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 What
you need to know about air conditioning Air conditioning is one of those amenities easy to take for granted
if you have it. On a hot, humid summer afternoon, easy to yearn
for if you don't. No matter how wonderful the home, convenient
the design, or splendid the view, it will all be useless if you
are not comfortable.
Adding an Air 1 Heating cooling system is one of the smartest investments
you can make for your home. The right cooling system, installed
the right way, brings a new level of comfort to your summer living.
But the wrong system can bring you frustration and lead to high
operating and maintenance costs.
Air conditioning does more than cool the air, it also “conditions” the
air by removing dust and dirt as the air is drawn through a filter.
Air conditioning also lowers the humidity, making the air more
comfortable. Because an air conditioner is such a sizable investment,
you can save money and energy by carefully purchasing and operating
your air conditioner.
Size
A bigger air conditioner is not always better. A unit that is too
large will not cool an area uniformly, and could cool an area too
quickly, causing the air conditioner to frequently turn on and
off, wasting electricity and money. Also, it will not run long
enough to reduce humidity, so instead of feeling comfortable, the
air will feel cold and clammy at the normal thermostat setting.
Whereas a unit that is too small will run constantly on hot days
and still not be able to cool the area adequately.
In sizing an air conditioner for your home, Air 1 Heating considers
many variables, including the dimensions of the areas to be cooled,
how the areas are used, the size of your household, your frequency
of using heat-producing appliances, and summer humidity levels.
Efficiency
When deciding between air conditioners with similar features, capacities,
and prices, energy efficiency should be the deciding factor. Energy
efficient units may be higher priced, but cost less to operate,
and can return back the extra initial cost many times during their
lifetime.
The SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) is the BTU
(British Thermal Unit) of cooling output during a typical cooling-season
divided by the total electric energy input in watt-hours (W-h)
during the same period. This is expressed by the formula: SEER
= BTU ÷ W-h. The higher the SEER
rating of a unit, the more energy efficient it is. Considerable
energy savings can be obtained from more efficient systems. For
example by upgrading from a SEER 9 to SEER 13 system, the power
consumption is reduced by 30%. This can result in a substantial
annual energy savings depending on your usage rate and the cost
of electricity.
Installation
Having a properly engineered and carefully installed system is
very important. An air conditioner installed improperly, such as
the ducts not properly insulated, will waste energy, even one with
a very high efficiency rating.
Cost
When comparing different installation estimates on their cost consider
the following. There are four costs that make
up the total cost of owning and operating
an air conditioning system.
Initial Investment: Without
being properly informed, it is easy to look at the initial cost
on estimates you have been provided and just choose
an installer based on it. However,
what actually needs to be considered is the lifetime cost of
the system, as this deciding factor will cost you
more money in the end.
Operating Cost: The operating cost of the system is
what you will be paying to the utility company for the next
ten or more years. Here are some of the items that will affect
your operating cost:
- Equipment selected and equipment’s
ratings
- Installation material used and installation procedures
- Installer training and skill level and experience of the
installers
- Supervision of the job
- Condition and sizing of the present or replaced ductwork
Many homeowners for example assume choosing a 13 SEER air conditioning
system results in a 13 SEER system installed. This is not always
the case. It would be fairly easy for a contractor to install 13
SEER equipment, but deliver a 10 SEER system. Numerous areas affect
the system during installation. Is the refrigerant copper properly
sized? Is the refrigerant copper soldered so it does not leak?
Is the refrigerant charge exactly correct? Is the air properly
filtered? Are there any air leaks in the ductwork? Is the ductwork
properly sized?
Repair and Maintenance Cost: Many of the areas
that affect the operating cost also affect the repair and maintenance
cost. The experience and skill level of the installers play a
large part in the repair and maintenance cost. An example is
an installer that allows dirt and moisture to get into the open
refrigerant piping; this can result later in a failed compressor.
Future Replacement Cost: Any air conditioning
system, regardless of the equipment chosen and how well it is
installed, will eventually need to be replaced. The difference,
of course, is how long the system will operate before needing
replacement. For example, a system properly engineered and carefully
installed may last for 15 years, whereas another system may last
only nine years.
 Want to know more on the basics of air conditioning systems? Watch
this video.
Air
1 Heating has installed hundreds of central air systems in homes
throughout Puget Sound. With our skilled technicians, exceptional
service, and reasonable prices, our company and its employees are
committed to your satisfaction.
Adding air conditioning to your
home can be a good investment, make it a great one with a system
from Air 1 Heating. A good
night’s sleep is just a phone call away.
Call us today at 360.829.5159 to
arrange for a no-obligation evaluation of your cooling needs and
a FREE estimate.
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