What Makes On Air Conditioner Better Than The Other

24  Bobby McBobberson  
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What makes one air conditioner better than the other? Is a specific brand of air conditioner worse than the other? Is a high-efficiency system better than a low-efficiency one? What is the factor that can make a system successful or unsuccessful?

When people decide that they require to replace their air conditioning unit or need to buy a new unit, they may start by conducting an online search for a dealer that deals with the brand name with which they are most familiar. Sometimes, they may select a dealer that is closest to them. The chances are that they might seek the recommendations of their friends.

 

Lessons About HVAC

First, here are a few lessons on air conditioners. Only a handful of companies manufacture the compressor that is the heart of the unit. The chances are bright that brands A, B, or C will all have the identical compressor brand. Additionally, the coil configurations of many brands of ACs are fundamentally the same. So, hardly any difference over here too.

The physical sizes per ton are very similar too. The indoor units are often so similar that you have to examine the label to find out who manufactured them. Often the same assembly line is used to manufacture different brands, and then different labels are fixed to the units as required to fulfill the requirements of a specific company.

The human factor is the essential part of the installation of an air conditioning system. Does the technician that looks at your house and determines the unit’s size have any knowledge of what they are doing? If you called X company, and their technician asks you about your home’s square footage and afterward told you you needed unit Y, you can be sure that it is the last time you talk with them. This is not the correct way of doing a proper installation. If the salesperson came out of your home and stood across the street holding up three fingers and then informed you that you required a three-ton unit, ignore them.

A complete heat loss/gain calculation is required to properly determine the air conditioning or heating unit’s size. Some experience is helpful to do this properly, and complex numbers are essential. The r-value of the house’s insulation is required. The window and door sizes are extremely vital. The condition of the windows and doors play a crucial role. The window’s orientation can also make a huge difference. Large windows facing southwards can increase a cooling load by tons. The area where the building is located will also be a huge factor. A house in Maine will need to have less cooling than a home in Florida. Therefore, insist on a detailed heat gain/ loss calculation with every quotation. They will vary a bit from program to program and from the differences in the human input to the programs. After seeing a few different models, you should get a good idea of what you need. Go with the average and throw out the extremes.

How Installation Can Determine The Life Span Of AC

Artistry is another factor that is very important to think about. Installed incorrectly, the best air conditioning system will remain a piece of junk. If the copper piping from the air handler to the condenser is not installed properly or not sized correctly, the system will not last long or work properly. The ductwork quality, which distributes the cooling and heating to the building, is even more important. In case the tape holding the joints together comes apart, the ductwork will leak and lead to cooling or heating of unwanted areas, including the exterior of the home. That will play mayhem with your system’s efficiency. Therefore, ensure that the artistry on the ductwork is of the best standards. On many occasions, it can be extremely problematic to fix leaking ductwork at all after the installation. You should expect good quality ac repairs to happen. The same applies to ductwork in metal. Metal, if it is not formed or installed correctly, can also have many leaks. I have viewed numerous hack jobs over the years with both metal and duct board.

My air conditioning and heating systems experience has taught me that a poor installation can ruin even the best equipment. You might have to spend time to find a suitable contractor to do your installation job. It would be best if you had the patience to get the contractor to do the best work. In the end, the wait will be worth it. Even if a good contractor charges a higher price to install your air conditioning system, it will be worth it in the end. You will save a lot in reduced energy costs over the lifetime of the system. Therefore, always opt for a good and reputable contractor for your air conditioner installation job.

Choosing An Air Conditioner That is Energy Efficient

16  Bobby McBobberson  
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It may seem somewhat overwhelming when it comes to picking out the right central air conditioning for your home’s HVAC system. There are plenty of factors that you must consider in terms of price, performance and efficiency. The market is filled with different types of air conditioning systems. Not only do they come in various sizes, but they do not provide the same performance results or have the same installation requirements. They all have different features that can work with different types of homes. This is why its stressful to pick out the right one for your home.

The Chill Cycle

A central air conditioner has many important parts that help it to function, such as a condenser, compressor and evaporator. An air conditioner works to recycle refrigerant by using changing levels of pressure. This refrigerant starts as a low pressured gas, goes through the exterior unit and transforms into a gas that is high pressure.

Then the refrigerant goes through the air conditioner’s condenser. The condenser’s fan then cools down the gas and changes it into a liquid that is high pressure. At this point, this liquid refrigerant goes through your home’s interior tubes to end up in the HVAC unit. Before this, refrigerant gets to the evaporator; it must first go through the expansion valve, which decreases its flow. The expansion valve allows the refrigerant to change to a gas, which gets to a temperature of 7 degrees Celsius because the air blows over the evaporator. The liquid refrigerant then moves to the air conditioner’s exterior unit as a low-pressure gas with a lower temp. Then the chill cycle starts all over again.

The chilled coil cools down the air in an air conditioner. This cool air is then cycled all over your home. An air conditioning system won’t stop running until the temperature on its thermostat is reached. If humidity is detected in the air, the coil changes it into water. This water drops into a condensation pan. Thus, an air conditioner works to both cool down and dehumidify your home. Ultimately, this keeps your home very cool and comfortable for you and your family.

Yes, Size Matters

Why is size so important when it comes to your home’s air conditioning system? The only way to get the best air conditioning results is to choose the right size air conditioner. An Energy Management Consultant can help you to choose and set up the right size unit for your home. The following factors are a few things that determine the right size of air conditioner your home needs:

The total live space of your home. Square footage is not the most important deciding factor in terms of size:

  • How many of the exterior walls of your home are exposed to the sun?
  • How old are your windows?
  • How many windows does your home have?
  • What is the orientation of your home’s windows?
  • In which direction do your home’s windows face? (Do they face south?)
  • How much sunshine does your home receive?
  • What is the condition of the windows in your home?
  • Is your home’s ventilation system up to par?
  • Is your home’s ductwork in good condition?
  • How much of your home is shaded by trees, scrubs or other structures?

As you can see, there are so many factors that determine what size Pinellas Park air conditioning system is needed for your home. And yes, size is very important in this situation.

If you get an air conditioning system that is too big, your home’s structure won’t be properly cooled. This also includes things inside of your home, such as walls and your furniture. This is especially worrisome if humidity builds up in your home. This is because the air conditioner will constantly work to remove humidity and never turn off.

On the flip side, if you get an air conditioning system that isn’t large enough, it will never turn off. This means you’ll not only waste energy but also pay too much in energy costs.

Size: The Meaning of SEER and TON

Two different air conditioners may have the same tonnage, but this does not mean they have the same SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. This means that they have different energy efficiency ratings. Research various air conditioning units and find the right tonnage for your home. Make sure it has the highest SEER rating that you can afford. A higher rating means that you won’t use as much energy. Even a small difference in rating could either save or cost more. The best systems will have a SEER rating between 12 and 23. They are considered to be Energy Star efficient.

When it comes to owning a home, air conditioning makes it so much better. Although it may be considered a convenience, seek the advice of a professional who can help you get the most bang for your buck. These experts should have installation and design experience and know which air conditioning systems work best for your home. They can choose the right size so that you won’t waste energy and spend loads of money.

Do not waste money on an incorrectly sized HVAC system. Get advice from the right energy experts and ensure your home is energy efficient.

Why You Need To Know Your Air Conditioning Contractor

13  Bobby McBobberson  
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Making sure your building’s air conditioner is in perfect working order is one of the most important tasks for any building manager. To avoid taking chances on the well being of the air conditioning system, make a point of getting to know your local A/C contractor. When you interview potential contractors, keep in mind the following:

1) Insurance and Licensing

Different states have differing and often rigorous requirements for air conditioning contractors, and having a valid license means your contractor has met them. You also have the backing of your state if a contractor is licensed but they end up doing work that isn’t acceptable. At least $300,000 in liability insurance must be carried in MD and the technician must be listed on the insurance certificate, if that technician is performing contracted work. The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation in your state can provide more information on this.

2) References

A list of customers they recently worked for should be provided to you by any reputable air conditioning contractor when asked. Try to talk to at least some of the names on that list to get an idea of how happy they were with the work, and the way the company operates. Some questions to ask might include whether any problems or delays were taken care of efficiently, whether the work was completed in the projected time, and whether the customer was 100 percent satisfied.

3) Designations

Lennox and other major manufacturers have a program that involves technicians undergoing further training and meeting higher standards of customer service. This ‘Premier dealer’ title, as its known, means that a technician is more knowledgeable and up to date with different systems. That’s important because most contractors work with a variety of different systems and brands by a range of manufacturers.

4) Written Estimates

Any good contractor should provide you with a clear and easy to understand written estimate. The overall scope of a project can be documented by means of a written estimate, according to the well known review site, Angie’s List.

5) Assumptions

A good air conditioning contractor will take measurements to ensure that your system is efficient, and won’t just make the assumption that your existing A/C unit was sized properly.

6) Guarantees

A guarantee on the work that has just been carried out should be offered by any reliable contractor, and of course you should also have the benefit of a manufacturer’s warranty on any unit you buy. A 100 percent satisfaction guarantee is also provided to customers by most contractors, and is valid for a specific length of time.

7) Maintenance Contracts

Although having your air conditioner installed properly is important, making sure it is maintained and repaired as needed is just as essential. Make sure your air conditioning technician explains the maintenance contract to you clearly; it should specify the number of service calls included each year, and exactly what else is included.

It’s desirable to have a good working relationship with your chosen air conditioning contractor, and following the tips above can help you to choose someone reliable, honest and experienced. Here at Dave’s Cooling & Heating, we always out the customer first and we would love to talk to you about your air conditioning needs.

Bobs Cooling & Heating

8  Bobby McBobberson  

We’ll get your comfort where you want it, no matter which service you need. We offer professional heating, air conditioning and duct solutions. We’re not a fly-by-night HVAC company; we are here to serve you the way you to deserve to be served. Our professional services are only one call away.

What we do is straightforward: We are here to provide high quality heating and cooling service. We do this through every service you might need as a homeowner. This includes professional installations, repairs and maintenance. If there’s something we can do to help you, we’re already listening. We hold our values of honesty and dependability close, and it shows with every service we provide. We appreciate the San Antonio community, and we like to show it.