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Are air conditioners and heat pumps efficiency rated? |
| Yes. Central systems are rated by the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). Many older systems now in use have SEERs of 6 or below By 1994, the average SEER for all units shipped by manufacturers in the U.S. improved to 10.61 for central air conditioners and 10.94 for central heat pumps. The higher the rating, the more efficient the system. Today the min.SEER for all units in the U.S. jumped to 13. |
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Can homeowners repair their own air conditioners? |
| In most cases, definitely not. Cooling systems today are more complicated to service and usually require expert attention in order to comply with federal regulations, such as the Clean Air Act which prohibits releasing refrigerants into the atmosphere. An EPA-certified air conditioning contractor or service technician should be called at the first sign of trouble |
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How can a homeowner tell if a contractor's price is fair? |
| Mostly by comparing bids from several contractors, and possibly checking the local Better Business Bureau to be sure the contractor has a good reputation. |
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How can I get a high efficiency system that will have minimum operational costs? |
| Manufacturers publish equipment efficiency ratings which are available to your contractor. ARI also publishes directories indicating various energy efficiency ratings of specific equipment. It is important that a contractor install a unit that has just the right capacity to cool your home. Units with excess capacity will cycle on and off and work less efficiently, thus increasing your operating costs. |
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How do I go about shopping for a new system? |
| Ask friends and neighbors about the types of systems they have, how much they cost, how long they've had them, and how satisfied they are with them. Then ask for recommendations as to brands and local contractors, or ask several different contractors to take a thorough look at your home, evaluate your overall comfort needs, and recommend the best system for you. Look at all indoor climate control options-the entire spectrum of heating, cooling, air filtration, and humidification equipment |
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How does an air conditioner work? |
| An air conditioner transfers heat-from the inside of a building, where it is not wanted, to the outside. Refrigerant in the system absorbs the excess heat and is pumped through a closed system of piping to an outside coil. A fan blows outside air over the hot coil, transferring heat from the refrigerant to the outdoor air. Because the heat is removed from the indoor air, the indoor area is cooled |
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How easy is it to install central air conditioning in an older home? |
| Often it is fairly simple, particularly if the older home has existing duct work or plenty of room for adding duct work. Homes without air conditioning ducts can consider non-ducted systems which also provide the advantage of cooling only selected areas very effectively. An important consideration is how well the older home is sealed and insulated |
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If I buy a new system, what is the best kind of control unit? |
| If you want flexibility to program your temperature changes, a computerized thermostat will probably be best. Manually-perated control systems allow you to select a temperature setting which your unit will maintain. |
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If my air conditioner is no longer cooling properly, what is the most likely problem? |
| It could be as simple as replacing a fuse, resetting a circuit breaker or checking to see if the thermostat is set properly. If an electrical problem isn't the cause, the refrigerant may be low if the system still runs but does not cool properly. This can be corrected by having an EPA-certified technician add necessaryrefrigerant. Most likely, if the problem involves any major part, such as the compressor, you would hear strange noises similar to those of any mechanical equipment not running correctly, or the unit might not run at all. |
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Is central air conditioning better than window units? |
| This depends largely on individual circumstances-- for example, how large is the area to be air conditioned, how large is the family, what temperatures are required, how well the house is insulated, where the house is located, etc. Central systems require internal ducting; window units take up valuable window space. In many cases, if more than three large rooms need air conditioning, it is best to consider central air conditioning. Your contractor can advise you |
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Is there any law or rule covering air conditioning efficiency ratings? |
| Yes. The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987(Public Law 100-12) sets national standards for residential air-cooled central air conditioners and air-source central heat pumps The NAECA provides for a federal minimum standard of 10.0 seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) for split-system air conditioners and heat pumps, effective Jan. 1, 1992, and 9.7 SEER for single-package air conditioners and heat pumps, effective Jan. 1, 1993. Today all systems must be a min. of 13 SEER. |
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Should I augment my central air conditioning system with other air conditioners or ceiling fans? |
| If you need to use other air conditioners with a central air conditioning system, your central system probably is undersized or the air distribution system is imbalanced. Window air conditioners or split ductless systems may be used in rooms that lack air ducts.
Ceiling fans can be a good idea with some indoor comfort systems because they circulate air that tends to stagnate at the top of rooms with high ceilings |
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Should I replace both my outdoor condensing unit (which includes the compressor) and the indoor coil on my central air conditioning system at the same time? |
| In most instances, yes. Matching a new condensing unit with a new coil is the only reliable way to be certain you are going to get the rated efficiency of the new equipment. Matching a new, high SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) condensing unit with an old indoor coil probably would not result in optimum efficiency. |
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Some basic rules to follow for keeping cool at minimum cost. |
- Caulk, weather-strip, and insulate (especially the attic) to close air gaps.
- Plan hot work (washing and drying clothes, baking, cooking) for cooler morning and evening hours.
- Pull drapes and shades over windows facing the sun.
- Keep windows and doors closed when the air conditioning is on.
- Use a thermostat control to automatically increase or decrease home temperatures for daytime/nighttime differences to save money.
- Set thermostat control at highest comfortable level-- each degree raised reduces energy consumption by 3-4 percent.
- Clean or replace air filters regularly.
- With a new system, consider a service contract for a specified period of time.
- Keep the outside unit free of leaves or other airflow obstructions.
- Have the air conditioning unit cleaned each spring.
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What are the advantages of buying a system with a high SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio)? |
| You will use less energy to cool your house, resulting in lower electric bills. Sometimes the savings are enough to partially or fully offset the cost of the new equipment within a few years. In all cases, it's an individual calculation which the homeowner should figure out with the contractor of choice. |
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What is a heat pump? |
| A heat pump is like a conventional air conditioner except it also can provide heat in winter. In the summer, the heat pump collects heat from the house and expels it outside. In the winter, the heat pump extracts heat from outside air and circulates it inside the house. The heat pump works best when the outdoor temperature is above freezing. Below that, supplementary heat often is needed. A heat pump can save 30 to 60 percent less energy to supply the same heat when compared to an electric furnace with a resistance heating element |
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What is the average life of a central air conditioning system? |
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It can vary, depending on how much the system is used and how regularly it is checked or serviced. Generally, the average life of cooling units built in the 1970s and 1980s is about 15 years, but individual units may vary and last much longer, depending on use and how well they are maintained. Heat pumps have about the same life-span-- an ARI survey showed average heat pump life to be about 14 years when recommended maintenance procedures were followed. Newer units are expected to last even longer. |
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What is the best type of system to meet all indoor comfort needs? |
| The best system depends on many variables, including family size, house location and design, and utility cost and availability. The optimum indoor comfort system might include high efficiency central air conditioning and heating, a high-efficiency air cleaner, and a central humidifier. |
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What should I do in advance to make sure that my air conditioning system will work efficiently this summer? |
| The main thing is to have the system checked each year before the peak cooling season-- by a qualified contractor or service technician. Then, remember to keep the air filter clean and the outdoor unit free of leaves and debris |
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When do I know it's time to replace my system? |
| When the system starts giving you more problems than seem cost-ffective to fix, particularly when major components such as the compressor start making unusual noises or otherwise indicating need for a service call. When faced with major repairs, consult several contractors for their recommendations. Replacing a compressor is somewhat less expensive than replacing the entire unit, but new units may give you greater efficiency and lower operating costs in the long run. |
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When is the best time to buy an air conditioner? |
| Like most items, in the off-season. That's when contractors have more time to spend with you determining exactly the best options you would want to consider for your individual needs |
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Which is better-- letting a central cooling system wear out before replacing it, or replacing it at some point before it wears out? |
| Because newer equipment usually is more energy efficient than older central air conditioning or heat pump systems, you might actually save money by replacing your old system before it completely wears out. Contact local contractors and ask for their estimates. In some cases, the money you save in reduced utility costs might pay back your purchase price of a new system years earlier than you might think. |
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