About Heating and AC

SEER Rating
All new air conditioners range from a 18 SEER to an 21 SEER. The SEER number indicates how efficient an air conditioning unit will be if it is clean, in excellent condition, and installed properly. The larger the SEER rating a unit has, the more efficient it is. Older units have SEER ratings of 6 to 10 and may be costing you through higher energy bills or may not properly cool your home.

Maintenance
Air conditioners and furnaces must be properly maintained to run efficiently. Filters should be changed or cleaned regularly. An annual inspection by a trained technician can identify worn parts or other problems that can cause your units to run inefficiently or even to break down. Read more about our Maintenance Plan.

Refrigerants
R22 has been the standard refrigerant for several years. Because of its effect on the environment, federal regulations require this refrigerant to be phased out. After 2010, it will be obsolete.

PURON is the replacement refrigerant for R22. Because it is more environmentally friendly, all new air conditioning units built after 2010 will use PURON.

Types of Air Conditioners
There are three types of air conditioners: Builder’s Grade, Standard Grade, and Two-Stage.

Most new homes will have Builder’s Grade air conditioners. These are single-stage units with a 13 or 14 SEER rating. The compressor in these units comes with a 5-year warranty instead of the standard 10-year warranty on better models.

Standard Grade models use somewhat better components than builder’s grade units. Their compressors carry a 10-year warranty. The SEER rating of standard grade units is usually 13 to 16. 

Two-Stage models, like a two-stage furnace, have two speeds, which allow the units to run more efficiently. They provide more even cooling from room to room. Their SEER ratings are usually 16 to 21.

Proper sizing
Air conditioners come in different sizes. Their cooling capacities are measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). Homes need 2 ton, 2.5 ton, or 3 ton units. Larger homes may need two units. The size of unit needed will be determined by a home’s square-footage. It is important to have a properly sized air conditioner. One that is too small will not be up to the job of cooling the home and will run constantly, increasing your power bills. One that is too big will not run often enough, failing to properly dehumidify the home.

Insulation
Effective insulation in the attic can reduce energy bills by as much as 30 percent. Insulation keeps in cool air during the summer and warm air in the winter. Blown-in fiberglass insulation won’t shrink over time. Read more about insulation.