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SOUTH DADE AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION, INC. |
Consumer Information
There is more to creating Comfort than meets the eye!
This HVAC diagram gives us look into a complete HVAC system. Our comfort specialists will
look at every detail, including: indoor and outdoor equipment, refrigerant tubing, filtration
system, grills, registers, the entire duct system and controls. This will ensure maximum
comfort, efficiency and reliability from your comfort system!
Home Energy Magazine Reports:
85% of all HVAC Systems are improperly charged (US)
88% of all HVAC Systems are overly sized. (US)
Common HVAC Questions & Answers:
Q: What is a SEER? What do the numbers mean?
A: The Department of Energy requires an efficiency rating of all air conditioning equipment.
This rating is called the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER. The simplest way to
consider the SEER is as the amount of cooling you get for your energy dollar, kind of like
miles per gallon with your automobile. The higher the number, the lower the energy cost to
cool your home.
Q: Should I set my thermostat to "auto" or "on"?
A: Most of the time leave it on auto. This setting uses the least energy because the fan runs
only when necessary to cool or heat your home. Fan "on" however is useful to even out hot
spots in the home, evenly distribute and constantly filter air. People often use it during
pleasant Spring days to keep the home evenly comfortable, or when there is a "hot spot" in
the home such as a very active kitchen during the Holidays.
Q: How must I maintain shrubs and plants around my air conditioner?
A: Most manufacturers recommend plants be no closer than 18 inches to the unit, in order
to allow for air circulation. In order to service the unit, a clearance of three feet is required
on the "service" side of the equipment. These guidelines not only help your air conditioner
"breathe" easier, but lower cooling bills and maintenance costs by keeping the outdoor
coils clean.
Q: If an outdoor unit needs replacing, should the indoor unit be replaced too?
A: Yes. Your air conditioning sytem is just that: a system of components designed to work
together for the best efficiency and comfort in your home. This was not such an issue in the
past, but has become critical with newer high-efficiency systems equipment mandated
after January, 2006. A new 14-SEER condenser matched with an old 10-SEER air handler
will certainly disappoint you. On rare occasions upgrades may be made to the air handler,
but they may prove cost-prohibitive.
Q: Is my air conditioner the right size for my home?
A: At COMPLETE Air Conditioning, we are prepared to consider the many factors that go into
a correctly sized air conditioner, and will do so before making a recommendation. Rules of
thumb (such as square feet per ton) are useful, but can be dangerous. There are many
factors - the direction the home faces, construction materials, roof color, the number and
type of windows, insulation, and even your lifestyle and the number of people living in your
home - that go into determining the right system for your home.
Q: What is a split system?
A: A split system has a "condenser" outdoors and an "air handler" indoors. Some designs
incorporate both into one "package" unit, which is usually located on the roof or on the
ground beside the home, with air ducts connected to it.
Q: Do I need a humidistat? How do they work?
A: A humidistat runs the air conditioner in response to humidity rather than to temperature
when the home is unoccupied and temperature is not an issue. The objective is to protect
the home and at the same time save energy costs. A humidistat should be considered if you
occupy your home seasonally.
Q: Do my ducts need cleaning?
A: If you experience any of the following - dirty streaks or bits of debris from the grilles on
the ceiling, "dirty sock" smell from your air conditioner when it starts up, or allergy
symptoms that come upon you when you are at home but disappear when you are away -
your system should be inspected.
Q: Is my refrigerant obsolete?
A: The R-22 refrigerant is in the process of being phased out in order to protect the ozone
layer and is no longer produced domestically. The phase-out will take place by 2010, when
all new air conditioners will be required to use more "environmentally friendly" refrigerants.
Most leading manufacturers have committed to 410-A as the new refrigerant of choice.
This HVAC diagram gives us look into a complete HVAC system. Our comfort specialists will
look at every detail, including: indoor and outdoor equipment, refrigerant tubing, filtration
system, grills, registers, the entire duct system and controls. This will ensure maximum
comfort, efficiency and reliability from your comfort system!
Home Energy Magazine Reports:
85% of all HVAC Systems are improperly charged (US)
88% of all HVAC Systems are overly sized. (US)
Common HVAC Questions & Answers:
Q: What is a SEER? What do the numbers mean?
A: The Department of Energy requires an efficiency rating of all air conditioning equipment.
This rating is called the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER. The simplest way to
consider the SEER is as the amount of cooling you get for your energy dollar, kind of like
miles per gallon with your automobile. The higher the number, the lower the energy cost to
cool your home.
Q: Should I set my thermostat to "auto" or "on"?
A: Most of the time leave it on auto. This setting uses the least energy because the fan runs
only when necessary to cool or heat your home. Fan "on" however is useful to even out hot
spots in the home, evenly distribute and constantly filter air. People often use it during
pleasant Spring days to keep the home evenly comfortable, or when there is a "hot spot" in
the home such as a very active kitchen during the Holidays.
Q: How must I maintain shrubs and plants around my air conditioner?
A: Most manufacturers recommend plants be no closer than 18 inches to the unit, in order
to allow for air circulation. In order to service the unit, a clearance of three feet is required
on the "service" side of the equipment. These guidelines not only help your air conditioner
"breathe" easier, but lower cooling bills and maintenance costs by keeping the outdoor
coils clean.
Q: If an outdoor unit needs replacing, should the indoor unit be replaced too?
A: Yes. Your air conditioning sytem is just that: a system of components designed to work
together for the best efficiency and comfort in your home. This was not such an issue in the
past, but has become critical with newer high-efficiency systems equipment mandated
after January, 2006. A new 14-SEER condenser matched with an old 10-SEER air handler
will certainly disappoint you. On rare occasions upgrades may be made to the air handler,
but they may prove cost-prohibitive.
Q: Is my air conditioner the right size for my home?
A: At COMPLETE Air Conditioning, we are prepared to consider the many factors that go into
a correctly sized air conditioner, and will do so before making a recommendation. Rules of
thumb (such as square feet per ton) are useful, but can be dangerous. There are many
factors - the direction the home faces, construction materials, roof color, the number and
type of windows, insulation, and even your lifestyle and the number of people living in your
home - that go into determining the right system for your home.
Q: What is a split system?
A: A split system has a "condenser" outdoors and an "air handler" indoors. Some designs
incorporate both into one "package" unit, which is usually located on the roof or on the
ground beside the home, with air ducts connected to it.
Q: Do I need a humidistat? How do they work?
A: A humidistat runs the air conditioner in response to humidity rather than to temperature
when the home is unoccupied and temperature is not an issue. The objective is to protect
the home and at the same time save energy costs. A humidistat should be considered if you
occupy your home seasonally.
Q: Do my ducts need cleaning?
A: If you experience any of the following - dirty streaks or bits of debris from the grilles on
the ceiling, "dirty sock" smell from your air conditioner when it starts up, or allergy
symptoms that come upon you when you are at home but disappear when you are away -
your system should be inspected.
Q: Is my refrigerant obsolete?
A: The R-22 refrigerant is in the process of being phased out in order to protect the ozone
layer and is no longer produced domestically. The phase-out will take place by 2010, when
all new air conditioners will be required to use more "environmentally friendly" refrigerants.
Most leading manufacturers have committed to 410-A as the new refrigerant of choice.
"HONEST AND RELIABLE" Serving Homestead & South Dade For Over 30 Years! 13495 SW 260th St Homestead, FL 33032 Tel: 305-258-8898 Fax: 305-258-8893 Email: info@southdadeair.net Licensed & Insured Certified Mechanical Contractor #1249506 |
