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Please Call Us at 602-275-1515.
Is my old, inefficient air conditioner costing me money?
What is a SEER?
How does SEER rating affect my power usage?
If I buy a more efficient unit, can I buy a smaller one?
What are the benefits of zone controllers?
Do programmable thermostats really make a difference in my air conditioner usage?
How should I use a programmable thermostat?
How do I know if I have adequate insulation?
How is an air conditioning or heat pump system sized to a house?
How likely is it that my unit is sized correctly?
How long should my air conditioner or heat pump last?
Are new air conditioning and heat pump units evironmentally safe?
Can you explain what a heat pump is?
What additional parts should I know about with a heat pump?
Why do heat pumps defrost?
What should I expect to see if my Heat Pump is defrosting?
Where in my house do heating and air conditioning systems go?
How does indoor air quality affect my health?
How does an air filtration system help?
How does a whole-house humidifier help?
How does a carbon monoxide alarm work?
What is a fresh air exhanger?
What does UV Sterilization do?
Why should I have my ducts cleaned?
What Is R-410A?
What are the advantages of R-410A?
What are the disadvantages of R-410A?
What are the ozone depletion properties of refrigerants?
Is R-22 being phased out?
What is the price difference between R-410A and R-22?
Is my old, inefficient air conditioner costing me money?
Today's air conditioners, furnaces, and heat pumps are more energy-efficient and less costly to run than ever. Give us a call and we'll show you ways to make them even more efficient.
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What is a SEER?
SEER is a standard of measurement of seasonal cooling efficiency under an average number of weather changes over a season.
SEER stands for "Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio".
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How does SEER rating effect my power usage?
The higher the SEER number, the more energy efficient the unit. Higher SEER rating air conditioners and heat pumps can pay for their cost many times over because they consume less electricity. And the savings continue year after year.
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If I buy a more efficient unit, can I buy a smaller one?
Probably not. A more efficient unit does not mean it will have more capacity. It only means that the new unit will operate more efficiently and with less energy cost when compared to the old unit.
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What are the benefits of zone controllers?
Not all areas in your home need to be maintained at the same temperature. You can save money and get more control over your family's comfort by having a zone control system installed. Ask us about them.
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Do programmable thermostats really make a difference in my air conditioner usage?
New programmable thermostats allow you to adjust heating and cooling to fit the time of day and even your vacation schedule. Should you replace your thermostats? Call us and ask.
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How should I use a programmable thermostat?
It is most efficient to find the temperature setting that feels most comfortable to you and leave the thermostat set there. Although, a programmable thermostat allows you to set the desired temperature based on the time of day or your daily activities. As an example, if you are at work from 8 AM to 5 PM, you could set the thermostat to 84 degrees during those hours. If you want the house cooled down by the time you get home, program the thermostat to cool the house approximately one hour before you usually arrive home. Remember, a programmable thermostat may cost a little more that a standard thermostat but it can save you money in all seasons.
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How do I know if I have adequate insulation?
We'll inspect your home to determine if more attic insulation could cut your monthly energy bills.
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How is an air conditioning or heat pump system sized to a house?
The standard practice for sizing air conditioning and heat pump systems is to do what is called a heat load calculation on the structure. To do this, a manual called Manual J is used. Manual J will help the air conditioning company size the air conditioning equipment based on the outdoor design temperatures, attic and Wall insulation, window types and locations, elevation of the home, and other structural and environmental factors.
With the help of Manual J, the air conditioning contractor will look at the capacity at (or near) the design temperature, not the nominal rating.
- Ratings are at 95 degrees F.
- Phoenix design temperature is 107 degrees F.
That is why an air conditioning contractor who just uses square footage to design a system, or suggests that you need a larger unit because of square footage alone, may not have his or her customer’s best interest at heart.
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How likely is it that my unit is sized correctly?
There have been studies done that show that as many as 53% of home air conditioners are oversized by as much as a ton or more compared to Manual J. Units are often 60% to 80% larger than they need to be because someone thought they needed a larger unit. A larger unit will not only cost more during installation but also during normal operation.
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How long should my air conditioner or heat pump last?
If you have a system that has been properly sized for your home and you keep it properly maintained, it should last as many as 15 years with minimum problems. But if the size is incorrect or the unit is maintained only when it breaks, the lifetime can easily be reduced by five or more years.
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Are new air conditioning and heat pump units evironmentally safe?
The refrigerant in your air conditioner or heat pump system is a chemical known as HCFC-22 (Hydrochlorofluorocarbon). It contains hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, and carbon.
CFC's (Chlorofluorocarbons) contain chlorine, fluorine and carbon. CFC's are used as refrigerants in small appliances and automobiles. CFC's are very stable and do not break down in the lower atmosphere. They can remain in the atmosphere for 100 years or more. Because HCFC's contain hydrogen, they can break up quickly and have a short life span.
The government called for a phase out of CFC's by 1996. Under the federal Clean Air Act, HCFC's will be phased out by 2030. Because the new units use HCFC's, they will be available until 2030.
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Can you explain what a heat pump is?
Unlike a furnace, a heat pump doesn't burn fuel to make heat. It simply uses electricity to move heat from one place to another. A heat pump is an energy-efficient way to cool your home in the summer and heat it in the winter. Today's heat pumps are required to have a HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) of 6.8 and a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) of at least 10.00.
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What additional parts should I know about with a heat pump?
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1. Heat pump
2. Air Handler - Matched in size (capacity) and efficiency rating with the heat pump, air handlers circulate conditioned air throughout your home. An air handler contains an inside coil and a blower fan, with the additional possibility of an auxiliary electric strip heater.
3. Air Cleaner -
An air cleaner is an integral part of a home comfort system, filtering dust and pollutants out of the air you breathe and keeping your rugs and home furnishings cleaner. Reducing pollen, dust, pet dander, and smoke can help reduce allergy and asthma discomfort as well.
4. Thermostat -
The thermostat is the control center for your home comfort system. A digital, programmable thermostat gives you precise temperature control and allows you to program your heating and air conditioning requirements depending upon your lifestyle. |
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Why do Heat Pumps defrost?
As a normal function of all heat pumps, the unit will automatically and periodically defrost the outdoor coil. The unit's sound will change and the unit will also circulate cooler air during this cycle. On average, the defrost cycle should last approximately three to five minutes. Do not turn the unit off during defrost, as this only prolongs the cycle. (If the unit's thermostat has been set back or turned off, the unit may not defrost within a normal time period.)
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What should I expect to see if my heat pump is defrosting?
During the defrost cycle it is normal for defrost moisture to drain from the cabinet of your unit and run onto the roof. You may also see steam coming from the outdoor coil as it defrosts. (This condition is most noticeable during high humidity and cooler times of the day.) This moisture is pure water, much like rainwater, which does not damage the roof. All new high efficiency heat pumps drain moisture in this manner.
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Where in my house, do heating and air conditioning systems go?
That will depend on the type of equipment you have.
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Split Heat Pumps
Split heat pumps consist of two major components, an outdoor section and an indoor air moving section. The indoor section can be an air handler or, in the case of an add-on heat pump, a coil attached to your furnace.
The indoor section can be located in many places throughout your home including a basement, main floor or attic depending upon your home's design.
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Packaged Heating & Cooling
A packaged unit includes both heating and cooling combined in one package installed outside your home. This unit is then connected to ductwork to move warm or cool air throughout your house.
Packaged units come in a variety of combinations including: gas heat/electric cooling, oil heat/electric cooling, all electric heat pumps, and electric resistance heat/electric cooling.
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Furnaces & Central Air Units
Furnaces and central air conditioning combinations consist of three major components:
• Outdoors: a condenser, and
• Indoors: a furnace and coil.
The indoor components can be located in many places, including the basement, an attic, or on the main floor depending upon the design of your home. Many different styles of units are available to accommodate your needs.
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How does indoor air quality affect my health?
Allergies; asthma; dry, itchy skin; irritated eyes, nose and throat; headaches; dizziness; fatigue. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to all of these medical conditions and symptoms. In fact, your indoor air can be five times more polluted than the air outside. The EPA ranks indoor air pollution as one of the top five environmental risks to public health. Goettl Air Conditioning offers a wide range of air quality products that can make the air your family breathes both cleaner and healthier.
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How does an air filtration system help?
A whole-house air filtration system will remove dust, pollen, odors, tobacco smoke, and other harmful particulates from the air inside your home. This is especially helpful for asthmatics and people with severe allergies. Check with your doctor and insurance company about coverage.
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How does a whole-house humidifier help?
40% to 60% relative humidity maximizes comfort and minimizes adverse health effects. A whole-house humidifier will maintain the proper humidity in your home year-round. Also helps keep organic things from drying out - like woodwork, wooden furniture and your skin.
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How does a carbon monoxide alarm work?
A carbon monoxide alarm works like a smoke detector to warn of deadly CO levels caused by incompletely burned fuels. They can be placed near the garage door, the fireplace, and gas appliances.
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What is a fresh air exhanger?
Today's new homes, with their improved construction techniques and thicker insulation, can be too "tight." An air exchanger will economically replace stale, polluted indoor air with fresh filtered outside air.
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What does UV Sterilization do?
Ultraviolet lights can be used to kill germs and mold in cooling coils, condensation trays and ductwork.
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Why should I have my ducts cleaned?
Dust, pests, and mold can collect in your ductwork, if it is not inspected and cleaned regularly. Ask us about duct cleaning.
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What Is R-410A?
R-410A is an azeotropic mixture of R-32 and R-125.
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What are the advantages of R-410A?
R-410A has a higher heat transfer coefficient than R-22. This is somewhat of an advantage for the manufacturer, but not so much for the end user. With higher transfer coefficients, one might be able to use a physically smaller system to obtain the same rating. For the person who is purchasing the unit, the efficiency would still be the same 10, 11, 12, 13, or higher SEER’s.
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What are the disadvantages of R-410A?
Systems that use R-410A will run at a higher pressure than systems using R-22 (approximately 60% higher). The number of service technicians currently trained and equipped to service these units are, at this time, very limited. The standard gauges, tools, and recovery equipment are not compatible for use on R-410A systems. This limits the number of service personnel qualified to service R-410A systems.
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What are the ozone depletion properties of refrigerants?
With regard to the ozone depletion properties of refrigerants, the ozone depletion factors are as follows:
R-12 = 1.00
R-22 = 0.05
R-410A = 0.00
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Is R-22 being phased out?
Contrary to what you might have been told, R-22 is not a product that will be phased out anytime soon. The federal law schedule has R-22 to be phased out as follows:
Year 2010 = No longer used in new equipment
Year 2020 = No longer produced
Year 2030 = Complete phase out of R-22
Note:
Because the life of a standard comfort system is 15 years, purchasing a unit with R-22 would be well within the time and availability of R-22 refrigerant.
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What is the price difference between R-410A and R-22?
Currently the wholesale cost of a pound of R-410A is 800% more than a pound of
R-22. It is anticipated that as the use of R-410A becomes more common, the cost will become more affordable.
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