In
our previous 2 newsletters, where we have discussed in some detail the
importance of matched systems, we’ve pretty well established that the indoor
coil of a HVAC system is supposed to be changed out along with a replacement
condensing unit. Unfortunately, studies have shown that about half the time,
people opt for the cheaper (but shortsighted) decision to change the condenser
only.
 That’s
because that up until now, the systems worked “pretty
well” regardless of how they were matched. After all, they
would run, wouldn’t they? Whether or not the system was operating
at anywhere near maximum efficiency was another matter. It looks
like that may be about to change.
In
the not too distant future, the indoor coils
of older systems must be changed out when a 13-SEER condenser
is installed. A high-efficiency mismatch won’t operate.
Period! With soaring energy costs, the people at the Department
of Energy (DOE) may be finally getting their act together. Energy
efficiency is a good thing; it’s just that this issue is
getting a bit complicated.
So
even though it entails a slightly higher initial cost,
replacing both components at once is the smart thing to do
in the long run. Keep in mind that this is
a major decision…one that will affect your indoor comfort
and wallet for years to come…not one to be made lightly. Your
decisions now may be the one you'll have to live with for the
next 10-15 years.
And
while you’re at it, consider this: While
HVAC systems ought to last for decades, it's not necessarily
a bargain to keep them running that long. The United Homeowners
Association (UHA) is a Washington-based consumer organization
that offers the following advice:
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"If your furnace, for example,
is over 15 years of age, it's probably time to boot it out
the door...If your furnace's efficiency comes in somewhere
in between 50-75%, you ought to begin investigating rebate
offers for buying a high-efficiency new furnace as well." |
If
you've gotten 10-15 years of service from your current
system, you should start preparing for new equipment in the
near future. Over 15 years - the system has done its
job. Replace it when the next major repair expense occurs. The
whole system is at the end of its life expectancy and repairable
value - time for a new, more energy efficient one.
In reality, if one of
the 2 equipment items (furnace or air conditioner) in the originally-installed
HVAC system has reached the end of its service life and needs to be replaced,
in all probability, the remaining unit is close behind. Seriously consider replacing
the complete system. Change it now! Tremendous strides have been made in energy
efficiency equipment in recent years, leading to quick “cost recovery” from
your lower energy bills…especially with our easily financed ‘No
Down Payment” arrangements and low monthly payments to match your budget.
SPECIAL NOTICE:
As
I write this, it’s still August…and
hot!...but the calendar tells us that summer's winding down,
and the cold days of winter are right around the corner. Labor
Day is less than 3 weeks away…then comes the end of
vacations, back to school days and the end of Daylight Saving
Time. All of which serves as a reminder to us (and you) that
it’s time to have the heating system prepared for winter.
If
you are a regular reader of this column, you know that
we offer a strictly enforced, "early seasonal discount" to
perform this essential service for our customers.
PURELY,
SELFISH REASONS motivates us to give away so much money
(and we hate it!) but to date, we haven't been able to devise
any other plan that provides us the time necessary to properly
prepare the heating systems for the hundreds of our customers
who depend on us each year for this important service.
However,
this does make for both of us a "win-win" situation.
We win by getting you to order early (and can do more jobs)...you
win, if you order early by getting a $135 value for a lot
less money (and you can save even more if you order on
line) as you join hundreds of others who every winter, make
Climatemakers their contractor of choice.
As
always, there is a sliding scale of discounts for early
registration beginning with a whopping 40% discount for the
earliest registration. You can see this sliding scale of discounts
and/or make your on line reservations by clicking
here . You can also see specific definitions of each of
the 32 points we check by clicking
here.
The
cost of the "check-up/tune-up" is a small
price to pay for superior equipment performance that results
in lower energy bills and extended life performance. Remember, THE
MAJOR CAUSE OF EQUIPMENT FAILURE IS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE.
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