Carolina Climate Control Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Energy Star’

HVAC Installations: What To Look For To Get The Most Bang For Your Buck

Tuesday, September 28th, 2021

Your HVAC system maintains the comfort of your home. It keeps your household cool in the summer and warm during winter.

 

So, if you’re unsatisfied with the quality of air inside your home, consider installing a new HVAC system or replacing your current one.

 

Naturally, you might be curious about the HVAC installation process, how to save money when buying an HVAC system and finding the best HVAC contractor to install the system properly so that they last for years.

 

To begin with, let’s take a brief look at the installation process for HVAC systems.

 

 

The HVAC Installation Process

 

As a homeowner, it’s a good idea to have a rough idea of the HVAC installation process. This knowledge will be useful as you look for and negotiate with HVAC installation contractors. Before the HVAC technician starts the installation process, they calculate the load by determining the load for every room in your home that will be serviced by your HVAC system.

 

The HVAC installation process is highly technical, detailed and labor-intensive. It requires extensive training and experience, as well as specialized tools and equipment. So, only a qualified, NATE-certified technician can do it.

 

Getting the Most Value Out of Buying a New or Replacement HVAC System Installation

 

Purchasing a new HVAC system or replacing your current one is a huge investment. Thankfully, you can make significant savings on your purchase by giving it some thought.

 

Use the following tips to save on the cost of a new or replacement HVAC system.

 

  • Find out if your local or state utility company offers HVAC incentives or rebates for the replacement of old HVAC systems. If possible, stack multiple rebates.
  • Find out if any leading HVAC manufacturers offer rebates. Compare the rebates’ value to the value you get from other deals the manufacturers offer.
  • If you’re a member of a warehouse club, find out if they offer a store rebate or other deal that provides value for money on HVAC installation.
  • Consider installing a new or replacement HVAC system in the spring or fall as you may get an off-season discount.
  • Schedule an in-home visit from prospective contractors so that they can take accurate measures and prepare a quote based on your specific needs.
  • Insist on prospective contractors sending you written estimates, preferably via email, as they’re more likely to commit to the initial estimate.

 

If you’re not sure whether or not you should replace your HVAC system, you can find out from Energy Star whether the savings you make from energy efficiency justifies the replacement cost.

 

Choosing the Right HVAC Company

 

After identifying the best HVAC system for your home and getting a good deal for it, the next step is to find a reliable HVAC installation contractor to install the system in your home. Consider the following when choosing an HVAC installation service provider.

 

  • HVAC companies with many years of experience making, installing, repairing and maintaining HVAC systems are most likely to provide you high-quality HVAC products and services.

 

  • Guarantees/Warranties. Leading HVAC companies offer guarantees and warranties on their HVAC products or services because they are confident in the quality they deliver to their customers.

 

  • Leading HVAC companies rely on a strong team of NATE-certified HVAC technicians who not only provide effective services but also treat customers with the utmost professionalism.

 

  • Service Hours. Top HVAC companies provide 24/7 emergency HVAC services to ensure that their customers get help even if their HVAC system malfunction or break down out normal working homes.

 

  • HVAC System Make/Model. The best HVAC companies work with all makes and models of HVAC systems, so they’ll have no problem installing your preferred HVAC system.

 

  • Seek recommendations from friends, family and colleagues, and read customer reviews of the HVAC products and services you’re considering.

 

  • Ask for quotes from at least three HVAC contractors so you can compare their prices and choose one that matches your budget but doesn’t compromise on your needs.

 

With these considerations in mind, you stand the best chance of hiring a contractor that will not only install your HVAC system effectively but also offer affordable, reliable repair and maintenance services.

 

Hire a Professional HVAC Contractor to Install Your HVAC System

 

As mentioned earlier, the HVAC installation process is highly technical and labor-intensive. So, it’s advisable to take your time when identifying and buying the best-value HVAC system and to hire the best contractor to install it.

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How SEER Ratings Work And How To Check Your HVAC System’s Rating

Tuesday, February 9th, 2021

That blazing Lowcountry summer will be here before you know it, bringing the steady hum of air conditioning systems with it.

Because we run our AC a lot around here, energy efficiency helps keep us cool without burning up our wallets.

A SEER rating helps you compare systems to see that you’re getting an efficient one. It’s one of the primary factors in choosing your HVAC, along with picking the correct size.

But just what is a SEER rating? What does it mean, and how can you tell what you have? Let’s take a look at this important number.

 

What is a SEER Rating?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It’s a number comparing the cooling output of a system over a typical season to how much energy it uses. Since these ratings were adopted and standards set, energy consumers have saved trillions of dollars.

You calculate the SEER rating over an entire cooling season – spring, summer, and sometimes the cooler fall and winter seasons around here – using a constant indoor temperature and outdoor temperatures from 60 degrees to over 100 degrees.

A SEER rating is a maximum efficiency rating. It works a little like your car’s gas mileage. You might get 24 mpg on the highway, but only 18 mpg if you’re stuck in city traffic.

The same goes for your AC. If you’ve seen the ENERGY STAR stickers and wondered what a 13 seer rating is, that’s the minimum SEER a unit can be manufactured with today and the numbers to up to 25. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit.

 

Recommended SEER

In recent years, HVAC efficiency standards have been changed to account for the different climates nationwide. This sets a minimum SEER rating that can be sold in a region. South Carolina is part of the Southeast region. Since we use our AC a lot more than other regions, we have a higher minimum SEER at 14.

 

Energy Start SEER Rating Sticker Placement On HVAC Unit

Where To Find Your Rating

So just what is the rating of your current unit? Along with age, this can tell you if it’s worth it to consider upgrading to a new system now that you know what a high SEER rating is and what is considered low.

Look for the yellow and black energy guide sticker on the side of the condenser. If the sticker is still there, you should see the SEER rating in large numbers.

If you don’t find it there, it might be recorded on the air handler or indicated at the beginning of the model number. For example, XC21 followed by other numbers would mean a SEER of 21.

 

Time to Upgrade?

Now that you know what is a SEER rating, also know there is no magic number to tell you what a good SEER rating is for your home. If your unit is more than 10 years old, you’re likely to benefit from a new system as the standards have been raised quite a bit since your system was installed. Also, there are numerous tax credits and other incentives that can reduce the cost if you upgrade to a higher SEER system.

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