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Frequently Asked Questions
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Why should I purchase a new heating or air conditioning system? I realize that purchasing a heating or air conditioning system is no small matter. However, if your existing system is old, in need of repair or simply inefficient, purchasing a new unit, one which can be as much as 60% more efficient than a system purchased just 10 years ago, can turn into a long term benefit. If you would like to investigate further visit http://unitedcs.apogee.net/, they've got a few tools so you can analyze your home as it is now and it has some “what if” values you can plug in to see what would happen if you made any changes
How can I find the system that’s right for me? There are many heating and air conditioning systems to choose from today. Qualified dealers, have access to a vast degree of heating and air conditioning knowledge and experience to help you decide on the system that best fits your specific needs. The size and age of your home, as well as the number of rooms, climate, local and regional utility costs, degree days and utility incentive rebate programs are all factors that will affect the functionality and, therefore, selection of your system. Dealers, utilizing the latest technology, consider all these factors and, most importantly, your input while assisting you in choosing the best system for your home.
How do I determine the size, or capacity, of my HVAC system? Factors affecting the size of your new system include the climate in your region, humidity levels, the number of windows in your dwelling, total square footage of your home, the direction your home faces, the number of heat producing appliances in your home, the type of insulation you have and the number of people that live in your residence. Dealers can perform the proper calculations to determine the right size heating or cooling unit for your home and lifestyle.
What goes into installing a new system? If you install a new system, most of the items from the “What happens when I replace my old system?” will need to be installed as well. Beyond equipment, the most important component installed with a new system is the ductwork.
What happens when I replace my old system? To install the most efficient HVAC system in your household, a detailed inspection should first be performed by your installation contractor. The inspection by your contractor should include, as a minimum, the inspection of your home’s ductwork, insulation, refrigerant piping, electrical service, wiring, thermostat, condensate piping, flue piping, flue terminations, chimney liner, slabs, filter, driers, registers, grills, drain pans and evaporator coil.
How long will my system last? Maintenance and service play a key role in the lifecycle of a heating or air conditioning system. If all recommended maintenance and service actions are taken, it is believed that an air conditioner should last 12-15 years and a gas furnace should last from 20 to 25 years. If you're going to push your gas furnace to these extremes invest in a carbon monoxide tester. They are not that expensive and could very well save your life or the life of a family member someday. Remember carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless
Do I need to change my indoor coil? It is generally a good idea to replace the indoor coil if you are also replacing your air conditioner or heat pump. There is a correlation between the efficiency of your heating or cooling system and the performance of the indoor coil. So when you change the outdoor side of the system, you should also change the interior side of the system as well in order to maximize the efficiency and savings potential of the total system. Don't be fooled contractors often (and I do mean often) come out with an outdoor unit that has a twelve written on the side and say it is a 12 seer. That may or may not be the case. The indoor coil and metering device is pivotal to that outdoor unit achieving the efficiency it was designed to.
The system can actually be located in several different places. A system with up-flow application might be located in the basement, while a system with a horizontal application may be found in your attic. A self-contained, or single package unit, could be located outside on a slab or on the roof. Your garage could house an up-flow, down-flow or horizontal application system.
Where can I locate my air handler or furnace system? Your air handler can be located in several different places in your home the most common are in a closet in the living area or in the attic. If you live in an area where there are basements then they can be there and sometimes there are what are termed "package units" these types of systems are totally inclusive all of the operating components are inside one unit typically on the roof or outside on the ground.
What is a heat pump? A heat pump is a device used for either the heating or cooling of a space by transferring hot and cold between two reservoirs. A heat pump can act like an air conditioner, transferring heat from inside to out, or like a heater as it transfers exterior heat to the interior. A winter day with a temperature of 32º Fahrenheit still produces enough heat to warm a space when the air is transferred by heat pump.
What can I do to control the humidity levels in my home? Humidity levels can be reduced by operating a variable speed air handling system in your home. Variable speed units run longer, at lower speeds, allowing air to constantly circulate against the cooling coil and remove more moisture. Variable speed motors also use less electricity than regular motors, reducing your energy costs. These types of air handlers are more expensive and to the average Joe you would think they cost more money to run due to the fact that they will actually have the equipment run longer but due the fact that they utilize DC drive motors and are typically matched with higher efficient outdoor units you can operator your thermostat at a higher temperature due to the lower humidity levels. So, you'll be more comfortable at a higher temperature thereby saving you money on your electric bill.
What can I do before calling someone to service my system? Professional service calls can be costly, but there are some things you can do before hiring a professional to inspect your system:
What is AFUE (Gas Furnaces only)?AFUE is an abbreviation for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratio. AFUE is used to rate furnace efficiencies by dividing the ratio of heat output to heat input. This measure tells you how well your furnace is burning the fuel it is being supplied with. As the AFUE increases the efficiency of you furnace increases there by lowering the fuel costs. Furnaces manufactured in the US are required to at least have an efficiency of 80% or more. A furnace that is rated at 80% will use that percentage fuel and the other 20% percent is wasted. So the higher the percentage the more efficient the furnace will be.
What is HSPF (Heat Pumps only)? HSPF is the abbreviation for the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. This factor rates the efficient operation of the heating portion of the heat pump. As the HSPF increases, the unit functions at a more efficient level. New units in the United States have HSPF ratings from 7.0 to 9.4. The higher the number the more efficient the heat pump will be.
What is Freon R-22? R-22 is the common name for hydro-chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC). R-22 has been used as a refrigerant by HVAC manufacturers for over 40 years, but studies in the past decade have shown that HCFCs contain chlorine, an ozone-depleting agent. For this reason, the United States Clean Air Act has set a target date for January 1, 2010, on which HVAC manufacturers must cease the production of products that use R-22.
What is R-410A? R-410A is the common name for an emerging hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC) that is being used as a refrigerant in the HVAC industry. R-410A is more environmentally friendly than R-22 and is being seen as the most likely replacement for R-22 by HVAC manufacturers. At the beginning of 2010, the use of alternate refrigerant will be required in HVAC manufacturing.
What is ENERGY STAR? ENERGY STAR is a program that was created by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help businesses and individuals make energy efficient purchases.
This program places the ENERGY STAR label, a small blue and white logo, on items that meet superior energy efficiency standards. This label provides an easy way for consumers to identify quality, high efficiency products.
Consumers seeking to replace an existing system often choose a new unit with equal or higher efficiency ratings as compared to their previous system. Replacing a unit that is greater than 10 to 15 years old may reduce natural gas or electricity costs from 30 to 50%.
Contacting a dealer can help you to define your initial cost, warranty protection, service options, maintenance options and operating cost. Once you have chosen a system it is important to remember that proper installation is a major factor in maximizing its operating efficiency and your comfort level.
Ductwork is composed of two parts, supply and return. Supply duct is attached to the outflow of the new system, delivering air to each zone in a home. The amount of air reaching each zone is determined by the size of supply ductwork connecting it to your system. Your dealer will help you determine the size of all the supply ductwork in your home. The second part of the ductwork, the return duct, attaches to the inlet of the new system and draws air out of the spaces to be heated or cooled. Attached to the return duct is the filter. The filter should be placed as near to the furnace or air handler as possible. Ductwork can be either fiberglass or metal and must be properly sized in order to evenly distribute the proper amount of air to each room.
For more information about the Energy Star program, please view their website at www.energystar.gov
How can I find the system that’s right for me? There are many heating and air conditioning systems to choose from today. Qualified dealers, have access to a vast degree of heating and air conditioning knowledge and experience to help you decide on the system that best fits your specific needs. The size and age of your home, as well as the number of rooms, climate, local and regional utility costs, degree days and utility incentive rebate programs are all factors that will affect the functionality and, therefore, selection of your system. Dealers, utilizing the latest technology, consider all these factors and, most importantly, your input while assisting you in choosing the best system for your home.
How do I determine the size, or capacity, of my HVAC system? Factors affecting the size of your new system include the climate in your region, humidity levels, the number of windows in your dwelling, total square footage of your home, the direction your home faces, the number of heat producing appliances in your home, the type of insulation you have and the number of people that live in your residence. Dealers can perform the proper calculations to determine the right size heating or cooling unit for your home and lifestyle.
What goes into installing a new system? If you install a new system, most of the items from the “What happens when I replace my old system?” will need to be installed as well. Beyond equipment, the most important component installed with a new system is the ductwork.
What happens when I replace my old system? To install the most efficient HVAC system in your household, a detailed inspection should first be performed by your installation contractor. The inspection by your contractor should include, as a minimum, the inspection of your home’s ductwork, insulation, refrigerant piping, electrical service, wiring, thermostat, condensate piping, flue piping, flue terminations, chimney liner, slabs, filter, driers, registers, grills, drain pans and evaporator coil.
How long will my system last? Maintenance and service play a key role in the lifecycle of a heating or air conditioning system. If all recommended maintenance and service actions are taken, it is believed that an air conditioner should last 12-15 years and a gas furnace should last from 20 to 25 years. If you're going to push your gas furnace to these extremes invest in a carbon monoxide tester. They are not that expensive and could very well save your life or the life of a family member someday. Remember carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless
Do I need to change my indoor coil? It is generally a good idea to replace the indoor coil if you are also replacing your air conditioner or heat pump. There is a correlation between the efficiency of your heating or cooling system and the performance of the indoor coil. So when you change the outdoor side of the system, you should also change the interior side of the system as well in order to maximize the efficiency and savings potential of the total system. Don't be fooled contractors often (and I do mean often) come out with an outdoor unit that has a twelve written on the side and say it is a 12 seer. That may or may not be the case. The indoor coil and metering device is pivotal to that outdoor unit achieving the efficiency it was designed to.
The system can actually be located in several different places. A system with up-flow application might be located in the basement, while a system with a horizontal application may be found in your attic. A self-contained, or single package unit, could be located outside on a slab or on the roof. Your garage could house an up-flow, down-flow or horizontal application system.
Where can I locate my air handler or furnace system? Your air handler can be located in several different places in your home the most common are in a closet in the living area or in the attic. If you live in an area where there are basements then they can be there and sometimes there are what are termed "package units" these types of systems are totally inclusive all of the operating components are inside one unit typically on the roof or outside on the ground.
What is a heat pump? A heat pump is a device used for either the heating or cooling of a space by transferring hot and cold between two reservoirs. A heat pump can act like an air conditioner, transferring heat from inside to out, or like a heater as it transfers exterior heat to the interior. A winter day with a temperature of 32º Fahrenheit still produces enough heat to warm a space when the air is transferred by heat pump.
What can I do to control the humidity levels in my home? Humidity levels can be reduced by operating a variable speed air handling system in your home. Variable speed units run longer, at lower speeds, allowing air to constantly circulate against the cooling coil and remove more moisture. Variable speed motors also use less electricity than regular motors, reducing your energy costs. These types of air handlers are more expensive and to the average Joe you would think they cost more money to run due to the fact that they will actually have the equipment run longer but due the fact that they utilize DC drive motors and are typically matched with higher efficient outdoor units you can operator your thermostat at a higher temperature due to the lower humidity levels. So, you'll be more comfortable at a higher temperature thereby saving you money on your electric bill.
What can I do before calling someone to service my system? Professional service calls can be costly, but there are some things you can do before hiring a professional to inspect your system:
- Make sure your circuit breakers are in the ON position.
- Make sure your filters are clean.
- Open supply and return vents and make sure they are unobstructed.
- Double check both indoor and outdoor disconnect switches.
- Check the settings on your thermostat.
- Make sure the system switch is on the appropriate COOL or HEAT setting.
- Have the FAN switch on for a continuous vent.
What is AFUE (Gas Furnaces only)?AFUE is an abbreviation for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratio. AFUE is used to rate furnace efficiencies by dividing the ratio of heat output to heat input. This measure tells you how well your furnace is burning the fuel it is being supplied with. As the AFUE increases the efficiency of you furnace increases there by lowering the fuel costs. Furnaces manufactured in the US are required to at least have an efficiency of 80% or more. A furnace that is rated at 80% will use that percentage fuel and the other 20% percent is wasted. So the higher the percentage the more efficient the furnace will be.
What is HSPF (Heat Pumps only)? HSPF is the abbreviation for the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. This factor rates the efficient operation of the heating portion of the heat pump. As the HSPF increases, the unit functions at a more efficient level. New units in the United States have HSPF ratings from 7.0 to 9.4. The higher the number the more efficient the heat pump will be.
What is Freon R-22? R-22 is the common name for hydro-chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC). R-22 has been used as a refrigerant by HVAC manufacturers for over 40 years, but studies in the past decade have shown that HCFCs contain chlorine, an ozone-depleting agent. For this reason, the United States Clean Air Act has set a target date for January 1, 2010, on which HVAC manufacturers must cease the production of products that use R-22.
What is R-410A? R-410A is the common name for an emerging hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC) that is being used as a refrigerant in the HVAC industry. R-410A is more environmentally friendly than R-22 and is being seen as the most likely replacement for R-22 by HVAC manufacturers. At the beginning of 2010, the use of alternate refrigerant will be required in HVAC manufacturing.
What is ENERGY STAR? ENERGY STAR is a program that was created by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help businesses and individuals make energy efficient purchases.
This program places the ENERGY STAR label, a small blue and white logo, on items that meet superior energy efficiency standards. This label provides an easy way for consumers to identify quality, high efficiency products.
Consumers seeking to replace an existing system often choose a new unit with equal or higher efficiency ratings as compared to their previous system. Replacing a unit that is greater than 10 to 15 years old may reduce natural gas or electricity costs from 30 to 50%.
Contacting a dealer can help you to define your initial cost, warranty protection, service options, maintenance options and operating cost. Once you have chosen a system it is important to remember that proper installation is a major factor in maximizing its operating efficiency and your comfort level.
Ductwork is composed of two parts, supply and return. Supply duct is attached to the outflow of the new system, delivering air to each zone in a home. The amount of air reaching each zone is determined by the size of supply ductwork connecting it to your system. Your dealer will help you determine the size of all the supply ductwork in your home. The second part of the ductwork, the return duct, attaches to the inlet of the new system and draws air out of the spaces to be heated or cooled. Attached to the return duct is the filter. The filter should be placed as near to the furnace or air handler as possible. Ductwork can be either fiberglass or metal and must be properly sized in order to evenly distribute the proper amount of air to each room.
For more information about the Energy Star program, please view their website at www.energystar.gov