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Q. What is this SEER that everyone talks about?
A. Since 1992, the Federal Government has required that all air conditioning
products be rated for efficiency. The higher the number the more
efficient the air conditioner is. For cooling the rating is SEER
(Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating).
Q. I have been told that it is not good to over size an air
conditioner. Why is that so?
A. When you over size an air conditioning system, you actually can
cause operating costs to go up. This is primarily because of two
factors. One, the unit cycles off and on more, causing it to use more
energy. Two, without the benefit of longer run cycles, most air
conditioners do not remove as much moisture. This can cause the humidity
level in the home to be higher than desired. The increased humidity
level causes you to feel warmer. You may actually be turning your
thermostat to a lower temperature than needed trying to make up for the
increased humidity.
Q. At what temperature should I set my thermostat?
A. The best temperature to set your thermostat is a temperature at
which you are comfortable. The "ideal temperature" varies from
one person to the next. Just remember, the colder you keep you home, the
more the air conditioner costs to operate.
Q. My air conditioner went out. My neighbor just replaced his outdoor
unit, but I have been told that is not recommended. What is the reason
for this?
A. Air conditioners are designed and tested for efficiency by the
manufacturer as a "matched system". While it is possible to
replace just the outdoor unit and get satisfactory performance, this can
sometimes be a big mistake. Since the indoor part of your air
conditioner represents about half of the refrigerant circuit, it can
greatly effect how well your air conditioner operates. In fact, a bad
mismatch between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit and lead to a
premature compressor failure, increased operating cost or both.
Q. I hear that there is a new ozone friendly refrigerant available.
Can I buy an air conditioner that uses it?
A. Yes, Sunbelt does offer systems that are ozone friendly. But
remember, we expect to have refrigerants around for many years that are
used in the older systems. You should make your choices about a new
system based on efficiency, not what refrigerant is used. Buy the best
efficiency you can afford.
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