- More than 75% of all light commercial air conditioners are in need of service to reach maximum efficiencies. After planned maintenance, the equipment run time can be reduced by an average of 2.7 hours per day.
- Reduced airflow can waste more than $60.00 of electricity per month. A dirty evaporator blower wheel could double running time.
- Up to 80% of all compressor failures are caused by something external to the compressor.
- 1/100 inch of dirt on an evaporator coil can increase operating costs 5%.
- A 23% refrigerant undercharge can cause up to a 52% efficiency loss.
- Depending on the severity, when maintenance has been poor or nonexistent, a savings of more than $100 per rated ton may be possible with equipment running at peak efficiency.
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- Limit the loss of expensive heated air to the outside by using kitchen, bath and other exhaust fans sparingly.
- Keep fireplace dampers tightly closed.
- Draft-proof your home by sealing windows and doors with caulking or weather-stripping.
- Lower your thermostat settings. For each degree you turn down your thermostat, you can save about 3% on your heating bills. Consider the comfort and convenience of an automatic changeover, programmable thermostat.
- Keep your heating equipment operating efficiently. Have your air filter cleaned or replaced monthly* and check exposed ductwork for any air leaks annually. *Note: some high efficiency air filters do not need to be changed as frequently as the “cheap” throw away filters. Consult your heating service professional to see which air filters are right for you. Keep the heating system well tuned with planned maintenance by a service professional.
- Insulate your attic floor or top floor ceiling to reduce heat loss from the building.
- Consider installing storm windows and doors.
- If you are ready to make your home more efficient, contact us and ask about our free energy saving efficiency analysis.
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- What does SEER mean? – SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the measure of efficiency by which the cooling process of air conditioner and heat pumps is rated. The higher the SEER number, the greater the equipment efficiency, which means greater energy savings. Today, United States regulatory agencies mandate a minimum efficiency rating of 13 SEER in all air conditioning equipment.
- What is the life expectancy of equipment? – The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) rate equipment life based on median years. Most existing comfort systems have a lifetime of 15 years or less. As your equipment ages, the efficiencies decrease dramatically. You may notice your equipment get noisier and needing more frequent repairs.
- How can I reduce allergens and contaminants indoors? – Indoor Air Quality is a concern in every home or office. Consider having a professional contractor install an Electronic Air Cleaner, a Ultra-Violet germicidal lamp, or a whole house humidifier to reduce allergens and other irritants while creating a comfortable living or working environment.
- Should I repair or replace my existing system? – There are several questions to consider when deciding to replace or repair your existing equipment.
1. How old is your system? – If your system is more than ten years old, it may be wiser to invest in a higher efficiency system, which could potentially cut your energy costs up to 40%.
2. Is the cost of repairing the older, inefficient system comparable to the cost of a new system replacement?
3. How often does your system operate? – The more extreme our temperatures get, the more often the comfort system needs to run to maintain indoor temperatures. The older equipment will cost more to run and run for longer periods to try and condition the space.
4. Are you planning on moving soon? – A higher efficiency system can increase the value of the home or business, working as a strong selling point to potential buyers. If you are not moving, the higher efficiency systems can provide increased comfort and lower your utility bills for future comfort. |
- If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. – Even seemingly normal running systems can be operating at costly low efficiencies, with safety issues that may not be immediately apparent. A furnace with a cracked heat exchanger will run normally but may be emitting dangerous, odorless carbon monoxide into the home.
- Indoor Air Quality isn’t important. – Every home and business suffers from indoor air quality issues, ranging in severity of the potential problems. Aprilaire states: “The Environmental Protection Agency has reported that indoor air quality can be up to 100 times worse than the air outside.” A cubic foot of indoor air can contain as many as 30 million pollutant particles that can trigger allergies, cause headaches, lung irritation, fatigue, and can contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. Dry air can also create many problems including dry, scratchy skin, throat irritations, dry noses, and static shock. A home that isn’t humidified properly can also result in wood floor separation, cracked walls and ceilings, and can shrink window frames and doors, resulting in gaps that make the space less energy efficient.
- Changing the air filter or water panel is the only service needed. - Changing the air filter or humidifier water panel is crucial for the comfort systems to run properly, but additional service is also needed. Like a car, there are many other components and parts that should be checked to insure proper, safe, efficient operation of all your comfort equipment.
- Service Contracts cost too much. – Planned maintenance contracts allow for the service technicians to adjust your comfort system for maximum efficiencies, saving you money on your utility bills. Planned maintenance service can literally ‘pay for itself’ in energy efficiency savings alone, not to mention reduced flat rate pricing on any needed repair.
- The lowest price contractor is the best option. – Sometimes the lowest rate is the best option, however, price is usually of indication of quality. It costs more to have higher efficiency equipment, highly trained service personnel, and reliable products and services. Often the lowest price does not cover all the services you would like or need, resulting in additional charges before all the work can be completed. Lowest price companies often don’t calculate their true cost of running a service company, meaning they can offer the lowest prices, but not for very long. An independent study showed that over 40% of HVAC businesses advertised in the Colorado Springs Yellow Book had gone out of business over a five-year period. The lowest price companies were no longer in business to honor extended warranties or provide services for the equipment they installed. The saying is true: “You get what you pay for”.
- All service companies are the same. – Every contractor has different employees and equipment meaning that the finished result of your service call will change with each company. Different service technicians mean different levels of experience and training. Some recommended questions to ask when choosing your contractor are:
1.Are you locally licensed?
2. Are you fully insured?
3. What are your standard warranties?
4. Do you offer service plans and extended warranties?
5. Do you offer 24-hour emergency service?
6. Can you provide at least three references?
7. How long have you been in business?
8. Do you provide up-front flat rate pricing or do you charge by the hour?
9. Do you stock reputable parts and equipment?
10. Do you offer financing or payment plans?
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