I like to tell our Climate Control Company workers to practice their communication skills because a big part of the job is answering questions from our clients. Many of them deal with energy bills, air conditioning replacements, and efficiency ratings for heating and cooling equipment. I decided it was time to do my part and use this blog to answer some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs).
I have a central air conditioner that’s about 12 years old and has a SEER rating 10. Is it time for an A/C replacement?
Let’s treat this as a two-part question. First, the age. Most central air conditioning units last 10-14 years. If it’s still keeping your Glenwood Springs, Aspen, or Vail, CO home comfortable during the summer heat, has had regular maintenance, and there’s no history of expensive repairs, then you can probably keep using the old one.
Part two of my answer tells a very different story. A SEER rating of 10 is extremely inefficient by today’s standards. You could easily save up to 30 percent on your monthly energy bills with a more efficient model. So, if there is even a HINT your old air conditioner is going to need expensive repairs then an A/C replacement likely makes a lot of sense.
If I buy a new air conditioner what SEER rating should I buy?
I can’t answer that question for you, but our Climate Control staff is trained to fully explain all the options. All air conditioners must have a minimum SEER of 13. Models are available with numbers as high as 25. Not only will you enjoy the lower energy bills, but you can also feel good about reducing your carbon footprint. Remember, an ENERGY STAR® rated unit will qualify for a tax deduction.
We can’t seem to keep our home comfortable. There are hot and cold spots seemingly year-round. What can we do?
This is a really common complaint from homeowners in Glenwood Springs, Aspen, and Vail, CO. Many times, hot and cold spots are caused by poorly done installations. It could be problems with the ductwork, or the system was not properly sized. Often the best solution is to add supplemental heating or cooling. A ductless mini split heat pump is a great choice because it directs conditioned air to specific rooms or areas of the house.
I have a gas furnace that is more than 20 years old. Is it time to replace it?
While this question is very similar to the A/C replacement question I already answered, there are a couple key differences. This furnace is 20 years old which is getting very close to the end of its useful life. A furnace that old likely has an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 78% or lower. A modern high-efficiency furnace can be 95% efficient or even more. In my opinion the return on investment in lower energy bills is just too good to pass up.
Don’t be afraid to ask
Going back to my original statement, answering your questions is just part of the job and we teach our Climate Control Company employees good communication skills. So, keep asking those questions and we will do our best to answer them. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more great information like this.
