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Efficiency Ratings
SEER
Seasonal Energy Efficient Ratio. This is a system for rating the efficiency of cooling equipment. It is calculated by dividing the cooling capacity of a continuously operating air conditioner by the electric power input. The higher the SEER, the less you unit will cost to operate.
Sound Ratings
In recent years, HVAC equipment has not only gotten more energy efficient, it has gotten quieter. Although sound does not effect the efficiency of a unit, it can certainly affect your comfort. If your unit has a low sound level, (you and your neighbors) will hardly notice when it is operating.
Db - Decibel
A term to describe the relative loudness of a sound. Typically, heat pumps and air conditioner are between the sound of a human voice (70 db) and a blender (88 db).
SRN - Sound Rating Number
A unit based on ARI tests. Average sound rating range from 74 to 80 db. The lower the SRN rating, the quieter the unit.
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General Industry Terms
HVAC
Heating, ventilating and air conditioning. This term applies both to the heating and cooling industry and to the products they manufacture.
Split Systems
A "split system" central air conditioner includes a compressor, fan, condenser coil, evaporator coil and refrigerant. The system removes heat from indoor air and transfers it outside, allowing the indoor air to be circulated and cooled (which is measured by SEER, Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). A central air conditioning system uses electricity as its power source.
How can you save energy and lower utility bills?
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Upgrade your HVAC system to one with an SEER rating of at least 13. If your ac unit is more than 12 years old, consider replacing it with a more efficient system.
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Improve your ducts by sealing leaks and insulating ducts in the attics and crawl spaces. This will improve your system's overall performance and your home's
comfort and indoor air quality.
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Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home's
temperature settings when you're away or sleeping. When used properly, a
programmable thermostat with its 4 temperature settings can save up to $100 a
year in energy costs.
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Save with a manual thermostat too. Every degree you set your thermostat up in
hot weather or down in cool weather will help you save on your overall energy
bill.
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Install your central HVAC indoor unit in the garage or indoors only. Not in the
attic.
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Keep your ceiling fan on when you're in the room. This can help save on cooling costs. In summer, run the blades counter-clockwise (downward) to cool more
efficiently. On hotter days, dialing the thermostat up by only 2 degrees and using
the ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by over 14% over the course of
the cooling season. Ceiling fans only cool people, not the room, so when you
leave the room, turn the ceiling fan off.
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Proper maintenance is vital to ensuring that your HVAC system is operating
efficiently and safely. Have a pre-season check-up in the spring and fall to ensure all your parts are working properly to avoid early system failure. During these check-ups, your system's coils will be checked. A dirty coil reduces the system's
ability to cool your home and causes the system to run longer, costing you more
energy dollars and decreasing the life of the equipment.
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Find and seal the leaks around your windows, doors and ducts.
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Keep air registers and vents clear to allow air to flow freely throughout the room.
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Areas We Service
New Castle County
Arden, Ardencroft, Ardentown, Bear, Bellefonte, Delaware City, Elsmere, Middletown, New Castle, Newark, Newport, Odessa, Townsend, Wilmington, Blackbird, Christiana, Claymont, Edgemoor, Greenville, Hockessin, Kirkwood, Manor, Marshallton, Minquadale, Montchanin, Port Penn, Rockland, St. Georges, Stanton, Talleyville, Winterthur, Yorklyn
Kent County
Bowers, Camden, Cheswold, Clayton, Dover, Farmington, Felton, Frederica, Harrington, Hartly, Houston, Kenton, Leipsic, Little Creek, Magnolia, Smyrna, Viola, Woodside, Wyoming
Southern Chester County
Avondale, Chadds Ford, Concordville, Kelton, Landenberg, Lincoln University, London Grove , Kennett Square, Lower Oxford, New Garden, Nottingham, Oxford, Red Lion, Toughkenamon, Unionville, Willowdale, West Grove, Wickerton, Westtown, Willistown |
