A Bigger Air Conditioner is Not Always Better!

What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?

Do you suspect you need a larger unit to cool your home? Are you tired of a unit that runs constantly and yet you still feel hot? It is easy to seek a quick fix and want to go gung-ho on a new larger unit.  It may be a little like going to the grocery store hungry. You want a big unit that will cool the house quickly. Most of us have experienced this ourselves, or know someone that has experienced a unit that is too small for the home that it serves. It runs non-stop and the house still does not feel comfortable.  The answer is a “much” bigger unit, right?

Not necessarily a “much” bigger unit, but certainly a bigger unit will solve the problem. You will need a professional evaluation of several different factors to determine the size air conditioner that will serve you efficiently and comfortably.

Your HVAC professional will need to know the square footage that you will want to cool. A good rule to follow is roughly 600-700 square feet per ton of air conditioning.  Roughly is the operative word here. How a home is insulated and or/ constructed can swing the pendulum wide one way or the other. The homes with stellar insulation may be cooled using a ton per 1000 square feet.  A home with poor insulation would require a ton per 500 square feet.  How cold do you plan to keep your home?  Some people like a colder than normal home. This is something your HVAC professional will need to know. Other important things that must be factored are sun drenched windows, or a mostly shaded lot. That is why most professionals land somewhere in the middle for a starting point. 

Choosing a unit that is too small will not cool efficiently and it will seemingly run all of the time. An oversized unit will cool quickly, but it will not run long enough to take the humidity out of the air and the house will feel damp and clammy.

When it comes to one's air conditioning unit, let’s not use the Goldilock method to choose. Call a professional to help you choose the unit that is “just right” the first time.

New Look On The Block... (but the same kids)

Quality Comfort Services, Inc. has been in business for fifteen years and to celebrate we have a whole new look! We have the same name, the same employees, and the same owner. More than anything, we have the same desire to serve our customers with excellence. We appreciate our customers and want them to be assured that we will be there just like we always have been.

Since we are entering a new phase of growth, we wanted to update our look to match our expanding company. Here is an example of our new logo and vehicle designs:

Wave when you see us!

Is It “Really” Necessary To Maintain My Heating and Air Conditioning System?

This is a question we are often asked and the answer is a resounding Yes! The home HVAC system is a quiet workhorse that is easily forgotten until it breaks down. It is a machine with moving parts just like your car; and it needs to be properly maintained.

Honestly, would one even think of not maintaining something as important as his/her car?  Most cars are a large investment and most are depended on daily; the same is true of your HVAC system. It is an investment that a homeowner is wise to maintain.  Routine maintenance is not a cure all for your car, nor is it for your HVAC system.  Both are still machines with parts that wear out in time and use. Routine maintenance will ensure that your equipment is operating at its maximum potential. 

The Difference?

Your heating and air conditioning system can account for a large portion of your energy bill.  According to the article, "Heat and Cool Efficiently" on energystar.gov, the average household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills and up to half of that can be attributed to a home’s heating and air conditioning system. If half of one’s energy expense goes to operate the HVAC system, one can save money by keeping it clean.  The article further states,  “Dirt and neglect are the top causes of heating and cooling inefficiency and failure.”  It just makes good sense and good cents to maintain your system and ensure that it is operating efficiently.

In addition to better performance, a well-maintained system typically lasts longer than one that is not maintained. It stands to reason that if a unit is operating continually dirty and clogged that it will be running longer and working harder than is necessary. This will inevitably lead to premature failure.

What Can A Homeowner Do?

A conscientious homeowner can check the filters once a month to ensure they are clean especially during times of heavier use, such as winter and summer. Change it immediately if it is dirty or a minimum of every three months. Another good practice is keeping the outdoor unit free from debris and grass that could impair its operation.  It is always safer to cut grass around the unit with the grass blowing away from the unit or better yet, turn it off at the thermostat. If your unit has an air handler in the attic or under the house, keep the space around it free form stored items to allow for proper operation.

Finally, call a trusted HVAC contractor to get a professional tune up for your equipment twice a year-fall and spring. This will ensure the system will be ready for the heavier use of winter and summer.

A Trained Professional Can:

Perform general maintenance for both seasons

ü Inspect thermostat operation

ü Check for loose electrical connections

ü Measure voltage and current on motors

ü Lubricate all moving parts

ü Inspect condensate drain, clean pan and drain line (leaks can be  expensive)

ü Check the system controls to assure the system is cycling properly

ü Inspect, clean or change air filter

Perform at heating maintenance appointment

ü Inspect flue pipe

ü Inspect gas piping

ü Inspect heat exchanger (A cracked heat exchanger would allowdangerous carbon monoxide into your home or business.)

ü Inspect gas and oil connections

ü Inspect gas inspection

Perform at air conditioning maintenance appointment

ü Clean coils

ü Check refrigerant and adjust if necessary

ü Inspect blower components and clean to ensure proper airflow

ü Inspect and test capacitor

As one can see, it is “really” necessary to maintain your HVAC equipment to maximize the efficiency and the life expectancy of the unit. Contact a trusted heating and air conditioning contractor near you today. Many contractors offer maintenance agreements or contracts to maintain your HVAC equipment. Energy savings and system longevity often offset the cost.  Most contractors also offer discounted labor and parts, as well as priority service to their agreement customers. This is especially helpful in busy times of the year, such as winter and summer.

When It Comes To Your Heating and Air Conditioning Unit, You May Need To Spend More To Save More

The economic climate that we have experienced over the last few years has made it necessary for most Americans to carefully consider every dollar spent. We are energy conscious and we want to make the best purchase with our hard-earned dollars. When looking to replace your heating and air conditioning unit, it may be beneficial to consider the cost over the lifetime of the unit and not just the cost of the initial purchase. Heating and air conditioning equipment can vary widely in operating cost.  Do your homework!

(This unit had a cracked heat exchanger and the homeowner needed to replace the whole system)

If your current heating and air conditioning system is over ten years old like the one in the photo above, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Heating and air conditioning can account for up to 40% of your energy bill! Choosing the most efficient HVAC system can save you money for many years.

A growing trend in the HVAC world is dual fuel units.  A dual fuel system operates at optimum efficiency using two different types of fuel- electricity and gas. This really is the best of both worlds. While heat pumps do a nice job maintaining a comfortable temperature, they lose efficiency as the temperature drops because they run harder to keep the house warm. This is where the beauty of a dual fuel heating and air conditioning system comes into play. Once the outdoor temperature drops below 35 or 40 degrees, the unit switches from electricity to gas, optimizing the efficiency of both.

(After considering all options, the homeowner chose the highly efficient Trane XL14  Dual Fuel System)

Dual fuel systems can cost a bit more than the traditional one-fuel source units; however, the cost up front will be quickly returned with fuel and energy savings.