HVAC Lingo- What you Don't Know Could Cost You

These terms will allow you to compare apples to apples. Knowing what the terms listed here mean will come in handy:

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER): The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rates how many BTUs an air conditioning unit will remove for each watt of electricity consumed. The higher the SEER, the less you spend on operating costs.

BTU (British Thermal Unit- is a basic measure of thermal (heat) energy. One BTU is the amount of energy needed to heat one pound of water one-degree Fahrenheit. The heat extracted from your home by your A/C is measured in BTUs.

Tonnage- A ton is the cooling capacity of an air conditioning system. Air conditioner equipment power in the U.S. is described in terms of "tons of refrigeration". A ton of refrigeration is approximately equal to the cooling power of 2000 pounds of ice melting in a 24-hour period.

Heat Pump - A heat pump is a compressor that cycles hot or cold air. It is a device that is designed to move thermal energy in the opposite direction of heat flow by absorbing heat from a cold space which is released to a warmer space.

Electric Heat- Straight Cool- just cools your house and must work with an electric source to heat your home.

Heat Load Calculation - Buildings gain heat from sunlight, conduction through the walls, and internal heat sources such as people and electrical equipment. Buildings lose heat through conduction during cold weather. Our technicians use heat load calculations to determine the HVAC needs of the space being cooled or heated.

If you are considering replacing your air conditioning system with a new efficient one call Superior (http://www.superiorheatingandcooling.com/installation/) for a FREE in-Home assessment. (Main Office) 813-854-3449

AIR CONDITIONING MAINTENANCE PREVENTS PROBLEMS & SAVES MONEY!

IF IT'S BEEN 10; IT MIGHT BE TIME

As your central air and heating systems approaches 10 years old, it can cost more in repairs, maintenance and energy costs than the cooling system is worth. This is especially true in Pinellas County, Florida where salt air and high humidity can wreak havoc with your air conditioner. Our air conditioners deal with extremely hot and humid weather most of the year and have to do a lot more work. In some cases, they may run almost continuously nearly every day enduring a lot more wear and tear. In fact, the typical air conditioning system runs 3200 hours a year in Florida and that is the same as you driving your car 102,000 miles a year.

Exploring your options and having the right company install a new high efficiency air conditioner or heat pump that meets EnergyStar standards and features a variable speed blower will reduce your utility bill. Just as important is choosing the right company; an experienced company is crucial. In fact 80% of a new air conditioning system’s efficiency depends on proper installation and matching the right size equipment for your home. Price should never be the main reason to purchase from one company rather than another.

Consider it an investment in your home and as a sure way to cut energy costs. Over time you'll save money and have a more comfortable home in return.

 

WHAT DOES NATE CERTIFIED MEAN?

NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence and it's the nation's largest non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. NATE is owned, operated, developed and supported by the entire HVAC/R industry and participation is strictly voluntary.

We have confidence we are sending only the best, most qualified people to your home to install or service your cooling and heating equipment.

Comfort you can count on!

Pinellas - 727-571-4299 | Pasco - 813-783-7509
Hillsborough - 813-854-3449 | Polk - 863-688-1823

Indoor Air Quality- Did You Know?

Landscaping Tips for Keeping your Home Cool

A well-designed landscape not only can add beauty to your home but also can reduce your heating and cooling costs. A well-placed tree, shrub, or vine can deliver effective shade, act as a windbreak, and reduce your energy bills. Carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of the energy a typical household uses.

In Florida’s humid climate try to –

·        Channel summer breezes toward the home.

·        Solar heat absorbed through windows and roofs can increase cooling costs, shade by landscaping elements can help reduce this solar heat gain. Shading and evapotranspiration from trees can reduce surrounding air temperatures as much as 6° F.

·        Using shade effectively requires you to know the size, shape, and location of the moving shadow that your shading device casts.

·        Although a slow-growing tree may require many years of growth before it shades your roof, it will generally live longer than a fast-growing tree. Also, because slow-growing trees often have deeper roots and stronger branches, they are less prone to breakage by windstorms. Slow-growing trees can also be more drought resistant than fast-growing trees.

·        Trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants can also shade the ground and pavement around the home. This reduces heat radiation and cools the air before it reaches your home’s walls and windows. Use a large bush or row of shrubs to shade a patio or driveway; a hedge to shade a sidewalk.

·        Vines can also shade walls during their first growing season. A lattice or trellis with climbing vines, or a planter box with trailing vines, shades the home’s perimeter while admitting cooling breezes to the shaded area.

·        Shrubs planted close to the house will fill in rapidly and begin shading walls and windows within a few years. However, avoid allowing dense foliage to grow immediately next to a home where wetness and continual humidity could cause problems.

·        To ensure lasting performance of energy-saving landscaping, use plant species that are native as they require little maintenance once established.

Comfort you can count on!

Pinellas - 727-571-4299 | Pasco - 813-783-7509
Hillsborough - 813-854-3449 | Polk - 863-688-1823

Doesn't Feel like Fall?