If you own a heat pump or air conditioner that has not been
replaced in more than 10-15 years, you should consider replacing the unit with
a high-efficiency heat pump or air conditioner rather than continuing to only
repair the unit. In the long run, this
will save you money in repair costs and through the energy efficiency savings
provided by the new unit. Installing an
energy efficient unit will also help protect the environment, reduce
electricity usage, and preserve our natural resources.
Cooling System Types
Many homes operate with a central air conditioning system,
meaning that the portion of the unit providing the cooling is connected to a
system of ducts that circulate air throughout the home. You have many factors to consider such as what
cooling/heating source to use:
Heat Pumps offer
electric cooling/heating and are a common choice of system in many Arizona
homes.
Air Conditioners unlike
heat pumps that transfer air in both directions to cool/heat your home, it pumps air in one direction; hot air is pumped outside of your home
in the summer. It is possible to have an
AC system with a gas pack where the heating portion is fueled by gas and the
cooling portion is electrically powered. The heating portion is still commonly
referred to as a furnace.
Geothermal
converts ground heat into home cooling/heating through a geothermal heat
pump. This is a highly energy efficient,
renewable source of home cooling/heating and can be combined with solar heating
to increase energy efficiency even more.
Split vs Packaged Units
A split system means that the indoor air handler portion of
the unit is located separately from the evaporative coil and outdoor condenser. This is a common arrangement in many
homes. A packaged unit is when the
condenser and evaporative coil are together and typically located on the roof
of a home and connect to the inside through ductwork.
SEER Rating
SEER is "Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio" – It is
a measure of the efficiency of a heat pump or AC system over a typical summer
season. The higher this rating is, the
more energy efficient the unit is.
EER Rating
EER is "Energy Efficiency Ratio" – It is a measure
of the efficiency of a heat pump or AC system during high temperature
conditions. In Arizona's hot summers,
EER is an important measure of efficiency during hot summer days. The higher
this rating is, the more energy efficient the unit is.
HSPF Rating
HSPF is “Heating Season Performance Factor” - It measures
how efficiently heat pumps will function while heating over an entire cold
weather season.
Unit Sizing
Determining the proper size of AC unit(s) for your home is
an essential part of the selection process, both for the type of unit you want
to purchase and the contractor you decide to hire for the installation. Contractors should calculate how much cooling
your home needs by performing a load calculation based on Manual J, an industry accepted guideline for
properly sizing a unit for your home. Installing
a larger AC for your home than is needed can cause the unit to cycle on more
frequently, collect excess condensation (moisture), and overwork the electrical
components in the system, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the
unit. Larger units are also noisier
which may be noticeable in smaller spaces.
Pricing and Models
Cooling system unit prices vary greatly based on a variety
of factors including brand, size, and energy efficiency. Discuss with your AC contractor what options
are best for your budget and needs.
Manufacturers will occasionally offer rebates for certain units and
additional rebates and tax credits may be available through your local utility
or government organizations.
If you are thinking of installing a new system or having
your existing system upgraded, call the Arizona Heat Pump Council at 602-248-7767 or 800-368-7767
for a free referral to a licensed, reputable contractor.
Comments
Post a Comment