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Changing Your Heat Pump or Air Conditioner?If you are considering replacement of your air conditioner or heat pump, there are several things to consider before you invest in a new unit. EFFICIENCY First, take a look at the efficiency of your current system. Air conditioners and heat pumps are rated according to their SEER. SEER is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which measures the efficiency of the unit. SEER ratings range between 10 and 18. A 10 SEER air conditioner or heat pump is the minimum that can be installed in homes according to current energy codes. If your existing air conditioner or heat pump is ten years old or older, you could have a SEER rating between 7 to 10. Efficient air conditioners with a SEER of 12 or higher can save 20 percent or more in cooling costs compared to a 10 SEER unit. If the unit is 10 years old or older, a 25 to 40 percent savings could be experienced with a 12 SEER unit. Sawnee EMC recommends a rating of 12 or higher when considering new air conditioners or heat pumps. SIZING OF THE UNIT Next, determine the size of your air conditioning unit. You can find the size of your current unit by locating the manufacturers plate on your air conditioner or heat pump. The plate is typically located around where the coolant lines from the home enter the unit. The model number contains a number that is divisible by 12, such as 18, 24, 30, 36, or 42. Once located, divide it by 12 to determine the tonnage of the unit (i.e. 36 divided by 12 indicates a 3 ton air conditioning unit). A rough estimate for sizing an air conditioner or heat pump unit is 600-650 square feet per ton. For instance, if an area in your home is 1400 sq ft of conditioned space, you would divide 1400 by 650 to get 2.1, indicating the need for a 2-ton unit. It is better to be slightly undersized with air conditioning equipment than oversized. “Bigger is not better,” over-sized HVAC equipment results in higher purchase cost, higher usage cost, and wasted energy. Again, the 600-650 sq/ft per ton is a rough estimate. There are other factors that influence the sizing of equipment. A licensed HVAC contractor should perform a load calculation to determine the proper size for your home. Click here to view more information on sizing your system. CURRENT HVAC SYSTEM When considering the size of your units, also consider any modifications that have been made to the existing system. Was the basement finished or were rooms added after construction? Were proper steps taken to compensate for this additional conditioned space? In many cases, the existing HVAC system is used for heating and cooling of these areas. When the original air conditioner or heat pump was installed, it was sized for the existing conditioned areas. A unit is under-sized when additional conditioned space is added and the unit is not upgraded to meet the new demand. Under-sizing a unit results in lower efficiency, higher costs, and longer run times needed for heating and cooling the home. DUCTS A very important part of your air system that is often overlooked is the ductwork. Ducts that are sized incorrectly, not properly sealed, and/or obstructed can lead to much higher energy bills along with creating other problems in the house. Click here to read about making your ducts more energy efficient. COST Air conditioners and heat pumps are expensive to replace and/or upgrade. Cost will play a large part in your decision to purchase the equipment. We recommend getting more than one estimate from licensed HVAC contractors to ensure you are paying a reasonable price. Also, take into consideration the savings associated with a higher SEER rating. One last point to take under advisement would be any warranties that are offered with the equipment. Click on the following link for a complete guide from ENERGY STAR: You may have to download Adobe Acrobat Reader©. to view the pdf files.
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