What Are High-End Air Conditioners?

When you’re looking for a way to combat the summer heat without having high cooling costs, look for a high-end air conditioner. Its upgraded standard features increase its energy efficiency and your comfort.The U.S. Department of Energy requires all HVAC equipment to be evaluated for energy efficiency. They measure the efficiency of central air conditioners by testing them over a simulated cooling season and measure the amount of electricity they use.The minimum stands energy efficiency rating stands at 14 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) for air conditioners in Oklahoma. A high-end A/C will have a 15 SEER rating and higher. It may also carry the familiar Energy Star logo. High-end HVAC systems do cost more initially but make up for their high price in lower energy bills and reduced maintenance costs.The features to look for in high-end air conditioners and heat pumps to look for that that increase the SEER include:

Dual-speed compressor.

Such a compressor can adjust its running speed from low to high, depending on how much cooling your home needs. The compressor uses the most electricity of any other air conditioner part. When it runs on low, it uses less power, which saves you money.

Variable-speed air handler.

A variable-speed motor in the air handler will blow the air throughout your home at different speeds based on its need for cooling. They also ramp up and slow down slowly. The longer running time distributes all the cooled air from the ductwork that would otherwise be wasted.

Zoning systems.

A zoning system lets you control the temperatures individually in each room of your home. They use dampers in the ductwork and individual thermostats so that each area of your home will be a comfortable temperature, instead of having a single thermostat setting for the entire home. Zoning eliminates hot and cold spots throughout the house.Because summers are hot and fairly long in this region, a high-end air conditioner will pay for itself in lower energy costs and greater comfort. For more information, contact Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Central A/C Features to Keep in Mind When Looking for a New System

Central air conditioners tend to have long life spans of 10 to 15 years on average, but sooner or later, the time comes for A/C replacement. If your cooling system is nearing the end of its days, the following advice can help you understand what central A/C features to look for when you're shopping for a new system.

The Right Size

A system sized too large for a home's cooling load will short cycle, running inefficiently and failing to remove moisture. The home's occupants will feel clammy and need to turn the thermostat down to keep comfortable. A system sized too small will run continuously, straining to meet thermostat settings.Both situations overwork parts and can lead to breakdowns and potential system failures. Get the right size by insisting your contractor use Manual J software to determine cooling load, Manual D software for ductwork, and Manual S to determine the size of the cooling system.

SEER

SEER is an acronym for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. The minimum SEER mandated for air conditioners by the Environmental Protection Agency is currently 14 for systems manufactured after Jan. 1, 2015, and 13 for systems manufactured prior. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment, as long as it's sized and installed properly. Use SEER to guide you when comparing similar models.

Quiet Operation

Noisy air conditioners that cycle on with a rumble and a bang are annoying and can interfere with sleep and entertainment. Look for brands and models known for quiet operation, and use consumer ratings and reviews to guide you or ask your contractor for recommendations.

Desirable Features

Modern air conditioners offer a number of convenient and efficient features. Some have a thermal expansion valve to modulate refrigerant flow for greater efficiency, or a variable speed air handler. A fan-only switch allows homeowners to turn on ventilation and reduce A/C use.

For more on central A/C features, contact Air Assurance. We've been providing our Broken Arrow customers quality HVAC service since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “James J. Flanigan/Shutterstock”

When Shopping for a New A/C, Pick One With a Variable-Speed Air Handler

One technological advancement that has significantly increased energy efficiency in central cooling and heating systems in recent years is variable and multi-stage operation in air handlers, compressors and furnaces. If you're shopping for a new A/C this summer, you'll want to select one with a variable-speed air handler

.What Is a Variable-Speed Air Handler?

In a split-system air conditioner or heat pump, the air handler is the component that blows air across the evaporator coil and then circulates conditioned air through the house before drawing it back into the system. In cold winter climates, the furnace blower often serves as the A/C air handler. When the air is blown across the evaporator coil, heat energy is removed, along with humidity contained in the air. This creates cooling comfort in your home.A standard air handler has only two modes of operation: off and 100 percent on. This means it operates for a short period until the home is cooled, then shuts down until it receives the signal to turn on again. In a variable-speed air handler, the motor adapts its speed to conditions in the home. It will typically ramp up to full operation until the thermostat setting is achieved, then slow down to continuous, low-level operation to maintain that temperature. It doesn't short-cycle like it does with a standard air handler.

What Are the Advantages?

• Energy savings: Low-speed continuous operation uses less energy than stop-and-start high-speed operation. The technology in a variable-speed air handler motor is also intrinsically more efficient than an old-style standard motor.

• Improved comfort: The continuous operation allows for better air circulation in the home with fewer hot and cold spots.

• Quieter operation: Low-speed continuous operation makes less noise than the stop-and-start racket of a standard air handler.

• Superior humidity control and air filtration: When the system is running steadily without stopping, household air runs through the system many more times in a day. This allows for more air filtration and humidity removal.

To discuss upgrading your Tulsa area home's air conditioning system with a variable-speed air handler, please contact us today at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “GSPhotography/Shutterstock”

Yes, High-Efficiency A/C Saves You Money, But There Are Other Benefits Too

Yes, High-Efficiency A/C Saves You Money, But There Are Other Benefits Too

High-efficiency A/C upgrades are becoming more popular every day in the Tulsa area, with more and more homeowners taking advantage of not only the energy savings these new systems provide but also the other benefits they bring. According to government data, today's high-efficiency A/C systems, with SEER ratings that eclipse those of just a decade ago, could save you as much as 40 percent in operational costs compared to what you're now using to cool your northeastern Oklahoma home.

SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a measurement of cooling capacity. It represents the amount of heat that's removed by a specific A/C system while consuming one watt of electrical energy. Higher numbers equate to higher efficiency, with many experts considering a high-efficiency A/C as having a SEER rating of at least 16.

The enhancements available on today's A/C systems are a big part of what contributes to their increased efficiency, while simultaneously adding benefits that promote a higher level of indoor air comfort for you and your family. They include:

• Variable-speed air handler – this allows your system to run at a lower speed when cooling demand is lower, causing an even, steady cooling effect with fewer temperature fluctuations.

• Thermal expansion valve – regulates refrigerant flow to the indoor coils, responding to changing cooling requirements. This valve promotes an even cooling environment, regardless of changing demands, and also protects your equipment from damage if the refrigerant level falls below the recommended level.

• Higher-quality manufacturing of today's equipment translates to longer life expectancy, fewer breakdowns and less need for repairs.

• Fan-only mode - lets you provide nighttime ventilation without air cooling, increasing comfort while lowering energy consumption.

• Two-stage compressor - allows the system to run at reduced power when cooling demand is reduced, providing for quieter operation.

• Automatic fan-delay – keeps the fan running for several minutes after compressor shutdown, allowing for continued cooling at reduced cost.

• Remember, this is just part of the "system" and ductwork that is designed, sealed, and sized correctly makes these benefits work the way they were designed!

Since 1985, Air Assurance has proudly served the entire Tulsa Metro and surrounding areas, providing custom comfort indoor air solutions. For expert advice or information regarding heating, cooling or air quality topics, please contact us today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock