Upgrading Your HVAC System

The more recent home heating and also AC systems are much more efficient than older units and also supply substantial long-term energy savings. The Government has actually mandated that any kind of cooling unit should have a SEER rating of at least 13 starting in 2006 and this is great, because a twenty-year device might have a SEER rating of only 7 or 8. Nonetheless, for genuine financial savings you must check out your whole residence as a power eating beast that needs to be put on a diet regimen. This includes fixing air dripping doors and window seals.

It does very little to replace an older heating and cooling system as well as expect a great decrease in utility bills, if you do not attend to the areas where you are shedding energy. New HVAC systems are pricey and the lure may be to just set up a brand-new high performance furnace and air-conditioning system and also expect the best. The fact is, the reduction in energy costs may be unsatisfactory since you may have overlooked a major player in the whole a/c system like the ductwork.

An inadequately developed, dripping and also under shielded ductwork system can waste 30 percent or more of the cash you pay to run your heating and cooling system and squash any gain you could realize by installing a new high effectiveness system. Numerous air duct systems are badly protected and also leak conditioned air right into unconditioned attics and also crawl spaces.

When air ducts leak, conditioned air can be dislodged into unsealed joints and lost. In addition, likewise un-conditioned air can be attracted into return air ducts via unsealed joints. Attic temperature levels can be very high in the summer season and also cold in the winter months ... so, any type of attic air that enters your system with un-sealed air duct joints will have to be cooled in the summer season and also heated in the winter months, this raises the load on your system and also boosts your energy bill.

Surprisingly an older residence may have a better designed duct system than a new home and also might only need a leakage check and insulation upgrade. Newer houses on the other hand may be victim of expense reducing measures as well as improperly developed air duct systems.

The use of flex air ducts has grown in popularity due to the ease of installation as well as the high price of shop made sheet metal ducts.

Flex air ducts also installed properly are a poor alternative to well designed correctly shielded sheet metal ducts. It is common practice to make plenums and coil boxes out of taped together duct board.

Make sure to get an evaluation of your ductwork system in your plans to upgrade your HVAC system. There is no use in exhausting valuable conditioned air to the great outdoors through leakages and worn-out air duct insulation. If your duct system requires an overhaul, you may wish to consider a high speed delivery system that uses smaller PVC pipe ducts. These high speed systems are much easier to install as well as insulate. The bottom line on a cooling and heating system upgrade for optimum effectiveness must include greater than simply the brand-new equipment.

So remember not to forget the duct work and include it into your spending plan. For a personalized quote and our expert help in coming up with the best plan for your home, give us a call today or schedule an appointment below.