the touch and the large insulated copper line is cold to the touch. Air conditioning units operate with three major components, a compressor or pump, an outdoor condenser coil and indoor evaporator coil. The indoor evaporator coil is the "Cold" side and it is usually connected to your furnace or some type of air handler. The furnace blower moves warm building air through the evaporator coil, removing heat in the process, which results in cool air. This process converts the liquid refrigerant to vapor and returns it to the outdoor condenser coil know as the "Hot" side located in the outdoor condensing unit. The condenser coil has a fan that draws outside air across it, releasing the heat removed from indoors, and converting the refrigerant vapor back to a liquid. The compressor, the heart of the system, acts as the pump, causing the liquid and vapor refrigerant to flow through the system.

How cool should the air coming out of my registers be?

There are many variables that can effect the temperature coming out of your supply registers, such as duct system leakage, high humidity, improper refrigerant charge, dirty coils, dirty filters, ect. If a system is clean and properly tuned up our technicians like to see about a 18 to 21 degree F. temperature drop across the coil. This means the temperature coming out of the register is in direct proportion to the air temperature in your home. The warmer it is in your home, the warmer the air temperature will be coming out of the register and likewise the cooler it is in your home, the cooler the temperature will be coming out of the register. You can measure the return air temperature coming into your system, by getting a temperature reading from the cold air grille closest to your furnace and then compare it to the temperature coming out of the closest register. Allowing for heat gain in your duct system, you should see an approximate difference of 16 to 19 degrees. An example would be if the indoor air temperature at the return grille is 76 degrees, then the supply air coming out of the register should be around 57 to 60 degrees.

How low can I safely turn down my cooling thermostat?

Assuming your thermostat is calibrated properly you should never, and I will repeat never, turn your thermostat below 70 degrees in the cooling mode. Residential air conditioners are not designed to pull the temperature in your home below 70 degrees. If you turn the thermostat down below 70 degrees the indoor coil will begin to form ice on it. This ice builds up blocking the airflow across your indoor coil. This in turn causes liquid refrigerant, and not vapor refrigerant, to be pumped back to the compressor. The compressor is not designed to handle liquid refrigerant and damage can result to the bearings in the compressor. This, of course, destroys or shortens the life of the compressor, which is the heart of your system. To play it safe, I recommend your thermostat setting not be below 72 degrees. If you have any questions concerning the operation of your system or would like a free evaluation on replacing your system, give me a call anytime.

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Last modified: September 11, 2001