Vol. 5: Issue #21: Letter #96 (Previous newsletters available in archives on web site)

HOT-COLD (Part III) A Phone Number That Can Change Your Life(style)
Now that we are firmly embarked into the 21st century, our evolving concept of what constitutes comfortable, healthy indoor living is undergoing some major changes as an ever growing, intelligent, more affluent populace, demands an indoor environment to suit individual tastes and lifestyles.
We mentioned in our last newsletter, our belief that a major reason the air inside so many homes today is both unhealthy and unsatisfactory, is the lack of consumer awareness of what is available.
Reinforcing that belief, is this excerpt from the findings of an independent survey of homeowners with central air conditioning systems:
* More than 3 out of 4 Americans (77 percent) with central air conditioning say they have never heard of the federally mandated SEER rating.       * More than a third of homeowners indicate they did not have their home's central air conditioner inspected or serviced by a professional contractor in the past year, and the same percentage do not plan to this year.       * One-third of homeowners (34 percent) would consider purchasing a high-efficiency two-stage air conditioner that provides more even temperature and humidity control.       * 43 percent of respondents would consider installing a programmable thermostat.

     Continuing that discussion today, we focus on the dramatic improvements that have been made to the second most important part of a "Total Indoor Comfort System" (the cooling system), and the advanced technology available today that reduces energy consumption, improves comfort and raises system performance to new levels.

     Just as furnaces with variable speed blowers and modulating gas valves provided dramatic improvements in the comfort, efficiency and quiet performance of heating systems, so has advanced technology radically improved the performance of cooling systems.

     From the 1970's through the 1980's, SEER ratings of air conditioners ranged from 6-8. Over the past decade, efficiencies have steadily improved and in the past 2-3 years, skyrocketed to 19+. Using two-stage compressors and multi-speed condenser fans, these high-efficiency models can save hundreds of dollars each year, compared to older units.

     Many (if not most) people do not fully realize that moisture control is a critical issue relating to optimum indoor comfort, particularly during the milder weather of early and late summer. This is when you often sense that clammy feeling. The indoor air gets cool enough, but the air conditioner has not run long enough to adequately dehumidify the air.

     During mild weather, these new, two-stage compressor, high efficiency models, run at low speed up to 80 percent of the time, as they fine-tune the cooling output to match the cooling needs of your home. Operating in this slow, super-efficient stage with reduced cooling output, they run longer, dehumidify better, making them far less expensive to operate than a standard air conditioner that runs only at full speed.

     For example, the efficiency rating of the 19.2 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), Lennox HSX19 ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner is nearly twice as efficient as standard air conditioners (more than 3 times efficient as units 15 years old). This unit cuts costs and delivers the lowest annual operating cost possible.

     The HSX19 not only conserves energy but also helps preserve the environment. This unit uses the new chlorine-free R410A refrigerant which meets the Environmental Protection Agency's most stringent environmental guidelines. Models that use R410A instead of R-22 (Freon) tend to operate quieter. R410A requires higher operating pressures, so the tubing and materials must be made stronger. This changes the sound frequency making it less annoying. Many other sound-deadening design changes are also now used.

     If your existing air conditioner is older than 10 years, installing one of these new high efficiency models like the Lennox HSX19 can cut your cooling electric bills by more than 50%. And when you consider replacing your air conditioner, consider also replacing the indoor air handler (furnace) with one using a variable-speed blower. This will increase the year-round efficiency and comfort level with much less indoor noise.

     Also you might consider, installing a new compatible thermostat that controls cooling and humidity independently. But more about that next time.

Climatemakers Ltd.

Merry Sherman
2nd Generation President
Phone #: 757-468-5800
Fax #: 757-468-5805
email: comfort@climatemakers.com
Web site: http://www.climatemakers.com
"Your family's indoor comfort is our family's business"

     P.S. Our 200+ page website is constantly being updated to add content and to make it easier to navigate…so that you can find answers to your questions about HVAC, quicker than ever before.

     P.P.S. Remember, if you have any questions about the HVAC system in your house; how we can be of better service to you, or about our web site, please email them to me. I'd like to hear from you. Our newest web page, "Testing Your HVAC IQ", is an online test of your knowledge about Heating and Air Conditioning and has just been posted. You are especially invited to visit it by clicking here.

     Programmable Thermostat. Automatically regulates the heating/cooling in your house to suit your lifestyle. Click here to find out how.

     Electronic Air Cleaner. Removes dirt, dust and pollen to improve your health. Click here to find out how.

     Humidifiers. Adds moisture to the air in the winter. Click here to find out how.

     Zoning System. Saves even more energy as it increases or decreases the heating/cooling in those rooms where and when it is not needed. Click here to find out how.

     Need HVAC information? We've got a FREE website full of it. Click here.