The importance of a matched HVAC system...

Radio and TV ads for online dating services stress the importance of finding people you are compatible with - finding the right match, so to speak.  If the right match is important with people, then it is critical with HVAC equipment.  People are flexible; machines are not.

The existing indoor coil is used between 1/3 and 1/2 of the time when air conditioners are replaced.  The tolerances in older, less efficient air conditioners were loose enough that they could be hooked up to an old coil and blow cold air.  You didn't get your promised efficiency, but you did get cold air.

Due to government regulations, today's air conditioners are 30% more efficient than last year's.  Today's air conditioners are highly efficient.  To get the maximum efficiency from your system, is important to provide them with the right match indoors.

A matched system helps ensure you receive:

1. design efficiency
2. stable, reliable operation
3. proper humidity control
4. equipment longevity

If you have any other questions about matched HVAC systems, call us at 918.610.7300!

Oversizing: The #1 Mistake in Air Conditioning Design

In HVAC, bigger is not necessarily better.  It is the most common mistake we see in air conditioning design.  Compared to a correctly sized system, an over-sized system cools poorly, costs more to operate, is noisy, and has a shorter lifespan.

Design occurs in the field

HVAC systems are not designed in the factory.  They are designed by HVAC contractors.  Each system is unique to the home it will be servicing.  We account for your home's design, layout, the type of construction, its orientation tot he sun, shade, our local weather, and (most importantly) your lifestyle.  How you plan on using your air conditioner has a big impact on the design.

After we collect the necessary information, we will perform a load calculation (a highly specialized set of engineering calculations).  Sometimes, we make the calculations on the spot.  Other times, we return to the office to use special design software.  When we perform the calculations in the field, it is not unusual for us to double check them in the office.

You will be unhappy with a HVAC system, no matter how reliable and well-made, if other components of the design are wrong (i.e. poor field fabrications, sloppy installation, etc).

The impact on comfort

When an air conditioner is over-sized, it powers on, runs for a few minutes, lowers the air temperature at the thermostat to the setting, and stops.  A few minutes later, the air temperature rises, and the system powers back on.  This is called short-cycling and is indicative of an over-sized system.

The impact on accoustics

The HVAC system and duct system should be designed together.  If the system is sized larger than the duct system, the volume of air pushed through the ducts raises air velocity, creating what feels like a windstorm in your home.  Noisy grilles, registers, and diffusers indicate over-sized equipment or under-sized ducting.

The impact on efficiency

Short-cycling is not efficient.  It takes a lot more energy to start a motor than to keep one operating.  With your air conditioner, you start three motors: the compressor, the condenser fan motor, and the indoor fan motor.  In addition, you are operating larger, more expensive motors than you need.

Think of a properly sized HVAC system as a fuel-efficient car rolling down the highway.  The over-sized system, by contract, is like a 1960's muscle car in stop-and-go traffic.

The impact on equipment longevity

Short-cycling causes your equipment to wear out sooner.  Just like an old car with lots of highway miles has a longer life than one used for city driving, a correctly sizes air conditioning unit will outlast an over-sized unit.

A continually running air conditioner does not guarantee that it is sized correctly.  Over-sizing covers up other problems.  For example, if your system is over-sized and has a refrigerant leak, it may not be readily apparent until the compressor fails.

If your air conditioner starts and stops regularly on very hot days, it's probably over-sized.  Call Elite and have us perform a load calculation for your home.  Call us today!  918.610.7300

Beat The Heat

Beat the heat by preparing your air conditioner for warm weather.

            Warm temperatures are around the corner – and it’s important to make sure your home is ready.  Being prepared can save you money.

            “Proper care of cooling equipment can keep your unit running efficiently, which saves money and helps avoid costly repairs,” said Joel Kinsch, President of Elite Service Company Heating and Air Conditioning.  “Cooling and heating equipment use more energy than any other appliance.  This inevitable shows up every month on the energy bill, but it’s important to remember that energy costs can be controlled.”

            Consumers’ play a vital role in making sure their cooling equipment for warm weather is to schedule an annual maintenance check up to make sure your unit is running efficiently.  “One of the most effective steps consumers can take to help ensure they’ll get the efficiency they paid for is to contact an experienced, reputable air-conditioning contractor to check their system’s refrigerant charge and operating safety controls,” said Kinsch.

            Although a qualified service technician should handle major maintenance, owners can also help keep the equipment running smoothly.  Operating a dirty unit can cause unnecessary loss of efficiency and can damage the unit.  You can take the following simple steps to ensure your system is running properly:

• Trim brush and shrubbery near outdoor units to prevent airflow obstruction

• Remove grass clippings, leaves, and other debris from the outdoor coil

• Replace indoor unit’s filter monthly

• Reduce clutter in your attic to maintain proper ventilation and reduce the system’s cooling load

“A few minor steps are a small price to pay for high efficiency, which means lower energy bills and improved total comfort,” Kinsch said.

            If you’re in the market for a new cooling unit, consider purchasing a high efficiency model.  They can help reduce your energy costs as well as conserve our natural resources.

            When selecting an air conditioner or heat pump, pay close attention to the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio).  This is a system for rating the efficiency of cooling equipment.  The high the SEER, the less your unit will cost to operate.  The minimum SEER rating is 10.  Some units can have a SEER rating higher than 19.

            Zoning can drastically lower your heating costs.  With zoning, you no longer have to pay to heat or cool areas of your home that are rarely used.  You won’t have to heat or cool the whole house just to make one room comfortable.  Zoning divides your home into separate comfort areas, which are heated or cooled based on your needs.  Zoning is efficient, easy to install, and flexible enough for any home.

            Programmable or setback thermostats can make a big difference in energy consumption.  These thermostats deliver maximum comfort, efficiency, and energy savings.  Setback thermostats are used to achieve the temperatures you want throughout your home.  For example, if you’re going to be away, you can set the whole house at an energy-saving temperature to avoid heating an empty house.  If you have setback thermostats, you can program them to have your living areas comfortable when you arrive home.

Benefits of Dehumidifiers

Summer in the south isn't always pleasant.  With high humidity levels, keeping your home cool while trying to conserve energy can be a challenge.  According to the EPA, the ideal humidity level for your home is 40% - 50%.  Any lower, and you will have problems with static and dry, itchy skin.  Too high, and you may be subjecting your home to insect infiltration and peeling paint.

Is your home’s air stuffy?  Do you have problems with mold and mildew?  Do you notice condensation on your windows, walls, or air conditioning vents?  If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you might benefit from a whole house dehumidifier.

Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air, making it difficult for mold to grow and dust mites to reproduce.  They can also help reduce your asthma symptoms.  Reducing the humidity in your home will help control the insect population in  your home as well.  Keeping your home’s air in the 40% - 50% humidity range will also help prevent rot in your home’s structure. 

Honeywell carries humidifiers and dehumidifiers to help you keep your home within the optimal humidity range year round.  Their products attach directly to your home’s ductwork, treating the air at the source. 

Call Elite for an estimate on a dehumidifier today!  918.610.7300

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Angie's List 2013 Super Service Award!

And the award goes to...Elite Service Co!  Thank you so much, Tulsa, for making us your preferred HVAC contractor.  It is an honor to be chosen as a recipient for Angie's List Super Service Award, and we couldn't have done it without our loyal customers.  Call Elite and reference this blog article for 10% off your next service!  918.610.7300

Offer Expires 4.30.14

2014 PSO Whole House Energy Program

Earth Day is Tuesday, April 22nd, and we can't think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day than by reducing your energy output!  

Did you know you can save up to $5,000 on energy efficient upgrades through PSO's Whole House Efficiency Program?  

If you've been thinking about upgrading your home's HVAC system, there has never been a better time!  

The PSO Whole House Efficiency Program offers incentives for the following energy saving measures:  Attic/Ceiling insulation, knee wall insulation, wall insulation, floor/crawlspace insulation, water heater replacement, air infiltration, duct sealing, duct replacement, solar screens, Energy Star windows and doors, ground source heat pumps and HVAC systems.  

Call Elite for details on how to participate!  918.610.7300

Elite's Website Gets a Re-boot!

Elite Service Co. decided to start 2013 off with a new look! Thanks to Whitney Ludwig at GeekGirl Design, Elite has a snappy new image to welcome in the New Year. Take a look!

Angie's List 2012 Super Service Award!

Elite has won the 2012 Angie's List Super Service Award in the categories of HVAC and Insulation! Thank you to our fantastic customers. We couldn't have done it without your support!