PHASING OUT R-22 REFRIGERANT

Below is the Phaseout schedule of R-22 and R142b a stated by the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA):
HCFC-22 (also called R-22) and HCFC-142b are the next two HCFCs that the United States will phase out. The schedule to phase out HCFCs is:
January 1, 2010 Ban on production, import and use of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b, except for continuing servicing needs of existing equipment
January 1, 2015 Ban on production, import, and use of all HCFCs, except for continuing servicing needs of refrigeration equipment
January 1, 2020 Ban on remaining production and import of
HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b. After 2020, the servicing of systems with R-22 will rely on recycled or stockpiled quantities
January 1, 2030 Ban on remaining production and import of
all HCFCs.

What Does This Mean to a Homeowner?
If you own a Heating and Air Conditioning System that contains R-22, you do not have to change it out immediately. When your system does have to be changed out, you will have to purchase a system with the new R-410A refrigerant.

At this time, it is estimated by the EPA that starting in 2020, new R-22 may no longer be produced, so consumers will need to rely solely on recycled or reclaimed quantities to service any systems still operating after that date.

The Ductless Mini Split — The Perfect Solution For Zoned Temperature Control

If you are looking for targeted temperature control in specific areas in your home, consider exploring a ductless mini split heat pump system.

Many homeowners know mini splits work well in home additions where extending ductwork is not feasible or to supplement cooling and heating in homes with radiant or other ductless home-comfort systems. Fewer have considered using ductless mini splits as zoning systems. But in many cases, these small, flexible systems offer the perfect solution for zoned temperature control.

“Zoning” refers to cooling and heating that can be controlled for individual rooms or sections (zones) of your home. Often, homes with zoned control require retrofits involving the installation of dampers within existing ductwork. But what if your home doesn’t have ductwork or you need an alternate solution for another reason? Or what if you’re looking for a way to avoid the energy loss associated with leaky ducts?

That’s when you should consider using a ductless mini split as a zoning system. Mini splits are heat pumps, but with multiple indoor air handlers located in various rooms in your building connected to a single outdoor unit. Each air handler is regulated by its own thermostat — allowing individual, precise control in multiple living spaces all served by the same system.

Ductless mini splits as zoning systems offer a great deal of flexibility. For example, they let homeowners air-condition only the areas that are occupied at the moment and temporarily close off vacant areas, such as guest rooms. Their individualized temperature control also allows residents to make adjustments based on the quirks of individual rooms, or zones. Say you have a room with multiple large windows that collect lots of heat from the sun; a zoned system lets you boost the A/C in that room only to offset its rise in temperature — without cranking up the system throughout your entire home. For many homeowners, zoned temperature control saves energy and keeps their monthly utility bills lower.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about your Ductless Mini Splits ,Indoor Comfort and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website

DIGITAL THERMOSTAT VS. MERCURY THERMOSTAT

You may ask why a Digital Thermostat instead of a Mercury Thermostat. Digital Thermostats are so much more accurate. Most Digital Thermostats have a back light and are easier to read then a Mercury Thermostat, and a Digital Thermostat contains no Mercury.

Should You Get One?

Many air conditioning and heating companies are now offering and recommending digital thermostats.

We realize they are not for everyone. No one can make you purchase a Digital Thermostat, but the following information may help you make a choice:


What is a Thermostat?

A thermostat is any device that regulates temperature. You use your air conditioning and heating thermostat to control/adjust the temperature in your home.

Is There a Problem With My Old Thermostat That I Have?

The older style, non-digital (Mercury) thermostats are made up of several moving parts which includes a small glass vial that contains mercury. The Mercury Thermostats contain the highest amount of mercury found in ordinary household products!

Besides the health risks, the sensitivity and accuracy of a Mercury Thermostat depends on the moving parts inside. A harsh movement, including accidentally bumping it too hard even while trying to adjust the temperature, can cause the parts in the thermostat to move. If this happens, your thermostat will no longer function properly. Your air conditioning and heating unit may not turn on or off when it is supposed to or turn on at all. What happens then, is you have to pay a technician to come and recalibrate your thermostat.

Another problem with the the Mercury Thermostat is that they can be inaccurate. When properly calibrated, the Mercury Thermostats are usually not 100% exact; resulting in your air conditioning and heating system running longer than it needs to, wasting energy, and money.

Some Benefits of a Digital Thermostat

There are several benefits of having a digital thermostat. Digital Thermostats contain no mercury. Not only is this safer for you, it also helps the planet by eliminating a part of the six to eight tons of mercury that end up in landfills each year (EPA estimate.)

Secondly, a Digital Thermostat contains no moving parts. This eliminates the need for a technician to come and recalibrate the thermostat.

Digital Thermostats have the ability to save you money! Energy Star estimates that up to $200 each year could be saved on your energy bills because of the precision and accuracy of the Digital Thermostat. The thermostat knows exactly when to turn on the air conditioning and heating system in order to be the most efficient. There is no energy (or money) used that does not absolutely have to be used. You can get a Digital Thermostat that has the capability of being programmed. This allows you to set different temperatures for different times of the day or week.

Are Digital Thermostats Right for Everyone?

Digital Thermostats are usually more expensive to purchase, but the savings can usually be recouped within a year. Some people will have to make an adjustment to using a Digital Thermostat, and some people will just refuse to use one. The adjustments to getting used to a Digital Thermostat are a lot less encumbering than most digital products.

NOW THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

To Continue Enjoying Year-Round Comfort And Energy Savings For Years To Come, Schedule Heat Pump Maintenance

Your heat pump is one of the most complicated machines in your house. A number of factors can reduce its efficiency or even lead to premature breakdown. That’s why regular heat pump maintenance is critical to your equipment’s performance. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a heat pump that receives regular maintenance can work anywhere from 10 percent to 25 percent more efficiently than a neglected one.

Some aspects of maintenance are easy for Northeast Florida homeowners to cover themselves, but other tasks should be seen to by a professional.

You can:

•Use your thermostat wisely.Choose settings on your programmable thermostat that will save energy.

•Keep debris away from the outdoor unit. Grass clippings, especially, can be a problem if they get into your outdoor unit and clog the system. Also look out for leaves, twigs and trash.

•Change your air filters. Keeping the filters fresh means airflow can move at proper rates through your system, your ductwork and your home. Clean filters also help reduce indoor air pollution.


Here are a few aspects of heat pump maintenance that are better left to the pros:

•Testing refrigerant levels, adding or draining refrigerant as needed.

•Ensuring the evaporator and condensing coils, which can switch roles in a heat pump, are clean and running economically.

•Checking the reversal valve, which enables the coils to exchange functions.

•Lubricating all moving parts, such as those in the motor.

•Verifying safe electrical functioning, including correct voltage and current.

•Tightening all electrical connections.

You invested in a heat pump to save energy. It would be a shame to negate the savings by neglecting your system. In fact, neglect is the top reason heat pumps fail before their time. Extend the life span of yours as long as possible.

If you haven’t had your air-conditioning system checked in a while, contact us at Action Heating and Air Conditioning. We can schedule a preventive maintenance plan that assures your unit is in good working order and ready for the hottest of Northeast Florida days.

6 Tips for Keeping Your Home Affordably Comfortable

■Take care to set your thermostat properly.

Don’t overcool in summer or overheat in winter. You’d be surprised how much your air conditioning bill will climb if you lower your temperature too much in the peak cooling season. Your operating costs can spike from 3% to 8% for each degree your thermostat is lowered. When heating, your operating costs likewise increase for each degree your thermostat is raised. Try for a summer setting of 76 degrees and a winter setting of 70. You can still be comfortable and keep your energy bill out of the stratosphere.

■Be sure to clean or replace your air conditioning filters frequently.

You might need to do it more than twice a year, if you have dogs and cats. Keeping your filter clean is one of the easiest ways to ensure truly efficient operation of your home cooling system. If you don’t know the location of your filter, check with us. We can also advise on the best type for your individual circumstances.

■Keep your house as leak-free as possible.

Of course, you’ll want to keep doors and windows closed. But, you can stay both comfortable and cost efficient by retaining your conditioned air by adding insulation to the attic and sealing cracks around windows and doors.

■Keep both your indoor and outdoor air conditioning coils clean.

You’ll want a special evaporator coil cleaner for your interior unit and a solution of water and non-toxic, non-acidic cleaner on the exterior coil. Action Heating and Air Conditioning can perform this on a one time or routine basis.

■Watch out for ice on the pipes at your evaporator coil.

If you spot this, it signals a potentially serious problem. Turn off your unit right away and call us to send out a technician right away.

■Don’t let plants and other obstructions block your condenser.

Make sure you’ve got lots of air-flow around the unit. It’s best to keep all that vegetation a good 18 inches away from the air conditioner. And, don’t put any kind of shed or building over your unit. Keep the evaporator (indoor coil) unobstructedMake sure the evaporator is not blocked to insure proper airflow across the coil. (This may require a professional service technician to clean the coil). Coils should be cleaned in order to preserve the efficiency of the unit.

With As Much As NW Floridians Need Their A/Cs, Preventive Maintenance Should Not Be Ignored

One of life’s great disappointments is coming home to find out your air-conditioning system has conked out. It was a bad day at work, the thermometer outside is at 92 degrees and your indoor thermostat shows 88 degrees. It’s late in the afternoon and your “hot and bothered” day just got even hotter and more bothered!

There’s a great way to avoid this situation. It’s called preventive maintenance. Air conditioners are like anything else mechanical — they have to be maintained. And they tend to go out at the worst possible time — just when they’re working the hardest. Getting air-conditioning service twice each year can reveal things that are worn, broken, dirty or loose that can cause a failure of your system. Neglecting standard preventive maintenance is a problem waiting to happen — at the worst possible time.

Here are just a few of the things that a service technician will do and check during a preventive maintenance call:

•Lubricate the fan motor where possible.

•Clean condenser coil and straighten bent or damaged fins.

•Check refrigerant level.

•Check evaporator coil and clean if necessary.

•Clean out evaporator drain.

•Check and tighten loose electrical connections.

•Calibrate the thermostat if needed.

•Check the expansion valve.

•Clean or replace the filter as required.

As you can see, a lot can go wrong in an air-conditioning system. Having a semi-annual maintenance check is the best way to catch things that may go wrong, correct them and be ready for the hottest of days ahead. Many of the checks that a technician does will reduce the strain on your system and save you in energy costs. So a good preventive maintenance plan keeps you from getting surprised, saves you money in lower operating costs, makes your unit last longer and catches problems early when they’re less costly to repair.

If you haven’t had your air-conditioning system checked in a while, contact us at Action Heating and Air Conditioning. We can schedule a preventive maintenance plan that assures your unit is in good working order and ready for the hottest of Northeast Florida days.

Get More Energy Savings By Learning How To Read Your Meters

Reading your own meters can help you increase energy savings by monitoring your electricity or gas use, but those meters can be confusing. Here’s a homeowner’s guide to making sense of those meters.

How to read an electric meter

Your electricity bills are by the kilowatt-hour, abbreviated as kWh. If you’ve used 1000 watts of power in one hour, you’ve used one kilowatt-hour.

Each dial on your meter represents one numerical value in the present reading. You should read the dials from right to left. If the pointer on the dial is between two digits, such as three and four, record the smaller digit. The pointer hasn’t completely passed the four, so the reading’s value isn’t yet a four.

When the pointer on a dial makes a complete revolution, the pointer to the left moves up one digit.

Even if the pointer is directly on four, the value isn’t necessarily four. If you get confused, reference the dial immediately to the right. Has the pointer completely passed the zero at the top of that dial? If it hasn’t, you need to record the smaller number, three, for the dial to the left. If the dial to the right has passed zero, then you should record four.

If you take readings two days in a row, you can subtract the first day’s reading from the next day’s. This gives you an idea of how many kilowatt-hours of energy you’re using per day, so you can get a handle on energy savings.

How to read a gas meter

Reading a gas meter is almost the same as reading an electric meter, but you read the dials from left to right.

If you use natural gas, you may be billed by how many hundreds of cubic feet (CCF) or thousands of cubic feet (MCF) of gas you use. If your utility company bills you by the “therm,” that refers to a unit of energy roughly equivalent to one CCF.

Understanding how to read your meters can help you reduce your energy use. If you have questions about how your meters work, the professionals at Action Heating and Air Conditioning are happy to help. Contact us anytime, online or by phone.

Your Heating And Cooling Needs Are Measured By Degree Days: Find Out How To Assess Efficiency

If you’re looking for a way to assess your home’s energy efficiency, you can use heating and cooling “degree days.” Degree days help you gauge how much energy you’ve used in a given time period.

There are two main kinds of degree days: heating and cooling. To help you understand what they are, we’ll use the example of calculating cooling degree days, which are used in summer.

The day’s temperature fluctuations are measured against a base temperature, which varies from day to day. Let’s say one day’s base temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you add the day’s highest and lowest temperatures and divide that sum in half, the resulting figure is the day’s average temperature. If that average is over 70 degrees Fahrenheit, subtract 70 from it. So, if the day’s average was 80 degrees, subtract 70 and arrive at 10. The day in question would have 10 cooling degree days.

Calculating heating degree days is similar, except that you reverse the figures in the arithmetic, subtracting the average temperature from the base temperature.

How can heating and cooling degree days benefit Northeast Florida homeowners? By helping you monitor energy use. On your cooling bill, find the dates when your meter was read. Then calculate the cooling days for that time period. You can find base temperatures and assistance with the process at www.degreedays.net.

Watching your energy consumption can help you understand how your home’s performance improves as you take steps to increase your efficiency. You can see the effect various changes you make have, such as:

•Raising your thermostat several degrees.

•Using ceiling fans to increase air circulation and comfort.

•Sealing air leaks in your ductwork and attic.

•Upgrading to high-efficiency cooling equipment.

While heating and cooling degree days can help you track how your home’s efficiency evolves, the best way to improve your performance is to have an expert energy evaluation. This can tell you exactly where and when you’re losing the most energy and provide targeted suggestions for improving your heating and cooling system’s performance. Contact Action Heating and Air Conditioning with questions or to schedule an evaluation today.

Whole-House Dehumidification — 3 Benefits You’ll Enjoy

Because of our long, hot and humid summers, most homes in Northeast Florida require some sort of dehumidification system to feel comfortable. Many air conditioners come with a dehumidifying function, but because their main role is to cool the air, they can’t always achieve ideal humidity levels.

That’s why many homeowners turn to whole-house dehumidification systems dedicated to removing excess moisture from the air. Whole-house dehumidification systems are installed as part of your existing HVAC system, so they can control humidity levels in every room in your home.

Among the benefits of whole-house dehumidification for homeowners:

•Better health. Mold, bacteria and viruses thrive at relative humidity levels above 60 percent. These and other microorganisms in your home can contribute to asthma attacks, allergy problems and other respiratory conditions, as well as damage to your furnishings and the structure of your home. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping your humidity between 30 percent and 50 percent, levels whole-house dehumidification systems can achieve with ease — limiting the proliferation of potentially harmful microbes.

•Improved comfort. Hot, sticky days can be unbearable without an air conditioner. But sometimes even the dehumidifying function of the A/C unit can’t keep up with demand. And then there are mild days where the temperature is at the thermostat set point and the air conditioner doesn’t run, but the air still feels too humid. That’s where whole-house dehumidification comes in to remove moisture without overcooling your home. This helps to avoid that clammy feeling or stuffy smell.

•Energy savings. By running the whole-house dehumidifier without overcooling your home, you save energy. Also, because your skin feels cooler when there is less moisture in the air, you can set the relative humidity lower and the temperature a few degrees higher and still feel comfortable. You don’t have to run the air conditioner more than necessary simply to remove moisture from the air.

A whole-house dehumidification system could be the solution you have been looking for. To learn more, contact the certified HVAC professionals at Action Heating and Air Conditioning.

Defrost Mode

When a homeowner sees a puff of steam coming out of their heat pump condensing unit, and it is a cold day, the heat pump is probably in the "defrost mode". The defrost mode is a normal function of a heat pump system in colder weather. Icing on a heat pump condenser is normal in cooler weather. The outdoor unit, which is normally an air conditioner, reverses the process and becomes a heater. In the heating mode, the outdoor coil becomes cooler than the outdoor air in order to absorb heat from the outdoor air and pump it indoors. The heat pump has a defrost cycle that will reverse the heat pump back to the air conditioning mode when it detects ice on the outdoor coil. In the cooling mode, the outdoor coil is hot from the heat absorbed from the indoor air. The hot outdoor coil melts the ice and then the defrost control returns the heat pump to the heating mode. During the defrost cycle, the indoor coil is cold, so the auxiliary heat is used to temper the cooler air.

Energy Management Thermostats Maximize Energy Use

Programmable thermostats are an excellent way to save on heating and cooling bills, but energy management thermostats make energy savings even easier. You already use your smartphone or computer to check the weather, make purchases and set calendar reminders. Why not use the same technology to keep your home comfortable?

Energy management thermostats work similarly to programmable thermostats, but you have the additional option to control them remotely. If your schedule changes and you want to alter your thermostat settings accordingly, just log on to the Internet and make the necessary changes.

There are several advantages to installing energy management thermostats in your home:

•Increased energy savings: With even more control than a conventional programmable thermostat, you can make adjustments to reduce your energy use. If you’ll be home late, changing the programmed settings can ensure that you don’t spend more money to heat or cool your unoccupied home.

•Get meaningful alerts: You’re used to getting a text message, email or other alert when you have a calendar appointment, so why not get a similar alert when you need to change the furnace filter or schedule annual preventive maintenance?

•Protect your home: If you own a vacation home or travel frequently, it is comforting to know that you can control the thermostat while you are away. In colder climates, you can turn on the heat if you are worried about frozen pipes. In a warmer, humid climate such as Northeast Florida, briefly running the air conditioner each day can help prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

Some energy management thermostats can also be integrated with other systems in your home, such as a security alarm or lighting and appliance controls. If you are considering a thermostat upgrade, talk to your contractor about the available options.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Ventilation and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website.

Air Sealing Your Home

Air leakage, or infiltration, occurs when outside air enters a house through cracks and openings. Properly air sealing such cracks and openings in your home can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs, improve building durability, and create a healthier indoor environment.
Many people think that air leakage is like natural ventilation, and therefore is a good thing. But, it’s unwise to rely on air leakage for ventilation, mainly because it can’t be controlled. During cool or windy weather, too much air may enter the house. When it’s warmer and less windy, not enough air may enter. Air infiltration also can contribute to problems with moisture control. Moldy and dusty air can enter a leaky house through such areas as attics or foundations.

We recommend a strategy that includes both reducing air leakage as much as possible, while providing controlled ventilation as needed. This goes for both new and old homes.

To reduce air leakage you’ll first need to find the leaks. For this, an energy audit, performed by a trained technician, can be a helpful tool. You can also check for leaks yourself. First, look at areas where different materials meet, such as between brick and wood siding, between foundation and walls, and between the chimney and siding. Also inspect around the following areas for any cracks and gaps that could cause air leaks:

■Door and window frames
■Vents and fans
■Outdoor water faucets
■Stucco or brick siding
■Foundation block
■Cable, TV and phone lines

Providing ventilation is the other part of the equation when it comes to sealing air leaks. Controlled ventilation, usually through mechanical means, is essential to keeping your home’s indoor air comfortable and healthy. Whole-house ventilation systems provide controlled, uniform ventilation throughout a house. These systems use one or more fans and duct systems to exhaust stale air and/or supply fresh air to the house.

Air sealing is a step that is often overlooked when homeowners are looking for ways to improve the comfort and energy-efficiency of their homes. Ask us about how to properly air seal your home to maximize energy savings and keep your indoor air healthy and climate-controlled.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Ventilation and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website.

Control Dust In Your Home, Improve Indoor Air Quality

Because air conditioners are used so frequently during the long cooling season in Northeast Florida, indoor air quality is a concern for many people. Air that is constantly recirculated throughout your home can carry unwanted particles such as pet dander and dust.

These particles can settle on surfaces and be inhaled by you and your family, causing potential health issues. One of the first steps to improving indoor air quality is to control dust in your home.

Regular cleaning is essential for controlling dust, but in some cases it is simply not enough to vacuum and change the bedding on a weekly basis. There are a number of ways you can control dust in your home with the help of indoor air quality solutions:

•Use an advanced air filter: Your furnace or air conditioner filter traps particles as air flows through. However, many standard filters do not trap smaller particles. Upgrading to a high-efficiency filter can reduce the amount of dust that is allowed to pass through, but they can also restrict airflow. Ask your contractor what type of filters are appropriate for your system.

•Install a whole-house air cleaner: Although portable air purifiers are effective for removing dust and other contaminants in individual rooms, they only impact a small area. A whole-house system is integrated into your ductwork to provide clean air to every room in your home.

•Control the humidity: Dust mites thrive in a humid environment. Although your air conditioner does have some impact on your indoor humidity level, installing a whole-house humidity control system is a much more effective way to control dust in your home. You will also enjoy improved home comfort.

If you want to control dust in your home, contact the indoor air quality experts at Action Heating and Air Conditioning. We’ll help you find and install the products that make the most sense for your family. Serving Northeast Florida, we’re always happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Ventilation and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website.

Is It Time To Replace An HVAC System? 6 Tips To Help You Decide

Much like buying a new car or upgrading a large appliance, you want to be sure you have received the most from your existing equipment before you make a major investment. However, if you wait too long, costly repairs and poor performance could end up being more expensive. The same is true when you decide to replace an HVAC system: you want to get the most from your existing equipment while avoiding breakdowns and discomfort.

Of course, nobody can predict the future, so this can sometimes be a difficult decision to make. Use these six tips to help you decide when to replace an HVAC system:

•Equipment age: If you have had your Air handler,furnace or Heat Pump for 15 years or longer, it is probably time to consider an upgrade. New models are much more efficient and replacing your equipment before it breaks can save you a lot of stress and discomfort.

•Increasing energy bills: Although fuel and electricity are getting more expensive, as your equipment ages it will become less efficient and cost more each month to operate. Your contractor can help you compare monthly usage to costs to help you determine whether your HVAC system is getting more expensive to run.

•Frequent repairs: If you have had any necessary repairs in the past two years it is a sign of equipment aging and may be time to replace an HVAC system.

•Strange noises: Any odd noises coming from your HVAC system should be examined by a professional. Another sign to watch for is excessive running of the blower fan.

•Home comfort: Do you achieve home comfort in every room in your home?

•Humidity levels: If you experience extreme humidity or dryness in your home, you may benefit from new equipment that has more advanced features.
If you are ready to replace an HVAC system in your home or business, call the trained professionals at Action Heating and Air Conditioning for expert installation and maintenance.

We’ll help you properly evaluate your cooling and heating needs so you can get the most from your new investment. Serving Northeast Florida, we’re always happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Ventilation and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website.

Energy Performance Ratings for Windows, Doors and Skylights

Energy Performance Ratings for windows, doors and skylights are designed to tell you their potential for gaining and losing heat, as well as how much sunlight they allow into your home. If you’re thinking about replacing these items, and want to install energy-efficient products, you should pay attention to these ratings.
Knowing how well your windows, doors and skylights perform is important. In a typical home, up to 30% of heating and cooling is lost through its windows and doors. To put that in perspective – the amount of energy lost through doors and windows in the U.S. every year is roughly equivalent to all the energy we get from the oil carried by the Alaska pipeline!

Windows, doors, skylights can gain and lose heat in the following ways:

■Direct conduction through the glass or glazing, frame, and/or door
■The radiation of heat into a house (typically from the sun) and out of a house from room-temperature objects, such as people, furniture, and interior walls
■Air leakage through and around them.
Energy Performance Ratings are determined by measuring the following energy performance characteristics:

■U-factor
The rate at which a window, door, or skylight conducts non-solar heat flow. For windows, skylights, and glass doors, a U-factor may refer to just the glass or glazing alone. But, National Fenestration Rating Council U-factor ratings represent the entire window performance, including frame and spacer material. The lower the U-factor, the more energy-efficient the window, door, or skylight.

■Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC)
This is the fraction of solar radiation admitted through a window, door, or skylight—either transmitted directly and/or absorbed, and subsequently released as heat inside a home. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat it transmits and the greater its shading ability. A product with a high SHGC rating is more effective at collecting solar heat gain during the winter.

A product with a low SHGC rating is also more effective at reducing how hard your A/C has to work during the summer, because it blocks heat gained from the sun. Therefore, what SHGC you need for a window, door, or skylight should be determined by such factors as your climate, orientation, and external shading.

■Air leakage
This is the rate of air infiltration around a window, door, or skylight in the presence of a specific pressure difference across it. It’s expressed in units of cubic feet per minute per square foot of frame area (cfm/ft2). A product with a low air leakage rating is tighter than one with a high air leakage rating.
Installing energy-efficient windows, doors and skylights can significantly lower your heating and cooling bills. Simply by choosing products with efficient Energy Performance Ratings, you’ll keep more of your hard-earned energy dollars in your pocket. And, you’ll gain greater comfort because your home will be better able to retain heat and cold. Next time, we’ll talk about daylighting, sunlight transmittance, and what it means for your energy bills.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Ventilation and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website.

TWO STAGE COMPRESSORS

A 2-stage compressor is one compressor with 2 stages. One compressor with a small compressor operates most of the time for maximum efficiency, handing off to the larger compressor when extra cooling is needed.

It is a compressor that can adjust to a lower stage when demand is low and high stage when the outdoor temps are more extreme.

It uses less energy when demand is low and adjusts to the higher stage only when the outdoor temps are extreme.

HVAC Motor Efficiency Can Directly Boost Energy Savings: Here’s How

The efficiency of your motor can affect the amount of energy and money used to operate your HVAC system. Studies have shown that an efficient HVAC motor can save 20 percent or more on operating costs.

The motor proven to increase HVAC motor efficiency by the greatest amount is the ECM (electronically commutated motor) model.

An ECM is a modified DC motor that uses a built-in inverter and a magnet rotor to control energy use. A series of ball bearings gives the motor the ability to run at high speeds without the need for oiling. The motors do not overheat and do not waste energy on motor cooling like some other HVAC motors. The operator can control the motor by programming the desired speeds and run times to maximize energy savings. A well-programmed ECM offers significant savings for homeowners.

ECMs can increase the efficiency of a standard HVAC unit by 25 percent or more. Most HVAC motors have an efficiency between 12 and 45 percent. ECMs have an efficiency between 65 and 75 percent.

An HVAC technician can replace the motor in an existing furnace or air conditioning unit with an ECM. This simple procedure can result in large monetary savings for Florida homeowners in conjunction with other simple energy-saving methods.

For more information about how you can improve your HVAC motor efficiency, contact us at Action Heating and Air Conditioning. We provide Northeast Florida residents with expert HVAC service, repair and installation. We can install a new ECM into your air handler or air conditioning unit and provide many other HVAC maintenance services.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about your Indoor Comfort and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website

CARBON MONOXIDE

CARBON MONOXIDE - As quoted from the EPA, "Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure."

SOURCES OF CARBON MONOXIDE - There are many sources of Carbon Monoxide, but a few that homeowners should be aware of are: Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered equipment; automobile exhaust from attached garages; and tobacco smoke. Incomplete oxidation during combustion in gas ranges and unvented gas or kerosene heaters may cause high concentrations of CO in indoor air. Worn or poorly adjusted and maintained combustion devices (e.g., boilers, furnaces) can be significant sources, or if the flue is improperly sized, blocked, disconnected, or is leaking. Auto, truck, or bus exhaust from attached garages, nearby roads, or parking areas can also be a source.

STEPS TO REDUCE CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE -•Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
•Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.
•Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
•Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
•Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
•Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.
•Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
•Do not idle the car inside garage.

Also, carbon monoxide detectors are available at various stores.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about your Indoor Comfort and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website

A Variable-Speed Air Handler Gives You Precise Comfort Options

Even on the hottest Florida summer day, it can be uncomfortable to feel an icy blast of cold air when your air conditioner kicks on. With a variable-speed air handler, you get a constant flow of heated or cooled air, so you have more precise comfort control all year long.

A variable-speed air handler provides consistent airflow at a low fan speed. When additional heated or cooled air is needed, the speed of the fan increases until the thermostat temperature is met. This type of home comfort technology provides many advantages to you and your family:

•Quiet operation: If you have ever been jolted awake by the sound of your heating and cooling system coming on, you know how noisy a conventional system can be. Constant operation at a low speed is almost unnoticeable, and when the higher fan speed is needed, it gradually increases without making sudden noises.

•Enhanced air quality: Because variable-speed air handlers constantly filter the air that flows through them, the air in your home is much cleaner than with a traditional blower motor. Constant air circulation also means fewer odors and unwanted contaminants, because stale, old air is regularly removed and replaced with air that has just been through the air filter.

•Better energy efficiency: The electricity consumption of a variable-speed air handler is significantly less than a conventional system, saving you hundreds of dollars each year.

•Consistent humidity levels: When your heating and cooling system cycles completely on and off, it also affects the humidity levels in your home. How many times have you turned on the air conditioner not because you were warm, but because the air in your home felt too humid? Constant operation means a consistent humidity level, too.

•Improved home comfort: With no more major temperatures swings, you can feel comfortable all day long.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about your variable-speed air handler ,Indoor Comfort and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website

Repair or Replace Dilemma? Facts about Your A/C’s Lifespan

When HVAC problems start to arise, many homeowners struggle with the question of whether to repair or replace their systems. It’s a difficult and complex question to answer, and it requires a careful assessment not only of initial costs, but also of the extended lifespan repairs which must be considered against the benefits of installing a brand-new system.

For the most part, a good HVAC system should last you around 10 years and only require minimal repairs. This is especially true if you conduct regular preventive maintenance to keep the system running strong. It’s not uncommon for people who take good care of their HVAC systems to get 12 to 15 years of use out of it. Thus, when you move into a new home with central air and heating, it’s extremely important that you learn all you can about the history of the system; find out when it was installed, whether it’s had parts replaced, and whether it’s been maintained properly.

Here are some tips to help you solve the repair or replace dilemma:

■If your system is more than 10 years old, a major repair is really not recommended. A system replacement usually makes more financial sense.

■Older systems become less efficient over time, even when they’re running optimally. New systems will help you save energy. Make sure to factor in your lowered energy bills when you’re doing your “repair or replace” analysis.

■If you’re getting a lot of hot spots and cold spots, if your system struggles to keep your home cool when it’s hot outside and if your system is making strange noises or vibrations, it may make more sense to replace it.

HVAC repair costs can really add up and if they’re not going to solve the problem and help extend the life of a quality, efficient system, replacing it may make more sense. In northeast Florida,Action Air Heating and Air Conditioning is a leading provider of reliable, efficient HVAC solutions, and we’ll be happy to provide you with the help, advice or service you need.

Thermostat Options For Heating And Cooling Systems

When it comes to thermostat options, you basically have two choices: manual or programmable. Both of them are easy to use, but only a programmable thermostat will help you increase energy savings without sacrificing home comfort.

Adjusting your thermostat settings while you are at work or sleeping is a smart and easy way to reduce energy use and lower your utility bills. But coming home to a cold house in winter or a hot, stuffy house in summer is not pleasant for anybody. Using programmable thermostat settings around your regular schedule can help you avoid these problems.

Did you know that in winter you can save up to 3 percent on your energy bills for every degree you lower the thermostat? In summer you can save as much as 4 percent for every degree it’s raised. These savings can really add up, but to get the most from your programmable thermostat, you need to consider a couple key factors:

■Thermostat calibration: Professional installation is highly recommended for new thermostats because correct calibration is critical for proper operation. Your technician should also check the thermostat calibration and settings as part of annual routine maintenance. Don’t forget that your thermostat is a key part of your heating and cooling system.

■Thermostat placement: If your thermostat is placed on a wall that is exposed to a lot of daytime sun or drafts from doorways, the reading will not reflect the actual temperature in the room. Your contractor can help you identify the best thermostat placement, taking into account both external factors and the need for easy access. When exploring your thermostat options, consider the benefits of installing a zoning system at the same time.

Professional installation and maintenance ensures that you get accurate readings, and following these thermostat setting tips will help you maximize energy savings.

If you are ready to upgrade to a programmable thermostat, or even if you just need a little help with the one you already have, <strong>contact the friendly experts at Action Heating and Air Conditioning. Serving Northeast Florida, we’re always happy to help.

Improve Duct Efficiency With These 3 Tips

Your heating and cooling system is just that — a system. Several components play a role in the overall energy efficiency of the system, including the HVAC equipment, ductwork, thermostats and your home.

Inefficiencies in any one of these areas can result in higher utility bills and reduced home comfort. However, duct efficiency plays a particularly important role because ductwork is the delivery system for heated and cooled air.

In Northeast Florida, the highest energy expense is typically for air conditioning during the long cooling season. Improving duct efficiency can help reduce energy bills by keeping more cooled air within the ductwork so it is delivered to your living spaces. These three tips will help improve duct efficiency in your home:

■Find and seal air leaks: Over time, joints between ducts can become loose, flexible ductwork can tear or be punctured and seals can become cracked. Look for air leaks near supply and return registers, at the point where the ductwork connects to HVAC equipment and at any other connection points in the duct system. Seal leaks with mastic tape and replace flexible ductwork when necessary.

■Insulate ductwork: If you have ducts running through unconditioned spaces like the garage or an unfinished basement, heat can be transferred between the air in the ducts and the air outside, heating conditioned air in summer or allowing heat to be lost in winter. This heat transfer causes your heating and cooling system to run more frequently to keep your living spaces at the desired temperature and increases energy bills.

■Ensure proper equipment sizing: If you are purchasing a new heating and cooling system, a proper load calculation is essential for maintaining good duct efficiency. While it may be tempting to buy a larger air conditioner, overloading the ducts can actually reduce energy efficiency and cost you more in the long run.

The Indoor Experts at Action Heating and Air Conditioning can help you evaluate the performance of your entire HVAC system, including duct efficiency. Contact us at any time to schedule an appointment or just to ask for advice from one of our courteous professionals. Serving Northeast Florida, we’re always happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about your Indoor Comfort and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website